The rise of webtoons in France has been meteoric in recent years. In 2025, these digital comics, originally from Korea, continue to captivate a wide audience thanks to their accessibility on smartphones and the varied stories available to readers. Platforms such as Manga Plus, Delitoon, and Izneo are competing to attract enthusiasts, and fans are not mistaken. Indeed, the diversity of stories, ranging from romance to fantasy, to horror, means that every reader can find something appealing. With must-read series crossing borders, it is undeniable that webtoons have become a cultural phenomenon in their own right, shaking up the codes of traditional comics. Let’s discover in more detail this fascinating universe that continues to enchant many digital story lovers.
The rise of webtoons in France
Since their introduction in France, webtoons have found a favorable echo among an audience in search of original and accessible stories. The Sikku collection from Michel Lafon Editions, launched in June 2022, plays a driving role in this popularity. Through partnerships with Korean platforms such as KakaoPage, the publisher offers a variety of quality titles. These works, often adapted for screen reading, revolutionize the classic comic book experience. We are witnessing a genuine enthusiasm around this form of storytelling, to the point that webtoons are among the most consumed genres online at present.
The strength lies in their ability to adapt to the tastes of contemporary readers. Webtoons tackle themes as varied as romance, fantasy, and even dark tales. This creates a repertoire that is both vast and accessible. Indeed, enthusiasts can devour an intense story during their daily commutes or immerse themselves in epic tales during their leisure hours. In July 2023, a study revealed that 35% of young people aged 15 to 30 in France reported being regular consumers of webtoons. This figure has doubled in the last two years!
Revealing figures
| Year | Percentage of regular webtoon users | Popular platforms |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10% | Manga Plus, KissManga |
| 2022 | 20% | Delitoon, Manga Dedicaces |
| 2023 | 35% | Izneo, WebComics |
| 2024 | 50% | Manga Story, KakaoPage |
The figures speak for themselves and testify to a rapidly expanding market. Readers, increasingly familiar with this format, easily immerse themselves in these illustrated stories. They invest not only time but also money, thereby supporting talented creators who produce captivating stories. In this regard, the initiatives of publishing houses, such as the regular publication of new volumes, are crucial to maintaining this growing interest.
Focus on new series in 2025
January 16, 2025, will be remembered with the first publications of the Sikku collection: Operation: True Love volume 3, Killer Peter volume 3, and High School Mercenary volume 7. These titles illustrate the diversity that characterizes the webtoons offerings. They bring not only new stories but also deeply human characters and well-crafted plots.
- Operation: True Love – an exploration of the love triangle with captivating emotional dilemmas.
- Killer Peter – a dark tale seeking to depict the redemption of a troubled hero.
- High School Mercenary – a perfect fusion of the school world and thrilling fights.
These booklets do not only provide reading material. They also offer a reflection of contemporary society through their themes, ranging from the expectations of youth in love to the search for identity within the school environment. Moreover, the colorful and dynamic illustration captures even more attention, making each page almost addictive. It is clear that the enthusiasm for webtoons is gradually surpassing that of traditional manga.
The trends of webtoons in 2025
Beyond their simple consumption, webtoons in 2025 are also evolving in terms of storytelling and visual styles. From animation to integrated music, each work becomes an immersive experience that would be hard to find in traditional formats. Authors are finding innovative ways to interact with their audience, often through social media platforms where they share glimpses of their projects, or even live stories.
The popularity of webtoons is also encouraging a significant number of entrepreneurs to launch dedicated applications. These allow users to keep track of the latest trends, discuss with other fans, and even attend online and offline events. The boundary between the author, the work, and the reader blurs, creating a vibrant ecosystem around these digital creations.
Characteristics of modern webtoons
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Accessibility | Reading on smartphones, available anytime, anywhere. |
| Visual styles | Colorful aesthetics, soundtracks, and animated visual effects. |
| Interactive | Real-time exchanges with authors and other readers. |
| Variety of stories | Covers genres as varied as romance, horror, fantasy, etc. |
Such interaction is not limited to text alone. Some authors launch challenges or polls for upcoming plots, allowing readers to feel like partners in the creation. This new model creates a unique bond between the author and their audience, thus transforming the reading experience into an interactive adventure. Webtoons in 2025 are not just narratives to read, but a universe to explore.
Trends to follow
Due to this dynamic evolution, certain trends are clearly emerging for 2025 and beyond:
- • More adaptations of famous works into webtoons.
- • The rise of new platforms like Anime & Webtoon Shop dedicated to digital content.
- • An increase in the use of augmented reality in storytelling.
- • Immersion experiences via VR headsets.
Imaginaries are developing and traditional narrative boundaries are evolving. The current dynamic is so strong that it is reasonable to predict that in a few years, webtoons could become the norm rather than just a passing trend. The legends and stories published today could very well be the foundation for future successful adaptations, once again redefining the cultural landscape.
Adaptations of webtoons into television series
One of the most exciting developments related to webtoons is their increasing adaptation into television series. Film and television studios are closely following this trend, seeing in these stories an inexhaustible source of content. Successes like Sweet Home and Looming Shadows have paved the way and proven that stories from these platforms can captivate not only comic book fans but also a broader audience. These adaptations breathe new life into the stories by adding different visual and narrative elements.
Examples of recent adaptations
To illustrate the rise of webtoon adaptations, several recent titles are worth highlighting:
- One – A mix of horror and mystery that has captivated the hearts of thrill-seekers.
- Gwangjang – A dramatic narrative that delves into human relationships in a dystopian society.
- Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint – A hero immersed in a world where he finely knows the story, allowing him to influence the course of events.
These adaptations clearly show that there is strong potential for webtoons to transition from the digital format to the screen. This phenomenon reflects the richness of the narratives and the diversity of stories that webtoons have to offer. Loyal readers can find their favorite characters, discover reimagined plots, and immerse themselves even more deeply into these worlds they love so much.
The webtoon reader community
Beyond simple consumption, webtoon readers come together around their shared passion. Whether through specialized forums, social media groups, or conventions, the community is vibrant and dynamic. These interactions strengthen the bond between fans and authors, paving the way for rich and passionate discussions.
Online events, such as new release streams or Q&A sessions with authors, generate growing interest. Some artists even create live illustrations on platforms like Facebook or TikTok, allowing fans to interact in real time. It is also common to see fan art contests where emerging talents get the chance to be recognized.
The challenges of the community
| Community challenges | Description |
|---|---|
| Promotion of creators | Helping authors and illustrators gain visibility. |
| Solidarity | Encouraging fans to support their favorite works. |
| Idea exchange | Fostering discussions around plots and characters. |
| Collective creativity | Encouraging the sharing of fan art and works inspired by webtoons. |
Online communities not only strengthen the webtoon sector but build a network of solidarity between readers and authors. This open engagement shows how these digital narratives touch deeper aspects of popular culture.
FAQ
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What is a webtoon?
A webtoon is a digital comic, often in color, designed to be read on mobile devices, specially developed for a continuous experience.
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What are the best sites to read webtoons?
Platforms like Manga Plus, Delitoon, and Izneo are among the best for exploring and reading webtoons.
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Are webtoons free?
Many webtoons can be read for free, although some platforms offer premium content for a fee.
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Can you submit your own webtoons?
Yes, several platforms allow readers to submit their own works for publication, thus fostering the emergence of new talents.
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How do adaptations of webtoons into TV series work?
Studios look for popular narratives to adapt, mixing narrative and visual elements to capture new audiences.
