Manta has become a major webtoon platform since its launch in 2021 under RIDI founder Kisik Bae, standing among the ranks of Webtoon, Tapas, Lezhin, and Tappytoons. Now, Manta is growing with plans for microdramas and screen adaptations.
In a December 11 interview with Deadline, Manta CEO Asher Won reflected on the company’s growth in the last five years and where he sees it heading. In regards to screen adaptations of webtoons, he revealed much about Manta’s potential growth in that area.
“Webcomics are built with carefully crafted visuals and established characters, which makes them a natural fit for screen adaptation,” Won told Deadline. “Their episodic structure maps well onto drama series, and because their worlds and setups are typically clear rather than overly complex, they can also translate smoothly into film.”
Won also noted that a number of webtoons, including ones published on Manta, “have already made successful transitions into K-dramas.” Outside of Korea, “the visibility of webcomic-based projects continues to grow. At Manta, we’re carefully evaluating opportunities for screen adaptation and other formats.”
Among the webcomics that have been adapted for screen are Webtoon IPs Tower of God, True Beauty, God of High School, with the live-action adaptations of Stagtown and Freaking Romance currently in development. Beyond Webtoon, other webcomics like Solo Leveling and The Beginning After The End have been adapted.
In his Deadline interview, Won reveals that not only is Manta evaluating opportunities for screen adaptations of its titles, but it has gone so far as to open up discussions with partners about adapting its titles for live-action, animation, and—to my surprise—even video games. So who knows, maybe we’ll see a possible Under the Oak Tree RPG or MMORPG in the future?
Won also discussed how webcomics make very strong candidates for microdramas, which are 1-5 minute dramatic works that have a very compact story with the focus on strong, dramatical emotions, revelations, or conflict. Examples include Vine, TikTok, or YouTube shorts focused on original, contained stories which could lead into another if the creator chooses.
Won said he views webtoons and webcomics as potential pillars for Manta’s microdrama productions, and revealed that “a few projects have already entered early-stage development.”
It is interesting to see Manta be the next webtoon/webcomic platform to make its move into screen adaptations and more. It would be interesting to see stories such as Under The Oak Tree, I’ve Become a True Villainess, and others introduce more audiences to the art through live-action or animated series, or video games.
Webcomics were once considered low-hanging fruit, not worth the time or investment to adapt, which amazes me. Now, we are seeing so many of these stories in the spotlight—where they belong.
Source: Deadline
