Earlier this week, a massive leak of anime titles occurred due to a security breach at a post-production partner of some big streaming platforms. The leak included several highly anticipated and unreleased titles that were set to premiere on Netflix in the coming weeks. Key titles such as the second season of Arcane, Terminator: Zero, Dandadan and Ranma 1/2 had full episodes leaked online.
Netflix has released an official statement declaring that it will be "aggressively taking action" against the leak. This announcement came after two days of silence, during which concerned fans started to believe that the streaming giant might ignore the issue. But a Netflix spokesperson's statement to The Wrap was a relief to many who feared the worst.
"One of our post-production partners has been compromised, and footage from several of our titles has unfortunately leaked online. Our team is aggressively taking action to have it taken down"
Crunchyroll and Iyuno Have Also Issued A Response Close
The leak has not only affected Netflix but also other streaming platforms. Crunchyroll, another major player in the anime streaming industry, was impacted when the premiere episode of the isekai anime Re: Zero was leaked. The incident caused a stir among fans who were eagerly waiting for the new season. Additionally, the breach has even made shows like Heartstopper Season 3, Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld and films such as Plankton: The Movie and Spellbound vulnerable. Crunchyroll's official statement highlighted its awareness, revealing how they have "opened an investigation to identify the source of this leak."
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According to sources, the post-production partner in question is Iyuno, a global entertainment technology and localization company. On Friday, August 9, Iyuno released an official "Security Incident Update" on its website, which stated that the breach was due to some "unauthorized access to confidential materials," that they understand the seriousness of the matter, and are taking steps to address it.
"Iyuno is aware of a recent security issue, involving unauthorized access to confidential content. Protecting our clients' confidentiality and ensuring the security of their content is our highest priority. We are actively investigating this security breach to mitigate any potential risks and identify the responsible parties. When there are material changes or information we will make further statements."
While Iyuno's update comes around the same time as Netflix's statement to The Wrap, it is unclear whether the streamer will be able to do much damage control. Meanwhile, fans are voicing their strong reactions on social media, with many animators on X sounding frustrated and feeling disrespected. A minority of users are even calling for Netflix to release the upcoming anime episodes earlier than scheduled as a countermeasure. Since social media platforms are filled with unmarked spoilers, die-hard fans would want to avoid them for the time being as they could be exposed to major plot points.