What is a webtoon?
The Korean-origin vertical-scroll digital comic format — from 2003 Daum origins to the 2024 NASDAQ IPO. Platforms, CANVAS vs Originals, and how it differs from manhwa, manga, and comics.
Last reviewed . Facts verified against Wikipedia, Webtoon Entertainment corporate filings, and platform creator documentation same day.
A webtoon is a vertical-scroll digital comic format that originated in South Korea, pioneered by Daum Webtoon in 2003 and Naver Webtoon in 2004. Read top-to-bottom on mobile, usually in full color, and published as serialized episodes rather than paged chapters. The largest global platform, WEBTOON by Naver, went public on NASDAQ (WBTN) in June 2024 — a milestone marking the format's move from Korean niche to mainstream global publishing. Most modern manhwa (Korean comics) are webtoons, but not all webtoons are manhwa.
The word “webtoon” means two things
Most confusion about webtoons comes from the same word covering both a format and a brand. “Webtoon” (lowercase) refers to the format — any vertical-scroll digital comic, made by any creator, published on any platform. Tower of God is a webtoon. So is Lore Olympus. So is a French creator's series on WEBTOON CANVAS.
“WEBTOON” (all-caps) is a specific brand — the platform owned by Naver Corporation (LINE Webtoon in some regions). It's the largest webtoon publisher globally and its listing on NASDAQ in 2024 gave the whole format a mainstream-legitimacy jolt. But WEBTOON isn't the only publisher — Tapas, Manta, Lezhin, Tappytoon, and KakaoPage all publish webtoons too.
Format label. Vertical-scroll digital comic designed for mobile reading. Applies to any series in this format regardless of publisher or creator nationality.
Brand label. Naver Corporation's specific platform, publicly traded on NASDAQ (WBTN) since June 2024. Largest publisher of the webtoon format globally, but not the only one.
In practical use, “webtoon” usually means both at once — the format that WEBTOON built and popularized. But when you see the word capitalized in specific ways (WEBTOON Originals, LINE Webtoon, Webtoon Entertainment), it's referring to the company; when you see it lowercase or in a generic context, it usually means the format.
The Korean name: 웹툰 (webtoon)
The word “webtoon” is a Korean coinage combining two English loanwords: 웹 (web) + 툰 (toon, short for cartoon). Koreans invented both the word and the format — the first vertical-scroll digital comics platforms launched in South Korea in the early 2000s, before smartphones existed. When smartphones became mainstream mid-2000s, the format the Korean web comics industry had been building suddenly matched the device.
Because the word is a Roman-alphabet loanword in Korean, it travels internationally without translation — the same word means the same thing in English, Korean, Japanese, French, or Portuguese editions of the format. This is unusual for a comic-industry term (compare “manga” and “manhwa,” which use language-specific character readings).
For the full breakdown of how webtoon relates to manhwa, manga, and manhua as national comic traditions, see our manga vs manhwa vs manhua guide.
The 6 main webtoon platforms
WEBTOON dominates by scale, but five other platforms have real catalogs and better economics for specific creator or reader needs.
WEBTOON (by Naver / LINE Webtoon)
The market leader globally. Publicly traded on NASDAQ since June 2024 (ticker: WBTN). Runs two publishing tiers — CANVAS (open self-publishing, anyone can post) and Originals (curated + contracted creators). Home to Tower of God, Lore Olympus, Lookism, and thousands of English translations of Korean series.
Tapas
Kakao-owned platform with reputation for better English-native creator economics — 70% ad revenue share versus WEBTOON's 50%, $25 payout threshold versus WEBTOON's $100. Catalog leans toward English-originated webcomics and novels alongside Korean licenses.
Manta
Subscription-first model — one monthly fee unlocks the entire curated catalog with no coin economy. Smaller but growing catalog of licensed Korean webtoons translated into English. Preferred by readers who dislike the per-episode purchase model on WEBTOON and Tapas.
Lezhin Comics
Korean platform known for a broader range of mature content than WEBTOON allows, including 19+ series with proper age verification. Per-episode purchase model with a growing English catalog. Popular with adult manhwa readers.
Tappytoon
English-translation focus with strong catalog of Korean romance and BL webtoons. Weekly free rental model lets readers sample series for free before purchasing. Mid-sized library but sharp editorial curation.
KakaoPage
Korean market leader by revenue, minimal English presence. Home platform of Solo Leveling and many chart-topping Korean webtoons that later license internationally. English readers typically access these series via WEBTOON or Tappytoon licenses.
