The highly popular South Korean webtoon series, Eleceed, is officially receiving a television anime adaptation, with its premiere slated for 2026. DandeLion Animation Studio Inc., known for its work on The First Slam Dunk and the Oscar-nominated short film Magic Candies, will be producing the series.
A Global Hit Comes to the Screen
Eleceed, written by Son Je-ho and illustrated by ZHENA, has garnered significant global attention since its serialization on Naver Webtoon in October 2018. The action and fantasy webtoon has amassed over 1.42 billion views worldwide and is published in ten languages, including English, Japanese, and Spanish. Its transition to an animated TV series marks an exciting new chapter for the beloved comic, aiming to introduce the dynamic series to an even broader global audience.
Key Production Team and Studio Details
The anime adaptation boasts an “all-star production team” drawn from renowned Japanese animation franchises. Hiroshi Nishikiori, whose credits include IDOLiSH7 the Movie: LIVE 4bit – BEYOND THE PERiOD and Honey Lemon Soda, is set to direct the series. Yosuke Kuroda, known for his long-time role as series composer for My Hero Academia, will oversee the script and series composition. Character designs will be handled by Minami Sakura, recognized for her work on Gridman Universe.
DandeLion Animation Studio’s involvement brings a notable reputation to the project. The studio’s president, Kazuhiro Nishikawa, is scheduled to share behind-the-scenes insights into the production at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles on July 6. This event will also feature an exclusive video celebrating the adaptation at the WEBTOON booth.
The Story of Eleceed
Eleceed follows the story of high school student Seo Jiwoo, a kind-hearted young man who secretly uses his cat-like reflexes to improve the world around him. His life takes an unexpected turn when he rescues a battered stray cat, which turns out to be Kayden, the most powerful “awakened being” alive. Gravely injured, Kayden transferred his consciousness into the cat’s body to survive. This unlikely partnership between Jiwoo, who has hidden mysterious powers, and Kayden, a reclusive powerhouse with a short temper, draws them into a complex web of powerful awakened organizations and dangerous conspiracies. Together, they embark on a journey that could ultimately change the world.
The webtoon is lauded for its blend of fast-paced combat and a compelling coming-of-age narrative. The original creators, Son Je-ho and ZHENA, have expressed their excitement about the adaptation, crediting their readers for their support. ZHENA also released a celebratory illustration for the announcement.
