A UK-based start-up is bringing Mickey Mouse and other iconic characters to smartphones after striking a major content deal with the Walt Disney Company to address declining children’s reading habits.
London-based Comixit has secured the rights to transform more than 100 titles from Disney, Pixar and 20th Century Studios into digital comic strips called Webtoons, a fast-growing format designed specifically for mobile consumption.
The deal will see globally acclaimed franchises such as “Frozen,” “Ice Age” and “Moana” relaunched as vertically scrolling, episodic comics tailored to younger audiences. The company has already partnered with The Beano, signaling early traction in the children’s content space.
Comixit was founded in 2025 by entertainment executive Michael Nakan. He said the platform is designed to meet kids “where they already are,” namely on their phones, while turning screen time into a more constructive activity.
“Disney has shaped the imagination for generations,” he said. “By bringing the characters into a modern, mobile format, we can make reading exciting again.”
Webtoons, which emerged in South Korea in the early 2000s, are structured for vertical scrolling, allowing users to move through stories frame by frame on a smartphone. The format combines visual storytelling with concise text, making it particularly accessible to younger readers and those less interested in traditional books.
Nakan said the idea for Comixit arose from children’s declining engagement in reading and reading, citing research that suggests only one in three young people aged eight to 18 enjoy reading in their free time.
The start-up is entering a rapidly growing market. Industry estimates suggest the global webtoon sector will be approximately $9 billion by 2024. Projections suggest it could grow to nearly $100 billion by 2033, potentially surpassing the size of the Japanese manga industry.
By combining globally recognized intellectual property with a format optimized for mobile devices, Comixit aims to achieve some of this growth while addressing a broader cultural challenge around reading and engagement.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to transform traditional comic book formats into webtoon-style content. However, the company emphasizes that all material is reviewed by human editors to ensure quality, accuracy and age-appropriate standards.
Unlike many digital platforms that are aimed at younger audiences, Comixit has deliberately avoided social features like comments, instead focusing on a curated and moderated environment designed to be safe for children.
The company is also developing tools that allow users to create their own stories, adding an interactive dimension to the platform and encouraging creativity alongside consumption.
Comixit has received the support of prominent film and media figures, including Harry Potter producer David Barron and Peaky Blinders producer Caryn Mandabach, as well as investor Magnus Rausing.
Nakan’s own background spans both film and television. During his time at HBO, he has experience working with director Joe Wright and on major productions such as “Game of Thrones” and “House of Cards.”
The app is already available in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It plans to expand into 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 the way content is consumed and how literacy can be supported in a digital world.
Through the use of familiar characters and immersive storytelling, the company seeks to bridge the gap between entertainment and education, encouraging children to engage with narratives in a format that feels at home in their everyday habits.
As traditional reading faces increasing competition from digital media, initiatives like these suggest that the future of literacy may not lie in resisting screen time but in reimagining it.
