Since its debut, Z United has garnered significant attention in France, achieving more than 680,000 views on Webtoon France. Originally a black-and-white manga, the first three volumes were adapted into webtoon format by MAKMA’s Printoonize service, converting the artwork into a vertical, full-color reading experience. This transformation set the foundation for Season 1, which ran for 26 episodes without interruption, quickly amassing a loyal readership.
The launch of Season 2 introduced exciting new opportunities to evolve the story. A necessary break in publication allowed for the creative team to develop fresh content, and the introduction of more romance-oriented storytelling helped align the series with the preferences of Webtoon France’s core audience. While this shift brought in new readers, it also led to some changes in the composition of the audience, as the series expanded beyond its original shonen sports foundation. Despite this evolution, Z United remains one of the best-selling « manfra » (French manga), with over 5,000 copies sold for its first volume under publisher Kotoji, making it a remarkable success in the French market.
Analyzing the Performance: Key Webtoon Metrics
To understand what worked and what could be enhanced, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the engagement metrics across all 52 episodes. Below are some key findings:
Engagement Trends
- Strong Start: The series debuted with impressive numbers, with Episode 1 reaching 2,569 likes and 167 comments.
- Evolving Reader Dynamics: Over time, engagement adjusted to reflect a dedicated core audience, stabilizing around 400–500 likes per episode in Season 2.
- Cliffhanger Impact: Episode 26, the finale of Season 1, saw a massive spike in interactions (1,394 likes, 194 comments) due to a dramatic vision of the team’s supposed downfall, keeping readers on edge.
- New Narrative Directions in Season 2: With the introduction of more romance elements, the story explored deeper emotional layers, resonating with a different segment of Webtoon France’s readership. While readership patterns adjusted, the story continued to engage a loyal fanbase.
One of the most valuable insights was the impact of consistency in publication. The transition from 1,182 likes at Episode 25 to 574 at Episode 27 highlights the importance of maintaining momentum between seasons. This learning will be instrumental in our approach for the U.S. release.
Lessons Learned for the U.S. Launch
As we prepare for the official launch of Z United in English in 2026, we are leveraging these insights to optimize our strategy. Unlike the French release, we already have 52 episodes completed, ensuring a seamless experience for readers. Additionally, the 2026 FIFA World Cup provides the perfect backdrop for introducing an English-speaking audience to a major football webtoon on American platforms.
Key Strategic Adjustments for the U.S. Release:
- Consistent Publication Schedule: With a complete backlog of episodes, we can ensure steady reader engagement with no interruptions.
- Targeting U.S. Webtoon Readers: While maintaining the shonen sports DNA, marketing efforts will highlight the competitive and aspirational themes that resonate with U.S. audiences.
- Capitalizing on the FIFA World Cup: Leveraging football hype through strategic promotions, collaborations with football influencers and sports content creators, and potential media partnerships.
- Maximizing Platform Visibility: Engaging with Webtoon USA to secure broader exposure and promotional support for the series.
- Expanding Beyond Digital: Exploring opportunities for physical releases, leveraging the Printoonize process to create a high-quality full-color print edition that could reach bookstores and online retailers.
Why Z United Has the Potential to Thrive in the U.S.
The U.S. webtoon market is expanding rapidly, and sports-based storytelling is still underrepresented compared to genres like romance and fantasy. With the global popularity of soccer surging, and the FIFA World Cup acting as a perfect catalyst, Z United is uniquely positioned to capture a new wave of readers.
Moreover, American webtoon platforms have a wider and more engaged readership than French ones, providing an opportunity for Z United to reach a larger audience with better platform visibility—something that will be enhanced by a well-planned promotional strategy.
Looking Ahead: A New Era for Z United
With a clear roadmap and a deeper understanding of what drives engagement, Z United is ready to make its mark in the U.S. webtoon industry. Our goal is not only to reproduce our French success but to surpass it by leveraging a fully prepared content rollout, smart promotional strategies, and a football-crazed international audience in 2026.
🚀 Follow us as we embark on this exciting new chapter—where passion, football, and storytelling collide on the global stage!