HiAnime: U.S. Govt Lists Top Anime Piracy Site as ‘Notorious’

The U.S. government has added a large anime streaming website to its notorious streaming list, citing piracy issues in the anime industry where many fans refuse to pay for subscriptions.

HiAnime, a notorious website, was added to the NML list, surpassing giant streaming platforms like Disney+ and Crunchyroll in monthly visitors.

HiAnime has experienced significant growth

HiAnime, a popular anime piracy platform, attracts over 300 million monthly visitors, three times that of Crunchyroll, offering access to popular series like Attack on Titan.

In November 2024, the site generated 331.6 million visits, surpassing established platforms like Peacock TV, Hulu, and GitHub in monthly traffic.

The platform’s massive attention underscores the increasing demand for free, illegal streaming services, as many fans prefer these alternatives over multiple subscriptions.

Serious Implications of the NML Listing

USTR’s 2024 report identifies HiAnime.to as one of the websites and marketplaces on the NML list, which identifies those infringing on copyrights and trademarks.

The designation often increases the pressure from authorities and industry groups to shut down offending platforms.

HiAnime.to, a popular anime piracy platform, has faced similar challenges to Zoro.to and Aniwatch, both shut down due to piracy concerns. Despite these challenges, HiAnime.to has rebranded and rebranded under new domain names.

The Challenge of Combating Piracy

CODA and ACE are working to combat piracy in various entertainment industries, including anime. Recently, CODA shut down Rine.cloud, a Brazilian anime piracy site with 2.74 million monthly visitors, demonstrating their commitment to combating piracy in the entertainment sector.

HiAnime.to, a popular piracy platform, has been rebranded multiple times to evade detection, a strategy that has allowed it to continue operating despite multiple attempts at shutdown.

Why Fans Turn to Piracy

Anime enthusiasts often use multiple subscriptions for streaming, resulting in cost savings due to the fragmented market and the need for illegal alternatives like HiAnime.

The increasing demand for streaming services and animation studios is significantly impacted by piracy, which disrupts revenue streams, threatening creators’ livelihoods and the industry’s sustainability.

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As SimilarWeb’s data shows, HiAnime.to received 331.6 million visits in November 2024. For any site today that’s a very big number yet the data shows the site received fewer visits than the previous month. In October 2024, HiAnime received 364 million visits, 32 million more than November and a remarkable 62 million increase on September’s traffic.

Industry Response

Major anime companies like Toei Animation, Viz Media, Funimation, and Aniplex are collaborating with search engines, anti-piracy organizations, and governments to combat piracy, including removing millions of piracy-related URLs from Google search results.

Despite efforts, piracy persists due to high demand and website adaptation. HiAnime.to’s massive visitor base, particularly among the 18-24 age group, demonstrates the global scale of this issue.

The Future of Anime Piracy

HiAnime’s inclusion on the NML list signifies a significant shift in the fight against anime piracy, as it increases scrutiny and legal action, but history shows that shutting down platforms often leads to their resurgence.

The ongoing battle between piracy websites and anti-piracy organizations highlights the need for innovative solutions like affordable legal streaming options, as demand for illegal platforms like HiAnime.to is unlikely to decrease, leaving the anime industry facing an uphill battle.

(source- torrentfreak.com)

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