Iconic anime studio Nippon Animation, whose former staff include Hayao Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata, and whose titles include Hunter x Hunter (1999), Chibi Maruko-chan, and various acclaimed adaptations of Western classics like Anne of Green Gables, has filed a lawsuit in the United States over copyright infringement of Chibi Maruko-chan.
ALSO READ:
Kenjiro Tsuda Sues TikTok Over Unauthorized AI Voice Use
On May 28, Nippon Animation filed suit in New York’s Southern District against various defendants based on the alleged unauthorized use and counterfeit imitations of Chibi Maruko-chan. Nippon Animation’s U.S. copyright registration for Chibi Maruko-chan was first published on August 10, 2025. The studio notes the substantial time, money, and effort in building up and advertising the IP.
Nippon Animation alleges that the defendants intentionally designed their storefronts to appear as authentic sellers and employ sophisticated means to evade detection and payment restrictions. It also claims that these sellers are operating as part of a network to source and sell counterfeit goods in the U.S.
The studio is suing to bar the defendants from their alleged infringement, force various online marketplaces and search engines to stop providing them services, and award statutory damages of $150,000 per infringed work, or actual damages plus the defendants’ profits, plus attorneys’ fees, costs, and other relief.
This lawsuit follows other Japanese and anime-related companies that often pursue lawsuits, such as Toho (usually for Godzilla), VIZ Media (usually for RWBY), and TV Tokyo (Naruto).
On the topic of Nippon Animation, Weekly Shonen Jump manga creator Kazumata Oguri shared recently how much he earned following the anime adaptation of his Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun series, which Nippon Animation produced from 1998 to 1999. Last year, Nippon Animation, Trigger, and A-1 Pictures met with officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Program Production Institution (headquartered in Kuwait) to discuss joint ventures.
Source: Nippon Animation Co., Ltd. v. The Individuals, Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A (PDF)
© POT (Yoshihiro Togashi) 1998-2004/Shueisha・Nippon Animation © Sakura Production/Nippon Animation
Participate In Discussions