Harmony Korine Launches Webtoon ‘Katch’ with EDGLRD Studio

Harmony Korine has ventured into the world of digital comics with the launch of Katch, an anime-inspired webtoon produced by his Miami-based creative studio, EDGLRD. This project represents not only Korine’s debut in the webtoon medium but also a significant expansion of his studio’s innovative artistic pursuits.

Created in collaboration with WEBTOON, the global webcomic platform, Katch tells the story of “a young ocean obsessive drawn into a hidden world beneath the sea, where a secret society hunts leviathans rising from the abyss.” The webtoon is illustrated by Laura Sakuraki and colored by Ling Chen, featuring a prologue by Daylen Seu. Utilizing EDGLRD’s mixed-media production process, the project incorporates computer-generated tools, animated panels, and interactive musical elements across select chapters.

EDGLRD’s Innovative Approach

The release of Katch marks a pivotal moment for EDGLRD, which was founded by Korine in 2022 and aims to operate at the intersection of film, gaming, fashion, and generative technology. The studio first gained attention at the Venice Film Festival in 2023 with its project AGGRO DR1FT, an 80-minute film featuring Travis Scott, shot entirely through thermal lenses. Korine described AGGRO DR1FT as an experience that transcends traditional cinema, framing it as an immersive artwork rather than a conventional movie.

In 2024, Korine returned to Venice with another experimental project titled Baby Invasion, which further pushed the boundaries of AI and interactive aesthetics. This collaboration with the New York-based AI company Runway resulted in unsettling visuals created using Runway’s generative tools. A formal first-look deal between EDGLRD and Runway was announced last spring, allowing the studio to leverage AI technology across its films and other creative projects.

According to Alon Soran, chief commercial officer of EDGLRD, the partnership with Runway opens up new avenues for creative expression. He emphasized that the technology enables artists to “take anything inside your brains and bring it to life immediately,” thus enhancing the studio’s capacity for groundbreaking storytelling.

Katch’s Global Reach

As EDGLRD’s first narrative project designed as a serialized webtoon, Katch aims to reach a mobile-first, global audience. The studio described the title as a key component of its ongoing exploration of anime-inspired storytelling and hybrid digital work. It is positioned as a new pillar in EDGLRD’s expanding universe, which has garnered a unique cultural following.

Korine’s foray into the webtoon realm signifies a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where traditional storytelling formats are increasingly blending with digital platforms and innovative technologies. As Katch unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this project influences both the webtoon landscape and Korine’s future artistic endeavors.