WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., recognized as a leading force in global storytelling, is actively seeking the next generation of innovative webcomic creators through its new competition, “Webcomic Legends.” With an impressive prize pool exceeding USD $1 million, this contest aims to showcase and uplift emerging artistic talents on WEBTOON’s CANVAS platform. A total of 40 exceptional webcomics will be awarded generous cash prizes, along with opportunities to integrate their work into the prestigious WEBTOON Originals program.
Scheduled to kick off in March 2025, aspiring creators from around the globe are invited to submit their original stories to “Webcomic Legends,” accessible via WEBTOON’s English language CANVAS platform. This worldwide initiative promises to broaden the horizons of webcomic storytelling.
Participants can enter their narratives across four distinct genre categories: Most Epic (Action/Fantasy); Most Feels (Romance/Drama); Most Laughs (Comedy/Slice of Life); and Most Gripping (Horror/Thriller/Mystery/Supernatural). Each submission will be meticulously assessed, applying a blend of evaluations from a panel of expert judges, including staff from WEBTOON’s editorial team and selected creators from the WEBTOON Originals community, as well as measuring audience engagement.
The competitive landscape of “Webcomic Legends” features a lucrative prize breakdown: one Grand Prize Winner will receive a whopping $150,000; three Genre Winners will each nab $100,000; twelve Genre Finalists will take home $35,000 each; and 24 Genre Runner-Ups will earn $5,500 each. This structure reflects WEBTOON’s commitment to rewarding creativity and dedication.
Beyond just the monetary rewards, all 40 winners will also have the exciting opportunity to pitch their titles for inclusion in the esteemed WEBTOON Originals lineup, paving the way for the development of their stories into ongoing series with dedicated support from the professional WEBTOON editorial team.
“WEBTOON is home to a new generation of superstar creators who have built a global audience and fandom for their stories on our platform,” stated David S. Lee, Head of US WEBTOON. “We are consistently seeking remarkable stories to celebrate and elevate at WEBTOON, and ‘Webcomic Legends’ will further our tradition of shining a spotlight on diverse new series and talent.”
Historically, CANVAS contests have propelled the careers of numerous popular WEBTOON series, including notable hits like unOrdinary by uru-chan, Cursed Princess Club by LambCat, The Kiss Bet by Ingrid Ochoa, Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell by unfins, and Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur. These success stories highlight the fertile ground that WEBTOON provides for aspiring creators.
“Webcomic Legends” will be open to both CANVAS and ORIGINALS creators who do not currently have a series in progress. Entries for the contest will be accepted from March 2025, closing in June 2025. Further details and specific guidelines regarding “Webcomic Legends” will be unveiled later this year to ensure that potential participants are well-informed.
• Full details of the WEBTOON Contest are here
WEBTOON Entertainment stands as a prominent global entertainment enterprise, hosting some of the most extensive storytelling platforms worldwide. As a pioneer and leader of the mobile webcomic format, WEBTOON Entertainment has redefined comics and visual storytelling, both for eager fans and creative thinkers alike.
With its CANVAS user-generated content platform empowering anyone to become a storyteller, and a burgeoning roster of celebrated WEBTOON Originals creators and series, WEBTOON Entertainment nurtures passionate fandoms that represent the new wave of cultural phenomena.
WEBTOON adaptations are accessible across various platforms, including Netflix, Prime Video, and Crunchyroll, connecting fans with their favorite stories on screens globally. The company has established partnerships with notable names like Discord, HYBE, and DC Comics, among numerous others, securing its place in the media landscape.
Currently, with approximately 170 million monthly active users as of the end of June 2024, WEBTOON Entertainment’s IP & Creator Ecosystem encompasses a network of aligned companies, including WEBTOON, Wattpad—the world’s leading web-novel platform—Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Studio N, and many more, reflecting its vast influence in the digital storytelling arena.
• Full details of the WEBTOON Contest are here
What inspired WEBTOON to create the “Webcomic Legends” contest?
**Interview with David S. Lee, Head of US WEBTOON, on the Launch of “Webcomic Legends”**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, David. With the launch of the “Webcomic Legends” contest, can you tell us what inspired WEBTOON to create this competition?
**David S. Lee:** Thank you for having me! We believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of supporting emerging creators. The “Webcomic Legends” contest is an extension of our commitment to showcase unique narratives and diverse voices. We want to celebrate new talent and provide them with the opportunities to reach a wider audience.
**Interviewer:** That’s great to hear! This contest offers an impressive prize pool of over $1 million. What was the thought process behind such a substantial prize?
**David S. Lee:** Our intention is to not only reward creators for their hard work and dedication but also to encourage them to push the boundaries of their creativity. The prize also reflects how seriously we take webcomic storytelling and the potential we see in aspiring artists and writers. We want to ensure it is truly worth their time and effort to participate.
**Interviewer:** The contest is divided into specific genre categories. Why did you choose to focus on these four distinct themes: Most Epic, Most Feels, Most Laughs, and Most Gripping?
**David S. Lee:** Each of these categories represents popular genres that resonate with our audience. By encouraging creators to explore specific themes, we hope to foster a wide variety of submissions, enriching the diversity of stories available on our platform. We want creators to fully harness their creativity within these frameworks.
**Interviewer:** Looking at past successes from CANVAS contests, do you have any favorite success stories that stand out to you?
**David S. Lee:** Absolutely! Titles like “unOrdinary” and “Cursed Princess Club” have become phenomenal successes. They not only found a dedicated fan base but also illustrate the potential that WEBTOON offers for creators. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch these talents grow and flourish, and I’m excited to see who emerges from “Webcomic Legends.”
**Interviewer:** Could you share a bit about what happens after the winners are announced?
**David S. Lee:** Beyond the monetary rewards, winners will have the chance to pitch their work for inclusion in the WEBTOON Originals program. This means they could develop their stories into ongoing series with our dedicated editorial support. We want to see these creators flourish further beyond this competition.
**Interviewer:** what advice would you give to aspiring creators who wish to participate?
**David S. Lee:** My advice would be to find your unique voice and tell your story passionately. Focus on what you’re most excited about creating and let that passion come through in your submission. We’re eager to see what new and innovative stories the community brings to “Webcomic Legends.”
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, David! We’re looking forward to the contest and see how it shapes the future of WEBTOON.
**David S. Lee:** Thank you! I’m excited too. I can’t wait to see the incredible talent that will be showcased in the upcoming months!