Japan Shuts Down 84 Anime Piracy Sites With Government-Supported Hackers

The fight against illegal streaming has intensified as Japan shut down 84 anime piracy sites with government-backed hackers. This large-scale operation is part of an international initiative to protect anime, manga, and entertainment creators from massive losses.

Japan fights anime piracy with hackers

According to the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), as of March 2025, their international enforcement project successfully closed dozens of illegal anime websites. The operation uses white-hat hackers, experts who can trace operators even when they hide behind fake identities or frequently switch domains.

CODA reported that the damage caused by piracy of movies, anime, and other Japanese content reached around ¥2 trillion (US$13 billion+) in 2022. The Japanese government aims to boost legal overseas content sales to ¥20 trillion by 2033, making anti-piracy actions essential.

Recent cases include the arrest of piracy site operators in China. One major offender distributed nearly 18,000 anime episodes illegally, profiting from ad revenue before being taken down.

Another example involves Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, released in July 2025. Despite breaking box office records, pirated copies quickly surfaced online. The official Demon Slayer website even warned fans in Japanese, English, and Chinese that “anonymous posts can be traced back to their source.”

Supported by Japan’s government, CODA believes these actions are crucial to ensuring anime and manga creators receive fair recognition and income. With the help of hackers and international cooperation, Japan is taking a firm stance against anime piracy.

via Sankei