This year, Webtoon has been quite busy – from making its public debut in June, to executing successful anti-piracy operations, releasing merchandise, and publishing well-known comics in print. It looks like there’s even more growth on the horizon as the platform may soon share the most popular Japanese webcomics with audiences worldwide.
According to a press statement issued on January 16th, 2025, Webtoon Entertainment has for the first time decided to invest in a Japanese comic studio, namely No. 9 Inc., renowned for popular series such as “Savior of Divine Blood” and “I Am the Strongest Transcendent.” This investment is aimed at expanding the reach of Japanese webcomics to both local and international markets, while also fortifying the company’s localization process. The transaction will be facilitated by one of Webtoon Entertainment’s subsidiaries, Line Digital Frontier, which manages Line Manga, the Japanese version of Webtoon, as well as eBookJapan.
Webtoon’s Investment Could Finally Bring Japanese Webcomics to the Growing Global Fanbase
In June, when Naver Webtoon made its public debut, it stated that the proceeds from the IPO would primarily be utilized to expand the roster of creators on their platform. This intention seems to have been realized with the recent investment in No. 9 Inc. Given the significant expansion the medium has witnessed lately, with even competitors like Shuiesha entering the fray with JumpTOON, it makes sense for Webtoon to focus on growing its Japanese creator base. However, the localization of these Japanese webcomics is currently lagging behind, and this is precisely where Webtoon’s new partnership with No. 9 Inc. could prove beneficial by addressing this gap.
Speaking about the strategic alliance, Junkoo Kim, CEO and founder of Webtoon Entertainment, added that Japan – being the birthplace of manga and boasting some of the globe’s most captivating comics – represents an organic expansion opportunity for our international operations.
In terms of the studio selection, it’s worth noting that Webtoon has adapted two works from Studio No. 9 Inc., namely “I Am the Strongest Transcendent” and “Savior of Divine Blood.” Notably, “Savior of Divine Blood” has achieved remarkable success on Line Manga, regularly earning over 100 million yen in monthly sales. This popularity persists even after its adaptation on Webtoon.
Concerning collaborating with No. 9 Inc., CEO Kim expressed, “We’ve spent years nurturing our Intellectual Property (IP) and Creator Ecosystem in Japan, resulting in robust growth and a series of successes. Our work with No. 9 Inc. has already resulted in global hits, such as Savior of Divine Blood, and we’re thrilled to deepen our partnership to create even more outstanding Japanese webcomics for both local and international audiences.
Looking forward to discovering the fresh and exciting Japanese webcomics that Webtoon might introduce in the near future. While Korean manhwa often receive all the attention, there are undiscovered jewels hidden among Japanese creators’ works. Studio No. 9 Inc., for instance, boasts a number of outstanding titles like “Return of the Genius Swordmaster” and “Welcome Back, First Love,” which are eagerly awaiting localization. Here’s hoping that Webtoon will soon feature these and other fantastic series from Studio No. 9 Inc.
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2025-01-16 20:40