On August 20, a court in the United States
issued an order to reveal the information of users responsible for illegally
leaking anime episodes before their official premiere , specifically
from the popular series “ Kimetsu no Yaiba ” (Demon
Slayer) and “ Jujutsu Kaisen .” This
decision marks a milestone, as it is the first time that a court in the US has
taken such a measure in relation to Japanese anime.
©Shueisha
The court order came after Aniplex Inc. and Toho Co.,
Ltd. , both members of the Content Overseas
Distribution Association (CODA), filed a petition in June 2024
requesting the disclosure of information about the accounts involved in the
leak. CODA played a key role in gathering evidence and providing legal
support for this request. The copyrights to these series are held by these
companies, which has allowed them to legally advance in the search for those
responsible.
According to CODA, the leaks included previously
unreleased video content and still images from the aforementioned series and
were posted on various Twitter accounts. These posts
quickly gained popularity, racking up a large number of views. A total of 12
Twitter accounts have reportedly been flagged by the court, as they had been
sharing the content without authorization and without legal access to it since
last year.
This is not the first time that illegal previews of
this kind have affected anime. CODA has received numerous complaints
regarding leaks prior to official releases of other titles, and is working with
copyright holders to gather more information and take similar action in future
cases. The disclosure of these users' information is just the first
step in a broader plan to take strict legal action against those who distribute
unauthorized content, seeking to impose exemplary penalties that will deter
others from leaking.
Do leaks ruin the viewing experience?
The impact of leaks on the anime industry is a topic
of constant debate. On the one hand, the most loyal fans prefer to
enjoy the content in its official format, supporting the creators and ensuring
the best quality in the viewing experience. On the other hand, leaks
generate early expectations that can damage the experience of watching the
episodes at the expected time.
The viewer experience can be affected in a number of
ways. First, leaks on Twitter often include incomplete or low-quality
material, which distorts the way the final product was conceived. Furthermore,
those who access this content early could find themselves spoiled, depriving
themselves of the surprise and impact that the creators seek to generate with
each episode. In the case of such popular series as “Kimetsu no Yaiba”
and “Jujutsu Kaisen,” which are known for their exciting plots and
plot twists, these leaks can ruin the collective enjoyment when the
official episode is finally released.
On the other hand, leaks affect anime studios and
producers financially, since a large part of their income comes from audiences
at official premieres and subscriptions to streaming platforms. If
episodes circulate for free and ahead of time, the incentive to pay for the
content decreases, which negatively affects the financing of future
productions.
In short, while some may see leaks as an opportunity
to see content before others on Twitter, the damage they do to the industry and
the viewer experience is significant. Legal measures like the ones
being taken now seek to protect both creators and fans , ensuring that
anime can be enjoyed the way it was intended, preserving the excitement and
integrity of the content.
Source: YomiuriShimbun
