Today, the editorial department of Shogakukan’s CoroCoro Comic issued a warning regarding the unauthorized uploads of the serialized manga The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog.

In their statement, the editorial team expressed gratitude to readers: “Thank you very much for reading The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog, serialized in Monthly CoroCoro Comic. We have received an overwhelming response since the series began, and we hope you will continue to enjoy it. Unfortunately, we have confirmed that unauthorized screenshots of the series are being posted on social media platforms like X and YouTube.”

The statement went on to highlight that “there are also cases where entire chapters are being uploaded maliciously. Manga series can only continue thanks to the support of many readers. Even if done with lighthearted intentions, posting screenshots of manga on social media or blogs without the copyright holder’s permission constitutes copyright infringement. If copyright infringement continues, manga artists will no longer be able to create new works.”

To protect the creative efforts of artists like Yuuki Imada, the publication urged readers to refrain from posting images without permission and to avoid sharing or spreading links to posts that violate copyrights. They also reminded readers that copyright infringement may result in criminal penalties or claims for damages.

We acknowledge that, initially, we were part of the problem by sharing unauthorized images of the manga. However, we quickly rectified our actions out of respect for the original creator and the publishing team. Since then, we have actively encouraged our readers to support the official release whenever possible.

While many fans support CoroCoro’s efforts to protect their intellectual property, others argue that since CoroCoro Comic is not officially available in English-speaking markets, the publisher is not losing sales from these uploads, and fans deserve access to the story.

However, it’s important to remember that sharing these works without permission from the original author and publisher is still legally considered copyright infringement. The reality is that unauthorized distribution, even with good intentions, undermines the industry and could discourage publishers from exploring potential international releases.

We at Sonic City are committed to supporting the original creators and their work. While we understand the frustration of fans who lack official access to their favorite series, we believe that respecting copyright laws and supporting official channels are crucial steps towards a sustainable and flourishing manga industry.

The statement from CoroCoro concludes with a link to a national campaign aimed at raising awareness to prevent illegal distribution, highlighting it as a widespread issue in the manga industry in Japan.

As always, stay tuned to Sonic City for more Sonic News and Updates!

Source: CoroCoro

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This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Ari

    The internet is fornecer, CoroCoro .
    Remember that

  2. Ari

    The internet is forever.

  3. Nikki_boagreis

    Not surprised, considering everything leaks online nowadays.

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