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WebsiteIntroduction
WEBTOON ENTERTAINMENT INC (ticker: WBTN) is a Delaware-domiciled holding company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It is controlled by Naver Corporation and the Naver-SoftBank Group joint venture LY Corporation. WEBTOON operates the world's largest digital comics platform, which offers free, vertically scrolling webtoons accessible via web browsers and mobile apps on Android and iOS. The platform was globally launched in July 2014.
Corporate Structure
Founded in 2005 by Junkoo Kim under Naver, WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. supports a workforce of 51–200 employees. The company’s leadership team includes executives experienced in digital media, technology development, and content partnerships. In November 2020, WEBTOON established Webtoon Studios to adapt English-language properties. In 2021, it acquired Wattpad, which expanded its storytelling portfolio.
Webtoons by Timon Studler
Recent Developments and News
On September 15, 2025, WEBTOON filed a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), reporting material events under Items 7.01 and 9.01. The public summary did not disclose detailed financial figures. Earlier, on August 13, 2025, the company submitted its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2025. This filing addressed trends in revenue, user engagement, and platform investments, though it did not include specific line-item data in the publicly available abstract.
Financial and Strategic Analysis
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Stock Price (09/16/2025) | $20.09 |
| Daily Change | +34.29% |
| Volume | 610,721 |
| 52-Week Range | $6.75 – $18.45 |
| Market Capitalization | $1.86 B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.37 B |
| Net Income (TTM) | −$100.05 M |
| EPS (TTM) | −$0.78 |
| Total Cash (MRQ) | $584.54 M |
| Debt/Equity (MRQ) | 1.73% |
The 34.29% increase in share price on September 16, 2025, coincided with heavy trading volume following the filing of the 8-K. As of the quarter ended June 30, 2025, WEBTOON reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $1.37 billion, alongside a net loss of $100 million. Operating cash reserves totaled $584 million, and the debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73% indicates liquidity available for content investments and platform enhancements.
Strategically, WEBTOON continues to invest in original content under its Webtoon Originals banner and expand partnerships with entertainment companies, including The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures Entertainment, for licensed adaptations. The acquisition of Wattpad supports its goals in cross-media storytelling.
Market Position and Industry Context
Webtoons have significantly impacted the digital comics market, with U.S. webtoon revenues reaching an estimated $5.91 billion. WEBTOON’s platform features several top-viewed series, such as Omniscient Reader (39.8 million views) and Eleceed (35.5 million views). Competing platforms include Tapas and Pocket Comic. As of mid-2025, WEBTOON reported over 89 million monthly active users, positioning the company prominently in the mobile webcomic sector. The transition to smartphone-friendly, free access to episodic comics is reshaping the broader $3 billion print comic market.
TL;DR
On September 15, 2025, WEBTOON Entertainment filed an 8-K, which resulted in increased trading activity and a 34.29% rise in share price to $20.09. Its August 13, 2025 10-Q reported $1.37 billion in trailing revenue, a $100 million net loss, and $584 million in cash. The company indicates strong liquidity and is investing in content development and partnerships—particularly through Webtoon Studios and the Wattpad acquisition—to enhance user engagement and diversify revenue streams.
