"Creativity irradiates everywhere and new amazing stories come from unexpected countries."

Sébastien Célimon is the Webtoon Ambassador at Frankfurter Buchmesse. In this interview, he talks about his personal connection to webtoons and its opportunities for the European market. Sébastien also reveals what visitors can expect in October: A new Webtoon Area embedded in the Comics Business Centre. 

Sébastien, how did you become a Webtoon Ambassador for Frankfurter Buchmesse - and what is your professional background?
Well, to answer your first question, I need to move on the second actually. Over the years, I’ve built an expertise on how comics are dealt with in the digital world. As a student, I’ve focused on how intellectual properties such as comics are moving through the media, starting form paper, moving onscreen as anime or live series, and obviously video games and movies. Quickly, my interest focused on webcomics creation, especially at the end of the 2000’s when smartphones popped up. At that time, I was working as a Senior PR Consultant and as blogger (former name of influencer!) on LeMonde.fr on the nights, clearing the field on the emerging webcomics and webtoons. I’ve felt the pioneer spirit for webcomics, the same way that manga publishers bet on manga in the early 90’s. During lockdown, I was wondering which move could help support Webtoons and I’ve proposed to local partners to create a dedicated Fair named the International Webtoon Meetings. The first issue took place in 2022. I’ve made three so far.Two years ago, I’ve been introduced to Birgit Fricke - Key Account Manager at FBM - during Angoulême Comics Festival. We discussed ,the webtoon emerging market and Birgit and her team invited me to become the Webtoon Ambassador to open the Fair to this very vivid new cultural sector. And here we are!

What makes webtoons so special for you? And why is it worth taking a closer look at this format in Europe?
There are a lot of reasons why I find webtoon so special, from very business challenges to artistic issues and a very impressive life lesson from the South Korean creators. But the key point is that opportunities are still existing! The market is dominated by the Koreans, but webtoons platforms are emerging everywhere and webtoons artists can work from home and reach an international audience very swiftly and easily. Europe is a very young market, 6 to 7 years max, but it’s by far older than the Brazilian, the African or the Indian markets. I think, opportunities will rise in a short time as Asian contents are way too expensive for new players willing to acquire new intellectual properties. South Korea leads the way but there are actually different ways for different leaders. The Competition is open and European creators, with their long last tradition of colored comics, have clearly amazing opportunities there. 

What are you planning to do at the book fair in October? And what can visitors expect at your stand in the Webtoon Area, next to the Comics Business Centre?
First, it’s crucial to welcome exhibitors and visitors warmly. It was decided to allocate a area to Webtoon professionals, which is embedded in the Comics Business Centre. Business-wise, exhibitors are coming to purchase and sale rights of their productions, so that’s the environment we create and favor. I’m also in charge of two panels to give the audience some insights and highlights into what Webtoons entails and the opportunities they create. A significant part of my collaboration with FBM is to heighten awareness of the Fair to the Webtoon professionals, as they are not necessarily familiar with the book market. Platform producers are living in the digital world, another world really, with its specific rules, business models and users’ experiences. My goal is to bridge this distance, to improve a mutual understanding. It will take time, for sure, but I love this kind of challenge and I’m very grateful to be offered the opportunity. Creativity irradiates everywhere, new amazing stories come from unexpected countries and humanity shares their dreams on a whole new level. It’s exciting and promising, isn’t it?

Yes! Thank you for this interview, Sébastien Célimon!

The Interview was conducted by Frank Krings, PR-Manager at Frankfurter Buchmesse.