Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of "manhua drama" (漫剧) as a new trend in the entertainment industry, leveraging AI technology to reduce production costs and increase efficiency, marking 2025 as the "Year of Manhua Drama" [3][4][5]. Industry Overview - Manhua drama encompasses various forms, including meme-based comics, dynamic animations, and AI-generated 3D comics, with the definition still evolving [3]. - The industry is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected market size exceeding 20 billion yuan by 2025, driven by an 83% compound growth rate in supply during the first half of 2025 [7][9]. Financial Performance - Leading manhua drama brand Jiangyou Culture reports monthly revenues of 50 million yuan, while the company Lingju Animation has achieved a return on investment (ROI) of 1.15-1.2 [6]. - The average production cost for manhua dramas ranges from 50,000 to 150,000 yuan per episode, significantly lower than traditional short dramas, leading to higher profit margins [13][14]. Business Model - The business model for manhua dramas includes in-app advertising (IAA), in-app purchases (IAP), and hybrid monetization, with 80-90% of revenue still reliant on advertising spending [11][12]. - Companies are exploring new monetization strategies, such as brand collaborations and product placements, with successful examples already emerging [17]. Competitive Landscape - The competition in the manhua drama sector is primarily based on production volume, as the market is currently underserved [16][19]. - Major platforms like ByteDance, Tencent, and iQIYI are aggressively entering the manhua drama space, offering favorable revenue-sharing models to attract content creators [24]. Audience and Content Strategy - The primary audience for manhua dramas consists of males aged 20-30, contrasting with the female-dominated audience of traditional short dramas [23]. - The industry is awaiting a breakout hit to validate the manhua drama trend, similar to past successes in the short drama sector [25].