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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
10 iconic webtoons that deserve their own anime now
Credits: YouTube by The Black Mastadonte Webtoons have exploded worldwide, and studios are racing to tap their built-in fanbases. LINE Webtoon's CEO even announced that 'at least 20 more anime series based on webtoons will be announced this year'. Many of these digital comics boast hundreds of millions or even billions of reads – yet some of the most popular titles in action, romance and fantasy still have no official anime. Here are 10 such fan-favorites (each with global followings and strong storytelling) that we believe deserve the animated treatment. 1. SubZero – Fantasy Romance This sweeping dragon-fantasy romance has been read over 375 million times on Webtoon. In SubZero , the last dragon princess Clove is forced into a political marriage with her enemy, Prince Kyro. The enemies-to-lovers plot is packed with magic, action and steamy tension – elements already praised by reviewers. As Oni Press editor Grace Scheipeter notes, SubZero combines 'dragons, love triangles, danger and magic' and is ideal for fans of Lore Olympus or A Court of Thorns and Roses . With its huge readership and lush artwork, SubZero has the visual spectacle and passionate fanbase to make a hit anime. 2. unOrdinary – Action u nOrdinary* is a high-school saga set in a superpowered world, and it's one of Webtoon's biggest hits. The series has 1.1 billion views and 5.7 million subscribers on Webtoon. It follows an ordinary teen in a school hierarchy of heroes and villains, with a dark secret that upends the status quo. Fans praise its blend of explosive powers and emotional depth. In tone it's like a darker My Hero Academia – exactly the kind of character-driven superhero story that could soar in anime form. The enormous global audience (on the order of billions of pageviews) shows how eager fans would be to see unOrdinary animated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 이미지 영어에 대해서 40분만에 알려드립니다 스티븐영어 지금 시작하기 Undo 3. Weak Hero – Action/Drama A gritty school fight drama, Weak Hero has over 242 million reads and 1.6 million subscribers. It centers on Gray, a quiet new student who appears weak but quickly becomes a fearsome fighter against school bullies. The series is known for its tense, well-choreographed fight scenes and its themes of bullying and justice (a Netflix live-action drama has already made it a global trend). Its page counts demonstrate a strong following. With its raw action and emotional story, Weak Hero would translate well into a thrilling anime – bringing its intense fights and anti-bullying message to a wider audience. 4. Cursed Princess Club – Fantasy Comedy/Romance This charming fantasy series turns the 'princess curse' trope on its head. It follows Gwendolyn, a princess cursed with extreme ugliness despite her royal status, who seeks help from a mysterious club of misfits. Cursed Princess Club has 288 million views and 2.3 million subscribers, making it one of the platform's top fantasy romances. Its humor, heart and themes of self-acceptance have won fans worldwide. An anime adaptation could highlight the story's whimsical art and heartfelt humor, appealing to viewers who love fairy-tale magic and strong messages. In short, its proven popularity and upbeat tone make it a natural fit for animation. 5. The Boxer – Sports Drama A compelling sports drama, The Boxer is about a young boxing prodigy who seems defeated until a mysterious coach recognizes his talent. With 176 million reads and 1.7 million subscribers, it's already a Webtoon hit. The series is praised for its gritty, psychological take on boxing – exploring themes of talent, hard work and mindset. Given the popularity of boxing/anime crossovers ( Hajime no Ippo , etc.), an anime The Boxer could showcase high-intensity fight animation and emotional depth. Its built-in audience of millions proves there's demand to see these underdog boxing matches come to life on screen. 6. The Greatest Estate Developer – Fantasy Isekai This inventive isekai comedy follows an engineering student reincarnated into a fantasy world as a debt-ridden nobleman. On Webtoon it has 172.7 million views and 1.2 million subscribers. The hero uses his modern knowledge (and a giant hamster sidekick) to build machines and change destiny. Fans love its clever mix of everyday science and adventure. An anime could amplify its humor and world-building – mechanical contraptions and fantasy battles would play great in animation. Since isekai series like Dr. Stone have done well, Estate Developer 's unique twist and strong fanbase make it ripe for adaptation. 