NHK in Japan reported that police in Kumamoto Prefecture arrested two foreign men on suspicion of violating copyright law by leaking images from the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump online. before it goes on sale. Among them is self-proclaimed Musa Samir, 36, who runs Japan Deal World LLC in Kita Ward, Tokyo, a French website that sells anime and manga merchandise. Although it may not seem like it, It is a serious crime in Japan.

According to the police investigation, In March 2023, both misused the material they sold, illegally taking photos of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine before the manga was officially published in stores. A second indictment accuses them of violating copyright law by taking and duplicating images from magazines using their smartphones last January. Police suspect that other people may have been involved and are carrying out a detailed investigation..

In response to the investigation, both suspects denied the March 2023 leak allegationsaying: “It wasn't me». However, they admitted to the second leak charge last January.saying: “There is no doubt».

Following these arrests, the Asahi newspaper showed images of screenshots provided during the Kumamoto cybercrime division's press conference, including screenshots of Jujutsu Kaisen, One piece and Blue Block. These images are used as proof that the leaks provided were posted on social media..

Some manga leakers on X have already announced that they will no longer receive Jump leaks. next Wednesday, which may indicate that your source may be related to these arrests. In turn, some X accounts focused on Shonen Jump leaks were closed.

Of course, there was no shortage of reactions from industry fans around the world, many rejoice at this arrest as they find the leaks annoying. At the same time, they were also sure that this would not stop them, since it was only one of the sources of leaks, so it would not be long before “grow a new head on the hydra“.

Source: NHK, Asahi