BATO.TO, the world's largest manga piracy site, shuts down

The largest manga piracy site, BATO.TO, and approximately 60 related sites were shut down following a joint operation by the Shanghai Public Security Bureau and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, according to a report from the Japanese Content Overseas Distribution Organisation (CODA) noted by NHK.

CODA said the home of a man alleged to have operated the site was searched and that the suspect was arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement on November 19, 2025. CODA reported the BATO group continued limited operation until January 19, when it confirmed all 60 sites had shut down.

The organisation estimated the sites drew about 350 million visits in May 2025 and alleged the resulting economic impact was approximately 770 billion yen, roughly 5 billion USD, a figure the report links to broader piracy damage estimates from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

bato.to, largest manga piracy site, approximately 60 related sites, shanghai public security bureau, japan’s ministry of economy, trade and industry, japanese content overseas distribution organisation, coda, nhk, home of a man, was searched, the suspect was arrested, copyright infringement, november 19, 2025, january 19