7. The Remarried Empress – Fantasy Romance One of Webtoon's most-read series, The Remarried Empress has over 2.6 billion reads. It's a sweeping palace drama about Navier, an empress whose husband leaves her for a slave, only for Navier to boldly ask to remarry another emperor. The story features political intrigue, romance and a strong heroine. (It's already a hit K-drama, but no anime adaptation has been announced .) With its epic scope and loyal global following, it's a perfect candidate for anime. The massive readership shows how invested fans are in Navier's journey, and animation could bring even more drama and spectacle to the story's stunning palace settings. 8. Not Even Bones – Dark Fantasy Thriller This gritty thriller has 147.5 million views and 1.9 million subscribers. It follows Nita, the teenage daughter of a monster-selling mortician, who helps her cruel mother sell supernatural body parts — until she must decide if she'll become the monster herself. The series is praised for its dark twists, gore and moral complexity. There's nothing quite like it in anime yet, and its popularity shows fans love its unique angle. An animated Not Even Bones would bring its horror-action to life – the dramatic fights and shocking turns would make it stand out in the anime landscape, just as the Webtoon did online. 9. Your Throne – Fantasy Drama This intense fantasy drama (also known as I Want To Be Queen ) has 181.1 million views and 1.9 million subscribers. It centers on Medea, a noblewoman who lost her throne and plots to reclaim it from her rival, the crown princess. The series is packed with palace intrigue, revenge and shifting loyalties, and its gothic art style is very striking. In just a few hundred chapters it's built a huge following. Anime fans could enjoy its melodrama and strategizing – think of it as a dark Cinderella story with swords. With that many readers, an anime would satisfy a major fan demand for more cinematic storytelling of Medea's revenge saga. 10. Midnight Poppy Land – Romantic Thriller Blending romance and suspense, Midnight Poppy Land has 261.6 million reads and 2.6 million subscribers. It tells the story of a book editor whose life becomes entangled with a young mafia boss and his bodyguard after she stumbles on a murder. The series offers a sexy enemies-to-lovers plot and a noir atmosphere. Its popularity reflects how well fans react to the mix of love and danger. In anime form, viewers could immerse themselves in the city's underworld and the chemistry between characters. Given its thriller vibes and strong fanbase, Midnight Poppy Land would attract both romance and action lovers if animated. Conclusion: These ten Webtoons span action, romance and fantasy, but they share one thing: massive global fanbases and rich stories that beg for animation. From superheroes and martial-arts fights to royal intrigue and supernatural romance, each series has all the ingredients for a hit anime – compelling characters, stunning visuals, and proven popularity. With studios eagerly seeking new IPs from Webtoon, it's only a matter of time before some of these beloved titles get their anime break. Fans around the world will certainly be cheering for these series to make the jump from digital comic to animated series – and when they do, their existing readerships guarantee an eager audience. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Dear Hongrang Review: K-trauma hits again as Jo Bo Ah–Lee Jae Wook follow Netflix's heartbreak streak post Twenty Five Twenty One
