Webtoons, with their unique and steadily rising popularity, have been a game-changer in the world of anime. While many anime series are original productions, the trend often leans towards successful manga for source material. However, the distinct storytelling of webtoons has caught the attention of the anime industry, leading to a broader range of content and a shift towards webtoons for inspiration.
Webtoons have made a significant mark in the anime industry, with several popular titles like Tower of God, The God of High School, and Solo Leveling already receiving successful anime adaptations. This success story paves the way for many more webtoons, which have accumulated years of successful storytelling, to be considered for a big-budget anime adaptation.
10Everything Is Fine
Perfectly normal couple Sam and Maggie live in a perfectly normal neighborhood with identical houses, with their perfectly normal dog Winston—nothing strange about their heads or neighbors, who all sound and look the same. Everything is Fine. On the outside. But is it, really? Winston, their sweet dog, has been dead for some time now, and Sam and Maggie begin to struggle to keep up the facade of their idyllic suburban life. No problem, though, because everything in the world is absolutely, totally, and unquestionably fine.
Everything is Fine, a horror Webtoon Original by Mike Birchall, is a rollercoaster of emotions. The stark difference between the cutesy pastel art and the chilling horror story gives you a whiplash. Getting animated perfectly with the perfect eerie soundtrack would be the perfectly normal thing to do, right?
9Bastard
Though there are enough dark and mature webtoons available, Bastard stands out as one of the darkest stories yet, an actual exercise in depravity, and not for the weak of the heart. Jin is a kid who has been the target of bullying on a regular basis due to his unfortunate living circumstances. Being dealt the worst possible hand in life, Jin not only endures awful treatment at school but at home, he is coerced into helping his serial killer father, which is near equivalent of hell.
Despite the odds, Jin is resolute in his quest to break free from his father’s influence, even if it means taking extreme measures. His every act of defiance puts a target on his back, adding a layer of suspense to the narrative. Bastard, with its 93 chapters across five volumes, concluded a remarkable two-year run which makes it a prime candidate for a well-deserving comprehensive anime adaptation that could span two or three seasons.
8To The Stars and Back
Despite being a big old cliche, you can’t resist giggling or getting misty-eyed when you see the grumpy one that doesn’t really care about the world meet the happy one that went through a lot to get where they are. It’s a classic setup, but the heartwarming dynamics of Kang Dae and Bo Seon make for a refreshing story.
Introverted, grumpy twenty-year-old Kang Dae spends most of his time alone. He usually prefers it that way. Enter Bo Seon, a super friendly, bubbly neighbor who moves in next door and tries to befriend him. Bo Seon is a ball of sunshine and radiates good vibes constantly. Suddenly, Kang Dae’s life takes a major turn. With this adorable combo, you get this fun slice-of-life story called To the Stars and Back, created by Peglo. Kang Dae and Bo Seon deserve to come to life because they will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
7Who Made Me a Princess
The fantasy genre with isekai elements where an other-worldly character awakens in a strange realm only to find themselves at a supernatural disadvantage is at the height of its popularity.
In Who Made Me a Princess, Athanasia de Alger Obelia—a fabled princess from Japanese fairytales with a tragic end—is resurrected because of a woman’s rebirth. This reincarnated Athanasia is well-aware of her ultimate tragic end, so she makes every effort to steer herself away from this princess’ terrible destiny.
Given that Athanasia is just five years old, her manipulative and devious father is largely responsible for her survival strategies and political maneuvers.
Who Made Me a Princess touches a lot of well-known isekai themes, but in the end, it seems to be the ideal combination between Ranking of Kings and Spy x Family, two shows that have had great success with their anime adaptations so the ultimate fate of the anime adaptation of Who Made Me a Princess seems to be hopeful.
6Purple Hyacinth
An officer of the law teaming up with a deadly assassin to destroy a criminal organization? Sign me up. Purple Hyacinth follows a vengeful cop named Lauren, who uses her ability to detect lies to take down the syndicate that killed her childhood friends.
Her plans however, get complicated when an infamous assassin offers to work with her to take down the group they both hate, but their vigilante efforts get them in much more dangerous situations than they anticipated.
