Harmony Korine Launches Webtoon ‘Katch’ Through EDGLRD

Harmony Korine has ventured into the digital comic realm with the launch of Katch, a high-concept, anime-inspired webtoon. This marks both his debut in this medium and a significant expansion for his Miami-based creative studio, EDGLRD. Created specifically for WEBTOON, a prominent global webcomic platform, Katch follows the story of a young ocean enthusiast who becomes immersed in a hidden underwater world where a secret society hunts leviathans.

Innovative Storytelling and Artistic Collaboration

The webtoon is illustrated by Laura Sakuraki, known for her work on Million Dollar Bride, and features vibrant colors by Ling Chen. The project includes a prologue by Daylen Seu and utilizes EDGLRD’s innovative mixed-media production process. This approach incorporates computer-generated tools, animated panels, and interactive musical components in select chapters, creating a unique storytelling experience.

Katch is part of EDGLRD’s broader ambition to explore anime-inspired narratives and hybrid digital works. Founded in 2022 by Korine in Miami, EDGLRD—pronounced “edgelord”—has quickly become a notable entity at the intersection of film, gaming, fashion, and generative technology. The studio first gained attention at the Venice Film Festival in 2023 with the release of AGGRO DR1FT, an 80-minute film featuring Travis Scott that was shot entirely through thermal lenses, designed to provide an experience reminiscent of a video game rather than a traditional movie.

Expanding Creative Boundaries

Korine described AGGRO DR1FT as an immersive artwork, expressing that the studio was created to explore the convergence of various media formats. His commitment to pushing creative boundaries continued with the 2024 return to Venice for the project Baby Invasion. This hybrid film-videogame further tested the limits of AI and interactive aesthetics, employing Runway’s generative tools to craft unsettling visuals featuring baby masks. This collaboration led to a formal first-look deal between EDGLRD and the New York-based AI company, allowing the studio to utilize Runway’s technology across future projects.

“This opens up all kinds of creative output—visual styles and identities that haven’t been explored before,” stated Alon Soran, chief commercial officer of EDGLRD, highlighting the potential of the technology to bring artistic visions to life.

With Katch, EDGLRD aims to establish a new pillar in its expanding universe of storytelling, specifically designed for a mobile-first, global audience. The webtoon signifies a notable milestone in Korine’s artistic journey and the studio’s ongoing exploration of innovative digital narratives.