San Diego Comic-Con 2026 to Host Webtoon Creator Panels and Industry Deep Dives
The scheduling signals webtoons' growing mainstream presence at a major pop culture convention, with dedicated programming that extends beyond traditional manga and anime.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
San Diego Comic-Con 2026, running July 23-26, will feature a large slate of webtoon and manhwa programming. WEBTOON Entertainment will host four creator panels, including a 'What's Next' panel on July 25. Independent panels will discuss the format's industry growth and censorship challenges. Several guests have works with anime adaptations.
WEBTOON Entertainment will lead four panels across three days, with Punko, ROSEOAK, and Derek V. Song among the featured creators. Independent panels examine webtoons' economic rise and censorship threats, including a session on anime, manga, and K-comics restrictions. Global K-pop group ENHYPEN and Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke also appear in a vampire-themed panel. The slate reflects the format's expanding relevance in both digital and print publishing.
- Creature Craft: Visionaries of Horror Comics Share Their Secrets: Thursday July 23, 10:00-11:00 a.m. with Punko, Cullen Bunn, Cat Staggs
- Love in Every Universe: The Great Romance Trope Debate: Friday July 24, 10:00-11:00 a.m. with ROSEOAK, Wattpad's Alessandra Ferreri
- Bringing Fantasy High to WEBTOON: Spotlight on Derek V. Song: Friday July 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m. with Derek V. Song
- What's Next from WEBTOON Entertainment: Saturday July 25, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with Ryan Lee, Sydney Bright, Erik Kozura
- Bite Me: Calling All Vampires: Thursday July 23, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. with ENHYPEN, Catherine Hardwicke
- How Webtoons Have Changed the Comics Industry: Thursday July 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m. with Deb Aoki, Kalai Chik, Heidi MacDonald, Leeanne M. Krecic, Derek V. Song
- Anime, Manga, and K-Comics Censorship: Friday July 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m. with Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Deb Aoki, Samantha Tecson
- From 0 to 50: Pro Tips for High-Speed Webtoon Production and Studio Workflow: Saturday July 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m. with PAJI and Kane
- Taking Off with Rocketship Entertainment: Saturday July 25, 7:30-8:30 p.m. with Tom Akei, Leeanne M. Krecic, TurtleMe, Sanford Greene, David K
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.