Upcoming Webtoon Adaptations: Your Must-Watch List for 2025 & 2026 Anime and K-Dramas

Upcoming Webtoon Adaptations: The world of digital comics continues its meteoric rise, not just as a reading phenomenon but as a powerhouse of source material for television. With an ever-growing number of webtoons boasting compelling narratives, intricate worlds, and vibrant characters, it’s no surprise that anime studios and K-drama production houses are eagerly bringing these stories to life. As we look towards 2025 and 2026, the slate of upcoming webtoon adaptations promises an exciting array of new series that are already building significant buzz among fans worldwide.

Get ready to mark your calendars, because the next wave of new webtoon anime and new webtoon K-dramas is set to deliver unforgettable viewing experiences.

Why the Hype? The Enduring Appeal of Webtoon-to-Screen Projects

The transition from webtoon to screen is a natural one, driven by several key factors that contribute to their consistent success:

• Built-in Fanbases: Many webtoons already have millions of devoted readers globally. This provides a pre-existing, eager audience ready to support the animated or live-action versions.
• Visually Rich Storytelling: Webtoons are inherently visual, often presented in full color with dynamic paneling designed for vertical scrolling. This rich visual foundation makes them easier for animators and directors to adapt.
• Proven Narratives: The popularity of a webtoon often indicates a strong, engaging storyline that has already resonated with a large audience, reducing the risk for adaptation studios.
• Diverse Genres: From fantasy epics and action thrillers to heartwarming romances and psychological mysteries, webtoons cover a vast spectrum of genres, ensuring there’s a compelling story for every taste.

Mark Your Calendars: Highly Anticipated Webtoon Adaptations for 2025/2026

Here are some of the most exciting webtoon adaptations confirmed or highly anticipated for release in the coming years:

1. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (Original Webtoon: Omniscient Reader) – Anime

Expected Release: Confirmed for Crunchyroll; highly anticipated for 2025/2026. Synopsis: An ordinary office worker, Kim Dokja, is the sole reader of a web novel that suddenly becomes real. As the only one who knows how the world ends, he must use his knowledge to survive the unfolding apocalypse, confronting powerful characters and deadly scenarios from the novel. Why It’s Exciting: This is arguably one of the most anticipated webtoon adaptations of all time. Its meta-narrative, complex characters, and unique blend of fantasy and real-world stakes have garnered a massive global following. Anime fans are desperate to see its intricate plot and epic battles brought to life.

2. The Beginning After the End (Original Webtoon: The Beginning After the End) – Anime (Season 2)

Expected Release: Confirmed for Spring 2026 on Crunchyroll. Synopsis: King Grey, a monarch with unmatched power and wealth, dies and is reincarnated into a new world as Arthur Leywin. Retaining his past life’s memories and wisdom, he navigates a magical realm, determined to correct his past mistakes and forge a better destiny. Why It’s Exciting: Following a successful first season, fans are eager for more of Arthur’s journey. This isekai fantasy is celebrated for its deep world-building, compelling character growth, and strategic magic system, making its return a major event for anime lovers.

3. Eleceed (Original Webtoon: Eleceed) – Anime

Expected Release: Highly anticipated, with strong rumors and an official anime website launched, suggesting a 2025/2026 debut. Synopsis: Jiwoo is a kind-hearted high school student who secretly possesses super speed. He meets Kayden, a powerful secret agent who has been transformed into a cat. Together, they navigate a world of awakened humans, secret organizations, and thrilling battles. Why It’s Exciting: From the creators of Noblesse, Eleceed delivers a perfect blend of action, comedy, and heartwarming found-family dynamics. Its unique premise, lovable characters, and exciting fight sequences have made it a fan-favorite ripe for animation.

4. Dark Moon: The Blood Altar (Original Webtoon: Dark Moon: The Blood Altar) – Anime

Expected Release: Confirmed for 2025. Synopsis: Set in the prestigious Decelis Academy, a boarding school for vampires and werewolves, the story follows a human girl who gets entangled with seven enigmatic vampire brothers, uncovering dark secrets and forbidden romances. Why It’s Exciting: Backed by HYBE (the company behind BTS), this adaptation is part of a larger universe often tied to K-pop idols. It offers a blend of dark fantasy, romance, and mystery, appealing to fans of supernatural high school dramas.

5. Delusion (Original Webtoon: Delusion) – K-Drama

Expected Release: Confirmed for Disney+ in 2026. Synopsis: A mystery horror period drama set in 1935 Gyeongseong (old Seoul) and 1800s Shanghai, it revolves around a mysterious and beautiful woman who might be a vampire, and the painter who falls into her alluring web. Why It’s Exciting: Starring popular actors Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho, this K-drama promises a captivating blend of historical intrigue, romance, and supernatural horror. The period setting and a veteran director further heighten anticipation.

6. Cashero (Original Webtoon: Cashero) – K-Drama

Expected Release: Expected Q4 2025. Synopsis: In a world where superpowers are directly tied to one’s wealth, an ordinary civil servant, Kang Sang-woong, discovers his powers increase with the amount of money he possesses. He joins a unique group of superheroes fighting for justice. Why It’s Exciting: This K-drama offers a fresh, satirical take on the superhero genre, linking power to capitalism. With actor Lee Jun-ho in the lead, its unique premise and potential for both action and social commentary make it a highly anticipated watch.

7. Mercy for None (Original Webtoon: Plaza Wars) – K-Drama

Expected Release: Expected Q2 2025. Synopsis: A former gangster, Gi-jun, who left his violent past behind for a peaceful life, is pulled back into the underworld when his younger brother is brutally murdered. He vows to seek vengeance, navigating a dangerous web of gangs and betrayal. Why It’s Exciting: Starring veteran actor So Ji-sub, this noir crime thriller promises intense action, gritty realism, and a compelling revenge plot. Fans of hard-hitting crime dramas will find this adaptation particularly appealing.

The Expanding Universe: What the Future Holds for Webtoon Adaptations

The consistent flow of high-quality webtoon adaptations underscores a significant shift in the entertainment industry. South Korea’s digital comic prowess is now a global content powerhouse, driving both anime and K-drama production. As platforms continue to invest heavily in original content and international collaborations increase, we can expect an even greater diversity of genres and innovative storytelling approaches. The future of webtoon adaptations looks brighter than ever, promising a steady stream of exciting new series for years to come.