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KADOKAWA Corporation announced that a court in Japan has found a website operator guilty of copyright infringement for illegally publishing detailed text summaries of Overlord anime, handing down a suspended prison sentence and fine.
The ruling was issued on April 16, 2026, at the Tokyo District Court following a criminal complaint filed jointly with Toho Co., Ltd., with support from the Content Overseas Distribution Association.
The defendant, a male company executive, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 4 years, and fined 1 million yen for violating Japan’s Copyright Act.
Authorities determined that the operator had been running the site for commercial purposes, generating advertising revenue through unauthorized content.
According to KADOKAWA’s press release, the website hosted extensively detailed, text-based reproductions of anime episodes, including character names, dialogue, actions, settings, and full story developments from Overlord II and Overlord III. These were published alongside related images without permission from the copyright holders.
The activity took place between January 2023 and February 2024, during which the operator outsourced the transcription work to external writers. The site reportedly attracted substantial traffic, allowing the operator to earn advertising revenue.
The case was pursued jointly by KADOKAWA and Toho Co., Ltd., with investigative support from the Content Overseas Distribution Association. Authorities from the Miyagi Prefectural Police Headquarters and Tome Police Station led the investigation, ultimately arresting and indicting the operator.
Investigators determined that the website was operated systematically and for commercial purposes.
The case also involved a writer who contributed to the transcriptions. He was previously convicted and fined 500,000 yen on July 16, 2025. In contrast, the site operator had denied the charges during trial and contested the case in full before the court issued its ruling.
KADOKAWA emphasized that the ruling targets profit-driven copyright infringement, particularly operations that monetize unauthorized reproductions of protected works. At the same time, the company clarified that it does not intend to restrict ordinary fan activities such as sharing impressions or engaging in discussions about anime.
“In light of this verdict, as a comprehensive entertainment company, we once again strongly recognize the importance of ensuring that works are properly protected and continue to develop as culture. We will continue our efforts to create an environment where creators’ economic interests are safeguarded, and fans can enjoy content through legitimate channels,” they added.
Source: X
