Japan’s anti-piracy coalition has announced the shutdown of Bato.to, one of the largest manga piracy networks globally. This action followed a collaborative effort between Japanese publishers and Chinese authorities, resulting in the arrest of an individual suspected of copyright infringement related to Bato.to and around 60 associated sites.
Bato.to, established in 2014, gained significant popularity as a platform for ‘scanalation,’ where manga and other comics are scanned, edited, translated, and shared within online communities. According to the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), the 60 closed sites collectively attracted 350 million visits in May 2025, with Bato.to generating substantial advertising revenue, reaching over 400,000 yuan per peak month.
While the operator of Bato.to has been released on bail, formal charges are anticipated. This development underscores the ongoing battle against online piracy and the significance of copyright protection in the digital age.
Source: The Verge