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Digital Phablet – Gachiakuta’s creator Kei Urana recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss international piracy with her global fanbase, highlighting concerns regarding the pricing and accessibility of manga worldwide.
Urana emphasized the damaging impact piracy has on the manga industry. She acknowledged that many fans resort to pirate sites due to financial constraints and limited access, stating she had spent recent days studying the circumstances in various countries, including their economic situations.
She shared, “If we remain silent now, the worth of Japanese manga and other creative works—earned through the sacrifices and relentless dedication of those before us—could be forever diminished.”
Gachiakuta Creator Criticizes Manga Piracy and Shares Alternatives
She added, “Over the past few days, I’ve researched the financial and social circumstances in different regions. I understand that for many, pirate sites are the only option to access manga, and I realize prices tend to be higher overseas. I’ve even encountered comments like…”
She further explained, “I’ve also seen claims that ‘reading for free doesn’t hurt sales.’ That’s simply not true. When something is offered for free, its perceived value drops. Once people get accustomed to free content, they often stop supporting legitimate sources. However, I believe that true fans who genuinely love a work will support it properly.”
Urana also expressed her desire to uphold the value of manga, stating, “I don’t want piracy to undermine the worth of our industry. To assist those unable to afford or access our work, Ando and I have been exploring various solutions for a long time. Although I can’t reveal details yet, rest assured, we’re actively working on it. Publishers are also making efforts.”
She urged fans to refrain from labeling her or the artist responsible for Gachiakuta, Hideyoshi Andou, as “racist,” and to avoid viewing piracy as free promotion for their manga.
Known for her active social media presence, Urana frequently interacts with her fans and has openly voiced her stance against piracy. She has also faced online disputes with her Western fanbase over what she considers toxic behavior, including misidentification of Gachiakuta characters’ genders—such as mistakenly labeling Tamsy as transgender—and crossing legal boundaries related to her work.
According to Yahoo Finance, citing Super Hero Hype in January 2026, Japan reported a loss of $38 billion due to piracy related to anime and manga. This figure, released by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, encompassed several countries, including Vietnam, France, Brazil, Japan, the United States, and China.
A Fan Question and Urana’s Clear Response
One fan asked if it was acceptable to read Gachiakuta for free on Discord. Her reply was straightforward: “That’s illegal.” The fan later issued an apology, saying, “I want to apologize to everyone harmed because of me… I asked that question innocently.”
This interaction underscores Urana’s firm stance on protecting intellectual property and supporting the industry’s sustainability.
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