It is finally happening. One of Webtoon's most beloved and globally read action series, Eleceed, is officially making its anime debut in 2026. For longtime readers and manhwa fans, this announcement marks a massive milestone, as Eleceed joins the growing wave of webcomic based anime now reshaping the landscape of Asian storytelling. But while excitement runs high, early details are revealing some unexpected changes that have left the fanbase both thrilled and a little worried.
Eleceed, written by Son Jeho and illustrated by Zhena, first appeared in 2018 and quickly carved its own space with a warm blend of action, heart, and humor. With over 1.4 billion views worldwide, the story of Jiwoo and his mysterious mentor Kayden became a benchmark for how manhwa could deliver compelling worldbuilding and character driven narratives. And now, after years of fan hopes and speculation, it is finally getting the anime treatment but with a twist.
The adaptation will be produced by DandeLion Animation Studio, a company with an impressive legacy in the animation industry. The studio was recently nominated for an Academy Award at the 97th Oscars for its short film Magic Candles. It has also worked on widely acclaimed titles like Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, the Kingdom anime series, and THE FIRST SLAM DUNK. With such a strong pedigree, there is hope that Eleceed will receive the high quality adaptation it deserves.
The production team behind the anime includes Hiroshi Nishikori as director, Yosuke Kuroda overseeing the screenplay and series composition, and Minami Sakura handling character design. Their combined experience and past successes suggest that Eleceed’s core themes and action heavy storytelling are in good hands.
But there is one creative choice that has stirred conversation. The anime’s official website lists the protagonist’s name not as Seo Jiwoo the name familiar to millions of Webtoon readers but as Yu Kazahaya. This shift indicates that the anime might lean more into Japanese localization than originally expected. While Kayden’s name appears to remain unchanged, the alteration of the main character’s identity has raised questions about how much more of the original may be altered.
This naming change has sparked debate. Some fear it may signal deeper shifts in story structure or tone to better suit a Japanese anime audience, potentially reshaping the manhwa’s original cultural and character dynamics. Others argue that localization is often a necessary part of adaptation, especially when expanding globally.
Despite this concern, the project has already launched its teaser trailer and released a striking key visual. The visuals, voiceover, and overall production values suggest that the series will be treated with ambition and care. Fans are hopeful that, even with name changes, the spirit of Eleceed its heart, humor, and incredible battles will remain intact.
What remains clear is that the anime industry is now fully embracing manhwa as a legitimate source of global storytelling. With Solo Leveling’s successful run and more adaptations on the horizon, Eleceed stands as the next big milestone. And for fans who have waited since 2018 to see Jiwoo and Kayden animated, the countdown to 2026 is officially on.
Whether the adaptation leans traditional or takes bold creative risks, Eleceed’s transition to anime will be a major moment in Webtoon history.
For more updates on Eleceed and upcoming manhwa adaptations, follow Anime Insider on Instagram and Facebook.
