Can K-animation counter ‘Demon Slayer’ wave?

A scene from the upcoming animated film “Your Letter” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

While Japan’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Infinity Castle” is dominating Korean box offices, two highly anticipated homegrown animated films are gearing up for October releases, hoping to reignite interest in Korean animation and demonstrate its creative potential.

The Japanese animated film has been a box office juggernaut since its release Aug. 22. Praised for its stunning visuals and fast-paced action, it has now surpassed 4 million cumulative viewers, cementing itself as one of the year’s biggest hits.

This comes amid a broader “Japanimation craze” and the global success of the Netflix animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters” — a Sony Pictures Animation production inspired by K-pop and Korean culture. Since its June 20 release, the film has amassed over 266 million views, making it the most-watched Netflix title ever.

The release of two distinctly Korean productions — the coming-of-age story “Run, Hany, Bad Girl” and the fantasy romance “Your Letter” — could help draw viewers back to Korean animation.

A scene from the upcoming animated film “Run, Hany, Bad Girl” / Courtesy of NEW

‘Run, Hany, Bad Girl’ adds twist on classic rivalry

Scheduled for release on Oct. 7, “Run, Hany, Bad Girl” is the first official film adaptation of cartoonist Lee Jin-joo’s 1985 comic series “Run, Hany,” which was made into a TV animation in 1988. The original story follows Hany, a talented runner who, after losing her mother, lives alone and pursues her dream with the support of her teacher.

The new film puts a fresh spin on the classic tale by shifting focus to Hany’s longtime rival Na Ae-ri and exploring her backstory. The plot follows high school students Hany, a former gold medalist, and Ae-ri, a star track athlete, as they face off in a high-stakes “street running” race.

Set against the backdrop of Seoul’s most iconic neighborhoods, including Hongdae in Mapo District and Itaewon in Yongsan District, and the Han River, the animation is set to deliver a thrilling visual experience. Fans of the original series are eager to see how the dynamic between the two longtime rivals evolves as they grow older.

‘Your Letter’ offers tale of friendship, mystery

Set for release on Oct. 1, “Your Letter” is a fantasy romance adapted from the webtoon of the same title by Cho Hyun-ah. The film tells the story of So-ri, a new student who discovers a mysterious letter in her desk drawer, leading her on a scavenger hunt to find a series of letters filled with hidden clues.

Praised for its beautiful art style and heartwarming story, the webtoon garnered a high rating. The film adaptation has already received critical acclaim, winning three awards at the Bucheon International Animation Festival, including the Jury Prize for Feature Film.

It has also been invited to prestigious international festivals, including the Ottawa International Animation Festival. AKMU’s Lee Su-hyun lends her voice to the protagonist, So-ri, and performs on the film’s soundtrack.