Updated: One Piece Episode Leaked Online Early

Mike Ferreira (Editor) — May 30th, 2009 — 11:27

Updates/Corrections:

    FUNimation Comments On The Situation

    Mike Ferreira (Editor) — 05/31/2009 0:56 EST

    FUNimation posted a statement regarding the situation:

    As anime fans know, FUNimation Entertainment had planned, with the authorization of Toei Animation, Fuji Television and Shueisha, for the first ever online simulcast of the series ‘One Piece’ tonight at 9:00 pm CDT., just one hour after its premiere on Japan’s Fuji Television. Unfortunately, in the last 24 hours we have determined that the FUNimation servers were compromised, even though we employ strict security standards. An unknown individual accessed and posted episode 403 online and as a direct result of this illegal act, all U.S. and Canadian fans will be deprived of access to this great anime series for the immediate future. We will make every effort to locate and prosecute the perpetrator(s) to the fullest extent of the law and will provide updates regarding this most serious matter.

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Last night, an anonymous user found a copy of One Piece episode 403 on one of FUNimation's public servers. The person proceeded to download and illegally distribute the episode via peer to peer networks.

The episode was to be the first simulcasted One Piece episode. The episode would have debuted on One Piece's official web site tonight at 9:00PM Central, 90 minutes after its Japanese premiere.