According to Statista, the video game market value in the U.S. is 95.45 billion USD. Video games have taken over the world since the first game was released in the 1970s! What makes it even more impressive is how it has expanded beyond console and PC games. Manga and webtoons have also been increasingly popular, with the two mediums often crossing over. Now, we have unforgettable manga based on video games that make the experience even more immersive.

Many people enjoy playing video games, but some go a step further and create manga or webtoons based on their favorite games. It can involve simply creating fan art, or it can be an official adaptation by the game company. If you’re a fan of video games and manga/webtoons, you’ve come to the right place.

CCCI has come across video games turning into manga and webtoon video game adaptations. Let’s explore how the three mediums have crossed paths!

Key Takeaways:

  • There are several manga based on video games that have successfully taken over the gaming industry. The most famous ones include Final Fantasy, Assassin’s Creed, and, of course, Pokemon.
  • Video games turning into manga have been a popular trend, with new ones being created all the time. Adaptations have allowed fans to enjoy their favorite games in a new way, which led to the trend becoming increasingly popular.
  • It’s more often the other way around for webtoon video game adaptations. While there are a few famous examples, most adaptations are from webtoons to video games rather than the other way around.

Table of Contents

  • Manga, Webtoon, and Video Games
  • Video Games with Manga and Manhwa Adaptations
  • Manga and Video Games 2022
  • CCCI – Multilingual Webtoon and Manga Translation and Typesetting Services

Manga, Webtoon, and Video Games

Manga is a Japanese comic book, while webtoons are online comics from South Korea. Video games, of course, are digital games that we play on consoles, computers, or even phones.

Manga has been around for centuries, with the first known manga dating  back to the 12th century. Webtoons only started appearing in the early 2000s, while video games have been around since the 1970s.

Despite their differences, all three have crossed over in recent years. Manga and webtoons based on video games have become increasingly popular, while some video games have been adapted into manga and webtoons. All these are because of one thing they have in common: stories.

Manga, webtoon, and video game enthusiasts can enjoy stories in their preferred medium. Manga and webtoon readers can immerse themselves in the world of their favorite games, while video game players can learn more about the lore behind their games. It’s a win for everyone!

Video Games with Manga and Webtoon Adaptations

Many manga and webtoon readers must have their favorites. And some of them might not know that their favorite manga or webtoon is based on a video game! Here are some of the most notable manga and webtoon adaptations of video games:

Pokemon

The Pokemon franchise began in 1996 with the release of Pokemon Red and Blue. The games were an instant hit, leading to the creation of anime, manga, movies, toys, and more!

Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete

Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete is a role-playing game released for the Sega CD in 1995. The game was very successful, and it spawned a manga adaptation that was published in 1999.

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most popular video game franchises. The franchise began in 1986 with the release of The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was a hit, leading to the release of many sequels, spin-offs, and manga adaptations.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Another popular video game franchise started in 2001 is Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. The game is a crime-solving drama that produced a manga adaptation in 2007.

Kingdom Hearts II

As a 2005 action RPG, Kingdom Hearts II is the third game in the popular Kingdom Hearts series. The game was adapted into a manga published from 2007 to 2017.

Persona

Initially released in 1996, Persona is an RPG that takes place in various settings around modern Japan, following groups of high school students. The game was adapted into a manga, covering multiple genres, including action, comedy, drama, fantasy, and more!

Pro Tip

Pro Tip

Reading the adaptations of video games allows fans to learn more about the game’s story, setting, and characters. It also helps players understand the game better!

Tales of Vesperia

Tales of Vesperia is a game released in 2008 for the Xbox 360. The action-packed video game was also adapted into a manga, starting publication in 2008.

God Eater: Messiah no Kikan

Tapping into sci-fi and post-apocalyptic themes, God Eater: Messiah no Kikan is a game released in 2010 for the PSP. The story of the game was also continued in a manga until 2011.

Final Fantasy

Like the Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, which also turned into a manga. The franchise began in 1987 with the release of Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Devil May Cry

First released in 2001, Devil May Cry is a popular action-adventure game. The game’s popularity led to the release of several sequels, as well as a manga adaptation in 2005.

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun

Assassin’s Creed is impossible to miss for gamers and even non-gamers, as the franchise has been made into movies and novels. The franchise started in 2007 with the release of the game Assassin’s Creed. The franchise’s popularity led to the creation of a manga adaptation in 2019, titled Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun.

Mega Man Mega Mix

Mega Man has had several manga adaptations since 1995. The game was first released in 1987, garnering a huge following that continues to this day.

Steins;Gate

Although it was released as a game in 2009, Steins;Gate’s manga adaptation also started in the same year. The game’s story focuses on time travel, and the manga tells a different story that goes along with the game.

Street Fighter

Street Fighter is a fighting game that was first released in 1987. The game is top-rated even today, with several anime, manhwa, and manga adaptations by various authors.

It’s more often the other way around for webtoons and video games. While many webtoons allow readers to feel like they’re gamers, there’s one notable webtoon that was turned into a video game:

Tower of God

Tower of God is a webtoon that was first published in 2010. It did so well (and is still doing well!) that a video game adaptation was announced in 2021!

Note: Manhwa is the South-Korean style of comics. Webtoons are manhwa published online, and many fans use both terms interchangeably.

Manga and Video Games 2022

It has been years and years of manga and webtoon adaptations of video games, and it doesn’t seem like it’s slowing down anytime soon! In 2022, many video games based on manga and anime are scheduled for release, further showing the intermingling of the two mediums. Some of these video games include:

  • Fullmetal Alchemist
  • Black Clover
  • Jujutsu Kaisen
  • Digimon
  • The Seven Deadly Sins

Fans should get ready for more awesome manga based on video games or vice versa. As more talents and ideas emerge and cross over, there will be many more amazing stories to enjoy! So if you’re a video game creator, a manga or webtoon artist, or just a fan of all three, let CCCI translate and typeset your story for the world to see!

CCCI – Multilingual Webtoon and Manga Translation and Typesetting Services

Manga and video games have always had a close relationship. With so many stories and worlds to explore, it’s no wonder that the two have often been adapted to each other. From Final Fantasy to Tower of God, there are countless examples of manga and webtoon adaptations of video games.

And it’s not just a one-way street! Video games have also been turned into manga and webtoon, such as the announcements of several video games based on popular manga and anime. And CCCI is eager to help you with any manga, webtoon, game translation, and typesetting needs for your video game project!

Our team of highly skilled professionals can translate and typeset your manga and webtoon story into over 30 languages. We also offer manga coloring and verticalization services! And for your video games, our expert localization services can help you communicate your game’s story and setting to players all over the world.

CCCI aims to help continue this manga and video game adaptation trend by providing the highest quality translation and localization services. We’re excited to work on your project and help bring your story to life for fans worldwide! Get in touch with our team today.