Indonesia taps into global webtoon markets

Jakarta-based Kisai Entertainment eyes overseas expansion through vertical comics

This is a feature story from Animenomics, covering the business of anime and manga. Today’s story is written by Jakarta-based correspondent Yohana Belinda.

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Editors from South Korean webtoon studio YLAB describe the webtoon production process to a group of Indonesian aspiring webtoon artists during the Kisai Expo × W-TOON Camp organized by Kisai Entertainment in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 13, 2024. Courtesy of Kisai Entertainment

Fueled by fresh investment from a prominent Japanese studio, Indonesian creators are setting their sights beyond domestic borders. They aim to carve a global footprint with original webtoon series, challenging conventions and redefining digital storytelling.

Indonesian studios are gaining recognition both locally and internationally as the local comics industry continues to grow.

Among the rising studios is Kisai Entertainment, which gained recognition last December after securing US$1 million in funding from Japanese webtoon company Sorajima and local gaming firm Anjary Jaya Raya.

Sorajima, a notable webtoon producer in Japan, is known for titles such as I’ve Fallen for the Empire's Greatest Villainess and Sofia Has New Plans for Marriage.

Ananda Jordan, Kisai Entertainment’s branding and marketing manager, noted that while the funding “might not be a mega amount of money”, it proves that niche businesses can still thrive in the competitive comic industry.