Popular manga creator goes viral after calling out piracy culture

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Kei Urana, the author of Gachiakuta, has publicly criticized manga piracy, arguing that it does negatively impact the manga industry. They also recognize that readers around the world sometimes face difficulties accessing manga legally.

These comments appear after recent online discussions about manga piracy. Some international fans argue that illegally sharing manga can surprisingly boost sales and introduce the series to a wider audience.

Kei Urana, the artist known for the manga series Gachiakuta, has shared their thoughts on a recent discussion. They spent several days researching the financial and overall situations in various countries before offering their perspective.

Gachiakuta manga author weighs in on piracy debate

I saw Urana post on X, and they really hit the nail on the head. They get that a lot of us rely on unofficial sites to read manga, especially with how expensive things can be and how hard it is to get access if you’re not in Japan. But they also made it clear that just because it’s common doesn’t mean piracy is okay. It’s a tricky situation, but they’re right to point that out.

Many people argue that offering content for free doesn’t impact sales, but that’s incorrect. Providing something for free actually diminishes its perceived value. Once people become accustomed to receiving things without paying, they’re less likely to seek out the official, paid versions.

The artist acknowledged that loyal fans continue to buy official releases, but expressed concern about the wider effects on the manga industry. They explained that while getting paid for their work is important, their biggest worry is that unauthorized copies will devalue the art form itself, as so much effort goes into creating it for readers to enjoy.

I’ve been looking into how things vary in different countries, especially when it comes to affordability. I realize that for a lot of manga fans, unofficial websites are the only way they can access it. I also know that manga can be expensive depending on where you live. I’ve even come across people…

— 裏那圭◾️KEI URANA (@KEI_URANA) April 20, 2026

The artist shared that they’re brainstorming ways to make their manga available to those who can’t afford it or don’t have easy access.

Urana responded to criticism and misunderstandings online by asking for empathy instead of negativity. They stated their commitment to making manga accessible to everyone and requested that people also try to understand their viewpoint and cultural background.

Illegal downloads and streams of anime, manga, and video games are becoming a much bigger problem worldwide. Recent government figures show that the financial damage caused by piracy has almost tripled in just three years. According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, losses from pirated digital content jumped from around $13.3 billion in 2022 to approximately $38 billion in 2025.

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2026-04-21 12:52