Also worth knowing: Bilibili Comics (Chinese-market equivalent, manhua-focused), INKR (aggregator of multiple publishers), and Global Comix (indie webtoon-friendly). WEBTOON, Tapas, and KakaoPage together account for the vast majority of English- reader webtoon consumption.
CANVAS vs Originals — the two publishing tiers
WEBTOON runs two publishing tiers with different creator paths, economics, and reader experiences.
CANVAS — open self-publishing
Anyone can create an account and start posting. No editorial approval, no gatekeeping, no minimum quality bar (subject to content policy). Creators keep all rights and can post as often or as rarely as they want. This is where the vast majority of webtoon experimentation happens — increasingly including creators who prototype concepts with AI tools like our AI webtoon maker before committing to full manual production.
Monetization runs through the Ad Revenue Program — once you hit eligibility thresholds (approximately 1,000 subscribers plus 40,000 monthly page views based on 2022-2023 program data, verify current on WEBTOON creator docs), you can enable ads on your series and earn roughly 50% of ad revenue. Real earnings for most CANVAS creators are modest — a few hundred dollars per year is a common outcome; five figures is a stretch goal.
Originals — curated and contracted
WEBTOON editorial staff select specific creators to sign as Originals. Originals series get premium visibility on the homepage, professional editorial support, marketing pushes, and — most importantly — negotiated pay. Originals creators are contracted employees rather than ad-revenue independents.
Getting picked for Originals typically happens either through a creator's own success on CANVAS attracting editorial attention, or through direct pitching to WEBTOON's editorial team. Top Originals creators can earn six or seven figures annually (Wikipedia has cited a $9M top-earner figure for 2021 data), while most sit in the $50-250K range for Korean Originals. For the full creator-economy breakdown, see our how much do webtoon writers make guide (coming soon).
Popular webtoons — the format's flagship works
Four series that define the format for most global readers. Each represents a different genre and creator background.
Tower of God
Creator: SIU (Lee Jong-hui)
Launched: 2010, Naver Webtoon
The longest-running major webtoon still ongoing. Follows Bam, a boy climbing a mystical tower to find his friend Rachel. Anime adaptation launched in 2020 via Crunchyroll. Considered a definitional Korean webtoon — vertical-scroll format, cinematic pacing, expansive world.
Solo Leveling
Creator: Chugong (writer) × DUBU / REDICE Studio (art)
Launched: 2018, KakaoPage
The post-2024 global breakout. Originally a Korean web novel (2016), adapted into webtoon (2018), then anime by A-1 Pictures (2024). The anime made Solo Leveling one of the most-streamed series worldwide, driving a surge of new readers into the manhwa/webtoon format. Complete at 179 chapters plus ongoing sequel.
Lore Olympus
Creator: Rachel Smythe
Launched: 2018, WEBTOON
New Zealand creator retelling the Hades and Persephone myth in modern-fantasy style. Proves the webtoon format is not exclusively Korean — Smythe is one of WEBTOON's highest-profile English-native Originals creators. Multiple Eisner Award nominations, print-book adaptations by Penguin Random House.
Lookism
Creator: Park Tae-jun
Launched: 2014, Naver Webtoon
Korean high-school drama about a bullied student who wakes up in a second, conventionally attractive body. Explores social dynamics through the appearance dichotomy. Anime adaptation on Netflix (2022). Widely cited example of long-running character-driven webtoon storytelling.
Also worth knowing: Noblesse (Son Jeho, 2007-2019), The God of High School (Yongje Park, 2011-2022), Bastard (Kim Carnby, 2014- 2017), Sweet Home (Kim Carnby × Hwang Youngchan, 2017-2020). For reader recommendations organized by genre, see our best webtoons to read guide.
Webtoon vs manhwa — the actual difference
The distinction confuses even long-time readers: manhwa and webtoon are not the same category. Manhwa is an origin label — the Korean word for comic, covering everything from 1920s Korean print comics to modern digital series. Webtoon is a format label — vertical-scroll digital comic designed for mobile reading, regardless of creator's country.
They overlap heavily because most modern manhwa are published in webtoon format — Korean creators drove the format's invention, and Korean-language webtoon platforms (Naver Webtoon, KakaoPage) are the largest. So when someone reads Solo Leveling, they're reading both a manhwa (Korean comic) and a webtoon (vertical-scroll digital format).
