The world of entertainment is constantly evolving, and in the field of manga/comics, China is emerging as a formidable competitor to Japan. Manhua app “Kuaikan Comics” has achieved rapid growth by distributing locally produced comics, thus challenging the traditionally unbreakable dominance of Japanese manga. This meteoric rise raises the question: is the status that Japanese manga has maintained for years in danger?
Founded by Anni Chen, an iconic figure of China’s post-90s generation, the story of Kuaikan Comics is a true modern fairy tale. Raised in a modest family, Chen began her entrepreneurial journey with a borrowed tablet and unwavering determination. Despite financial challenges and lack of technical experience, Chen managed to launch the app in 2014, and it has seen phenomenal growth since then.
What sets Kuaikan Comics apart is its innovative approach to content delivery. In addition to traditional webtoons, the application offers mini-animations that complement the stories, attracting a wide range of audiences, especially the “lazy generation” who prefers to consume content on their smartphones in a comfortable way. Additionally, the inclusion of live streaming features has allowed for greater interaction between creators and fans, thus strengthening the community around the app.
This success has not gone unnoticed by investors, with the company raising more than $200 million in funding in 2021, accelerating its international expansion. Additionally, Kuaikan Comics has focused on improving social benefits for authors, such as health insurance and health screenings, which has helped attract talent and foster a culture of creativity.
The rapid development of Chinese comics poses a significant challenge to Japanese manga, which has maintained a dominant position in the industry for decades. With a population of 1.4 billion, China has a vast reservoir of creative talent and a potentially huge user base. Furthermore, the improvement in the quality of Chinese webtoons and the accelerated development of AI-based image generation technology could further boost the growth of this industry.
Tatsuya Asano, a Japanese author who has moved to China, comments on the increasing competition: “The Japanese think that Japanese mangas are the most interesting in the world, but the improvement in the quality of Chinese webtoons is notable. With this evolution in mind, it is possible that the next “One Piece” of the digital age will not be born in Japan, but abroad».
In conclusion, the rise of Chinese comics represents a real threat to the status that Japanese manga has maintained for so long. With its innovative approach, exponential growth and commitment to continuous improvement, China is demonstrating that it is ready to compete on the global entertainment stage.
Fountain: Yahoo! News Japan
