Webtoon Entertainment will bring a batch of stories that originated on mobile phones to life as animated projects under a new deal with Warner Bros. Animation. The companies intend to enter into an agreement to co-produce 10 fan-favorite Webtoon webcomics series for global distribution.
The collaboration is a “significant expansion of Webtoon Entertainment’s animation pipeline,” according to the company. Projects are to be selected from the company’s Korean- and English-language platforms, with development support from Webtoon Entertainment’s U.S.-based Webtoon Productions and Japanese intellectual-property business teams. (Descriptions of four initial titles under the pact are below.)
The projects Webtoon plans to co-produce with Warner Bros. Animation could be films or series, but right now it’s early in the process — and no release dates have been targeted yet. The creators of the original Webtoon webcomics own the IP and, under their agreements with the company, will receive a share of revenue generated from the animation projects, said Yongsoo Kim, Webtoon Entertainment’s chief strategy officer and head of global.
“Our creators are building franchises that Gen Z audiences love, and working with Warner Bros. Animation gives us an incredible opportunity to take those stories further alongside one of the most respected names in animation,” said Kim.
Other Webtoon Entertainment adaptations are available on Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, Sony’s Crunchyroll and other platforms. The company’s content partners include Disney, Discord, HYBE and DC Comics. Webtoon, a pioneer in the webcomic format, has about 155 million monthly active users globally.
Warner Bros. Animation is home to animated characters from the DC, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries. WBA recently released original anime feature film “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” with New Line Cinema and “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,” released on March 14, 2025, with Ketchup Entertainment.
“Bringing together the world-class artistry of Warner Bros. Animation and the vibrant storytelling of Webtoon creates an awesome combination and opportunity to build something special,” said Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
Sinbae Kim, chief growth officer of LINE Digital Frontier, leads Webtoon’s global animation efforts and was involved in inking the Warner Bros. Animation deal. According to Kim, Webtoon has a “unique ability to discover original voices, nurture global fandoms and build the next generation of franchise storytelling from the ground up… This partnership with Warner Bros. Animation is an exciting next step in that journey — one that expands what’s possible for our creators, our studios and our fans.”
“From hits like ‘True Beauty,’ ‘Clevatess’ and ‘Tower of God’ to many more adaptations in progress, we’re proving that great stories can start on a phone screen and grow into global entertainment phenomena,” said Kim.
The initial development slate under the Webtoon-WBA partnership includes these titles, with more to be announced:
- “The Stellar Swordmaster” by Hong Dae Ui, juno and Q10: The so-called “Lighthouse of the North,” the prosperous trading town of Schoarra, hides a dark underbelly: seedy slums ruled by five ruthless crime bosses. When streetwise orphan Vlad finds the brothel he works for decimated by a disgraced knight, he turns to the path of the blade, pledging himself to the pursuit of power by sword.
- “Hardcore Leveling Warrior” by Sehoon Kim: Known as Hardcore Leveling Warrior, Ethan is the No. 1 player of the world’s biggest game, Lucid Adventure. But when a mysterious player kills Ethan and forces his character back to level 1, he will do anything to get back on top. New friends and old foes, as well as mysterious forces and his own dark past, will follow him as he does his best to take back what was once his.
- “Down to Earth” by Pookie Senpai: Kade lives his average life alone and undisturbed… until a cute alien girl crashes into his backyard! By opening up his home, will this other worldly girl inadvertently open up his heart?
- “Elf & Warrior” by AC Stuart, Victor Rosas II: A young half-elf discovers the challenges and gray areas involved in being a hero as he travels with his uncle’s band of miscreants and outlaws.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source variety.com ’
