A few weeks ago, several anime and manga streaming sites unexpectedly shut down, leaving millions of their users shocked and stunned. Free streaming sites like Aniwave, Animewave, Zorox, and AnimeFlix stopped working, with their domains displaying goodbye messages. Some even urged users to stream anime through legal means. Although a few of these websites have resurfaced under new domains, the mass shutdown left many anime fans frustrated, especially those who prefer accessing content for free rather than paying high subscription fees for platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll. Some of their frustration was directed at the organisation reportedly responsible for the shutdown— the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE). Have Animewave, Aniwave, 9anime, Zorox, AnimeSuge and Other Free Anime and Manga Streaming Websites Shut Down Over Piracy Concerns? Here’s What We Know!

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment is a global coalition of over 50 media channels, production houses, and streaming services, established to combat the rising tide of online piracy. Major organisations such as Netflix, Disney, HBO, Amazon, Apple TV+, Crunchyroll, and Warner Bros. Discovery are part of this alliance. One of ACE's most notable achievements includes shutting down illegal anime streaming sites and closing Fmovies, a notorious torrent site for movies and shows.

In retaliation, some frustrated fans defaced ACE’s Wikipedia page, altering the information in its opening section to accuse the organisation of protecting corporate profits and being against the common people. The altered text described ACE as "a coalition against people that don’t wanna pay 1 million dollars to watch anime of over 30 major global entertainment companies and film studios, aimed at protecting corporate profits from copyrighted material." (sic). Shutdown of Free Anime Piracy Sites Like Animewave, 9anime, Zoroxtv and Others Sparks Wave of Hilarious Memes and Jokes on X.

Screenshot of ACE's 'Edited' Wiki Page

Screenshot of ACE's 'Edited' Wiki Page

According to ACE's official website, the coalition describes itself as "the world’s leading online antipiracy organisation protecting the creativity and innovation that drive the growth of core copyright and entertainment industries." With support from over 50 media and entertainment companies, ACE works with content creators, distributors, and other partners to tackle online piracy and safeguard creative works, creators, and consumers. Recently, ACE aided Egyptian authorities in dismantling Laroza, reportedly the largest piracy site in the region.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2024 08:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).