The man who operated ZzzFun, a piracy website which distributed Japanese anime and other content to users in China without authorization, as well as a smartphone app of the same name, was arrested on February 11, 2025, by the Public Security Bureau of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, China.
On November 18, 2025, the Yuhua District People’s Court of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a fine of RMB 35,000 (approximately JPY 800,000) for copyright infringement. The judgement became final following the expiration of the appeal period.
According to Japan-based copyright advocate Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), the defendant fully admitted to the charges in court and gave a statement regarding his criminal conduct, expressing remorse.
The court also found that, without obtaining authorization from the copyright holders, he had distributed a large volume of Japanese anime and other works on ZzzFun and the app of the same name, directed users from the website to the app, and received advertising revenue through the app.
History of the case
This case originated in May 2024, when CODA’s Beijing Office filed a criminal complaint with the Public Security Bureau of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province on behalf of Japanese rights holders (*1 below), leading to the arrest.
In preparing the criminal complaint, the respective rights holders cooperated in the investigation by using CODA’s Rights Inquiry Database (*2), operated by CODA since March 2023, to confirm damages involving the vast number of infringing works made available on ZzzFun, thereby supporting efforts to apprehend the operator.
Although the court took into consideration the defendant’s full admission of guilt and expression of remorse, it did not grant a suspended sentence. As a result, a prison sentence was finalized.
Why it matters
CODA expects that this arrest and conviction will serve as a strong warning against the operation of malicious piracy websites and lead to the suppression of similar activities.
“With support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, CODA will continue its efforts to address the growing global challenge of online infringement,” said Takero Goto, Representative Director of CODA. “Even when operators are based overseas, CODA will cooperate with relevant authorities abroad in advancing anti-piracy measures and working toward reducing the unauthorized use of Japanese content.”
Note that this activity was part of a project commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
*1: Aniplex Inc., KADOKAWA CORPORATION, King Record Co., Ltd., KODANSHA LTD., SHOGAKUKAN Inc., SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD., TV TOKYO Corporation, TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD., TOHO CO., LTD., NIKKATSU CORPORATION, Happinet Media Marketing Corporation, Fuji Television Network, Inc., PONY CANYON INC. (13 companies in total)
*２: CODA’s Rights Inquiry Database is a system established to enable accurate and rapid responses to investigative cooperation requests from the Chinese Public Security Bureau and other authorities—such as confirmation of rights ownership and the existence of licensing—when content belonging to CODA members is infringed in China.
Further reading
Conviction finalized for operator of Japanese anime piracy site and app ZzzFun, following criminal complaint by CODA. Press release. February 18, 2026. Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA)
