Japan To Build AI System To Detect & Combat Anime, Manga Piracy

The anime and manga industries are grappling with massive financial losses due to piracy, with damages estimated at approximately 2 trillion yen (around $13.4 billion USD) annually, according to Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs.

In 2023 alone, the manga industry lost over $3.5 billion due to piracy.

In response, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs has announced plans to develop an artificial intelligence-based system to identify and target unauthorized sites hosting manga and anime.

The initiative is backed by a 300-million-yen (around $2 million USD) allocation from the fiscal year’s supplementary budget as part of broader efforts to protect intellectual property rights.

The AI system aims to streamline the detection of piracy sites and enhance the efficiency of takedown requests.

By automating the identification process, the agency hopes to counter the rapid growth of such sites and bolster protections for rights holders.

“Identifying piracy sites manually is time-consuming, costly, and has its limits. By building a more effective countermeasure, we aim to reduce piracy sites and enhance the protection of rights holders,” the Agency for Cultural Affairs stated, explaining the decision.

The system will train AI to recognize piracy websites by analyzing their layouts, advertisements, and content patterns. It will also utilize image recognition to detect unauthorized use of manga and anime materials provided by publishers.

Once a site is flagged, the system will facilitate a streamlined process for rights holders to file takedown requests, reducing the burden on publishers and creators.

The development of this AI-based system is part of Japan’s ongoing efforts to crack down on anime and manga piracy.

Recently, two individuals suspected of leaking Shonen Jump chapters ahead of their official release dates were arrested.

In their ongoing trial, prosecutors are seeking prison sentences and hefty fines, reflecting the government’s stringent stance on piracy.

Japan has also taken action against multiple piracy sites both within and beyond its borders. One of the most high-profile cases involved the notorious piracy site Mangamura.

The Tokyo District Court ordered the site’s former operator to pay 1.7 billion yen (approximately $11.4 million USD) in damages to three major publishing houses: Shogakukan, Kadokawa, and Shueisha.

Internationally, Japan’s CODA (Content Overseas Distribution Association) played a significant role in shutting down 36 piracy websites in Brazil.

Efforts to combat piracy are not limited to Japan. Piracy watchdogs worldwide are also stepping up enforcement.

Recently, two major anime piracy sites, Aniwave and Anisuge, were taken down, showcasing a collective push to curb the growing issue.

Official Source