It is an online comic publishing platform. Likewise, it is a place to read comics online. It is both a website and a free app. The platform publishes weekly comic series. Additionally, it lets the general public upload their own comics too.

The owner of the company is Webtoon Entertainment Inc. The company’s creator is JunKoo Kim. It was launched in 2004 as a South Korean company. Originally, it was launched by Naver Corporation in Korea. Later, it was launched as “LINE Webtoon” globally.

The meaning behind its name is pretty literal. It is made of two parts: web + cartoon. The “web” part of the name is because it is an online platform. The “cartoon” part of the name refers to the comics on the site.

The name of the site is simply “Webtoon” in many countries. However, in other countries its name varies. In Korea, people know it as “Naver Webtoon.” In Japan, people know it as “LINE Manga.” Additionally, people know it as both “Dongman Manhua” and “Webtoon” in China.

Adaptions are common for the site’s “Originals” comics. Some series start as books and become comics. Similarly, popular series often become movies, television series, or books.

People sometimes use these names interchangeably. Nonetheless, “Webtoon” usually refers to a comic people publish through the actual company. Additionally, the term can also mean a scrolling comic. As well, it can refer to a mobile-friendly comic.
In contrast, a “webcomic” is any comic people publish on the web. So, not all webcomics are Webtoons. Rather, many webcomics are shared through other other publishers or independent websites.

“Originals” are series that the site officially pays, publishes, and promotes. These series must follow certain guidelines and format rules. Likewise, there are common requirements for Originals. For example, weekly updates and around 30-100 panels per update.
“Canvas” are series that anyone can publish. In other words, they are independent from the company and are unpaid by the company. Canvas series used to be called “Discover” and “Challenge.” These series can upload weekly, or whenever a creator wants. Also, they can be in whatever format the creator desires. Likewise, they can be whatever number of panels per episode the creator desires.

The site has three different ways of ranking popularity. Currently, here are the top comics in each one:
Originals: Lore Olympus
New & Trending: Clinic of Horrors
Canvas: Meme Girls
You can view the site’s popular series page to see more hit comics.

Other webcomic platforms are Tapas, Comic Fury, Spiderforest, Hiveworks, and Comixology. Additionally, other places to find comics are independent websites, through social media, or in bookstores.

This company offers a lot of great features to creators. For example, the ability to schedule the publishing of episodes at a later date. Additionally, the option for followers to receive notifications when a creator updates their comic. Also, the ability of the site to automatically splice/reduce/edit image uploads for optimal load times.

The site allows users that are age 13 and up. It has rules that do not allow certain content to be in Canvas series. More specific details about these rules are in their “community policy.” As well, you can enable the mature feature on an account if you want. This way, a content warning will pop up on comics with mature content.

First, make an account. (To do so you must be at least 13 years old or have the consent of your parent/guardian.) Second, create your webcomic using whatever tools you choose. Third, use the “publish” button to create your series and upload your episodes.

The maximum upload size is 800px wide by 1280px tall and 20mb. Images above this size limit will be automatically sliced/reduced/edited, so it is best to not exceed those requirements. Also, your image files must be in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format.

There are many ways for a creator to get hired by this company. According to the company themself, “Editors reach out to selected Creators to offer the opportunity to become an Originals Creator.” However, to increase your chances of this happening you should follow the advice given in the company’s “Creators Resource Handbook.”

It is a format that prioritizes mobile users. Thus, it commonly has large text and only a few comic panels shown on the screen at a time. The maximum upload size is 800px wide and 20mb.

All content uploaded through Canvas belong to their original creators. However, Originals series follow different terms.