Crunchyroll goes all in on webtoons: Every anime announcement from New York Comic Con
At New York Comic Con 2026, streaming anime platform Crunchyroll announced a major expansion into webtoon adaptations. The announcements were highlighted during a packed Crunchyroll Showcase that revealed an extensive slate of anime, theatrical projects, and manga adaptations.
The event featured the premiere of the first episode of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, which drew thousands of attendees. However, Crunchyroll’s strategic focus centered on a new partnership dedicated entirely to adapting popular webtoons—digital comics originating primarily in South Korea and East Asia—into anime productions.
Crunchyroll partnered with Hayate, a Japanese anime production company established by Aniplex, and Line Digital F to develop webtoon-based content. This collaboration combines Crunchyroll’s distribution platform with established anime production expertise, reflecting growing industry interest in bringing digital comic stories to animated audiences.
The announcement underscores Crunchyroll’s diversification strategy beyond traditional anime, targeting the increasingly popular webtoon medium. With webtoons gaining significant cultural prominence globally among younger audiences, the partnership positions Crunchyroll to capitalize on the adaptation trend seen in successful series like Solo Leveling and others.