In a challenging economic year, pirated manga surged by 26 times in 2021, leaving Japanese mangaka in dismay.

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 1/5/2026

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Surging 26 times, the explosive rise of pirated manga in 2021 led to the Japanese comic industry losing hundreds of billions of yen. This alarming figure calls for a need for change in 2022.

Alongside the most beloved anime rankings, manga in 2021, the revenue of the comic industry in Japan also garnered significant attention. Recently, Yahoo News Japan published a statistical article showing a sharp increase in manga copyright violations in 2021. Compared to 2020, the illicit comics and their revenue increased 26 times, a staggering number in a country that values copyrights like Japan.

Specifically, the Japan Book Publishers Association discovered 400 different pages of pirated comics. Among them, the top 3 accessed pages increased by 26 times, reaching 326 million visits in just one month. Estimated across the top 10 illicit comic pages, the manga industry's loss exceeded 780 billion yen. Meanwhile, in 2020, the profit loss was 210 billion yen. In terms of profit, pirated printed comics in Japan increased nearly 4 times compared to 2020. At the beginning of 2021, laws addressing copyright infringement were passed to tighten the protection of intellectual property for mangaka.

Currently, the police and major publishers like Shueisha are working to identify the operators of pirate websites for legal action. According to Japan's amended copyright law, downloading copyrighted material from illegal websites is a criminal offense, punishable by up to 2 years in prison or a fine of 2 million yen, or both. For websites illegally posting, the penalty is 5 years imprisonment or a fine of 5 million yen, or both.

Illicit comics have never been beneficial for both mangaka and readers. While convenient in the short term, they leave significant consequences in the future. Therefore, authorities in Japan emphasize the alarming figures, urging readers to be more responsible in protecting the creative efforts of mangaka and publishers in 2022.

What are your thoughts on the surge of pirated manga by 26 times in 2021, leaving Japanese mangaka in distress? Feel free to share your opinions on this issue!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What impact did the rise of pirated manga have on the Japanese comic industry?

The surge in pirated manga resulted in significant financial losses for the Japanese comic industry, exceeding 780 billion yen in 2021. This alarming figure highlights the detrimental effects of copyright violations on both creators and the industry as a whole.

How much did the revenue from pirated manga increase compared to 2020?

In 2021, the revenue from pirated manga in Japan increased nearly four times compared to 2020, demonstrating a significant escalation in copyright infringement and its impact on the comic industry, which prompted urgent calls for change.

What legal actions are being taken against manga piracy in Japan?

In response to rising piracy, Japan has enacted stricter copyright laws that make downloading from illegal websites a criminal offense. Authorities, including police and publishers, are actively pursuing legal actions against pirate website operators to protect intellectual property.

What consequences do readers face for downloading pirated manga in Japan?

Readers who download pirated manga from illegal websites in Japan may face serious penalties, including up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 2 million yen. These legal consequences aim to deter copyright infringement and protect the rights of creators.

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