LINE Manga, the Japanese-language platform operated by Naver Webtoon, has emerged as the highest-grossing application in Japan during the first half of 2025, according to newly released data.
Mobile analytics firm Data.ai reported that LINE Manga ranked No. 1 in consumer spending across Japan’s app market, including both iOS and Android platforms, for the January to June 2025 period.
Kakao’s Piccoma app, which had long held the top spot, dropped to second place, followed by the mobile game Pokémon TCG Pocket. Game titles such as Monster Strike and Last War: Survival Game also made it to the list.
LINE Manga also retained its no. 1 ranking in the manga and novel app category for two consecutive periods, the latter half of 2024 and the first half of 2025.
Naver Webtoon has been ramping up its expansion efforts in Japan.
Earlier this year, the company acquired a stake in Japanese manga agency Number Nine. It is also actively producing anime adaptations of its original webtoons, including Mercenary Enrollment, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Eleceed, and Dark Moon.
At a press conference held on Feb 13, 2025, at the company’s Tokyo headquarters, LINE Manga CEO Kim Shinbae announced plans to adapt 20 webtoons into anime by the end of the year. Kim emphasized that the company aims to build a webtoon kingdom that extends beyond digital comics into animation, live-action dramas, and films.
Source: YNA