Dear Hongrang premiered on May 17 on Netflix. But if you're still not over Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin (Twenty Five Twenty One), proceed with caution. Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah's historical rom-com sold itself on a genre-blending mix of mystery, fantasy, and period drama but, after ploughing through 11 episodes in one night—because never expected the mystery to crawl under my skin like that—I guess, they missed branding it as an emotional demolition job disguised as a rom-com. The show bet big on costume design, set pieces, and cinematography, and it paid off. The story of Hong Rang, Jae Yi, and Mu Jin has a solid mystery plotline, a money-hungry father, a powerful merchant guild, betrayals, and whiplash flashbacks between past and present instantly pique interest. Though there's still a whiff of awkwardness that's already rubbing some viewers the wrong way. Also Read | Weak Hero class 2 review: A manhwa misfire, but Park Ji Hoon and Ryeo Un outweigh the flaws of Netflix's rushed adaptation Fans of Alchemy of Soul are going to watch it anyway, because who is going to miss watching Lee Jae Wook in another Hanbok look, wielding swords, as Joseon's Soul Reaper? Dear Hongrang kicks off with the son of Joseon's most powerful guild vanishing. It's a lot to unpack at first, but once you settle in, the slow burn magically plays out with an intense, gripping ride through obsession, grief, a web of deceit and violent yearning. All of it wrapped in the soft glow of candlelight, a stunning setting, heavy jewellery, and visuals that set it apart from other historical K-dramas. 12 years have passed, but Hong Rang is still missing. Women on the street still whisper while staring at his poster, the successor to Joseon's biggest merchant association, who disappeared at age 8, leaving his mother, Min Yeon-ui (Uhm Ji-won) spiralling into addiction, still hoping for his return. The rumour is that Hong Rang's stepsister, Jae Yi (Jo Bo Ah), is cursed, accused of taking her little brother's life after allegedly killing her mother. But that doesn't stop Jae Yi from desperately searching for him, even if it means risking her life. Meanwhile, the Sim family adopts Mu Jin (Jung Ga Ram), raised and trained to inherit the business. The only person he bonds with emotionally is Jae Yi, who returns the respect, just not the feelings he quietly harbours for her. Things shift when a stranger shows up at Min's doorstep claiming to be the long-lost Hong Rang. Everyone buys it, except Jae Yi, who's skeptical from the jump. One standout scene I can't skip: the way identity was verified using an ancient DNA-matching method, dropping blood into a liquid-filled vessel and observing the reaction. The way it's executed on screen, pure cinematic gold. Also read: Dear Hongrang: 3 key points to look out for before watching Netflix's new historical romance, starring Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah Jae Yi clearly can't stand this new Hong Rang, or the imposter she's convinced he is, but can't help second-guessing herself when she notices familiar scars and old habits. Their bond starts with mutual irritation, turns into an inexplicable pull, and eventually drags them both into emotional storm. Meanwhile, Mu Jin mastered the art of giving a second lead syndrome. The tension between Hong Rang and Jae Yi constantly blurs lines, so much so, it'll have you questioning your own moral compass. Jo Bo Ah shoulders the weight of responsibility and lost love while juggling her feelings for the man claiming to be her brother. Lee Jae Wook walks around like someone who doesn't believe he deserves to be loved or remembered. Director Kim Hong Sun (Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area) wasn't kidding when he said they went all in on visuals and production design. You can't overlook the intricacies, and the costumes do half the storytelling. Hong Rang wears white in almost every episode. The colour usually tied to death. It's like he's walking around in a shroud. Jae Yi sticks to pale tones, too, like someone who's lost all colour and purpose after losing her brother. Now let's talk about that BGM, 4BOUT orchestra. It hits like a shot of adrenaline when needed, then melts into Kwon Jin Ah's vocals to set the romantic arc. On a scene-stealing note: Kim Jae Wook as the villain outdid himself, no notes. But here's the problem, and it's been there from the very start. Something about the show left a sour taste. The trio was introduced as siblings, and by the end, we're knee-deep in a love triangle. I had to keep pausing just to process. The angst between Hong Rang and Jae Yi is intense, sometimes almost too much. The drama never really tries to clear the air—something it desperately needed if it wanted us to root for Hong Rang as he held Jae Yi's hand while battling enemies in that peak romantic fantasy moment. That lack of clarity leaves viewers stuck in a moral fog. (The penultimate episode has the answers, but let's not be that person dropping spoilers.)
