Anime piracy has been a persistent issue for years with popularShonen Jumpseries, but a new report highlights just how widespread the problem has become in 2024. With the rise of streaming services and increasing subscription costs, many fans are turning to illegal sites to watch their favorite series. Despite the industry’s efforts to curb piracy, it continues to thrive, affecting both anime studios and legal streaming platforms. The latest data reveals that multiple anime series rank among the most pirated TV shows of the year, underscoring how deeply ingrained this issue has become.
The list of the most pirated shows in 2024, fromplagiarismtoday.com, includes major anime titles likeThat Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slimeseason 3,My Hero Academiaseason 7, andSolo Levelingseason 1.These popular series, alongside others likeDandadanandBlue Lockseason 2, are competing with Western hits such asHouse of the DragonandThe Boysfor the top spots in illegal downloads. The inclusion of so many anime series in the ranking suggests that fans are increasingly resorting to piracy, potentially due to accessibility issues or high subscription costs.
The Rise of Anime Piracy in 2024
Anime Piracy Is Growing and This Is A Huge Problem
Anime piracy has surged in recent years, with 2024 seeing some of the highest numbers of illegal downloads yet. Several factors contribute to this, including the fragmentation of streaming platforms, regional restrictions, and rising costs. Fans who once relied on a single service to watch their favorite shows now need multiple subscriptions, making legal access more expensive and complicated. As a result, many turn to piracy as a way to bypass these barriers, even if it harms the industry.
From Piracy Problems to Labor Shortages, the Anime Industry Is Facing a Reckoning
Despite its success across the world and against piracy, the anime industry has been involved in severe controversies lately.
Some anime series also experience delays in international releases, prompting viewers to seek unofficial sources.DandadanandTower of Godseason 2, for example, have been heavily pirated, partly due to staggered global rollouts, even if there are just hour delays. When anime is not made available to all audiences simultaneously,fans often resort to piracy rather than waiting for an official release.This growing trend suggests that unless streaming services address accessibility issues, piracy will continue to be a major problem.
The Impact on the Anime Industry
How Piracy Affects Anime Overall
The consequences of anime piracy are severe, affecting both creators and legal distributors. Studios rely on streaming revenue, merchandise sales, and licensing deals to sustain production costs. When fans choose to pirate rather than support official releases, studios lose critical funding, potentially leading to budget cuts, production delays, or even cancelations.Popular series likeMushoku Tensei: Jobless ReincarnationandTsukimichi: Moonlight Fantasyare prime targets for piracy, despite their success in legal markets.
Legal streaming platforms also suffer as piracy reduces subscription numbers and ad revenue.Platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix have invested heavily in securing rights for anime titles, yet many users still opt for illegal sites to avoid subscription fees. If this trend continues, it could lead to fewer anime licenses being acquired, limiting legal access even further. To combat piracy, companies may need to explore new strategies, such as affordable bundle options or improved global release schedules, to encourage more fans to support the industry legally.
Shonen Jump
Shonen Jumpis one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, andNaruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.
