Japanese police have arrested three people accused of violating the Copyright Law for illegally distributing content from popular anime, specifically spoilers for Overlord. The operation took place in Miyagi Prefecture on October 29th and represents the first arrest related to the dissemination of anime spoilers in the country. Among those arrested are a 38-year-old company manager, a 33-year-old employee, and a 45-year-old employee. They operated a website dedicated to transcribing anime without the producers' authorization.
The group published dialogue, character names, settings, and other details from the anime "Overlord," a production by KADOKAWA and other producers. The illegal publishing operation took place between January 2023 and February 2024, a period during which the website in question amassed a significant audience and generated advertising revenue. The police-coordinated operation was supported by CODA (Content Overseas Distribution Association), an organization that works to protect intellectual property in the audiovisual sector.
Overlord spoiler arrest exposes copyright gaps
The arrest of the three individuals exposes a practice that affects the entertainment market and copyright in Japan. On the investigated website, the group posted detailed texts and images about the narrative of "Overlord," attracting readers and generating revenue through advertising. Thus, by allowing free content consumption, this practice compromises the profits of original productions, directly harming the creators.
KADOKAWA, one of the affected companies, spoke out against the violation, noting that the transcription of stories exceeds the legal use of quotations. The company points out that such actions undermine the industry's sustainability. Furthermore, they discourage the public from consuming legitimate products and undermine the remuneration of authors and producers.
CODA supports action to strengthen culture and entertainment
CODA, in conjunction with authorities, has been strengthening measures to curb piracy practices in Japan, focusing on protecting the audiovisual sector. The association argues that actions like the recent arrest send a clear message about the consequences of the improper exploitation of protected content. According to CODA, strict monitoring and legal action are essential to preserving the competitiveness of Japanese entertainment, which has a global reach and requires support to continue expanding.
Cooperation between copyright protection agencies and law enforcement agencies aims to combat illegal monetization and the growth of these types of websites. Therefore, this scenario represents progress in addressing the rise in piracy, a problem that grows as digital consumption expands.
In addition to punitive measures, KADOKAWA took the opportunity to encourage consumers to support legal initiatives by purchasing original content. In the statement issued after the arrest, the company reinforced its commitment to protecting the economic interests of artists and strengthening Japan's cultural sector.
Piracy and unauthorized transcription of works affect the entire production chain, from studios to consumers themselves, who may be led to access low-quality content. Therefore, KADOKAWA, CODA, and other organizations argue that by purchasing official productions, the public helps sustain the industry, ensuring investment in new series and improving the entertainment experience for fans. In Brazil, the anime is available on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Prime Video.
