Piracy in the anime and manga community is a controversial topic that generates heated debates, especially when the international availability of these works is limited. Recently, Toshio Sako, creator of the manga “Usogui,” became the center of attention after forcefully responding to a fan’s query about piracy of his work.generating both outrage and support on social networks.
This week, Twitter user “@Ryuzan0” posed a question to Sako about piracy in regions where “Usogui” is not commercially available: «I understand that you put a lot of effort into your work, but what happens if you don’t get the rights to publish in another country? Usogui and I want to read it? Is it a bad thing to enjoy your manga that way?».
Sako’s response was blunt: «Don’t read it. Are you an idiot?».
The reaction on social networks was immediate. Many “Usogui” followers described Sako’s response as condescending and “rude.” On the other hand, several users argued that it is unfair to condemn those who do not have legitimate access to a work. “@Usoguilover47” commented: «Just publish Usogui and Batuki in English, and most of the foreigners you block on Twitter will buy it because Usogui it’s amazing».
The debate intensified with comments like that of @Tats_Gunso, who said: «If a work is not published in a country or language, the author does not have the right to prohibit it from being translated or read, since there is no economic loss».
Despite the criticism, Sako defended his stance by pointing out that piracy is illegal under copyright laws in Japan. Additionally, some Japanese users supported the author, calling critics “criminals” and attributing differences of opinion to cultural values between East and West. One of them declared: «People who download things illegally never intended to buy them. They ignore the feelings of the author and those who do support the work, and only ask to be forgiven. It’s the lowest argument of all».
The controversy reflects a broader problem in the manga and anime industry: the difficulty of effectively combating piracy in a globalized environment. Despite the efforts of governments and creators to protect their copyrights, legal disputes, such as the recent lawsuit against the pirate content site Nhentai in the United States, highlight the challenges of applying these laws in a landscape where property rights intellectual property are often divided between multiple parties.
Meanwhile, the case of Sako and “Usogui” highlights a crucial question: is piracy a necessary evil in a world where not all works are available to everyone? The answer seems to depend on both cultural perspective and the legal and economic constraints faced by both creators and consumers.
Fountain: Official Twitter Account
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