Comic-Con 2026 Goes All-In on Webtoons With Creator Panels

San Diego Comic-Con is doubling down on webtoons this summer. The 2026 edition, running July 23–26, will feature extensive programming dedicated to the format, with WEBTOON Entertainment spearheading four creator-led panels that dig into everything from horror storytelling to romance tropes.

Beyond the company-backed sessions, independent panels will tackle the bigger picture: how webtoons have reshaped the comics industry itself and the ongoing battle over censorship in the medium. It's a telling sign of how far webtoons have come—from niche digital phenomenon to major draw at one of the industry's most prestigious gatherings.

The lineup includes guests whose work has already crossed over into anime adaptations, suggesting the con is positioning webtoons not as a separate category but as a legitimate, interconnected part of the broader entertainment ecosystem. That's significant. Five years ago, webtoons were still fighting for credibility in Western comics circles. Now they're getting dedicated real estate at Comic-Con alongside traditional publishers and studios.

The inclusion of independent panels on industry growth and censorship challenges points to something else worth noting: the webtoon community isn't just celebrating its own work—it's grappling with real structural questions about how the format fits into existing industry frameworks and what happens when global platforms encounter local content restrictions.

For anyone paying attention to where comics are headed, this programming block is worth tracking. It's not just nostalgia programming or a nod to an emerging trend. It's an acknowledgment that webtoons have become central to how stories are being told and consumed, both in the U.S. and internationally.

These are the official descriptions:

• Creature Craft: Visionaries of Horror Comics Share Their Secrets — Thursday, July 23, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Room 29AB. Punko (Stagtown, Cinderella Boy) joins Cullen Bunn (Ripcord, Deluge) and Cat Staggs (Death Mask) to discuss horror comics. Moderated by Rotem Rusak, Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist.
• Love in Every Universe: The Great Romance Trope Debate — Friday, July 24, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Room 32AB. ROSEOAK (Not So Silent) joins Wattpad's Alessandra Ferreri, author E.M. Wilson, and Becca Erin Title of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop. Moderated by Crystal Bell, Culture Editor at Mashable.
• Bringing Fantasy High to WEBTOON: Spotlight on Derek V. Song — Friday, July 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Room 32AB. Derek V. Song discusses adapting the Dimension 20 series Fantasy High into webtoon format.
• What's Next from WEBTOON Entertainment — Saturday, July 25, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room 24ABC. Ryan Lee (Head of Content at WEBTOON), Sydney Bright (Head of Global Animation at WEBTOON Productions), and producer Erik Kozura present new content announcements alongside creators ROSEOAK, Derek V. Song, Punko, and Ucheomaaa (Vibe Check!). Moderated by journalist and 2026 Eisner judge Tiffany Babb.
• Bite Me: Calling All Vampires — Thursday July 23, 2026 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Ballroom 20. Global K-pop group ENHYPEN along with Catherine Hardwicke (movie director, Twilight) and other guest creators from vampire-related works explore how they bring vampire characters to life.
• How Webtoons Have Changed the Comics Industry — Thursday, July 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Room 24ABC. Deb Aoki (Mangasplaining), Kalai Chik (K-Comics Beat), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat), Leeanne M. Krecic (Let's Play), and Derek V. Song discuss webtoons' growth from a US$1.3 billion industry in Korea into a global storytelling format, and how U.S. publishers are adapting.
• Anime, Manga, and K-Comics Censorship — Friday, July 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Room 11. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Jeff Trexler, Deb Aoki, and USC Annenberg doctoral researcher Samantha Tecson discuss rising restrictions on anime, manga, and K-comics, including school and library bans, import prohibitions, debanking, and arrests, along with First Amendment protections.
• From 0 to 50: Pro Tips for High-Speed Webtoon Production and Studio Workflow — Saturday, July 25 6:00-7:00 p.m., Room 25ABC. Taiwanese comic artist PAJI and Taiwanese illustrator Kane discuss how small teams can produce up to 50 full-color webtoon panels per week.
• Taking Off with Rocketship Entertainment — Saturday, July 25 7:30-8:30 p.m., Room 26AB. Rocketship Entertainment CEO Tom Akei along with Leeanne M. Krecic, Brandon Lee / TurtleMe (The Beginning After The End), and other webtoon creators such as Sanford Greene and David K. Wilson will discuss transitions from webcomics to print and back.
  
  Source: Anime News Network