Bato.to, a prominent player in the manga piracy landscape, permanently closed its operations today amid increasing legal scrutiny. The decision to shut down has impacted its official Discord server, which has also been removed.
Bato.to and Its Impact on Manga Piracy
Boasting over 100 million monthly visits, Bato.to served as one of the largest manga piracy aggregation platforms globally. According to Similarweb data, the site was a hub for manga enthusiasts but has now succumbed to legal pressures.
Related Shutdowns in the Manga Community
The closure of Bato.to is part of a broader crackdown on piracy sites. Significant closures in the past include:
- MangaDex: Approximately 70 million visits in April 2025.
- Comick: Collected around 125 million visits before its termination last August.
The ramifications of this shutdown extend beyond just Bato.to; it reflects a growing effort to combat manga piracy in the digital age.
Official Discord Statement
A member of the Discord moderation team relayed the decision to close the server, citing ongoing issues and legal challenges associated with the site. The message emphasized the importance of supporting creators through official channels if possible.
As a farewell to the community, the moderator expressed gratitude for the interactions fostered within the server and mentioned future plans to create a new community centered around reading. The shutdown message read:
“Thank you so much for all the messages you’ve been sending over the past few days. They truly mean a lot to us. After careful consideration, we (the Discord staff) have collectively decided to delete this server due to ongoing issues related to the site and resulting legal challenges.”
The message concluded with a reminder to avoid sharing illegal websites, which could lead to bans from the new community.
The Future of Manga Consumption
The closure of Bato.to underscores the ongoing legal conflicts surrounding manga piracy. As the industry evolves, readers are encouraged to support creators through legitimate platforms to ensure the continued availability of their favorite content.