But the two labels diverge at the edges. A French creator publishing on WEBTOON CANVAS makes a webtoon, but not a manhwa (they're not Korean). A Korean creator publishing a print comic in 1985 made manhwa, but not a webtoon (no vertical scroll, no mobile). Lore Olympus (New Zealand creator, English-language) is a webtoon but not manhwa.
For the full three-way breakdown of manga, manhwa, and manhua as national comic traditions, see our manga vs manhwa vs manhua guide.
For the dedicated Korean-comics deep-dive (pronunciation, the Big 3, anime adaptations pipeline), see our companion guide what is a manhwa. For the Chinese-comics equivalent (cultivation genre, manhua vs donghua), see what is a manhua.
Webtoons vs manga vs manhwa vs comics vs graphic novels
How the webtoon format compares to the other major comic traditions readers might already know.
| Attribute | Webtoon | Manga | Manhwa | Comics | Graphic novel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | South Korea | Japan | South Korea | USA (Western tradition) | USA (Western tradition) |
| Reading direction | Vertical scroll (top-to-bottom) | Right-to-left | Left-to-right or vertical scroll | Left-to-right | Left-to-right |
| Color | Full color (default) | Black-and-white (default) | Full color (default, modern) | Full color | Varies |
| Publication | Digital-first (mobile-optimized) | Print-first (magazines then tankōbon) | Digital-first (modern) | Print-first (monthly issues) | Print (standalone volumes) |
| Episode length | Serialized episodes (variable, one scroll each) | 18-45 page chapters | Serialized episodes (webtoon-style) | 20-22 page issues | Book-length (100+ pages) |
| Example | Tower of God, Lore Olympus | One Piece, Naruto | Solo Leveling, Tower of God | Batman, X-Men | Maus, Persepolis |
For reading manga specifically — the right-to-left mechanics, panel order, and best apps — see our how to read manga guide.
Is WEBTOON free? Is it legal? Common questions
Free vs paid
WEBTOON CANVAS is free forever — every series posted on CANVAS can be read without payment. Originals uses a mixed model: the latest few episodes and the oldest completed episodes are free, while episodes in the middle of the archive require coins purchased with real money. Free readers can access most of any given Originals series with some waiting.
Legal reality
All publisher-official platforms — WEBTOON, Tapas, Manta, Lezhin, Tappytoon, KakaoPage — are fully legal. Reading on them supports the creators through ads, subscriptions, or per-episode purchases depending on the platform's model. Unauthorized aggregator sites that host WEBTOON series without permission are copyright infringement. Since the free tiers on legal platforms cover most reading needs, there's rarely a practical reason to use aggregator sites.
Age-appropriate for kids?
Depends on the specific series. WEBTOON uses an age-rating system (All-Ages, Teen, Older Teen, Mature 19+). Many popular Originals like Lore Olympus and Tower of God are Teen-rated and suit ages 13+. Mature content requires age verification. Parents should check individual series ratings rather than making a blanket judgment about the platform.
Frequently asked questions
- Is WEBTOON free or paid?
- Both. CANVAS (the open self-publishing tier) is free forever — every series posted on CANVAS can be read without payment. Originals (the curated tier) uses a mixed model: the latest few episodes and the oldest completed episodes are free, while episodes in the middle of the archive require coins purchased with real money. Free readers can access most of any given series with some waiting or scrolling.
- Is a webtoon a manga?
- No. Manga is Japanese, black-and-white by default, and reads right-to-left. Webtoons originate from South Korea, are usually full color, and read as vertical scroll on mobile. Both are comics but they come from separate national traditions with different format conventions. Confusion is common because both often appear in the same reading apps.
- Are webtoons the same as manhwa?
- They overlap heavily but aren't the same. Manhwa is an origin label — any Korean comic, from 1920s print to modern digital. Webtoon is a format label — any vertical-scroll digital comic, regardless of country. Most modern manhwa are published as webtoons because Korean creators dominate the format, but a French artist publishing on WEBTOON CANVAS makes a webtoon that isn't manhwa.
- What's the exact difference between webtoon and manhwa?
- Format versus origin. Manhwa specifies country (Korean); webtoon specifies format (vertical-scroll digital, mobile-first). The two overlap because the vertical-scroll webtoon format originated in Korea in the early 2000s, so most modern manhwa are webtoons. But older print-era manhwa (pre-2000s) are manhwa but not webtoons, and non-Korean creators posting on WEBTOON make webtoons but not manhwa.
- Is WEBTOON appropriate for 12-year-olds?
