Crunchyroll
Seven operators behind HiAnime, the world’s largest anime piracy streaming site, have been arrested in Vietnam following a multi-year investigation involving US authorities, with the group accused of running over 100 websites and uploading more than 26,000 films without authorisation.
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the anti-piracy coalition backed by the Motion Picture Association, confirmed the arrests on July 2, 2026.
US Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Justice were also credited for their support throughout the investigation.
According to Bao Ha Tinh, the group operated their network from 2020 to April 2026, earning approximately $12.85 million in advertising revenue across the sites.
Four of the seven suspects are in custody, with the remaining three banned from leaving their place of residence while the investigation continues.
The people behind HiAnime have been arrested in Vietnam
Authorities have arrested 7 people connected to HiAnime and other piracy websites pic.twitter.com/5k3hUeMeeM
— Anime Tweets (@AnimexTwts) July 5, 2026
ACE and Vietnamese investigators partner up for the crackdown
The ACE provided information to Vietnam’s Economic Crimes Investigation Department and Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, which coordinated the operation to identify and arrest those behind the platform.
The crackdown coincides with Vietnam being designated a Priority Foreign Country in the US Trade Representative’s 2026 Special 301 Report, citing IP enforcement deficiencies.
The Vietnamese government subsequently launched a nationwide enforcement campaign between May 7 and 30, 2026, targeting high-traffic platforms distributing unauthorized content.
“Actions such as this demonstrate our determination to pursue all avenues to disrupt and dismantle illegal streaming networks,” ACE said in a statement.
It is the latest development in a broader international push against anime piracy. Earlier this year, over 27,000 illegal streaming sites were shut down in a seven-month Europol operation targeting unauthorized streaming platforms across 13 countries.
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