Naver Ventures has strategically invested in Emmy-winning Baobab Studios to co-create the new webcomic SHINE, a fantasy adventure set in a futuristic Korea.
Naver Ventures, the U.S.-based venture investment arm of NAVER, the parent company of WEBTOON Entertainment, has announced a significant investment in the Emmy-winning animation studio Baobab Studios, recognized for its innovative storytelling. This investment aims to cultivate a new generation of content that resonates with diverse audiences. The partnership was publicly announced on September 4, 2026, through a statement from Anime News Network.
As a result of this strategic alliance, Baobab Studios and Naver will co-create an original webcomic titled SHINE. This ambitious project will be developed in collaboration with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Erick Oh and acclaimed webtoon creator Madeleine Rosca. Set in a futuristic Korea, the narrative explores the precarious balance between human and spirit realms that has been disrupted. The story follows a half-human girl who embarks on a heroic quest to bridge these worlds and restore harmony to her homeland, driven by her desire to protect her loved ones and her culture.
Baobab Studios, known for its celebrated projects like Namoo and Crow: The Legend, aims to broaden its creative footprint through this partnership. SHINE will not only be developed as a webtoon with WEBTOON but will also be available as a print graphic novel through First Second Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers. Moreover, Baobab will retain the adaptation rights for film, television, streaming, and gaming formats, thereby laying the groundwork for a potentially expansive multimedia presence that capitalizes on the story's rich narrative depth.
Naver's investment aligns with the growing interest in transmedia storytelling, where narratives are crafted to traverse various formats and engage diverse audiences continually. The multifaceted creative endeavor represented by SHINE is expected to appeal to a broad demographic, ranging from avid webtoon readers to fans of animated films and series. Given Baobab's reputation for blending artistry with compelling storytelling, the collaboration promises to resonate with audiences who appreciate innovative narratives that delve into profound themes of identity and culture.
This strategic investment marks a pivotal advancement for Naver as it enhances its content offerings within the WEBTOON platform. By merging Baobab's renowned animation expertise with Naver's robust distribution capabilities, the partnership is poised to deliver a unique and engaging experience for fans of fantasy narratives. Furthermore, this collaboration emphasizes an increased focus on diverse storytelling that intertwines cultural and technological elements, reflecting contemporary societal themes. As the project develops, industry observers will be eager to witness how SHINE unfolds across various media formats, potentially redefining the boundaries of how stories are told in today’s digital landscape.
What this means is that Naver and Baobab's collaboration may set a precedent for future storytelling ventures that prioritize cultural depth and diverse narratives while maximizing the potential of transmedia formats.
Entertainment news
EpisodeBreakdown may use automated tools to assist research, drafting, and formatting. Published pages are governed by our editorial and corrections policies, and source links are shown when they are available in the article record.
Discovery source: Anime News Network. The source identifies where the topic was discovered; EpisodeBreakdown is responsible for the commentary published on this page.
Reader response
Reactions and poll results are based on real reader responses. No account is required.
