Manta Webtoon Platform to Add 300 Titles Over Year

Manta, one of the leading platforms for subscription-based digital comics, says it will add over 300 webcomic titles over the next year. It is also revamping its in-app currency, GEM.

The company, which is owned by Korea’s RIDI Corporation, launched in 2020 and has become the number one comics app on Google Play in certain territories, including the U.S., Mexico and Spain.

Manta, known for its successful ‘romantasy’ titles such as “I’ve Become a True Villainess,” and “Betrayal of Dignity,” will launch a new season of its top title “Under the Oak Tree” on Tuesday and go on to introduce about 50 series from Manta Studios and its partners within the month.

Manta, which also carries “Solo Leveling,” “Villains Are Destined to Die” and “Daughter of the Emperor,” will add “over 300 webcomic titles from now through early next year.”

Webtoons are a made-for-mobile genre of comics, that have become another Asian entertainment category that is having fast-growing international success, following the expansion of Japanese anime, Korean TV drama and K-pop. Many webtoons offer vertical scrolling, opportunities for new creators and content that is immediately available in multiple languages. But business models are still evolving.

Under Manta’s GEM system, creators are said to benefit directly from [GEM currency units] used to purchase their content, encouraging the creators to continue crafting compelling stories. The GEM system is also claimed to: provide users with flexibility and control; allow them to create a personalized collection of their favorite episodes and stories; and to keep in their digital shelves, making their reading journey uniquely theirs.

“With our expanding content library, we aim to offer our readers even more variety and quality in webcomic storytelling,” said Travis Kim, CEO of Manta. “The GEM model has provided us the opportunity to significantly expand our library, offering a broader array of content to cater to diverse tastes. The GEM system creates new monetization opportunities for our talented creators, enabling them to earn more from their work and continue crafting compelling stories. Our goal is to support both our readers and creators by providing an unparalleled webcomic experience.”