U.S. Webtoons Market To Witness Massive Growth By 2030

U.S. Webtoons Market Summary

The U.S. webtoons market size was estimated at USD 1,980.6 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8,721.7 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.5% from 2025 to 2033. The growth is primarily driven by the increasing penetration of smartphones and high-speed internet, which makes digital comics more accessible to a younger, tech-savvy audience. The rise of social media platforms and content-sharing apps has also played a key role in driving traffic to webtoon platforms. The growing trend of transmedia storytelling, where webtoons are adapted into K-dramas, animated series, and movies, has significantly increased their popularity and monetization potential. The integration of AI and personalization algorithms allows platforms to offer curated content, increasing user engagement and time spent on apps. These drivers are transforming the market into a major segment of the digital entertainment industry.

The rapid evolution and deployment of digital storytelling platforms and mobile technologies are fundamentally transforming the U.S. webtoons industry. Advanced systems such as AI-based content recommendation engines, mobile-first comic distribution models, and interactive reader engagement tools enable creators and publishers to reach audiences more efficiently and monetize content effectively. The demand for personalized and on-demand entertainment continues to grow, thereby accelerating the expansion of the U.S. webtoons industry.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• The romance segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest share of over 38% in 2024. The genre’s widespread appeal among female and young adult readers, combined with mobile-friendly storytelling formats and bingeable episodic structures, has significantly influenced the growth of this segment.
• The 25 to 35 years segment accounted for the largest share of the U.S. webtoons market in 2024, driven by the age group, characterized by its tech-savvy and digitally immersed nature. The convenience of accessing engaging and visually appealing content on mobile devices has contributed to the surge in popularity.
• The mobile and tablet segment accounted for the largest share of the U.S. webtoons industry in 2024. The growing preference for on-the-go entertainment and the widespread adoption of smartphones among younger audiences drive the growth.
• The subscription-based segment accounted for the largest share of the U.S. webtoons market in 2024. This surge is driven by increasing consumer preference for ad-free, bingeable content and the rising willingness to pay for premium storytelling experiences. Platforms like MANTA and WEBTOON are leveraging this model to offer exclusive series and early access to episodes, enhancing user retention.

Order a free sample PDF of the U.S. Webtoons Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 1,980.6 million
• 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 8,721.7 million
• CAGR (2025 - 2033): 16.5%

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include NAVER WEBTOON Ltd. and Kakao Entertainment.

NAVER WEBTOON Ltd. operates the leading webtoon platform "WEBTOON" in the U.S., offering a vast library of original and creator-submitted digital comics across genres such as romance, fantasy, action, and horror. The platform is widely credited with popularizing the webtoon format in North America and boasts a massive U.S. user base. NAVER WEBTOON collaborates with both independent artists and studios. It has entered partnerships with major entertainment companies for IP adaptation, contributing to the mainstream growth of the U.S. webtoons industry.

Kakao Entertainment is a key player in the U.S. webtoons industry. Kakao’s platforms focus on serialized storytelling and have successfully localized Korean webtoons for American audiences. The company particularly supports indie creators and U.S.-originated content, offering monetization tools and production support. Kakao Entertainment’s strategic expansion into the U.S. aims to establish a global IP value chain encompassing webtoons, TV, film, and publishing.

MANTA and INKR are some of the emerging participants in the U.S. webtoons market.

MANTA is rapidly gaining traction in the U.S. webtoons industry through its unique subscription-based model. MANTA focuses on delivering binge-worthy, high-quality romance and fantasy webtoons with no ads or locked episodes. Its intuitive user experience and steady stream of original content are attracting a growing U.S. subscriber base, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial readers. MANTA is positioning itself as a premium alternative to freemium platforms in the U.S. webtoons market.

INKR is an emerging digital comics platform that aggregates a broad range of webtoons, manga, and manhua for U.S. readers. Built by the team behind the popular Manga Rock app, INKR emphasizes ease of discovery and personalized reading experiences. Forming partnerships with multiple publishers and offering multi-format content, INKR is steadily carving out a niche among digital-first comic readers in the market.

Key Players

• NAVER WEBTOON Ltd.
• Kakao Entertainment.
• Tappytoon
• Lezhin Entertainment, LLC
• MANTA.
• INKR
• Toomics Global Co. Ltd.
• Pixiv
• Comikey Media Inc.
• Webcomics Holdings HK Limited.

Explore Horizon Databook – The world's most expansive market intelligence platform developed by Grand View Research.

Conclusion

The U.S. webtoons market is experiencing rapid transformation, driven by increasing smartphone usage, social media engagement, and the growing trend of transmedia storytelling. With romance emerging as the leading genre, millennials and Gen Z remain the key consumer base fueling demand. Subscription-based models are gaining strong momentum as consumers increasingly opt for premium, ad-free experiences. Established players like NAVER WEBTOON and Kakao Entertainment, alongside emerging platforms such as MANTA and INKR, are shaping the competitive landscape. Looking ahead, the integration of advanced technologies and cross-platform adaptations is expected to solidify webtoons as a mainstream entertainment category in the U.S.