How to Create a Webtoon with AI in 2026: Vertical Comics Made Simple
Webtoons – those vertical-scroll comics designed for phones – are more popular than ever. In 2026, the top webtoon platforms have over 100 million monthly readers. But creating a webtoon traditionally takes serious art skills.
That‘s where AI comes in. With Elser AI, you can create a webtoon with AI in the same simple workflow as any other comic: write your story, choose your settings, click generate. The vertical format is just an aspect ratio choice.
In this guide, I‘ll show you exactly how to use Elser‘s strip comic format to create vertical webtoon panels, plus tips for pacing and uploading.
Webtoon vs. Traditional Comic: What‘s Different?
A traditional manga page is wide or square, with multiple panels arranged in a grid. You flip horizontally.
A webtoon is a single tall vertical strip. You scroll down. Each “panel” is really a full-width image stacked on top of the next.
Elser‘s Strip Comic format, when combined with a tall aspect ratio, creates perfect webtoon strips. Here‘s how:
- Comic Format: Strip Comic
- Aspect Ratio: 1:2 or 1:3 (taller than wide)
- Panel Count: 1 (each strip is one “scroll unit”)
You generate each vertical strip individually, then stack them in order. It‘s that simple.
Step 1: Write Your Webtoon Script – Short and Punchy
Webtoon readers scroll fast. Your script should reflect that.
Bad for webtoon: Long paragraphs of internal monologue. Panels that require slow reading.
Good for webtoon: Short dialogue bursts. Visual actions. A cliffhanger every 3-5 strips.
Here‘s a sample script for a 5-strip webtoon episode:
- Strip 1: “A girl wakes up in a strange room. She looks around, confused.”
- Strip 2: “She sees a floating clock. The clock speaks: ‘You have 24 hours.‘”
- Strip 3: “Close-up on her shocked face.”
- Strip 4: “She runs to a door. It‘s locked.”
- Strip 5: “She turns back to the clock. It‘s counting down: 23:59.”
Each strip is one clear moment. No clutter.
Step 2: Choose Webtoon-Friendly Settings
In Elser‘s comic generator, select:
- Style: For webtoons, “Japanese Manga” with Shonen or Shojo works best. “Cartoon & Animation” is also good for lighthearted stories.
- Model: GPT Image 2 is fine for webtoons (screen resolution is low). Use Nano Banana Pro if you want high-res for print later.
- Comic Format: Strip Comic
- Aspect Ratio: 1:2 (e.g., 800x1600 pixels) or 1:3 (800x2400). I prefer 1:2 for easier uploading.
- Panel Count: 1 (each generation = one vertical strip)
Step 3: Generate Strips One by One
Paste your first strip description into “Your Story.” Click “Generate Comic from Script.” Wait 20-30 seconds. Download the strip.
Repeat for each strip in your episode.
Pro tip: If you have recurring characters, use “Select Characters” before generating any strips. Lock your characters once, and Elser will keep their faces consistent across all strips, even if you generate them hours apart.
Step 4: Stack Strips in Order
After generating all strips, you need to arrange them vertically. This is easy:
- Open any image editor (Canva, Photoshop, even MS Paint)
- Create a new canvas with width equal to your strip width (e.g., 800px) and height = strip height × number of strips
- Paste each strip one below the other
- Export as a single tall PNG
Now you have a complete webtoon episode ready for upload.
Step 5: Upload to Webtoon Platforms
Most webtoon platforms (LINE Webtoon, Tapas, Global Comix) accept tall PNGs. You can upload your single image, and the platform will automatically slice it into scrollable pieces.
Alternatively, some platforms let you upload each strip individually. Check their guidelines.
Real Example: My 10-Strip Webtoon Episode
Last week, I made a short romance webtoon using Elser. Here‘s the breakdown:
- Story: “A barista accidentally gives coffee to a vampire. The vampire falls in love with the barista.”
- Style: Shojo (Japanese Manga)
- Model: GPT Image 2
- 10 strips, each 800x1600 pixels
- Total generation time: 10 strips × 30 seconds = 5 minutes
- Stacking time in Canva: 3 minutes
- Total time from idea to upload: under 30 minutes
The result was a clean, readable webtoon. The characters looked consistent because I locked them first. The vertical scroll worked perfectly.
Why Elser AI Is Perfect for Webtoon Creators
No drawing skills needed – The AI does all the art.
Fast generation – A full episode in under an hour.
Consistent characters – Lock once, use everywhere.
Flexible aspect ratios – Choose exactly the size your platform needs.
Free to start – 50 generations on the free tier is enough for 50 strips (a full episode).
Common Beginner Questions
Q: What‘s the best aspect ratio for webtoons?
A: 1:2 (800x1600) is the most common. Check your target platform‘s recommendation.
Q: Can I add speech bubbles?
A: Yes – after generating, add bubbles in Canva or any image editor.
Q: How many strips per episode?
A: 10-15 is typical for a short episode. 20-30 for a full chapter.
Q: Does Elser AI support vertical scrolling natively?
A: You generate strips individually, then stack them. It‘s simple.
Q: Can I make money from my webtoon?
A: Yes, with a Pro plan. Elser grants commercial rights for Pro users.
Your Webtoon Journey Starts Here
Learning how to create a webtoon with AI has never been more accessible. You don‘t need to be an artist. You don‘t need expensive software. You just need a story and Elser AI.
Sign up for free at https://www.elser.ai/ and generate your first webtoon strip today. Upgrade to Pro for Nano Banana Pro 4K quality and commercial use. Your readers are waiting.
