LINE Digital Frontier, Redice Studio and Kadokawa Launch Studio White

Why It Matters

The partnership brings high‑profile Japanese IP to WEBTOON’s 160 million‑user ecosystem, unlocking new revenue streams and expanding global reach for both creators and platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Studio White debuts Record of Lodoss War spin‑off May 9, 2026
• Adaptations include Sword Art Online, Slayers, and The Familiar of Zero
• Redice Studio leads vertical‑scroll production, known for Omniscient Reader
• WEBTOON platform reaches 160 million monthly active users globally
• LINE Digital Frontier invested in No. 9 Inc., expanding Japan content pipeline

Pulse Analysis

The rise of vertical‑scroll web‑comics has reshaped how publishers monetize storytelling, especially in mobile‑first markets. By converting established light‑novel and anime franchises into the scroll‑friendly format, Studio White taps into a proven fan base while attracting new readers who prefer bite‑sized, episodic content. This approach aligns with WEBTOON’s strategy to diversify its catalog beyond original Korean titles, leveraging the global appetite for Japanese fantasy and sci‑fi narratives.

Studio White’s formation reflects a strategic convergence of three industry heavyweights. LINE Digital Frontier supplies the distribution muscle through WEBTOON and LINE Manga, Kadokawa contributes a deep library of beloved IP, and Redice Studio brings production expertise honed on hits like Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. The venture follows LINE’s 2025 stake in No. 9 Inc., signaling a broader push to secure Japanese content pipelines and reduce reliance on third‑party licensing. This integrated model promises faster time‑to‑market and tighter control over creative direction.

For creators and investors, the collaboration signals a lucrative frontier. With 160 million monthly active users, WEBTOON offers a massive, monetizable audience, while the vertical‑scroll format drives higher engagement metrics and ad revenue. The inclusion of multilingual releases—English, Japanese, French, Traditional Chinese, Thai, Indonesian—ensures that each title can capture regional markets quickly. As more legacy IP migrate to digital‑first formats, Studio White positions itself as a template for future cross‑border content ventures, potentially reshaping the economics of IP licensing in the global comics ecosystem.