A Major Collaboration Between Rakuten and WOWOW: Webtoons and Series to be Developed Simultaneously with the ALIUS Project
Japan's technology and e-commerce giant Rakuten and one of the country's leading premium broadcasters WOWOW have signed a new partnership that will shake up the entertainment world. This initiative, called the ALIUS Project, aims to develop and present vertical-scrolling manga (webtoons) and live-action drama series to viewers and readers at the same time. Unlike the traditional method, where a work is adapted years after becoming popular, both formats will be designed in a synchronized manner to complement each other from the very beginning.
This strategic collaboration leverages the power of the vertical format, which is growing rapidly, especially in the digital comic world. While Rakuten takes on the distribution side of the project with its vast user database and digital experience on platforms like Rakuten Manga, WOWOW will bring its high-quality production capabilities, proven by its prestigious "Drama W" series, to the script and filming stages. Industry experts predict that this move will increase Japan's competitiveness in the global content market against South Korean-originated webtoon giants.
The main goal of the ALIUS Project is not just to achieve local success, but to create original intellectual properties (IP) that can also resonate on international platforms. Although the details of the first works to be produced under the project are still being kept confidential, it is stated that the stories are constructed with a synergy suitable for both smartphone screens and television screens. This strategy will allow fans to build a deeper connection with the story universe by enabling them to read a story while simultaneously watching the characters in live-action.
So, what does this mean for us fans? We may no longer have to wait years for our favorite manga to be adapted into a series. The ALIUS Project could fundamentally change our content consumption habits by ushering in an era of "simultaneous multi-media" storytelling. We are eagerly following the first production announcements from Rakuten and WOWOW and the place these next-generation contents will take on global platforms.
