Pirate Anime Site Surpasses Crunchyroll and Disney Plus in Traffic
HiAnime.to has risen to remarkable popularity in the piracy scene. According to SimilarWeb, the anime streaming site recorded 302 million visits in September 2024, which jumped to 364 million in October. This performance earned HiAnime a global ranking of 120 and a spot ahead of Disney Plus in the U.S. streaming sector.
Pirate Anime Site Surpasses Crunchyroll and Disney Plus in Traffic
By November 2024, HiAnime racked up 331.6 million visits, a staggering figure despite being slightly lower than October. Compared to Crunchyroll, its main legal competitor, HiAnime boasts over three times the traffic, becoming a major concern for Japanese anime producers.
In the U.S., HiAnime outranks platforms like GitHub and streaming services such as Peacock TV and Disney Plus. Globally, HiAnime appears close to overtaking Disney Plus. It’s worth noting that these statistics only account for website visits, excluding traffic to associated streaming apps.
Young and Engaged Audience
Around 40% of HiAnime’s traffic comes from the U.S., with the 18-24 age group making up a significant portion of its audience. Additionally, over 80% of the site’s social traffic is driven by YouTube, while 76% of all visits are direct, reflecting a highly engaged user base.
The Secret to Success
HiAnime’s growth was bolstered by the collapse of competitors. In 2024, the anti-piracy coalition ACE took down Aniwave.to, a popular site that had rebranded from the former 9anime. Aniwave’s shutdown in August allowed HiAnime to inherit a massive portion of its traffic, solidifying its position.
Survival Tactics
HiAnime follows a familiar piracy pattern: constant rebranding to evade legal action. This strategy was previously seen with Zoro.to, which became Aniwatch, and later with HiAnime itself. By doing so, the platform retains its traffic while navigating the challenges of anti-piracy efforts.
With ACE monitoring HiAnime closely, the platform’s future is uncertain. However, its staggering growth suggests it will remain a significant player in the piracy streaming landscape.
via TorrentFreak