By Maria Vrachneli,
Do you feel like you don’t read enough? Well, on WEBTOON, you have a plethora of diverse reading material under your fingertip. Available on iOS, Android and desktop, the WEBTOON platform unites all types of artists to create and combine multimedia texts, including words and illustrations, music and motion videos. This multimedia form makes reading interesting and accessible to all types of readers (and not readers yet) and time schedules, making scrolling through your device much more meaningful and fulfilling. So, here are some stories I have picked out to get you started with;
DRAMA
Your Letter
“This is a letter from me to you” is probably what Sori’s secret letter writer would say to her every time she found one of his hidden envelopes. After standing up to bullying and becoming a victim herself, Sori is forced to transfer schools and find her place in a new environment where she would be cast an outcast once again. Although, it was a bit different this time. She started finding letters addressed to her all around school by a seemingly unknown sender, containing all kinds of information; from hidden pathways, to staff and pupils. Taking on this game-like mission of piecing together the given information to find all the letters and their writer, Sori will meet new and old friends who make life worthwhile. (If your device is an iOS 6.1, Android 4.4.2 or later, you can play the game version of the story to solve riddles and find hidden letters.)
FANTASY
Finding Wonderland
While heavily inspired by Lewis Caroll’s fantastical universe of Alice in Wonderland, Finding Wonderland dives into a colourful utopia made up of hurtful secrets. As Alex blindly fights monstruous nightmares to protect the crystal heart of the kingdom, and their ruling Queen, she’s struck by long lost memories and important figures. Will she turn her back on the beckoning truth or confront the real seeking monsters?
SLICE OF LIFE
My Puppylike Roommate
Have you ever been like “WOW! This person looks like their pet!”? Well, My Puppylike Roommate brings this assumption to life but in a slightly different manner. Following the relatable lives of two polar opposite roommates in their twenties, this WEBTOON makes you feel all the warm and happy feels with its adorable depictions of the characters’ personalities as dogs, bringing a smile to your face whenever you read one of its precise chapters.
THRILLER
Live Forever
The binary of life and death is blurry when grief comes into play. As teenage Sarah cannot handle the tragedy of losing her mother, she finds herself in the house of the unapproachable and cryptic-looking neighbor, where she stumbles upon a book with the recipe to eternal life. This WEBTOON will have you in a chokehold as the element of uncertainty and danger is found in every carefully structured chapter, discovering the ways through which you can really Live Forever.
SUPERNATURAL
Nevermore
Nevermore brings Allan Edgar Poe’s mnemonic poetry to life through a different media. In the sinister Academy where recently deceased appear with only a suitcase of material memories and their physical appearance, Lenore and Annabel Lee (go read the poems!) set up a game of deceit through which they will unravel secrets, choose their allies and fight their biggest past regrets and fears, manifested in their respecting lethal powers in search for a ticket to redemption.
MYSTERY
Purple-Hyacinth
Can you guess who’s lying? Lauren has the ability of detecting lies which has proven to be very valuable for her position in the police department, but not for the day that her family met their death. As she tries to fight for justice in a world which has kneeled before the brutality of the terrorizing organization called Phantom Scythe, she strikes a paradoxical deal with its deadliest member that would bring to the surface more sweet lies and even more hurtful truths.
HORROR
The Dummy’s Dummy
What if your worst fears and nightmares gave breath to one of your treasured items? For Yumi, those nightmares are part of her living reality as she possesses the powers of a psychic, seeing all types of monsters in their true, material form. Alongside her gracefully deadly, puppet-companion, Paris, they go on the menacing journey of eliminating all the other blood-thirsty creations of her deceased grandpa. This story goes well into deep with fears, mental health issues, gentle compassion and empathy, fellowship and friendship and ,trusting yourself to look straight in the eye of any demon.
ROMANCE
Edith
Putting yourself out there and finding people to connect with is one thing. Finding a non-toxic romantic partnership is a whole different story. Edith is an emerging author in her twenties, on an uphill mission of finding her place in the world and a romantic partner. While struggling with her mental health, a fateful meeting with a pretty boy (as she calls him) and her undisclosed past in the face of an unforgotten crush will bring her life unexpected turns, encounters, love related questions and the much needed self exploration journey.
Having been reading all kinds of WEBTOONs for the last four years, I’ve come to understand the moving power of storytelling and art. It is worth to experience it, even more so when it is at the reach of your fingertips.
References
- Webtoon , www.webtoons.com. Available here
