Warner Bros. Animation and Webtoon Partner to Adapt 10 Hit Webcomics for Global Distribution

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Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) and Webtoon Entertainment have announced a major strategic partnership to co-produce a slate of 10 animated series based on popular fan-favorite webcomics. The collaboration marks a significant expansion of Webtoon’s animation pipeline and aims to transform digital storytelling franchises into global animated hits.

The new agreement will draw intellectual property (IP) from both Webtoon’s extensive Korean- and English-language platforms. Executives from both companies expressed excitement over combining WBA’s world-class artistic expertise with the dynamic, creator-driven storytelling that has made Webtoon a dominant force in digital comics, particularly among Gen Z audiences.

“WEBTOON has become one of the most exciting sources of original storytelling in entertainment today,” said Yongsoo Kim, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global WEBTOON. Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation, praised the opportunity, noting that the partnership will “create something special” by merging WBA’s artistry with Webtoon’s “vibrant storytelling.”

Initial Development Slate

The initial phase of the co-production agreement includes four specific titles, showcasing a mix of action, fantasy, and sci-fi romance:

  • The Stellar Swordmaster (Korean Original): Written by Hong Dae Ui, juno, and Q10, this series follows an orphan’s path to gaining power through mastery of swordsmanship.
  • Hardcore Leveling Warrior (Korean Original): Created by Sehoon Kim, the story centers on the world’s top gaming player who is suddenly forced to reset his status and start his journey back from level one.
  • Down to Earth (English Original): By Pookie Senpai, this webcomic tells the story of a man whose life is forever altered after an alien girl crashes into his backyard.
  • Elf & Warrior (English Original): Written by AC Stuart and illustrated by Victor Rosas II, the series explores the comedic and chaotic challenges faced by a half-elf attempting to live up to the responsibilities of heroism.

The remaining six titles in the 10-series deal are set to be announced at a later date, ensuring a steady stream of adaptations leveraging Webtoon’s catalog of over 1.6 million series. The deal follows Webtoon’s earlier successful efforts to translate its IP to the screen, with titles already adapted for major streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Crunchyroll.