DCC ENT Expands Beyond Webtoons into Animation Market [K-Content Japan]

"Owner of the Sun" Tops Japan's Mecha Comic Rankings
12-Episode 2D Animation Series Planned
Success of Collaboration Cafes and Other Domestic Ventures Leads to Animation Production

Korean webtoon intellectual property (IP) is expanding its influence beyond online platforms to offline spaces and animation—a core part of Japan's subculture industry.

Webtoon 'Owner of the Sun' poster.

At the Korea Creative Content Agency's "Korea-Japan Joint Content Production Week" held in Tokyo on the 30th, Seo-Hyun Ryu, Head of the IP Business Division at DCC ENT, revealed these plans to The Asia Business Daily. "Japan is a highly mature market where animation broadcasts seamlessly expand into offline businesses like publishing, merchandising, and collaboration cafes," she explained. "We are going beyond simply translating and distributing content. Instead, we are creating a local comprehensive content ecosystem where webtoon fandoms can directly experience and purchase related spaces and products."

DCC ENT validated this concept in Korea before moving forward with their plans. At last year's World Webtoon Festival held in October, the event attracted 20,000 visitors. In addition, their collaboration café "Romantic Archive," established with Animate Korea, drew 10,000 visitors.

Ryu explained, "Rather than merely displaying merchandise, we meticulously planned the visitor flow to highlight iconic scenes and the emotional shifts of the characters. This strategic approach led organically to increased online buzz, longer visitation, and more purchases."

The success of offline ventures has led to the decision to produce an animation. The first project is "Owner of the Sun," which has accumulated 11.3 billion views across thirteen languages worldwide. The work, which depicts the obsession and salvation of a cursed emperor and an abandoned girl, topped the monthly female manga chart of Japan's Mecha Comic platform twice.

Webtoon 'Owner of the Sun' poster.

Ryu analyzed, "The sophisticated artwork featuring an Eastern royal court setting, which differentiates it from the isekai fantasy familiar to Japanese readers, resonated with the local female audience." To capture the mood and emotional arcs of both the visuals and characters, DCC ENT will produce a 12-episode animation using 2D techniques, with each episode running 25 minutes instead of using 3D. A consortium has also been formed with domestic studios to target Japan's animation distribution networks.

Studio W BABA is responsible for producing the animation, while VIVRAVO will handle voice dubbing and sound. DCC ENT will oversee original IP management and global distribution. Ryu said, "To address Japan's unique production committee system, which meticulously segments rights and profits, we also designed a sophisticated structure for investment recovery from the outset." She added, "Our selection for Korea Creative Content Agency's animation production support program served as a mark of credibility for our strict Japanese partners."

DCC ENT aims to establish a long-term business foundation in Japan, rather than settling for a one-off success. To this end, the company has opened a local office in Toranomon, Tokyo, and is directly negotiating with broadcasting, publishing, and merchandising companies.

Ryu stated, "We will develop a business model that connects webtoons, print volumes, animation, and pop-up stores to nurture our IP into a truly global comprehensive content property." She went on to say, "We are determined to become recognized in Japan not simply as a supplier of Korean webtoons, but as an original creator of stories that readers are passionate about."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.