Webtoons Market Report 2025 (Global Edition)

Global Webtoons Market Report 2025 Market Size Split by Type (Comedy, Action, Sci-Fic, Horror, Romance, Others), by Revenue Model (Subscription Based, Adds bases), by Application (Mobile, Laptop, Tabl...

Webtoons Market Report Description

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Webtoons Market Insights Video

Competitive Landscape of the Webtoons Market

The Webtoons industry is known for being highly fragmented, with numerous players competing for supremacy through a range of tactics. Leading businesses are joining forces, acquiring other businesses, and developing new products in order to broaden their product lines and increase their market shares in various geographic areas. The construction of new manufacturing facilities to increase production capabilities, large investments in research and development to promote innovation, and supply chain optimization to increase responsiveness and efficiency characterize this competitive landscape. In addition to improving their market positioning, these tactics meet the increasing demand for interesting and varied content in the quickly developing field of digital entertainment.

In June 2023, Penguin Random House introduced a new worldwide pop-comics brand called INKLORE with the goal of publishing the best light novels, webcomics adaptations, manga, manhua, and manhwa! With a focus on the romance, fantasy, science-fiction, horror, and slice-of-life genres, Inklore will honor the most well-liked, fan-driven motifs in visual storytelling. (Source: https://prhcomics.com/2023/06/30/inklore-prh-announces-new-global-pop-comics-imprint/) In June 2021, Wattpad, a major social storytelling platform and global multi-platform entertainment company for original tales, and WEBTOON, the largest digital comic platform worldwide, announced that they will combine their studio divisions to establish Wattpad WEBTOON Studios. (Source: https://company.wattpad.com/blog/wattpad-and-webtoon-merge-studio-divisions-to-create-wattpad-webtoon-studios-a-fully-funded-fan-driven-global-entertainment-powerhouse)

Top Companies Market Share in Webtoons Industry: (In no particular order of Rank)

• Bomtoon (kidariStudio Corp)
• Kakao Webtoon
• Izeno
• Lezhin Entertainment
• LLC
• Marvel Unlimited
• NAVER WEBTOON
• Netcomics Inc.
• NHN Comico Corp
• Ridibooks (RIDI Group)
• Sidewalk Group
• Tapas Media
• Tappytoon
• Toomics Global Co. Ltd.
• Tory Comics
• Confidential Data
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• Data Hidden

*List of Second Tier Companies, List of Third Tier/ Start-up Companies (Inquire with sales executive) Request Any Company Profile for Preview Purpose OR Data Validation!

If any Company(ies) of your interest has/have not been disclosed in the above list then please let us know the same so that we will check the data availability in our database and provide you the confirmation or include it in the final deliverables.

Regional Analysis of the Webtoons Market

Which Region Dominates the market in 2024?

According to Cognitive Market Research, North America currently dominates the Webtoons market, and the region is expected to have significant growth during the projected period. The popularity of various storytelling formats and the rise in digital content consumption are driving the robust growth of the webtoons market in North America. The adaptation of webtoons into TV series and motion pictures, as well as the growing collaborations between Korean platforms and American entertainment companies, are significant trends. There are chances to increase the amount of content available in English, draw in new viewers, and use webtoons to create cross-media franchises. The market is being driven further by the proliferation of mobile apps and the ease of access to digital comics. Direct-to-consumer platforms also help creators by providing new avenues for revenue generation through fan-driven monetization models like Patreon and merchandise sales, as well as increased engagement.

Which Region is Expanding at the Fastest CAGR?

Asia-Pacific is expected to make significant gains during the projected period, with the greatest compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Increasing smartphone penetration and a growing preference for digital entertainment are two notable trends that the Asia-Pacific webtoons market is seeing. Platforms are providing more localized content to meet the tastes and preferences of different regions due to their diverse user base. Popular genres showing growth in readership include fantasy, action, and romance. Interactions with traditional media and alliances with regional creators present opportunities to improve cross-platform interaction. The increasing popularity of subscription models and monetization techniques like ad-supported content also presents revenue growth opportunities. The tech-savvy youth population in the region highly seeks new interactive elements and inventive storytelling in webtoons.

The current report Scope analyzes Webtoons Market on 5 major region Split (In case you wish to acquire a specific region edition (more granular data) or any country Edition data then please write us on info@cognitivemarketresearch.com

• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Rest of South America)
• Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Nigeria, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA)

The above graph is for illustrative purposes only.

North America Webtoons

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Webtoons market size was estimated at USD 8514.2 Million, out of which North America held the major market share of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 3405.68 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.4% from 2024 to 2031.