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Despite flak, Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar's Royals scores big on Netflix, features in top 10 Non-English show list
Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's show The Royals is getting roasted online, with harsh reviews from audiences. But despite the brutal feedback, the show has managed to rack up good viewership numbers on Netflix. Also read: 'Royal families are not poor!': Netflix's The Royals called out for 'misrepresentation' of modern-day royals In fact, it's outperformed some notable series, beating out shows like Weak Hero and Black Warrant in terms of viewership. As per the latest data posted by the streaming platform, The Royals claimed the third spot on Netflix's weekly ranking of the top 10 non-English shows. It's even beaten out some big shows like the Korean hit Weak Hero and the Israeli series Bad Boy, landing the number three spot on Netflix's top 10 non-English shows list. Only Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight and Eternaut are ahead of it. The show has hit the number one spot on Netflix's top 10 non-English shows list in seven countries - India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, UAE, and Mauritius. It is also listed in the top 10 non-English shows of the week on Netflix in 43 other countries, including Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, and many others. It garnered 3 million views in its opening week. As per the data, the show recorded watch time of 17 million hours, with an average runtime of 5 hours and 57 minutes. Audiences are left underwhelmed by The Royals, with social media users slamming the show for its lacklustre chemistry between the leads and a weak, superficial screenplay that fails to deliver. The regal dramedy stars Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi and Sakshi Tanwar among others. It shows how Morpur's royal family, who was once considered as the elites of the society, is now crumbling under debt. This web series puts a fresh spin on the rom-com genre by transporting viewers to the royal world of Morpur as a fictional Indian royal family navigates love, laughter, and life amidst the backdrop of their crumbling kingdom. As Aviraaj (Ishaan) and Sophia (Bhumi) join forces to breathe new life into Morpur's dilapidated haveli, turning it into a luxurious bed and breakfast, their initial clashes and ego battles gradually give way to a deeper connection, sparking a romance that changes everything. Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, The Royals has been written by Neha Veena Sharma, and produced under the banner of Pritish Nandy Communications. The Netflix show is created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy. It released on Netflix on May 9.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's The Royals delivers massive viewership numbers on Netflix despite terrible reviews, beats Weak Hero, Black Warrant
Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's romantic comedy series The Royals was released on Netflix last week. Despite poor reviews, the web series has been topping the streaming charts from day one itself. The Royals claimed the third spot on Netflix's weekly ranking of the top 10 non-English shows, beating out the Korean hit Weak Hero, the Israeli show Bad Boy, and falling behind only Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight and Eternaut. The show, which has been created by Rangita Pritish Nandy, is also trending at the number one spot on Netflix in the top 10 non-English shows of the week in seven countries, including India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, UAE, and Mauritius. It has also been listed in the top 10 non-English shows of the week on Netflix in 43 other countries, including Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, and many others. It scored 3 million views in its opening week. The Royals, which also features Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, Dino Morea, and Chunky Panday, has a recorded watch time of 17 million hours, with an average runtime of 5 hours and 57 minutes. In May, last year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi garnered 4.5 million views in its first week. Similar to The Royals, it had an ensemble cast that included Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, Shekhar Suman and others. ALSO READ | Bhumi Pednekar: 'The Royals is a mix of modern-day Bridgerton and Schitt's Creek' Between 2024 to 2025, Anubhav Sinha's IC 814 (2024): The Kandahar Hijack also recorded a great opening of 4.1 million views in its first week. The Royals is leading in the top 2025 web shows race, as Vikramaditya Motwane's Black Warrant opened with 2.3 million views. This year's Dabba Cartel opened with 1.8 million views. The show starred Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Gajraj Rao, Nimisha Sajayan, Sai Tamhankar, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, and Bhupendra Singh Jadawat. The Royals has been poorly reviews, and it holds a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score. A part of SCREEN's review of the show read, 'The Royals' needed sharper, felt writing. When a character exhorts a bunch of influencers, 'do 'Gram the hell out of us', it says more about the intention — and the potential audience — of the series than anything else.'
South China Morning Post
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Weak Hero and D.P.'s Han Jun-hee masterfully draws modern audiences
Director Han Jun-hee is carving out a distinctive creative signature in Korean content with his unique approach to genre storytelling. From the gritty military drama D.P. to the high-school action series Weak Hero , Han's works resonate with both domestic and international audiences for their complex narratives and sharp social commentary. Rather than relying solely on action, Han's storytelling integrates layered plotlines. It blends suspense, drama and satire to highlight institutional violence and systemic injustice, often set within confined social spaces such as schools or military bases. These themes have struck a chord with modern viewers who are increasingly drawn to stories that ask deeper questions about power and accountability. Play
