Webcomics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Kids and Adults), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global webcomics market size was USD 6.70 billion in 2020. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with webcomic witnessing a positive demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a stellar growth of 52.45% in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 7.36 billion in 2021 to USD 11.12 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6.1% in the 2021-2028 period. The sudden fall in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Webcomics are comics that are published on a website or a smart device application. These comics encompass graphic novels, avant-garde comics, traditional comic strips and cover numerous genres, subjects, and styles. Although, it is often viewed as inferior comics since almost anyone with a smart device or a computer with an internet connection can develop the comics. It is still progressively gaining traction from consumers of multiple demographics. Besides, investors increasingly willing to invest in the product assists in raising the bar for the quality of the comic, creating an opportunity for market growth. For instance, The Oatmeal webcomics declare that in 2019 the CEO of The Chernin Group (TCG), Peter Chernin, had agreed with the brand to make an investment of USD 30 million in one of its comics called exploding kittens.

COVID-19 Pandemic Result to Increase Product Demand

The eruption of the COVID-19 has worked in favor of the growth of webcomics as it increases the usage of smart devices worldwide. Thus, this led to a spike in the consumption of webcomic content as it helps relieve anxiety and stress, especially among people under lockdown. For instance, India’s Premium News Publication called ‘Mint’ data in March 2020 declares that the mobile browsing app activity has risen by almost 40 percent in India. It also mentions that the usage of books, gaming apps, and comics also skyrocketed. In addition, the closed down of educational institutions due to the pandemic has propelled the demand for comic content among children of various ages, which is also responsible for hiking the webcomics market growth.

LATEST TRENDS

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Surging Inclination Towards Romantic Comic to Boost Market

Presently, webcomics creators are increasingly focusing on the production of romantic content. As romantic comics are gaining a tremendous amount of viewership among both male and female audiences of all ages is acting as one of the major trends propelling the market growth. For instance, one of the prominent comic industry news stories called ‘Comic Book Resource,’ data in January 2020, states that a romantic net comic called Lore Olympic gained over 299 million views. In addition, the growing popularity of the incorporation of modern lifestyle, the current dating scene, the work culture, the use of smart devices, and others to increase relatability is anticipated to have a vital contribution.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Adoption of Technology to Aid Market Development

The vast majority of people across the globe having access to an internet connection has resulted in hiking the number of consumers inclined towards webcomics. For instance, the Economic Times data released in March 2019, mentions that in 2019 India’s internet user was assessed to reach 627 million. Besides, the rising growth of mobile cellular subscriptions has led to an increase in online activities made on various entertainment platforms, including digital comics, assisting in generating traction.  For instance, the data published by the World Bank. Org states that the global mobile cellular subscription is estimated to be 109.397 per 100 people in 2019, rising from 106.471 per 100 people in 2018.

Growth of Social Media and Rise in Qualified Creators to Spike Demand

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and others are gaining a massive number of users worldwide. This platform is one of the prominent powerhouses for attracting more traffic to the comic site as publishers can carry out penetrative marketing campaigns for their targeted audience. For instance, the data published by the World Economic Forum in September 2020 states that there are 3.8 billion active social media users, which is about half of the global population. Besides, the increasing number of trained webcomics creators assisting to enrich the product standard in the market has a vital contribution. For instance, Minna Sundberg, a prominent author of Stand Still, Stay Silent, had obtained her bachelor’s degree in graphic design.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Robust Presence of its Substitute Products to Hamper the Market Growth

The traditional comic book possessing a solid market presence resulting in negligence of the consumption of webcomics among a large number of consumers is acting as a restraining factor for the market growth. For instance, the data published by a prominent weekly trade news magazine called ‘Publisher Weekly’ in July 2020 states that the North American comic book is estimated to generate a revenue of USD 355 million, whereas digital comics created the only USD 90 million.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

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Adults Segment to Remain at the Forefront

Based on type, the market is bifurcated into kids and adults. The adult is projected to be the dominant segment because the millennial generation constitutes a large number of the adult population. Most people of this generation grew up consuming comics as one of their main sources of entertainment, which makes them still intrigued by the comic content. For instance, Morgan Stanley Capital International data states that in 2019 about 1.8 billion people, or 23 percent of the global population, were assessed to be the millennial generation. In addition, the rising production of comics that are highly relatable to a large number of adults has a positive impact on the growth of this segment.

