Creator Drama
HiAnime and AnimeKai shut down amid anti-piracy crackdown
No new developments since Jul 5
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By the numbers: this timeline documents 5 events from May 7, 2026 to Jul 5, 2026, drawn from 2 sources.
“Actions such as this demonstrate our determination to pursue all avenues to disrupt and dismantle illegal streaming networks,”
via dexerto.com
Background
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a coalition backed by the Motion Picture Association, has been targeting piracy platforms operating in Southeast Asia.
The shutdowns are part of a broader international push against anime piracy, with over 27,000 illegal streaming sites shut down in a seven-month Europol operation targeting unauthorized streaming platforms across 13 countries.
HiAnime, the world's largest anime piracy streaming site, begins operations, eventually reportedly earning approximately $12.85 million in advertising revenue across its sites.
AnimeKai, another popular anime piracy site, reportedly starts experiencing technical issues, with users reporting crashes, verification problems, and heavy traffic.
The timeline
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Vietnam Launches Nationwide Enforcement Campaign
The Vietnamese government reportedly launches a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting high-traffic platforms distributing unauthorized content.[1]
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AnimeKai Mostly Disappears
AnimeKai's official social media pages hint at technical migrations, but by May 9, the site appears to have mostly disappeared.[2]
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AnimeKai Confirms Shutdown
AnimeKai reportedly confirms its shutdown, citing a data center fire that destroyed critical infrastructure.[2]
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ACE Confirms HiAnime Arrests
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) reportedly confirms the arrests of seven HiAnime operators in Vietnam.[1]
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HiAnime Arrests Reported
The arrests of seven HiAnime operators in Vietnam are reported, with the group allegedly running over 100 websites and uploading more than 26,000 films without authorization.[1]
Frequently asked
What happened to HiAnime?
HiAnime, the world's largest anime piracy streaming site, was shut down, and seven of its operators were arrested in Vietnam.
What happened to AnimeKai?
AnimeKai, another popular anime piracy site, shut down due to a data center fire and increasing international pressure on piracy.
Why are anime piracy sites being shut down?
Anime piracy sites are being shut down as part of a broader international push against anime piracy, with organizations like the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) targeting piracy platforms operating in Southeast Asia.
More related drama (4)
Sources (2)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 5 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “HiAnime and AnimeKai shut down amid anti-piracy crackdown.”
GenZHype, 5 July 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/anime-piracy-site-crackdown-hianime-and-animekai-shut-down-amid-international-pressure/.