Comixit signs Disney deal to launch webtoon comics with Mickey Mouse and Frozen
A UK-based startup is bringing Mickey Mouse and other iconic characters to smartphones after securing a major content deal with The Walt Disney Company, in a bid to reverse declining reading habits among children.
London-based Comixit has secured the rights to adapt more than 100 titles across Disney, Pixar and 20th Century Studios into digital comic strips known as webtoons, a fast-growing format designed for mobile use.
The deal will see internationally acclaimed franchises including Frozen, Ice Age and Moana reimagined as straight scrolling, episodic comedies aimed at younger audiences. The company has already partnered with The Beano, which shows an early move into the area of children’s content.
Comixit was founded in 2025 by entertainment executive Michael Nakan, who said the platform was designed to meet kids “where they’re already”, on their phones, while turning screen time into a positive activity.
“Disney has shaped the imaginations of generations,” he said. “Bringing its characters to a modern, mobile-first format allows us to make reading engaging again.”
Webtoons, which originated in South Korea in the early 2000s, are designed for vertical scrolling, allowing users to go through stories frame by frame on a smartphone. The format combines visual storytelling with short text, making it particularly accessible to younger readers and those less inclined to traditional literature.
Nakan said the idea of Comixit was caused by the decrease in children’s engagement in reading, citing research that shows that only one in three young people between the ages of eight and 18 now enjoy reading in their free time.
A startup is entering a fast-growing market. Industry estimates put the global webtoon industry at about $9 billion by 2024, which is projected to grow to nearly $100 billion by 2033, potentially surpassing the scale of Japan’s manga industry.
By combining globally recognized intellectual property with a format optimized for mobile devices, Comixit aims to capture part of this growth while addressing a broader cultural challenge around learning and engagement.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to convert traditional comic formats into webtoon-style content, but the company insists that all content is reviewed by human editors to ensure quality, accuracy and age-appropriate standards.
Unlike many digital platforms that target younger audiences, Comixit has deliberately avoided social features such as comments, instead focusing on a curated and moderated environment designed to be safe for children.
The company is also developing tools that will allow users to create their own stories, add an interactive feature to the site and encourage creativity in use.
Comixit has attracted the support of prominent figures in film and media, including Harry Potter producer David Barron and Peaky Blinders producer Caryn Mandabach, as well as investor Magnus Rausing.
Nakan’s background includes film and television, with experience working with director Joe Wright and participating in major productions such as Game of Thrones and House of Cards during his time at HBO.
The app is already available across the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa, with plans to expand to the United States, a key market for both digital content and children’s entertainment.
At its core, Comixit’s strategy reflects a broader shift in how content is consumed and how literacy can be supported in a digital-first world.
By using familiar characters and immersive storytelling, the company tries to bridge the gap between entertainment and education, encouraging children to engage with storytelling in a format that feels native to their daily routines.
As traditional reading faces increasing competition from digital media, programs like these suggest that the future of reading may not lie in resisting screen time, but in rethinking it.
