Crunchyroll, HAYATE and LINE Digital Frontier have announced a partnership to develop anime adaptations of around 15 webtoons. The projects presented alongside the news include The Boxer, Teenage Mercenary and The Remarried Empress.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Partners | Crunchyroll, HAYATE and LINE Digital Frontier |
| Target | Around 15 titles |
| Source material | Original webtoons on LINE Manga |
| Scope | Planning, development and production |
| Development lead | HAYATE |
| Streaming | Crunchyroll exclusive in select territories |
What does the webtoon anime partnership cover?
The October 9, 2026 announcement from LINE Digital Frontier says the partners will work together from planning and development onward. HAYATE leads development and production, while Crunchyroll will stream completed anime exclusively in select territories.
Around 15 titles is a target, rather than a slate of 15 anime with confirmed release dates. The announcement does not provide a full title list or a schedule for every project.
Which projects were presented?
The Crunchyroll Showcase at New York Comic Con announced adaptations of The Boxer and The Remarried Empress. Teenage Mercenary received a new visual and teaser video, rather than its first anime announcement.
OtaHub’s separate article on the three projects covers each title. The partnership does not mean one animation studio will produce every adaptation.
What do HAYATE and LINE Digital Frontier do?
HAYATE is an anime development and production company founded by Aniplex and Crunchyroll in 2025. The new announcement names Leo Watanabe as its president and CEO. Its production role should not be confused with the animation studio drawing each series.
LINE Digital Frontier is a WEBTOON Entertainment subsidiary that operates LINE Manga and supplies the source titles for this partnership. Crunchyroll brings completed anime to viewers through its streaming service.
OtaHub’s take
For webtoon readers, the partnership gives more titles a route toward anime adaptations. Development is still several steps away from a premiere: each project needs its team, production and release arrangements.
OtaHub will judge the adaptations individually as more details arrive. A production target alone says little about pacing, animation quality or how closely a series follows its source.
FAQ
Has the full list of 15 webtoons been announced?
No. Around 15 titles is the target, and the announcement presents three projects without listing the full slate.
Were all three anime newly announced at New York Comic Con?
No. The Boxer and The Remarried Empress received adaptation announcements; Teenage Mercenary received a new visual and teaser.
Will Crunchyroll stream these anime in every country?
That has not been established. The announcement specifies exclusive streaming in select territories.
Sources: LINE Digital Frontier: October 9 partnership announcement; Crunchyroll: HAYATE’s establishment in 2025.
