Summary of Key Points
AI-based manga series are becoming a “low-cost trial ground” for the development of online literature IPs. They use minimal production costs to quickly transform novels into video content, and through metrics such as viewership, completion rates, and feedback from the original works, they test the visual suitability of the IP and audience acceptance. This helps platforms determine whether to invest more in creating animations, games, or other derivatives. This approach shifts the IP development strategy from a “lone bet” to a “phased investment,” reducing risks. However, it also presents challenges such as a potential focus on short-term traffic at the expense of diverse content and the possibility of misjudging data. Ultimately, human judgment is still needed to balance short-term popularity with long-term value.
1. AI Manga Series: Filling the Gap in High Trial Costs for IP Development
In the past, if online literature IPs wanted to be adapted into animations or films, significant upfront costs were required for purchasing rights and initiating production. Only after release would it become clear whether audiences would embrace the content; a failure meant losing that investment. AI manga series address this issue by being cost-effective (no need for large teams or artists) and enabling rapid conversion of novels into videos, allowing the market to “test the waters” first. For example, after the manga adaptation of “Three Thousand Shelters” surpassed 3 billion views, it boosted the original novel onto the bestseller list on Qidian, indicating that audiences not only enjoyed the video but were also willing to continue consuming the written version. This provides an additional layer of risk assessment before committing more resources to larger projects.
2. Don’t Be Misled by Viewership: Conversion Data Is Key
Many assume high viewership indicates a good IP, but it may be inflated by platform promotion or advertising. True potential should be assessed through conversion data—such as whether audiences read the original work (as with “Three Thousand Shelters”), continue to follow the manga series, search for character names, or purchase related merchandise. These metrics reveal genuine interest in the story and characters, rather than mere engagement with the visual format. For game development, an IP needs a robust world-building and character development, which cannot be achieved with just a single popular segment.
3. The Preference for Short, Engrossing Content May Exclude More Subtle Works
Current AI manga series tend to follow a formula of intense conflict, high emotional intensity, and cliffhanger endings that suit the short-form viewing habits of users. However, this approach may overlook works with more subtle narratives or complex characters. For instance, a novel with nuanced emotions might not attract enough viewers due to its less dramatic start and could be overlooked by AI platforms. As a result, while AI manga series aim to provide more opportunities for mid-tier online literature, they might end up promoting only superficially appealing content.
4. Platforms Become the Biggest Winners: Holding Data and Rights
With the success of AI manga series, it is the online literature platforms that benefit the most. They can track whether viewers return to the original works and directly license them for animations or games. Platforms like Yuewen and Hongguo Short Drama offer a integrated service from content creation to video distribution. Small and medium-sized teams can produce manga series, but it’s the platforms that decide which IPs get the nod, receive traffic recommendations, and receive funding for further development. Increasing regulations also mean that unauthorized adaptations cannot continue, reinforcing the platforms’ control over IP rights and data, making them pivotal players in the industry chain.
5. Phased IP Development: Opportunities for Mid-Tier Works, but Avoid Becoming Copycats
Previously, only top-tier online literature could be adapted into media. Now, AI manga series allow mid-tier works to gain exposure first, with initial evaluation based on reading data followed by visual testing. This is a positive development, but if platforms focus solely on viewership, it may lead to a homogenization of content, resulting in a proliferation of mediocre “entertaining” manga series. The key is for platforms to identify long-term value in short-term traffic—do audiences truly remember the characters and are willing to pay for different forms of the IP (such as animations)?
In Conclusion
AI manga series do not replace traditional animation or gaming; they provide a cost-effective tool for IP development. However, the success of these IPs still depends on how platforms use data to balance short-term popularity with long-term value. After all, it is the human element—the story and characters—that truly make an IP compelling, not the algorithms.