Piccoma to Launch Short-Form Anime Category in Late May

Japanese digital manga giant Piccoma is preparing to enter the fast-growing short-form animation market with the launch of a brand-new anime category later this month.

The new category, titled “Animeme (ANIME)”, will focus on short-form animated adaptations of popular manga and webtoon series available on the platform. The service is expected to officially debut in late May as part of Piccoma’s push to expand beyond traditional digital comics and web novels.

A Major Step Into Short-Form Animation

Piccoma, operated by Kakao Piccoma, has become one of Japan’s biggest digital manga platforms over the years. With the rise of vertical videos and bite-sized entertainment content worldwide, the company is now adapting its successful IPs into quick animated experiences designed for mobile audiences.

According to reports, the upcoming “Animeme” category will feature animated versions of manga and webtoon titles already popular on the platform. These projects are expected to deliver short but visually engaging episodes aimed at younger audiences who consume content through smartphones and social media-style formats.

AI Technology Will Play a Role

One of the most talked-about aspects of the announcement is Piccoma’s use of AI-assisted production technology. Reports state that AI tools will be incorporated into parts of the animation workflow while human creators continue supervising the overall creative direction and quality control.

The decision has already sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans are curious about how AI could speed up animation production and expand adaptations for lesser-known titles, while others are concerned about animation quality and the increasing use of AI in creative industries.

Online discussions among anime fans have especially focused on whether these projects will feel like fully animated series or more like motion comics with limited animation.

Expanding the Value of Webtoon and Manga IPs

Piccoma’s new anime initiative reflects a larger trend happening across the digital comic industry. Platforms are increasingly searching for ways to maximize the value of their existing intellectual properties through anime, games, dramas, and short-form video content.

Industry observers believe short-form animation could become an important gateway for discovering new manga and webtoon series, especially among viewers with shorter attention spans and mobile-first viewing habits.

Several featured titles are reportedly expected to receive adaptations during the initial rollout phase, though the full lineup has not yet been officially revealed