The kids segment also possesses a robust market presence due to the rising number of webcomics creators focusing on the construction and creation of intriguing stories and graphics that can quickly grab the attention of children, assisting in upsurging the demand for this segment.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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Asia Pacific is a prominent webcomics market share, boasting a market size of USD 3.20 billion in 2020. The region’s enormous youth population has spiked the number of digital comic consumers, which played a crucial role in the market growth. For instance, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in August 2019, mentions that Central and Southern Asia has 361 million youth which is considered to be the largest in the world. Likewise, the flourishing growth of Japanese anime assisting in attracting more audiences is anticipated to fuel the demand. For instance, the data issued by the Association of Japanese Animation states that in 2019 the anime industry witnessed a growth of 15.1 percent from its prior year.

Europe is anticipated to showcase substantial growth, owing to the robust presence of a decent amount of comics publishers in various countries, who put their attention in the enrichment of comic content. According to Aldus Net. Eu data released in February 2021 shows between 100 to 400 comic publishers in Germany, France, and Italy. In addition, the increasing investment made in telecommunication in Europe fostering the number of online activities, including the consumption of webcomics has a vital contribution. For instance, the International Telecommunication Union, 2018 Europe is evaluated to invest USD 60.8 billion in its telecommunication. 

North America is evaluated to have a robust presence in the market. The growing popularity of children possessing their smartphones has increased the number of web-based comic readers, which is a positive factor for hiking the consumption rate. For instance, the data published by the Nation Public Radio in October 2019 declares that more than half of the children in the United States are assessed to own their smartphones. Besides, political webcomics such as Day by Day, Get Your War On, The Jimi Homeless Experience, and others gaining traction among adult consumers of this region help enlarge product growth. 

South America is demonstrating a significant rise in the market, which is contributed by the rising growth of its urban population. The increased urban population fosters people to be more aware of webcomics and helps to broaden its audience base. For instance, the data released by the World Bank mentions that in 2019 the Brazilian urban population is estimated to be 86.824 percent which is a rise from 86.569 percent of 2018.

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The Middle East & Africa is expected to have a considerable presence in the market. The economic progress experienced by numerous countries of this region nurturing the adoption of technological devices is helping to hike the demand. For instance, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development data states that in 2018 countries in Africa were experiencing economic growth of 10.8 percent. These countries are valued as follows, South Africa USD 5.3 billion, Morocco 5.6 billion, Congo USD 4.3 billion, Ethiopia USD 3.3 billion, and Egypt USD 6.8 billion.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Enhancement of Website to Broaden Their Presence

The key players of the market are progressively shifting their focus towards improving their website, which includes upgrading its usability, providing easy accessibility from smart devices, and adding attractive additional features to help gain more traction from their audience. For instance, in April 2018, Homestuck announced that it had made changes on its website by altering MS Adventure to Homestuck.com. This will help refresh the website and increase its mobile-friendliness, with multiple stuff converted to reach a range of audience.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Homestuck (United States)


• Pnny Arcade Ienc. (Redmond, WA, United States)


• The Oatmeal (Seattle, Washington, United States)


• Cucumber Quest (California, USA)


• Girl Genius (Seattle, WA, USA)


• Gunnerkrigg Court (Birmingham, United Kingdom)


• Stand Still, Stay Silent (Sweden)


• Brawl in the Family (United States)


• XKCD (United States)


• Lackadaisy (United States)


• Sandra and Woo (Germany)


• Scandinavia and the World (Denmark)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• March 2021 – Stand Still, Stay Silent declared the publisher of its new comic called Lovely. The comic comprises three best friends: an aspiring social media influencer, a Christian homemaker, and a mother-of-three grade-school teacher.


• February 2021: Towards Data Science announced it is collaborative work with XKCD. In this collaboration, XKCD is permitting its comic to reprint with attribution for the usage of Towards Data Science in attaining insight on the truth about artificial intelligence.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Webcomics Market

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The global market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on critical aspects such as leading companies, end-users, and leading product types. Besides this, the report offers insights into the current webcomics market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market's growth over recent years.

Segmentation