Anime and Manga Lost US$68 Billion in 2025 Because of Online Piracy

The global popularity of Japanese anime and manga has soared in recent years, captivating audiences worldwide.

However, this immense success has been accompanied by a significant and growing challenge: online piracy.

A recent survey conducted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), also known as "Nippon," has revealed a staggering estimate.

The Japanese content industry, which encompasses both anime and manga, is projected to lose approximately US$68 billion (10.4 trillion yen) in 2025 due to online piracy and counterfeit goods.

This figure represents a dramatic increase in damages compared to the last survey in 2022.

This issue not only harms creators and legitimate businesses but also threatens Japan's cultural export ambitions.

The METI report provides a detailed breakdown of these estimated losses.

For video content, primarily anime, the losses are anticipated to reach US$15.1 billion (2.3 trillion yen), marking a substantial 150% increase from 2022 figures.

The publishing sector, dominated by manga, faces even steeper losses, estimated at US$17 billion (2.6 trillion yen), a remarkable 200% increase over 2022.

Furthermore, the survey for the first time examined the impact of bootleg merchandise, which alone is projected to account for US$30.8 billion (4.7 trillion yen) in losses.

These figures paint a grim picture of the economic toll taken by unauthorized distribution and sales.

Digital piracy is unequivocally perceived as a major threat that is actively hindering Japan's strategic goal to expand overseas sales of its content to 20 trillion yen by 2033.

The unchecked proliferation of illegal platforms, such as HiAnime, diverts significant revenue away from official streaming services, publishers, and the talented creators who bring these stories to life.

These platforms often offer high-quality content without proper licensing, making them attractive to consumers who might otherwise pay for official access.

Further studies and observations strongly corroborate the severe economic impact of piracy.

The anti-piracy group ABJ estimated lost revenue from illegal online viewing of Japanese manga and other publications worldwide at around 8.5 trillion yen (approximately US$55 billion) annually.

This estimate was based on an extensive analysis of 913 websites and 2.8 billion visits in a single month.

Similarly, the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) reported that the anime and manga industries collectively lost between 1.9 to 2.2 trillion yen (US$14.2 to US$16.5 billion) in 2021 alone, a fivefold increase from 2019.

The shutdown of major manga piracy networks, like Bato.to (which operated approximately 60 related sites), highlighted the scale of the problem.

These networks recorded a staggering traffic of 7.2 billion visits between October 2022 and October 2025, with an estimated economic impact of around 770 billion yen (US$5.1 to US$5.2 billion).

These illicit sites were sophisticated, distributing Japanese, Chinese, and Korean manga translated into over 50 languages and employing methods like geoblocking to evade detection.

The escalating losses are attributed to a confluence of factors.

These include exchange rate fluctuations, rising production costs, a global increase in internet-connected populations, and the ever-growing worldwide popularity of Japanese content.

Ironically, the very success that makes anime and manga so valuable also makes them prime targets for pirated material, as wider access facilitates illegal distribution.

To actively combat this multifaceted challenge, the Japanese government plans to strengthen cooperation with local authorities in other countries, reinforce litigation systems to pursue legal action more effectively, and expand countermeasures against copyright infringement.

This includes addressing new threats posed by generative AI and the ongoing fight against counterfeit goods.