Major Manga Piracy Network Shut Down
▼ Summary
– A major manga piracy network, including the site Bato.to and approximately 60 related sites, has been shut down following a joint investigation by Japanese publishers and Chinese authorities.
– The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) announced the arrest of an individual on November 19th who admitted to operating the network.
– Bato.to, launched in 2014, was a prominent platform for “scanalation,” where comics are scanned, translated, and distributed by online communities.
– The shuttered network received a combined 350 million visits in May 2025 alone, with Bato.to earning over $57,000 monthly in advertising revenue at its peak.
– The arrested operator has been released on bail and is expected to be formally indicted.
A significant international operation has successfully dismantled one of the world’s most prominent manga piracy networks, marking a major victory for copyright holders. Japan’s Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) confirmed the shutdown of the extensive network following a coordinated investigation with Chinese authorities. The action led to the arrest of an individual allegedly responsible for operating the main site, Bato.to, along with roughly sixty related platforms.
The network, which included well-known domains like xbato.com and mangapark.io, specialized in the distribution of “scanalations.” This process involves scanning original comic pages, editing in translated text, and sharing the unauthorized copies through online communities. Bato.to itself launched a decade ago and grew into a highly recognizable hub for pirated manga and manhwa, attracting a massive global audience.
The scale of the operation’s reach was enormous. According to CODA’s findings, the collective network of sixty sites recorded a staggering 350 million visits in just the single month of May 2025. During its peak periods, advertising revenue generated by the main Bato.to site reportedly exceeded 400,000 Chinese yuan, equivalent to approximately fifty-seven thousand US dollars.
The individual suspected of running the network was taken into custody on suspicion of copyright infringement and has reportedly admitted to operating the sites. Following the arrest, the person was released on bail. Legal proceedings are moving forward, with a formal indictment expected in the near future. This case highlights the ongoing and intensified efforts by international coalitions to combat digital piracy, particularly within the lucrative and culturally significant comic publishing industry.
(Source: The Verge)
