Fuji TV Enters Webtoon Market with Four Production Companies: TOON8 Launched
Fuji TV is officially entering the digital comic market by expanding its media empire. The channel partnered with four powerful production companies (Number Nine, Fumoa, LOCKER ROOM, and C-Route) to launch the new Webtoon label TOON8 (pronounced 'Toon Eight' in English). The label's first original series are reaching readers on LINE Manga, one of Japan's largest digital manga platforms.
This move is seen as a strategic step by Fuji TV to go beyond traditional broadcasting and enter the growing Webtoon market. Webtoons are a vertically scrolling digital comic format that has exploded in popularity among smartphone users, especially in South Korea and Japan. Through this collaboration, Fuji TV will have the opportunity to both create its own original content and bring its existing IPs to a new medium. Fumoa stands out as a studio that has been involved in similar digital manga projects before, while Number Nine and LOCKER ROOM are known for their expertise in motion graphics and animation. C-Route is recognized for its mobile game and app development that typically appeals to a younger audience.
According to details from Japanese media site Natalie, the genres and creative teams of the first series to be released under the TOON8 label have not yet been fully announced. However, Fuji TV's move reflects television channels' efforts to adapt to the digital age. Considering that platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have poured millions of dollars into Webtoon adaptations in recent years, it makes sense that Fuji TV wants to carve out its own niche in this market. Additionally, LINE Manga offers a huge ecosystem with over 10 million users in Japan, providing a perfect foundation for new series to reach a wide audience.
So what does this mean for Fuji TV fans and Webtoon readers? First, we may see new stories from Fuji TV's anime and series (such as the popular One Piece anime or classics like GTO) in Webtoon format. Additionally, TOON8 could open doors for independent creators, as Fuji TV and its partners aim to discover new talent by investing in original scripts. In the coming months, it remains to be seen which series will be released and whether the label will expand to other platforms (e.g., Piccoma or KakaoPage). For Webtoon enthusiasts, this means a Japanese media giant is entering the scene, which could pave the way for high-quality, professionally produced digital manga.
It will be worth following the developments; Fuji TV's TOON8 adventure will serve as an important reference point for traditional media's digital transformation.
