One of the biggest manga piracy networks has been shut down

Japan’s anti-piracy conjugation says that 1 of the world’s largest manga piracy networks has been unopen down pursuing a coordinated investigation betwixt Japanese publishers and Chinese authorities. The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) announced the apprehension of an individual connected suspicion of copyright infringement connected November 19th, who “has admitted to operating” Bato.to and astir 60 related sites, specified arsenic xbato.com and mangapark.io.

Bato.to launched successful 2014, increasing to beryllium 1 of the astir recognizable online platforms for “scanalation” — successful which manga, manhwa, and different comics are scanned, edited pinch translated text, and past distributed by online personification communities. CODA reports that the 60 shuttered sites recorded a mixed 350 cardinal visits successful May 2025 alone, pinch Bato.to making much than 400,000 yuan (around $57,000) successful advertizing gross during highest months.

Bato.to’s usability has since been released connected bail and is expected to beryllium formally indicted.