Orv volume 1 cover (korean ver)

The Growth of Webtoons and Manhwas

By jimena.bajo@uabc.edu.mx

  • 1996 – Birth of Manhwa Online Platforms

    Daum Communications launches Daum Café, which later becomes a major platform for webtoon creators.

  • 2003 – The Webtoon Era Begins

    Naver launches its Webtoon service, introducing free serialized comics. The term “webtoon” gains popularity through this platform.

  • 2004 – Expansion of Webtoon Platforms

    2004 – Expansion of Webtoon Platforms

  • 2008 – First Global Adaptations

    Naver starts its Line Webtoon platform, marking the beginning of international webtoon distribution.

  • 2010 – Popular Titles Gain International Fame

    Tower of God by SIU begins serialization on Naver Webtoon, later becoming one of the most influential webtoons globally.

  • 2010 – Popular Titles Gain International Fame 2.0

    The Breaker: New Waves gains international attention for action manhwa.

  • 2013 – Webtoons Reach Smartphones

    Naver and Daum optimize their webtoon services for mobile devices, leading to a surge in readership.

  • 2013 – "Noblesse"

    Noblesse gains global popularity for its stylish art and vampire storylines.

  • 2014 – International Launch of LINE Webtoon

    Naver launches the global platform LINE Webtoon, allowing English-speaking audiences to access webtoons.

  • 2015 – "Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint"

    The serialized novel version of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint by Sing Shong begins publishing.

  • 2016 – Netflix Begins Adapting Webtoons

    The rise of adaptations, like Cheese in the Trap, gains attention on global streaming platforms.

  • 2018 – "Solo Leveling"

    Solo Leveling by Chugong begins serialization as a webtoon, illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (DUBU) and published on KakaoPage.

  • 2020 – Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint 2.0

    Adaptation of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint into a webtoon launches on Naver Webtoon.

  • 2020 – Global Explosion

    Webtoons like Lore Olympus gain massive followings on platforms like WEBTOON.
    Korean manhwa adaptations such as The God of High School and Tower of God air on Crunchyroll, marking a new era of anime-webtoon crossovers.

  • 2023 – Continued Growth

    Naver Webtoon and Kakao Page lead the webtoon industry, with global platforms adapting more series, such as Solo Leveling and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
    Mobile apps expand their user base in Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.