According to The Verge, one of the world’s largest manga piracy networks has been shut down following a coordinated investigation between Japanese publishers and Chinese authorities. The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) announced the arrest of an individual on November 19th, who admitted to operating Bato.to and roughly 60 related sites like xbato.com and mangapark.io. This network, which launched in 2014, recorded a staggering 350 million visits across all its sites in May 2025 alone. At its peak, Bato.to alone was pulling in over 400,000 yuan (about $57,000) per month in advertising revenue. The operator has since been released on bail and is expected to face formal indictment.
The Business of Bootlegs
So, let’s talk about the model here. Bato.to wasn’t some dark web operation; it was a massive, ad-supported platform. It made money the same way a legit site does: traffic. And with 350 million visits in a single month, we’re talking about a serious audience. That’s a huge chunk of the global manga-reading community, basically being monetized outside the official channels. The revenue—$57,000 a month at peak—might not sound like Silicon Valley VC money, but for a piracy operation, that’s a significant and steady cash flow. It shows this was a business, not a hobby.
Why This One? Why Now?
Here’s the thing: scanlation sites have been a thorn in the industry’s side for two decades. Why did Bato.to finally get the axe? The coordinated action with Chinese authorities is the key detail. Cross-border enforcement has always been the hardest part. This wasn’t just a takedown notice; it was an arrest. The timing is also interesting. With official digital manga services like Manga Plus and others expanding globally, the pressure to clean up the ecosystem and drive readers to legal platforms is higher than ever. They’re cutting off the free tap to get people into the paid garden.
A Hole in the Ocean
But will it actually matter? I’m skeptical. Look, shutting down a major hub like this creates a vacuum. The demand from those 350 million monthly visits doesn’t just vanish. It will fragment, scatter to dozens of other smaller sites, or a new central hub will eventually rise. The core driver—readers wanting fast, free access to series that are often delayed or unavailable in their region—hasn’t changed. This is a big win for publishers on paper, and it certainly sends a message. But the hydra usually grows another head. The real, long-term solution isn’t just enforcement; it’s making the legal option so good, fast, and affordable that the piracy sites just can’t compete.
