Webtoon Hit "Teenage Mercenary" to Be Adapted into Anime TV Series

Webtoon action thriller "Teenage Mercenary" is being developed as an anime series.

Webtoon Entertainment‘s Line Digital Frontier arm, which operates the company’s Japan-based Line Manga and ebookjapan services, is working on the adaptation, which is at the development stage.

Since launching in 2021, Teenage Mercenary has become one of Webtoon’s top action titles with over 1.8 billion global views. It is available in 10 languages and ranked as Line Manga’s top title in 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. He returns to Korea a decade later and reunites with his family, only to find that life as a teenager presents its battles.

Per the synopsis, “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,” YC said. “This anime adaptation wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our fans. 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,” Rakyeon added. “I’m deeply moved and thankful to meet global fans through this new form of storytelling as an anime.”

Webtoon Entertainment has been growing a slate of anime adaptations and currently has 20 in development, including one for Omniscient Reader with Aniplex and Crunchyroll. Recent adaptations include Viral Hit, Tower of God Season 2, True Beauty, and Senpai is an Otokonoko on Crunchyroll.