Passion Paris and ADN Collaborate on Successful ‘Hero Killer’ Animation

Passion Paris and ADN collaborate on the animated series ‘Hero Killer’ based on the globally acclaimed webtoon. The announcement came at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. With over 80 million views worldwide, the original series showcases its widespread international appeal, marking a notable milestone for both studios, according to Anime News Network

“We are certain that K-webtoons will bring an enormous change to the global content industry.”

— Bastien Guetta

“Mystery Science Theatre built something artful, endearing and comedic on top of the foundation of other people’s work.”

— Jordan Vogt-Roberts

The deal announced at Annecy caps a series of strategic moves beginning earlier this year, after Passion Paris and ADN secured preliminary rights. Hero Killer, one of Naver Webtoon’s top action titles, boasts over 250 published episodes and is available in ten languages, reaching millions of readers worldwide. This massive reach is reflected by its more than 1 million subscribers on the platform.

Combining this vast digital audience with animation expertise, the co-production aims to translate the webtoon’s high-impact story into an engaging animated format. Passion Paris brings extensive experience in European animation, while ADN offers a solid foothold in Asian markets, making their partnership well-positioned for success.

Earlier in 2026, Passion Paris earned acclaim for Free Range, which was selected for Toulouse’s Cartoon Forum. This new collaboration with ADN signals their move into high-profile IP adaptations. ADN’s track record with webtoon-based projects also enhances expectations for this project’s market reach and content quality.

Market impact and expert analysis

Viewership data suggests a growing share of audiences aged 18-45 now regularly watch anime content, aligning with Hero Killer’s demographic.

Experts underline the animation sector’s hunger for content backed by established fanbases and measurable online engagement. Hero Killer’s success as a webtoon and its push into animation represent a savvy investment in IPs proven to thrive across multiple platforms. Market watchers also see this cross-border venture as a potential model for Europeans and Asians blending creative visions and production values.

What it means

The deal marks a turning point in how digital-native content gets adapted for animated formats. The global webtoon market is expanding rapidly, and titles like Hero Killer offer a blueprint for monetizing popular IP on various media.

This project also signals deeper integration between European and Asian animation industries, which could open doors for more creative collaboration and joint finance opportunities in the future.