Anime Piracy Takes Big Hit With Major Sites Shutting Down

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As a seasoned gamer and long-time anime enthusiast, I’ve witnessed the evolution of the anime community over the years, and I must say, the recent developments have left me both perplexed and concerned. The shutdowns of popular piracy sites like AnimeFenix, GogoAnime, and Anitaku are a stark reminder of how the tides are changing in the world of online entertainment.

Due to recent efforts against piracy, millions of anime enthusiasts globally may need to discover alternative methods to watch their preferred shows. Notably, well-known pirated anime platforms such as GogoAnime, Anitaku, and AnimeFenix, according to TorrentFreak, have announced closures following copyright infringement claims. As more legitimate streaming options merge and expand, they aim to attract a portion of the audience from these shuttered sites. For instance, Sony’s acquisition of Funimation and its merger with Crunchyroll has brought a significant number of anime properties under one umbrella.

If supporters choose not to compensate them directly, they might resort to other means rather than forgoing anime entirely, especially when hit shows like “One Piece” are placed behind a subscription barrier. This issue can escalate significantly as more well-known series get concealed this way.

For numerous decades, piracy has been an integral aspect of the anime community. It originated when enthusiasts would exchange VHS tapes to complete series since there weren’t many other options available for staying updated on this growing yet niche medium. As the internet emerged, the process became much faster, leading millions of people to frequently visit piracy websites. Although it seems unlikely that piracy will be completely eradicated, the course of the ongoing fight appears to be changing.

AnimeFenix Leaves Final Message for Fans 

As per TorrentFreak’s report, AnimeFenix, primarily catering to a Spanish-speaking demographic, publicly voiced their concerns over perceived monopolies dominating the anime industry.

“A big thank you to everyone who has supported us so far! Regrettably, our journey with AnimeFenix comes to an end today, December 1. The website will be terminated by copyright control agencies as part of their process.

“Sony now owns more than 60% of the anime industry with the purchase of Funimation and now also Kadokawa. The call is for you as consumers to be aware of the monopolies that the big companies are creating and, through local regulations in your countries, support policies that protect this art that has given us so much,” the message continued. “[This art] is now in danger of becoming increasingly inaccessible via subscriptions to multiple ‘legal’ content sites that use dubious practices with animators and creators and abusive prices.” AnimeFenix said in their statement.

AnimeFenix asserted that as long as there are businesses driven more by greed than compassion, piracy in the anime world will persist. They express optimism that future alterations in online entertainment patterns might foster a greater number of animes imbued with heart and compelling narratives, which should be embraced by fans to support their creators. This statement shows a strong conviction that anime piracy remains unchanged despite recent developments.

The Controversial Conversation Around Anime Piracy

Piracy is historically a very controversial topic. It’s present in most entertainment industries and never seems to go away, and creators in the anime community generally frown upon it. For example, this past September, Sota Shigetsugu, known for his illustration work on One Piece, came under fire for giving his opinion on the matter.

Shigetsugu mentioned that most fans are wonderful individuals, but he frequently notices some overseas fans eagerly waiting for leaks or thanking those who share content illegally. It’s disheartening for him when pirated anime footage is shared immediately after it premieres in theaters.

The animator expressed frustration by saying, “How many enjoyable reading and viewing experiences have been spoiled due to leaks? It’s not just the leakers who are problematic, but also the so-called fans who seem to enjoy this behavior.” He further added, “Stop acting like it’s something to be admired or appreciated.

From another perspective, according to TorrentFreak, sites like GogoAnime, Anitaku, and AnimeFenix attracted over 100 million visits per month. This suggests a substantial audience for pirated content who either don’t wish or can’t afford to view it legally elsewhere. The question now is whether any of these shutdown websites’ fans will switch to legal content, or if they’ll continue to seek out new pirated alternatives instead.

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2024-12-04 19:40