New data has surfaced, shedding light on the most pirated TV shows of 2024, and anime is at the forefront. A recent report from data analytics company MUSO reveals that Japanese anime, particularly those streamed by Crunchyroll, have dominated the piracy. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 has claimed the unfortunate title of the most pirated series of the year.
Crunchyroll exclusively licensed all but one of the top ten most pirated TV series. Dandadan Season 1 was the exception, as it was streamed on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Alongside Tensura, My Hero Academia Season 7 and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 took the second and third spots, respectively. The ranking highlights the ongoing issue of anime piracy, despite legal accessibility through streaming platforms.
Anime Takes Over the Most Pirated Shows List
According to Variety, which covered MUSO’s latest findings, anime fans have turned to piracy at an alarming rate. The top ten pirated TV shows of 2024 saw a heavy presence of anime, with Crunchyroll being the primary streamer. The list includes major titles like Solo Leveling, Blue Lock, and Tower of God, all of which saw significant global interest throughout the year.
The report notes that the timing of the release may have influenced rankings, as many of the top-pirated series debuted in the Winter and Spring seasons. Two-cour anime dominated the list, while single-cour anime like Solo Leveling, Blue Lock, and Dandadan trailed behind. Promotion and accessibility also played a role, with Solo Leveling being one of the most widely available anime, dubbed in 12 languages and subbed in 18.
Crunchyroll has been aggressive in expanding its international reach, especially in India, where it offers an affordable subscription at just $1.14 per month. The platform has also localized content in multiple languages, making anime more accessible worldwide. Despite this, piracy remains a major issue, with India ranking among the top five countries for TV piracy in 2023, following the U.S., Russia, the U.K., and Canada.
Interestingly, most pirated titles have extensive subtitle and dubbing support in regions where piracy is rampant. Solo Leveling, Tower of God, and Blue Lock offer subtitles in 16 to 18 languages, furthering their reach. Meanwhile, Mushoku Tensei and Tower of God are the only titles available in Russian for both subbed and dubbed audiences. This suggests a direct correlation between language support and piracy trends.
While Crunchyroll and other platforms continue to make anime more accessible, piracy remains a challenge. The latest MUSO report highlights how high-demand anime still struggles with illegal distribution, despite being available through legal means. With streaming services expanding globally, it remains to be seen whether improved access can curb piracy or if it will continue to be a persistent issue in the anime industry.
