From left: Logos of Studio N, Toei Animation, and Studio Mir | Image provided by Naver Webtoon
Studio N, a subsidiary of Naver Webtoon dedicated to video production, is expanding into animation further to extend its webtoon intellectual property (IP) reach.
Studio N has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Toei Animation and Studio Mir to co-produce an animated series based on Naver Webtoon’s hit series GOSU. Created by writers Ryu Ki-woon and Moon Jung-hoo, GOSU is an action fantasy centered around the martial arts master Gang Ryong and his battles with various skilled fighters. The webtoon has amassed over 1.4 billion global views.
Studio N, which has previously led the global success of webtoon-based dramas such as Bloodhounds, Vigilante, and The 8 Show (Money Game and Pie Game), will now bring GOSU to the worldwide market as a serialized animation.
Established in 1956, Toei Animation is Japan’s largest animation company. It is known for iconic global hits such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Slam Dunk. With over 250 animated films and more than 13,500 episodes of series animation, Toei has built a massive worldwide fanbase. Studio Mir is known for its work on Naver Webtoon’s Lookism for Netflix and Disney+’s X-Men 97.
Mi-Kyung Kwan, CEO of Studio N, said, “By collaborating with domestic and international production companies, we aim to strengthen our animation production capabilities and contribute to expanding Naver Webtoon’s excellent IP into the global animation market.”
In August, Studio N released the True Beauty animation, based on Naver Webtoon, through North America’s largest anime streaming platform, Crunchyroll, with plans to release it in Asia later this year. Additionally, the animated adaptation of Youn’s Letter, in which Studio N was involved, was invited to the Special Screening section of the prestigious Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) in August. Studio N is also accelerating the production and distribution of webtoon-based animations like 1 Second and Nano List.
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