• According to Cognitive Market Research, the US had a major share in the Webtoons market with a market size of USD 2687.08 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 26.2% during the forecast period. Webtoons are very popular in the United States, especially with younger audiences, due to the strong demand for interactive and diverse content. The emergence of platforms such as Tapas and Line Webtoon meets the needs of readers seeking original digital storytelling.
• The Canadian webtoons market had a market share of USD 408.68 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 27.2% during the forecast period. The availability of webtoons via smartphones and the internet appeals to Canada's tech-savvy populace. Regional writers and readers are also encouraging the increasing demand.
• The Mexico Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 26.9% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 309.92 million in 2024.

Europe Webtoons

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Webtoons market size was estimated at USD 8514.2 Million, out of which Europe held the market share of more than 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 2554.26 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.7% from 2024 to 2031.

• The United Kingdom Webtoons market had a market share of USD 429.12 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 27.5% during the forecast period. Webtoons are becoming more prevalent in the UK, especially among young adult readers who prefer mobile-friendly formats due to the progression of global platforms and the rise in digital media consumption.
• The France Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 25.9% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 234.99 million in 2024.
• According to Cognitive Market Research, the German Webtoons market size was valued at USD 505.74 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 26.9% during the forecast period. A younger generation of readers interested in manga, anime, and visual storytelling finds webtoons to be appealing, continuing Germany's rich comic tradition's digital transformation.
• The Italy Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 26.1% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 219.67 million in 2024.
• The Russian webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 25.7% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 395.91 million in 2024.
• The Spain Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 25.8% during the forecast period with a market size of USD 209.45 million in 2024
• The Luxembourg Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 26.8% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 79.18 million in 2024.
• The Portugal Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 26.5% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 53.64 million in 2024.
• The Greece Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 27.0% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 30.65 million in 2024.
• The Rest of Europe's Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 25.4% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 395.91 million in 2024.

Asia Pacific Webtoons

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Webtoons market size was estimated at USD 8514.2 Million, out of which Asia Pacific held the market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1958.27 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.2% from 2024 to 2031.

• According to Cognitive Market Research, the China Webtoons market size was valued at USD 881.22 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 29.7% during the forecast period. The Chinese webtoon market is driven by the country's large online readership and widespread use of digital media. Major investments in local and translated content have been made by platforms such as Tencent and BiliBili.
• The Japan Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 28.7% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 270.24 million in 2024.
• The India Webtoons market had a market share of USD 234.99 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 32.0% during the forecast period. The popularity of webtoons is driven by the vast number of mobile users in India, especially among youth. In line with the nation's growing interest in K-culture, Korean webtoons, such as those on Line Webtoon, are particularly well-liked.
• The South Korean Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 29.3% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 195.83 million in 2024.
• The Australian Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 29.9% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 101.83 million in 2024.
• The South East Asia Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 31.2% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 135.12 million in 2024.
• The Rest of Asia Pacific Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 30.0% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 139.04 million in 2024.

South America Webtoons

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Webtoons market size was estimated at USD 8514.2 Million, out of which Latin America held the market share of around 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 425.71 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.6% from 2024 to 2031.

• According to Cognitive Market Research, the Brazil Webtoons market size was valued at USD 182.20 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 28.2% during the forecast period. Brazil presents a promising market for webtoons due to its cultural affinity for comics and animation as well as the country's increasing mobile internet access. Local and international digital comics are highly popular among the younger demographic.
• Argentina's Webtoons market had a market share of USD 71.52 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 28.5% during the forecast period. Webtoons are becoming a popular form of digital entertainment, mainly for newer audiences, due to Argentina's growing internet penetration and demand for creative content.
• Colombia Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 27.4% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 37.89 million in 2024.
• Peru's Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 27.8% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 34.91 million in 2024.
• Chile Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 27.9% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 30.65 million in 2024.
• The Rest of Latin America's Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 26.7% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 68.54 million in 2024.

Middle East Webtoons

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Webtoons market size was estimated at USD 8514.2 Million, out of which the Middle East and Africa held the major market share of around 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 170.28 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.9% from 2024 to 2031.

• The GCC Countries Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 28.7% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 72.88 million in 2024. The webtoon industry has expanded in GCC countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE as a result of rising smartphone use, internet penetration, and a growing interest in manga and anime.
• The Egypt Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 28.2% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 17.88 million in 2024.
• The South Africa Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 28.9% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 26.90 million in 2024. A major contributing factor is the internet culture of mobile-first and the growing emphasis on digital storytelling. Webtoons give both foreign and local content creators a platform to reach new audiences and gain new followers.?
• The Turkey Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 27.4% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 14.64 million in 2024.
• The Nigeria Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 27.0% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 17.88 million in 2024.
• The Rest of the MEA Webtoons market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 26.9% during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 20.09 million in 2024.

