Press ReleasesDec 01, 2023

WEBTOON’s LINE MANGA and ebookjapan surpass 100 billion yen in total GMV in just 11 months

- Japan's LINE MANGA and ebookjapan achieve an all-time high by surpassing 100 billion yen in total GMV within the first 11 months.

- Strong growth driven by the increasing popularity of LINE MANGA’s WEBTOON Originals and promotional events for ebookjapan’s webcomics

WEBTOON's GMV in Japan surpassed 100 billion yen in just 11 months, marking an all-time high.

This is the first time that Japan's annual GMV, from January to November, has exceeded the 100-billion-yen mark, a combination of both the “LINE MANGA” and “ebookjapan” platforms. This milestone is attributed to the rising popularity of LINE MANGA’s WEBTOON Originals and the ongoing promotional events for ebookjapan’s webcomics.

The growth of LINE MANGA can be attributed to the success of the webcomic “Teenage Mercenary” (written by YC, art by Rakyeon), which surpassed 180 million yen in monthly GMV, setting a record as LINE MANGA’s highest-grossing webcomic series. Additionally, the continuous release of hit series such as “The Remarried Empress” (written by Herelee, illustrated by Sumpul, original work by Alpha Tart) and “Kidnapped Bride” (written/illustrated by Team Cappuccino, original work by Kanghee Jamae) with monthly GMVs exceeding 100 million yen has further contributed to this growth.

Sinbae Kim, Chief Growth Officer of LINE Digital Frontier, the operator of LINE MANGA, expressed, “Our goal, through LINE MANGA and ebookjapan, is not only to offer readers enjoyable and thrilling webcomics but also to discover local creators who can play a vital role in fostering the expansion of Japan's digital comics market.”