The story has it all-action, mystery, comedy, slow-burn romance, intense storyline with budding dynamics, and fully fleshed-out characters.
These characters are not just part of the story, they are the story, and their depth and complexity will make you feel connected and empathetic. And let’s not forget the art style, which is a winning point in itself, promising an animation that is truly one of a kind.
5Seasons of Blossom
Seasons of Blossom follows a group of teenagers and young adults as they navigate the coming-of-age process and the complexities of young love. What sets this manhwa apart is its unique structure, divided into four parts, each representing a season.
As the narrative shifts focus to different characters in each part, it offers a fascinating insight into the diverse experiences of love. In addition, the series fearlessly tackles other important topics, such as bullying, the struggle to fit in, and self-image.
Seasons of Blossom is a wonderfully unique romance series that is poised to make a mark in the manhwa and anime industries.
Fans of grounded, complex, and modern romances should keep an eye out for this series, as it has the potential to become a modern romance classic. With rumors of an animation adaptation circulating, this slice-of-life, coming-of-age webtoon promises to tug at your heartstrings and is definitely one to watch.
4Sweet Home
Ironically titled Sweet Home, the story revolves around a teenage introvert who’s forced out of the comfort of his own home after a family tragedy, only to discover that the outside world is filled with vicious creatures.
A group of reserved teens come together as humanity’s only hope of putting an end to the monster epidemic. Fans of Chainsaw Man would find similar premises in Sweet Home, but it’s unique in its own right, offering a fresh perspective on psychological and introspective themes that will surely pique your interest.
What’s even more exciting is that Sweet Home is part of Kim Carnby’s ‘Carnby Superverse.’ This interconnected universe, which ties together Carnby’s various works, offers a rich tapestry of interconnected stories.
While Sweet Home can be enjoyed on its own, the potential for these works to receive anime adaptations is thrilling. Imagine the depth and layers that could be added as they all reference each other, creating a grander narrative that’s sure to captivate fans.
3Eleceed
Eleceed is a must-know for any cat owner, as it weaves a suspenseful action-comedy hybrid that also pays homage to the power of felines. Jiwoo, a high school student with a natural affinity for cats, forms an unexpected bond with Kayden, a powerful wizard trapped in a cat’s body and member of the Awakened.
Jiwoo and Kayden, an unlikely duo, team up to fight crime and keep the rebellious Awakened in check. Eleceed is not just a webcomic with beautiful illustrations and compelling storytelling, but it also has the potential to be a thrilling animated series. Imagine the action sequences coming to life with the fluidity of animation-it’s an exciting prospect that could take this entertaining concept to new heights.
2Operation: True Love
Operation: True Love navigates the ups-and-down of a high-school love, adding a supernatural twist to create one of the best romance stories. The story revolves around Sim Su-Ae, a girl stuck in a relationship with an indifferent boyfriend, Kang Min-U.
However, her life takes an unexpected turn when a sentient phone named Jellypop suddenly appears in her locker. This unique device not only comments on her love life and choices but also becomes a catalyst for a big change, causing Su-Ae to find the truth about her boyfriend’s disinterest.
Operation: True Love is a classic example of why high school is such fertile ground for romance stories. The heightened emotions and conflicting feelings of being a teenager make Su-Ae’s story not just interesting, but incredibly compelling.
Watching the characters come to life will give us a deeper understanding of their circumstances, more so because the webtoon is popular enough to already have a soundtrack called Love Me Back by fromis_9.
1The Horizon
Set in a desolate, war-torn land, the story follows the introspective and anguish-filled path a boy takes following the death of his mother. The Horizon tells a sad yet realistic story about tragedy and loss, showcasing the worst of humanity. The story, with its 21 chapters, forces the readers to emotionally invest in the characters’ journey, fostering a deep sense of empathy.
The Horizon excels in visual storytelling, bringing the world to life not through endless exposition but through tangible images. The haunting story engages the readers, making them question the disturbing and painful artwork, which are facets of life that sadly cannot be ignored.
The conscious use of color, set against its predominantly black-and-white palette, adds a thought-provoking layer to the narrative and will truly be a sight to see when animated.
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