Creator Drama
Anime Piracy Site Crackdown: HiAnime and AnimeKai Shut Down Amid International Pressure
Ongoing
Photo: cottonbro studio, Pexels All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 7 events from Nov 30, -0001 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.
The timeline
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HiAnime Begins Operations
HiAnime, the world's largest anime piracy streaming site, begins operations, eventually earning approximately $12.85 million in advertising revenue across its sites.[660]
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AnimeKai Starts Experiencing Technical Issues
AnimeKai, another popular anime piracy site, starts experiencing technical issues, with users reporting crashes, verification problems, and heavy traffic.[663]
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Vietnam Launches Nationwide Enforcement Campaign
The Vietnamese government launches a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting high-traffic platforms distributing unauthorized content.[660]
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AnimeKai Mostly Disappears
AnimeKai's official social media pages hint at technical migrations, but by May 9, the site has mostly disappeared.[663]
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AnimeKai Confirms Shutdown
AnimeKai confirms its shutdown, citing a data center fire that destroyed critical infrastructure.[663]
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ACE Confirms HiAnime Arrests
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) confirms the arrests of seven HiAnime operators in Vietnam.[660]
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HiAnime Arrests Reported
The arrests of seven HiAnime operators in Vietnam are reported, with the group accused of running over 100 websites and uploading more than 26,000 films without authorization.[660]
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.
Related drama
Sources
- dexerto.com, Crunchyroll Seven operators behind HiAnime, the world’s largest anime piracy streaming site, have been arrested in Vietnam following a multi-year investigation involving US authorities, with the group, Jul 5, 2026.
- koimoi.com, AnimeKai Shutdown Explained(Photo Credit –Instagram) The sudden shutdown of anime streaming site AnimeKai has left anime fans around the world shocked and confused. On May 10, 2026, users attempting t, Jul 5, 2026.