Stories have the power to transport us, and in recent years, webtoons have become one of the most exciting ways to experience new worlds and unforgettable characters. For those unfamiliar, webtoons are digital comics — often in full color and designed to be read vertically on your phone or computer — that originated in South Korea and have now inspired creators and fans across the globe. With genres spanning romance, drama, action, and fantasy — many of the same categories that define anime itself — webtoons offer something for every kind of reader.
Their stunning art, innovative storytelling, and binge-worthy episodes have helped webtoons grow into a worldwide phenomenon. As more webtoons are adapted into hit dramas and animated series, it’s clear that some of these stories are just waiting for the spotlight of a full-fledged anime adaptation.
For this list, I’ll introduce you to the webtoons — spanning romance, action, fantasy, and more — that absolutely deserve to be brought to life as anime, and which animation studios I believe are built to do it. Whether you’re a longtime webtoon fan or brand new to the format, these are the series that could become your next big obsession, all starting with a swipe
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5. The Gentle Way
The Gentle Way by True is an ongoing romance, comedy, slice-of-life, and sports (judo) webtoon set in college life — one of my personal favorites for its heartfelt storytelling and vibrant art.
The story centers on Jun Ishihara, a sweet, kind-hearted first-year Tanaka University student who may be shy and awkward but faces every judo practice with determination. Jun is far from a gifted athlete, but her persistence — fueled by the memory of her late older sister and her goal to defeat her childhood friend and rival Miya — makes her a wonderful lead.
Alongside Jun is Sekai Hayashi, a handsome, enigmatic upperclassman known for his ever-present hoodies and serious demeanor. A judo prodigy with a complicated past, he tries to leave the sport behind — until Jun’s optimism, kindness, and relentless requests for training (often accompanied by her homemade treats he secretly loves) start drawing him back in.
Their relationship begins as an unlikely friendship built on mutual trust and gentle moments that slowly bloom into a slow-burn romance, supported by Sekai’s playful Uncle Ren and his adorable dog, Mugen.
Best studio for the anime adaptation: Production I.G. Their dynamic work on sports series and character drama, as seen in Haikyuu!! and Run with the Wind, would perfectly capture both the intensity of judo matches and the gentle romance of Jun and Sekai.
4. Gourmet Hound
Gourmet Hound by Leehama is a completed drama, romance, and slice-of-life webtoon and one of the most beloved food series on the platform. Running from December 2017 to March 2020 with 166 episodes, it’s a beautiful exploration of food, grief, healing, and the gentle journey from friends to lovers.
Meet Lucy Fuji, a young woman with an extraordinary sense of taste and smell. Her fondest childhood memories are tied to the flavors of Dimanche, a local French restaurant she visited with her grandmother. Years later, after her grandmother’s death, Lucy returns to Dimanche only to find the taste she loved has vanished along with the original kitchen staff.
With the help of Brie Malik and Graham Ramos — pastry chef and chef of their own restaurant, Gourmet Hound — Lucy sets out to track down the former Dimanche staff, rediscovering pieces of herself along the way and finding romance with the serious, blunt Graham, whom she affectionately calls “Gramps” (despite him being only 29 to her 25).
Best studio for the anime adaptation: TMS Entertainment. With a track record including Fruits Basket (2019), Blue Box, and Honey Lemon Soda, TMS excels at bringing heartfelt journeys and nuanced relationships to life. Their ability to balance heavy themes of grief and healing with warmth and sincerity would let Gourmet Hound’s story breathe — with beautifully animated ingredient title cards and comforting, golden-hued recipe scenes closing every food-themed episode.
If Lucy’s culinary quest whets your appetite, our ranking of Anime Characters Who Would Be Great Food Critics is required reading.
3. Unordinary
If you’re looking for a sharply written, high-stakes school drama with superpowered action and biting social commentary, unOrdinary by uru-chan is your next must-read — and a prime candidate for an anime adaptation.
Currently in its third and final season, this ongoing webtoon has been a staple of the platform since its 2016 debut, amassing a huge, loyal fanbase and multiple awards, including three Ringo Awards for Fan Favorite Villain. unOrdinary follows John Doe, a seemingly powerless student at Wellston Private High School, where students are ranked — and ruthlessly oppressed — by their Abilities. John’s unlikely friendship with Seraphina, the school’s god-tier Ace, sets off a chain of events that challenges the hierarchy and exposes the trauma of systemic bullying.
What makes unOrdinary stand out is its willingness to tackle tough themes like abuse of power, institutional brutality, and mental health, all while delivering intense battles and deeply flawed, memorable characters — whether it’s Arlo, the calculating King with barrier powers, or Remi, the lightning-wielding Queen fighting for change.
Best studio for the anime adaptation: A-1 Pictures. Famed for hits like Sword Art Online, Solo Leveling, and Your Lie in April, their signature blend of expressive animation, dramatic flair, and ability to balance action with heartfelt moments would amplify unOrdinary’s biggest strengths.
Series built on power hierarchies always raise the same question: who’s actually strongest? Our breakdown of the 15 Best Anime Power Systems digs into exactly that, and if you’re drawn to unOrdinary’s darker themes of manipulation and control, our ranking of the Greatest Manipulators in Anime is a natural next read.
2. Black Sun
Black Sun by Play and Minn is an ongoing, high-octane shonen-style webtoon that delivers all the intensity, mystery, and world-building action fans crave. The story centers on Yu, a seemingly ordinary boy whose life is shattered when a demon brutally murders his mother — while ominously calling Yu the “Key.”
