Naver Webtoon launches Cuts Make app for creating short-form animations from webtoon IP

Naver Webtoon has unveiled a creative tool app that lets users produce short-form animations using webtoon intellectual property. The company aims to lower copyright barriers by offering only IP approved by original creators and to build a cycle in which fan-made content drives readers back to the source works.

The company announced Wednesday the launch of Cuts Make, a short-form animation production app.

Cuts Make is linked to Cuts, Naver Webtoon's existing short-form animation service. The app lets users select characters and scenes from webtoons to assemble short videos.

Its two core features are "Character Meme" and "Webtoon MV." Character Meme lets users combine webtoon characters with templates to create short-form challenge-style animations, while Webtoon MV lets them use webtoon panels to produce music video or anime-opening-style clips.

At launch, nine titles are available: "Garbage Time," "Dating App Addiction," "The Greatest Estate Developer," "Love Revolution," "Job Change Log," "Jakdu," "Operation: Pure Love," "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" and "Hashtag Is First Love." Naver Webtoon said it plans to expand the lineup of available IP based on fandom demand and creator consent.

Cuts Make's basic features are free, while premium templates, panel editing and fast-generation options are available for a fee. Videos created in the app can be posted directly to Cuts, and external sharing and downloads are also supported.

Kim Hyo-jeong, head of Cuts business at Naver Webtoon, said the company aims to create "a virtuous cycle in which webtoon fans have new creative experiences through Cuts Make, which in turn strengthens the original fandom," adding that it will "expand the short-form animation ecosystem on the back of synergies between Cuts and webtoon."

Cuts Make is available for download on Google Play. It is expected to launch on the Apple App Store next week, after completing the review process.

Cuts is a short-form animation user-generated content platform that Naver Webtoon introduced in September last year. Users and creators can upload or watch animations of around two minutes in length. The service extends webtoons — traditionally built around vertical scrolling and static panels — into video content by adding motion and sound.