- It depends on the specific series. WEBTOON uses an age-rating system with tiers roughly matching All-Ages, Teen, Older Teen, and Mature (19+). Many popular Originals like Lore Olympus and Tower of God are Teen-rated. Mature content requires age verification. Parents should check the rating tag on each series rather than making a blanket judgment about the platform.
- Does WEBTOON have 18+ content?
- Yes, but with restrictions. Mature-rated Originals exist on the platform behind age verification. CANVAS has stricter content rules than Lezhin (which is specifically friendly to 19+ content), so overtly adult material is usually removed from WEBTOON CANVAS. Readers seeking mature manhwa often use Lezhin Comics or Toomics as alternative legal platforms.
- Is WEBTOON legal?
- Yes. WEBTOON is officially operated by Webtoon Entertainment (Naver-owned, NASDAQ-listed since 2024). Reading on the WEBTOON app or website is fully legal. Unauthorized aggregator sites that host WEBTOON series without permission are copyright infringement — since WEBTOON's free tier covers most of any series, there's rarely a practical reason to use those.
- Are webtoons Korean or Japanese?
- The webtoon format is Korean-origin — the vertical-scroll mobile-comic format was pioneered in South Korea via Daum Webtoon (2003) and Naver Webtoon (2004). The Japanese equivalent is called tate-yomi (縦読み, literally 'vertical reading') and is a smaller, newer market. When people say 'webtoon' they nearly always mean the Korean-origin format, even though non-Korean creators now publish widely in it.
- What's the difference between CANVAS and Originals?
- CANVAS is WEBTOON's open self-publishing tier — anyone can create an account and post a series with no editorial approval. Originals is the curated tier — WEBTOON editorial staff select and contract specific creators, providing pay, promotion, and premium slots on the homepage. CANVAS creators can earn through the Ad Revenue Program (with eligibility thresholds); Originals creators are contracted employees with negotiated pay.
- Can you get paid on WEBTOON CANVAS?
- Yes, through the Ad Revenue Program. Creators become eligible after meeting subscriber and monthly page-view thresholds (roughly 1,000 subscribers plus 40,000 monthly page views based on 2022-2023 program data — verify current thresholds on WEBTOON creator docs). Revenue share is around 50% of ad revenue on your series. Real earnings vary widely — most CANVAS creators earn under $100/year, while top Originals can earn six or seven figures.
- Why is WEBTOON getting sued?
- Various copyright and labor-related lawsuits have surfaced over the years — the platform has faced complaints from creators over contract terms and from external rightsholders over content policing. As of 2026, none has materially disrupted operations. For current specific cases, check recent news coverage of WEBTOON Entertainment (NASDAQ: WBTN) rather than older Reddit threads.
- What's a good first webtoon to read?
- Three widely-recommended starters spanning different tastes: Lore Olympus (romance, Greek mythology retelling, WEBTOON) for character-driven mature romance; Tower of God (fantasy adventure, Naver Webtoon) for expansive world-building; Lookism (school drama with supernatural twist, Naver Webtoon) for accessible social storytelling. All three are free to start on WEBTOON.
Go deeper on any of these
For the full three-way distinction between manga, manhwa, and manhua — etymology, format history, series identity — manga vs manhwa vs manhua.
For reading manga specifically (right-to-left mechanics, panel order, best apps) — how to read manga.
For the creator side — panel layout, canvas specs, publishing platforms, monetization — how to make a webtoon.
For the broader comic-creation workflow that covers webtoon alongside comic strip, comic book, and graphic novel formats — how to make a comic.
For reader recommendations across manga, manhwa, and webtoons — organized by genre and status — best webtoons to read.
For the creator career path — CANVAS to Originals, WEBTOON Ad Revenue Program specifics, platform economics — webtoon creator career guide.
For the full 20-year timeline — 2003 Daum experiment, 2013 Page Profit Share, 2014 LINE Webtoon English, 2024 NASDAQ IPO — history of webtoons.
For the creator-economy breakdown with real numbers — CANVAS Ad Revenue rates, Originals contract pay, WEBTOON vs Tapas comparison, and the 50-200× Patreon multiplier finding — how much do webtoon writers make.
A format born in Korea,
now a global category.
Curious about making one yourself? See our webtoon creator guide, or try the AI webtoon maker if you want to prototype a concept before committing to full production.
Last reviewed . Facts verified against Wikipedia, Webtoon Entertainment corporate filings, and platform creator documentation same day.