Webtoons Market Analysis

Webtoons Market Type Segment Analysis

According to Cognitive Market Research, Comedy is likely to dominate the Webtoons Market over the forecast period. With its relatable and lighthearted content, comedy is one of the most popular genres in the webtoon market, drawing in a large audience. The genre is especially well-liked by younger readers because of its universal appeal and capacity to offer an escape from daily stress. To increase their appeal, comedy webtoons frequently incorporate humor with elements of romance, fantasy, or slice-of-life. Webtoon platforms' interactive features, like user comments and community involvement, make for an enjoyable experience and inspire creators to try out funny narrative techniques. The production of varied and culturally relevant content is being fueled by the growing demand for humor in webtoons.

The Action is the fastest-growing segment in the Webtoons Market. Because of their captivating graphics, quick-witted narratives, and dynamic storytelling, action-themed webtoons have become increasingly popular. Action webtoons are very popular with younger audiences because they frequently have exciting fight scenes, deep character development, and gripping stories. This genre draws readers from both domestic and foreign markets, which greatly boosts market expansion. This trend has been driven by the popularity of Korean webtoons around the world; numerous action titles have been adapted into anime, TV shows, or movies, which has increased demand for them. Action webtoons are becoming more and more popular on platforms because of their capacity to build devoted fan bases and high levels of viewer engagement.

The above Chart is for representative purposes and does not depict actual sale statistics. Access/Request the quantitative data to understand the trends and dominating segment of Webtoons Industry. Request a Free Sample PDF!

Webtoons Market Revenue Model Segment Analysis

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Adds bases segment holds the largest share of the market. In the webtoons industry, the need for ad-based models is expanding as platforms look for long-term monetization plans that still allow them to distribute free content. Webtoons can be accessed for free thanks to advertisements, which draws in a wider audience—particularly in areas where consumers have limited means. Because it keeps content available while earning money from advertisers, this model helps platforms as well as creators. Targeted advertisements also increase click-through rates and engagement based on user preferences and behaviors, increasing the profitability of ad-supported webtoons. The user base is growing, and younger, tech-savvy readers, in particular, are driving up demand for seamless and efficient ad integration.

In the Webtoons Market, the Subscription Models are witnessing tremendous expansion. Due to platforms looking for long-term revenue streams, consumers want high-quality, ad-free content. The user experience is improved by subscriptions, which give readers exclusive access to episodes, early releases, and bonus content. Because it offers a consistent revenue stream, this model is advantageous to platforms as well as creators as it promotes the creation of higher-quality content. As digital entertainment gains popularity and its global audience grows, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific, more platforms are implementing subscription services to accommodate a wide range of reader preferences. This trend encourages user loyalty and lessens dependency on advertisements, which supports long-term growth.

The above Graph is for representation purposes only. This chart does not depict actual Market share.

Webtoons Application Segment Analysis

Webtoons Market Application Segment Analysis

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Laptop segment holds the largest market share. Due to the growing need for content creation, editing, and consumption. To create high-quality digital comics, webtoon artists and creators frequently use laptops with powerful graphics and design software. With the growing popularity of webtoons, platforms, and creators need powerful laptops for animation, digital drawing, and multitasking. This demand is also fueled by readers who favor multitasking and larger screens for content consumption. With their portability and performance, laptops are essential for creating and consuming content, particularly as the webtoons market grows internationally.

In the Webtoons market, the rapidly growing sector is the Mobile category. Webtoons provide a comfortable reading experience on mobile screens because they are made especially for vertical scrolling on smartphones. Global smartphone adoption is rising, particularly in Asia-Pacific, and more people are using mobile apps to access webtoons. Because of this ease of use, readers can consume content while on the go, increasing user base and engagement. Innovative features like in-app purchases, notifications for new episodes, and personalized recommendations are made possible by mobile accessibility, which increases demand and creates new revenue streams for webtoon platforms in the mobile-first market.

• Mobile
• Laptop
• Tablets
• Television

Author's Detail

Swasti Dharmadhikari

Research associate at Cognitive Market Research

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Swasti Dharmadhikari, an agile and achievement-focused market researcher with an innate ardor for deciphering the intricacies of the Service & Software sector. Backed by a profound insight into technology trends and consumer dynamics, she has committed herself to meticulously navigating the ever-evolving terrain of digital Services and software solutions.

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