Number Nine raises additional funding from LINE Digital Frontier for overseas manga push
Japanese webtoon producer Number Nine secures new investment to accelerate global expansion of manga IP and strengthen its webtoon business.
Number Nine announced on November 9, 2026 that it has raised additional funding from LINE Digital Frontier. The investment is intended to accelerate the overseas expansion of Japanese manga IP and maximize its value, according to gamebiz.jp.
The company also plans to strengthen its webtoon business with the new funding. As part of this effort, a new work, Ansatsu Yusha no Tensei Koro, is set to be released worldwide as the first Japanese original content in WEBTOON Entertainment Group's Global Drop simultaneous global release project.
An executive at LINE Digital Frontier commented that the two companies will push development and investment in Japanese original content under the slogan "Japan to Global." The President of WEBTOON Entertainment and co-CEO of LINE Digital Frontier called Number Nine a reassuring partner for creating global hits.
Number Nine's President and Representative Director said the company will accelerate its challenge to the world with belief in the potential of Japanese webtoons.
Earlier alliance
On December 23, 2024, the two companies began a capital and business alliance to strengthen production of original webtoons and expand their overseas rollout. In September, WEBTOON Entertainment Group began its Global Drop simultaneous worldwide release project.
Quick answers
What is Global Drop?
Global Drop is a simultaneous worldwide release project started by WEBTOON Entertainment Group in September.
Which work will be released under Global Drop?
A new work, Ansatsu Yusha no Tensei Koro, will be the first Japanese original content released worldwide through the project.
When did Number Nine and LINE Digital Frontier begin their alliance?
The two companies began a capital and business alliance on December 23, 2024.