One Piece Animator Slams Piracy Culture, Manga Leaks in Viral Post

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As a seasoned gamer and anime enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu when it comes to the topic of anime piracy. Back in the day, we had to wait for weeks or even months to catch our favorite shows, only to find them on bootleg VHS tapes at local comic book stores. But times have changed, and now, with just a few clicks, we can access an endless stream of anime content. However, this convenience has come at a cost – the rise of piracy and manga leaks.

When it comes down to it, who doesn’t like free anime? There was once a time where anime was impossible to get a hold of unless you had ample funds to import VHS tapes, but those days are gone. There are plenty of streaming services that offer free-to-watch anime from Tubi to Freevee. Still, this industry shift has not stopped piracy. In fact, technology has only made anime piracy and manga leaks worse. So really, it was just a matter of time before an industry insider went viral for pushing back against the trend.

Through social media outlets, Sota Shigetsugu has garnered attention due to recent open expressions of dissatisfaction. Known primarily for work on the series One Piece, this artist expresses their discontent towards supposed fans distributing anime pre-releases online.

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Shigetsugu stated, ‘Most fans are wonderful individuals, but I frequently notice some overseas fans eager for leaks or thanking those who share content illegally. It’s disheartening to see pirated anime clips being shared immediately after they’ve been released in theaters.’

The animator expressed frustration by saying, “How much enjoyment have been spoiled due to leaks? It’s not just those who leak content that I find displeasing, but also the so-called fans who seem to enjoy it. I can’t help but feel that this shouldn’t be something to take pleasure in.

Moving forward, a member of the One Piece team expressed his view that the emergence of simulcast schedules has significantly disrupted the anime industry. If given the opportunity, Shigetsugu would propose extending the gap between releases in Japan and the U.S., as he believes the majority of leaks originate from abroad, and a delay could help mitigate this issue.

It’s unfortunate that films are simultaneously released globally. If releases were limited to Japan, unauthorized copies, known as ‘camrips’, rarely occur. However, once a film is released abroad, pirated footage begins circulating on the very first day. I truly wish there was a delay between Japanese and global releases, even though I understand the eagerness of international fans. Unfortunately, camrips happen every time a film is released overseas.

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It’s clear that Shigetsugu strongly opposes anime piracy, and he isn’t alone in this sentiment among industry veterans in Japan. From anime piracy to manga leaks, creators across the board have spoken out against these practices. Recently, Netflix faced a significant data breach that exposed several popular anime series like “Dandadan.” The team at Science Saru didn’t hesitate to criticize both the piracy trend and the leak. Despite the ongoing challenge of anime piracy, studios and licensors are working hard to combat it.

Over the past five years, both manga publishers and anime distributors have been actively combating piracy. Numerous significant legal actions have been initiated in recent times, aimed at apprehending these content leakages. In the U.S., entities like Aniplex have successfully shut down some of the largest online platforms disseminating unauthorized anime, including those offering NSFW material. The question remains whether this tough enforcement strategy will eradicate piracy or merely delay it.

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2024-09-30 18:40