WEBTOON Entertainment’s LINE Digital Frontier, operator of the company’s Japanese LINE MANGA and ebookjapan services, is developing an anime based on the blockbuster webcomic Teenage Mercenary. A fan-favorite since its 2021 debut, Teenage Mercenary has become one of WEBTOON’s top action titles globally. With over 1.8 billion global views and available in 10 languages, the series has built a massive international following, ranking as the No. 1 title on LINE MANGA in both 2023 and 2024.
“Teenage Mercenary is one of those rare series that hits every note — action, emotion, suspense, and style,” said Sinbae Kim, Chief Growth Officer of LINE Digital Frontier. “It’s a global sensation that’s dominated across regions, and now it’s getting the anime adaptation fans have been asking for. We’re excited to bring this incredible story to new fans all over the world.”
Created by YC and Rakyeon, Teenage Mercenary follows Ijin Yu, a child who survives a deadly plane crash and is forced to become a mercenary to survive. A decade later, he returns to Korea and reunites with his family, only to find that life as a teenager presents its own battles. With just one year of high school left, Ijin must trade in his battlefield tactics for hallway diplomacy. Can he survive the emotional minefield of adolescence, or will the school be the one that needs saving?
“I still remember when I first started planning Teenage Mercenary, and how nervous I was about how readers would respond when the series launched. This anime adaptation wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our fans,” said Teenage Mercenary creator YC. “I’m truly grateful and excited to share this moment with them.”
“When we first launched the series, I never imagined it would receive such immense love,” said Teenage Mercenary creator Rakyeon. “I’m deeply moved and thankful to meet global fans through this new form of storytelling as an anime.”
Teenage Mercenary joins WEBTOON Entertainment’s growing slate of anime adaptations based on some of the world’s most popular webcomics. The company is developing 20 anime titles in 2025, including a highly anticipated anime of WEBTOON’s Omniscient Reader with Aniplex and Crunchyroll.
Recent WEBTOON anime adaptations include Viral Hit, Tower of God Season 2, True Beauty, and Senpai Is an Otokonoko on Crunchyroll, among many others.
Source: Press Release
