Anime Piracy Sites Shut Down After Enforcement
The Motion Picture Association successfully dismantled Cineby and AnimeFLV to protect domestic film industry jobs.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Animation
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The Motion Picture Association coordinated the shutdown of major anime piracy platforms Cineby and AnimeFLV following a series of private enforcement actions. These operations concluded in late August and early September after years of high-volume unauthorized streaming.
Why it matters
The enforcement actions were driven by the need to safeguard the American film and television workforce, which supports 2.01 million domestic jobs. Protecting intellectual property remains a core priority for the industry to maintain sustainable production and distribution roles.
Cineby peaked at 160 million monthly visits, while AnimeFLV maintained over one billion annual visits before ending operations. Other sites under scrutiny include Aniwaves, which recorded 114.5 million visits in August, and Animepahe with 54.88 million.
The players
Motion Picture Association
This trade association represents the six major Hollywood film studios and manages large-scale efforts to protect intellectual property.
Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment
This global coalition of media and entertainment companies works to reduce digital piracy through direct enforcement and legal action.
The details
The Motion Picture Association and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment utilized private enforcement strategies to force these sites offline without the need for court orders or police intervention. This campaign has now shifted to target other platforms, including Kisskh, Aniwaves, Animepahe, Anime-Sama, and Animeunity.
Timeline
AnimeFLV stopped delivering videos in mid-June.
Cineby ceased operations in late August and early September.
Listed piracy sites recorded specific monthly traffic data during August.
The U.S. Trade Representative is scheduled to release the 2026 Review of Notorious Markets in early 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The move to dismantle these sites reflects the ongoing efforts by major studios to combat the proliferation of unauthorized streaming hubs. This trend highlights a broader shift toward private enforcement in the digital age, as the industry seeks to reclaim market share lost to widespread piracy.
Viewers who previously relied on these sites for free content will find them inaccessible, as the platforms have been fully dismantled. Consumers must now turn to licensed streaming services to access animated content legally.
The takeaway
The shutdown of these platforms underscores the aggressive stance taken by media conglomerates to protect their digital intellectual property. Fans of anime should prioritize official streaming channels to ensure creators are compensated for their work.
What happens next
The U.S. Trade Representative will release the final 2026 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy in early 2027.
Further reading
For more on the current industry landscape, visit the Animation section.
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