If you’re one of the many anime fans who have been using the free access websites KissAnime and KissManga for a decade now and were saddened by the news following their permanent shut down, then this article is for you.

When these sites are visited, you’ll experience errors or get a message on the screen saying “All files are taken down by copyright owners. The site will be closed forever. Thank you for your support.”

This was all because of the newly revised Japanese copyright law that was revisited by the country’s parliament last year. Here are other things you should know:

1. The former copyright law was only for illegally uploaded music and videos

In 2018, Japanese officials started several discussions about expanding the scope of the law after some pirated websites caused huge damage to publishers and content creators in the country.

The loss went up to more than 400 billion yen (about US$3.72 billion) between September 2017 and February 2018 according to Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA).

2. Downloading illegally uploaded anime, manga, and other copyrighted materials are now punishable

Subsequent to site-blocking and termination of loophole websites such as KissAnime and KissManga is penalizing those who will knowingly download illegally uploaded works online, which now includes anime and manga.

Japanese parliament enacted the revised copyright law in June and will take full effect on January 2021.

A suspected person can get up to two years of imprisonment or up to a 2 million yen (about US$17,740) fine, or both as penalties.

3. The new law bans “leech sites” that provide links to pirated media

Starting October 1 this year, restrictions to “leech websites” will take effect. Site operators or admins who will not remove links leading to pirated materials would also be subject to legal action.

Operators could be imprisoned for up to three to five years or a fine of 5milion yen, or both.

4. Exemption to the rule

The new copyright law does not cover parodies or derivative works such as fan fiction. Also giving exemption to screenshots only capturing parts of manga or unintentional photographs with reflections of a copyrighted work.

5. Where to read the manga or watch anime legally

While websites with pirated manga or anime contents will definitely be blocked on all over the internet by next year, you still can go over Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix, and other subscription-based websites to watch your favorite anime.

You can legally read the latest episodes of your beloved manga on ComiXology (by Amazon), MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA, Book Walker to be still updated.