Yu soon learns his mother was part of a secret shinobi society, guardians of the mortal realm sworn to prevent an ancient evil prophecy from repeating. Hunted from birth for a burden he never knew he carried, Yu is thrust into a hidden world of ninja and the supernatural, forced to unravel the secrets of his origins and accept his true destiny: the Last Flame of humanity, the final hope against a demonic apocalypse.
Black Sun is packed with slick action sequences, an ever-growing cast of skilled shinobi, and a dark, immersive mythology that will hook fans of Naruto and Bleach.
Best studio for the anime adaptation: Studio Pierrot. With legendary series like Naruto, Bleach, and Yu Yu Hakusho in their portfolio, Pierrot’s experience crafting dynamic ninja action, memorable villains, and heart-pounding adventure is unmatched.
If Black Sun’s shinobi-vs-demons setup hooked you, you’ll want our list of 10 Hidden Gem Anime That Feel Just Like Demon Slayer, plus 8 Anime You Must Watch if You Love Jujutsu Kaisen for more dark, power-driven shonen.
1. Subzero
If you like breathtaking fantasy romance with political intrigue, dragon-shifting clans, and a swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers dynamic, Subzero by Junepurrr is a must-read. This ongoing webtoon has become one of the platform’s most beloved and visually stunning series, captivating millions of readers since its 2018 debut. With over 73 million views by the end of 2019 and a Ringo Award for Favorite Hero in 2020, Subzero stands out as a true fan favorite.
The story follows Princess Clove of the Cerúleo Clan and Prince Kyro of the rival Crimson Clan, whose arranged marriage is the last hope for ending a centuries-old war between their dragon-shifting families. Clove, the last of her bloodline and unable to transform herself, is determined and observant, sacrificing her own freedom for her people’s future. Kyro, her initial enemy and now husband, is known for his cold, calculating exterior and powerful red dragon form — but beneath that lies a deep desire for peace and a surprisingly romantic heart.
As Clove and Kyro navigate the dangers of court intrigue, betrayal, and ancient grudges, their reluctant partnership slowly evolves into something genuine.
Best studio for the anime adaptation: A-1 Pictures. Known for beautifully animated and emotionally resonant series like Your Lie in April, Sword Art Online, and Kaguya-sama: Love is War, A-1 Pictures could bring Clove and Kyro’s world to life in all its magic, drama, and romance — making it a must-watch.
This arranged-marriage, enemies-to-lovers setup is basically catnip if you love the trope — see our full list of the 18 Best Romance Anime Where Enemies Become Lovers. And since A-1 Pictures also produced one of anime’s most quietly devastating love stories, read our take on why Your Lie in April is more than just a sad anime.
Honourable Mentions
Added three short honorable mentions, picked specifically because they’re genuinely popular but haven’t gotten an anime yet (I checked each one’s adaptation status before including it, so this stays accurate):
1. Scorching Romance:
The most popular of this group, with over 615,000 WEBTOON subscribers. By Hongchi, this completed romance-comedy follows Ember, cursed with an off-the-charts body temperature, and Aspen, the only person cold enough to break her curse with a kiss. Best studio: J.C. Staff — their work on Toradora and Maid Sama nails this exact hot-and-cold chaos.
2. Forever After:
422,000+ subscribers. By Hannah Patten and Violet Matter, this completed fantasy satire follows Robin, mistaken for “Prince Charming” and thrown into a world of fractured fairy tales she must fix to get home. Best studio: Studio Bones, for the same expressive magic they bring to Snow White with the Red Hair.
3. Crumbs:
326,000+ subscribers. By Whitherling, this completed romance and slice-of-life webtoon follows Ray, a quiet seer, and Laurie, a barista at a bakery where every pastry is baked with a little magic. Best studio: Kyoto Animation, for the same warmth they bring to their best slice-of-life work.
4. Lemon Soda & Coffee:
Over 230,000 subscribers across its run. By Cecilia (made_by_cecilia), this completed romance and slice-of-life webtoon follows Axel slowly earning his place in the life of single mother Mei and her son Milo. Best studio: Production I.G, whose work on Kimi ni Todoke captures this exact kind of quiet, healing romance.
5. Tata the Cat:
150,000+ subscribers — smaller but devoted. By Suwan Kim and Subin Kim, this completed heartwarming slice-of-life webtoon follows Suyeon, who befriends Tata, a cat who blooms from a giant flower bud, over a magical summer in Gorong Village. Best studio: Studio Ghibli, for the same countryside nostalgia in My Neighbor Totoro.
FAQ: Webtoons That Deserve an Anime Adaptation
Q1. What webtoon is most likely to get an anime adaptation next? Ongoing, high-traffic titles with large fanbases and awards recognition — like Subzero and unOrdinary — tend to be the strongest candidates, since studios and licensors look at reader numbers and community engagement before greenlighting an adaptation.
Q2. Which anime studio would be best for a fantasy romance webtoon? Studios like A-1 Pictures and Kyoto Animation have strong track records with emotionally driven fantasy and romance titles, making them a natural fit for webtoons like Subzero and Crumbs.
Q3. Are any of these webtoons already confirmed for an anime? Not as of this writing — this list reflects picks and studio pairings I believe would work best, not confirmed announcements. Keep an eye on our Anime News section for any official updates.
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