NHN to exit Japan's comico, shifting focus to CP model

[Exclusive] NHN to shut down Japanese comico and withdraw from webtoon platform business, pivoting to CP model

| NBNTV = Jeong Dong-jin |

NHN's webtoon service, comico, has decided to terminate its Japanese operations, marking the end of the 13-year history of the comico brand following its exit from the Korean market.

According to NHN and NHN comico on the 18th, NHN will terminate its Japanese comico service on January 6, 2027, completely withdrawing from the global webtoon platform business. However, the company explained that this is not the end of its webtoon business, but a strategic decision to undergo a structural transformation into a specialized CP (Content Provider) company focused on production and distribution.

With this termination, NHN will wrap up its B2C platform business 13 years after its initial entry into Japan in 2013. NHN previously suspended its Korean comico service and the English-speaking/European brand Pocket Comics in October 2025.

As its last remaining stronghold, the Japanese comico service will also close on January 6, 2027, leaving NHN with no proprietary webtoon platforms worldwide.

NHN comico successfully turned a profit in its fiscal year ending December 2025, recording a final profit of 164,000,000 yen (approximately 1.5 billion KRW) and breaking a streak of six consecutive years of deficits. This turnaround resulted from preemptively reorganizing into a production-centered CP model while successively liquidating global B2C platforms.

Some industry observers are questioning the sudden decision to terminate the platform just months after achieving profitability. Despite performing well as a first-generation webtoon platform amidst a shifting market, the company is withdrawing its final stronghold to emphasize a CP-centric structure.

In response, NHN stated that while it is discontinuing B2C platforms, the core webtoon business, including original IP production, will continue.

An NHN official stated, "In a situation where uncertain management conditions in the global webtoon market persist and a monopoly by large platforms continues, we have decided to terminate the comico service operating in Japan as part of improving management efficiency and enhancing profitability. Moving forward, NHN's webtoon business will focus on the role of a CP company that produces and distributes high-quality webtoon content, and we plan to build a business foundation that guarantees internal stability.""