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Toshio Sako, the author of the acclaimed manga Usogui, has found himself at the center of a heated clash on social media after responding bluntly to questions about consuming pirated versions of his work.
His interactions with overseas fans, which started with a straightforward but curt tweet, have sparked a flurry of backlash, support, and legal discussions online.
How the controversy began:
The controversy began when a fan asked Sako on social media whether it was acceptable to read pirated versions of Usogui in countries where the manga is not officially available.
“Hello sir, I want to ask you something about Usogui… I understand you because you put a lot of effort into it… but what if some editorials in another country don’t get the rights to publish Usogui and I want to read it? Is it bad to enjoy your manga that way?”
Sako’s response was a curt no, asking whether the other person stupid. “Don’t read it lol. Are you stupid?
The author’s blunt response was met with significant backlash, with many fans labeling his comments as condescending and dismissive.
The person who originally asked the question also responded with frustration, stating that they would continue reading the manga illegally despite trying to approach the author politely.
They pointed out that not every country has access to Usogui and questioned how else they could read it. They further argued that piracy doesn’t harm the author or the manga and accused Sako of failing to understand why people resort to consuming content illegally.
However, Sako defended his stance, as he was not someone to back down when it came to his manga’s piracy.
The author stated that he was firmly against piracy and that only those who purchased or consumed his work through legal channels could be considered true fans.
He emphasized, “The reason why Usogui has lasted for 49 volumes is because there were readers who bought it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have reached 49 volumes. It’s not because of the pirates who read it for free that it has lasted. Thank you to all the Usogui fans who bought it!”
When asked what someone should do if they couldn’t afford the manga, Sako responded, advising people without financial means to live within their budget, work hard, and strive toward their goals.
He emphasized the importance of patience, self-discipline, and leading an honest life, offering words of encouragement to “do your best.”
This response further fueled criticism, with some accusing Sako of being out of touch and implying that those without financial means should deprive themselves of all forms of leisure.
The debate becomes broader:
Many overseas readers defended their use of piracy, arguing that the lack of official translations in their countries left them with no choice.
Some claimed piracy did not financially harm the author or the manga, while others openly shared links to unauthorized translations.
However, other fans countered these arguments, pointing out that both Japanese copyright law and the international Berne Convention explicitly prohibit unauthorized translations and distribution.
Article 27 of Japan’s Copyright Law grants authors the exclusive right to translate or adapt their works. Similarly, Article 8 of the Berne Convention protects the exclusive right of authors to authorize translations of their works internationally.
While some fans criticized Sako, others supported his stance, arguing that piracy’s long-term effects are harmful.
They noted that piracy often continues even after official translations become available, depriving authors of potential revenue.
One supporter stated, “In this day and age, it’s impossible to prevent a work from being posted online. Most authors understand that. However, justifying it because of your environment or lack of access is wrong. Worse, people who tell the author that unashamedly are frighteningly rude.”
Another added, “People who download things illegally never intended to buy them. They ignore the feelings of the author and those who do support the work, and only ask for forgiveness. It is the lowest argument of all.”
Some readers also offered alternative perspectives.
A Taiwanese fan explained, “I am an overseas reader. I always read Japanese manga, write reviews, and recommend them to Taiwanese publishers. Before the Taiwanese version of Usogui was released, I introduced it on local social media. Even if you don’t understand the language, it’s no excuse to read illegal translations.”
The entire debate has highlighted the complex issue of piracy. While there are arguments that piracy have helped with a series’ popularity, it is, in the end an illegal means to consume any published work.
However, the issue is more nuanced than that – with accessibility, popularity and even financial constraints coming into picture.
For Sako, the controversy underscored not just his, but the entire manga industry’s frustration with piracy’s impact on their work, and despite the backlash, he remained steadfast in his stance against it.
The fans vouching for piracy too have remained steadfast on their terms, as the heated debate continues.
Source: X
