Authorities Arrest Seven Individuals Linked to Massive Anime Streaming Site HiAnime
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Law enforcement in Vietnam, with assistance from U.S. agencies, has arrested seven people allegedly running HiAnime, a massive unauthorized streaming site that drew over 150 million monthly visits before shutting down.
As reported by Torrent Freak and covered by IGN South Africa, law enforcement agencies in Vietnam have arrested seven people allegedly connected to the operation of HiAnime, which stood as one of the largest and most heavily trafficked free anime streaming sites on the internet. The platform built a massive following by offering thousands of shows through a clean interface that mirrored legitimate subscription services, pulling in over 150 million visits every month before its abrupt shutdown earlier this year.
The bust followed a coordinated international investigation involving U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice, and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment. ACE brings together heavyweights like Amazon, Netflix, Disney, Sony, and Paramount, making large scale pirate operations a primary target for global anti-piracy alliances. While platforms like HiAnime often filled a gap for fans facing fragmented licensing and rising subscription costs across different regions, their massive traffic numbers made them inevitable targets for major studios.
For the broader streaming and creator community, the shutdown marks the end of an era for one of the web's go to hubs for casual and dedicated viewers alike. As rights holders continue to clamp down on unauthorized distribution networks, the conversation shifts back to accessibility and whether official platforms can adequately serve global audiences who want instant access to simulcasts without juggling half a dozen different paid subscriptions.
Tags: Anime, Streaming, Industry News, Digital Piracy, Entertainment
Original article: IGN South Africa