The highly anticipated webtoon series Eleceed, written by Jeho Son and illustrated by ZHENA, is officially set to receive a television anime adaptation in 2026. Oscar-nominated DandeLion Animation Studio, known for its work on The First Slam Dunk and the short film Magic Candies, will be producing the series. This announcement has generated significant excitement among fans, accompanied by the release of a key visual and a teaser promotional video.
A Global Webtoon Phenomenon Comes to Life
Eleceed has garnered a massive international following since its debut on Naver Webtoon in October 2018. The series has been published in 10 languages and has accumulated over 1.4 billion global views, consistently topping action charts across North America, Europe, and Asia. Its widespread popularity and engaging narrative have made it one of Webtoon’s top-performing action titles worldwide. The webtoon currently has 339 chapters as of June 24, and 340 episodes published as of July 1, 2025.
The story of Eleceed introduces Jiwoo Seo, a kind-hearted high school student who possesses mysterious, lightning-fast reflexes that he keeps hidden from the world. His life takes an extraordinary turn when he rescues a battered stray cat, only to discover that the feline is none other than Kayden, the most powerful “Awakened” being alive, currently trapped in a cat’s body due to severe injuries. This unlikely partnership between the compassionate boy and the short-tempered, reclusive powerhouse forms the core of the narrative, drawing them into a hidden society of superpowered individuals and dangerous conspiracies. Together, they aim to fight against those who would let evil rule their world.
Esteemed Production Team Assembled
The anime adaptation boasts a distinguished creative team to bring the beloved webtoon to the screen. Hiroshi Nishikiori, known for his work on A Certain Magical Index III and Honey Lemon Soda, is slated to direct the anime. Yousuke Kuroda, who has a long history as a series composer for My Hero Academia, will be in charge of the series scripts and overseeing the composition. Character designs will be handled by Minami Sakura, recognized for her contributions to Gridman Universe.
DandeLion Animation Studio, the studio at the helm of this adaptation, has a strong reputation within the animation industry. Their notable works include the critically acclaimed The First Slam Dunk film, which was the 12th highest-grossing film in Japanese box office history, and the Oscar-nominated short film Magic Candies. The studio’s involvement provides a strong foundation for the anime’s animation quality and overall production.
Creator Excitement and Global Ambitions
Both the original author, Jeho Son, and illustrator, ZHENA, have expressed their profound excitement regarding the anime adaptation. Jeho Son commented that it “feels like a dream to finally share the news that Eleceed is getting an anime adaptation,” attributing this milestone to the unwavering support of their readers. ZHENA also shared a celebratory illustration and message, exclaiming, “So excited! So happy! Eleceed is getting an anime!”.
Sinbae Kim, Chief Growth Officer at LINE Digital Frontier, the operator of LINE Manga and ebookjapan, highlighted the strategic importance of this adaptation. Kim stated that Eleceed offers “the perfect blend of high-speed action and a tightly woven storyline” and that the anime presents “a chance to introduce this dynamic series to a broader global audience,” marking an “exciting new chapter in our global storytelling journey”.
The announcement of the Eleceed anime is part of a larger trend of Webtoon Entertainment’s expanding efforts to adapt its popular online comic properties into multimedia franchises. This includes a growing lineup of adaptations such as Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Teenage Mercenary, Viral Hit, Tower of God, True Beauty, and Senpai Is an Otokonoko.
Fans can anticipate further insights into the production of the Eleceed anime at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles on July 6, where Kazuhiro Nishikawa, President of DandeLion Animation Studio, is scheduled to appear and share behind-the-scenes details. An exclusive video celebrating the adaptation will also be available at the WEBTOON booth during the event.
