The producer of the hit anime series Kemono Friends issued a strong request to his Twitter followers on Tuesday. Yoshitada Fukuhara stated that he's fine if viewers can't afford to buy series, he only asks that they don't resort to illegal means to watch anime.

People watching illegally uploaded videos, it would be better if you stopped because it is a copyright violation and it just allows illegal uploaders to make money through advertisements. The creator who is supposed to earn the money will not receive even one yen. I won't say you have to pay money to be a fan, but please don't use illegal viewing sites at least!

Fukuhara is not the first to speak out about illegal uploading and streaming websites. Voice actor Junichi Suwabe discussed illegal uploading on his official Twitter account last year after a large number of illegal uploads of his Suwabe Junichi一Tobidase!! Nomi Nakama television series were removed. The person in charge of copyright for the production committee of Makoto Shinkai's your name. ( Kimi no Na wa. ) anime film also commented on unauthorized videos.

The Japanese government is known for taking piracy seriously, whether its file-sharing, selling bootleg merchandise, or hacking mobile games. When it comes to illegal streaming content, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry employs automated methods to seek out copyrighted videos.

[Via Yaraon!]