HYBE's Original Story Animation Dark Moon: The Blood Altar Rises as Global Transmedia Hit

SEOUL – January 23, 2026 – HYBE announced today that the animated series DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR, based on its original story webtoon, ranked among the top titles on major international platforms following its global launch.

Driven by its vampire narrative—created in collaboration with K-pop powerhouse ENHYPEN and expanded through transmedia storytelling—the series has garnered strong reviews across major global platforms and online animation communities since its launch on January 9. 

On Crunchyroll, the world's largest animation streaming platform, the series scored a 4.8 out of 5 rating. On MyAnimeList, the world's largest English-language community for anime and manga, the series ranked 10th in both the ‘Now Watching’ and ‘Trending’ categories immediately following the premiere of Episode 1. 

The series continues to climb the chart, rising to No. 7 in ‘Trending’ after the release of Episode 2, continuing to build momentum across the global animation scene.

“Given the global popularity of the DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR webtoon, we were excited to present the anime series on Crunchyroll, with subtitles in nine languages and dubbing in eight languages for fans worldwide to enjoy,” a Crunchyroll representative stated. “We hope fans will continue to tune in to this captivating series.”

The animated series' success is also driving renewed interest in the original webtoon series, which is resurging on global charts more than two years after its conclusion. 

Shortly after the animation's premiere, the webtoon series reached No. 1 in the ‘Completed’ category on WEBTOON in Japan, Latin America, Indonesia, and Germany. It reached No. 2 in France and No. 3 in Thailand and North America.

“A growing number of new fans are discovering the DARK MOON universe through the animation and continuing to explore it across diverse media formats,” HYBE stated. “Building on this strong response, we plan to actively expand HYBE's original story IP and transmedia content across the global market.”

About HYBE

HYBE Corp. (HYBE), rebranded from Big Hit Entertainment in March 2021, is a global entertainment lifestyle platform company committed to innovating the music industry through boundless expansion. Through a diversified structure that encompasses its Music, Platform and Technology-based future growth businesses, HYBE creates synergy across its core pillars to deliver enhanced fan experiences and drive cultural impact worldwide. Ever since, HYBE has been expanding its multi-label system including BIGHIT MUSIC, BELIFT LAB, SOURCE MUSIC, PLEDIS Entertainment, KOZ ENTERTAINMENT, ADOR, YX LABELS, while HYBE AMERICA also manages its affiliate labels including BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP and Quality Control. In addition to the music business, HYBE established an integrated structure with its tech-driven future growth initiatives that create concert, video content, game, original story and retail, as well as a platform business through Weverse, a global superfan platform. Composed of its global offices based in Korea, Japan, the US, Mexico, China, and India, the company works towards bringing innovative change throughout the global music industry.

About HYBE ORIGINAL STORY

“HYBE ORIGINAL STORY” is an ecosystem of unique story IPs that HYBE continues to expand, inspired by artists' brands and message in their music. It goes beyond music, expanding its charms and possibilities as a story-based IP transcending genre and format. It also allows readers to be intensely immersed in the stories and enjoy casting artists virtually as the characters of each original story. The three original stories released in January 2022, 7FATES: CHAKHO, THE STAR SEEKERS, and DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR are linked to BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and ENHYPEN, respectively. Continuing this approach, CRIMSON HEART, DARK MOON: THE GREY CITY, and SUMMER MOON: THE QUPRIDS are linked to LE SSERAFIM, &TEAM, and ILLIT, respectively. HYBE has presented webtoons and web novels based on HYBE ORIGINAL STORY on the WEBTOON platform and is expanding beyond webtoons and web novels, such as an animated adaptation of DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR launching in 2026.

About ENHYPEN

ENHYPEN is the first boyband created by BELIFT LAB, consisting of members JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI. Inspired by the ‘hyphen(-)’ that connects one word to another, ENHYPEN means that seven different boys connect to discover one another and grow together. Upon their official debut in November 2020, ENHYPEN broke out into the global K-pop scene and began smashing from day one with 1st Mini Album BORDER : DAY ONE, achieving the biggest first week sales for a single album among K-pop groups to debut the same year. In three years, the K-pop powerhouse came to possess four Billboard 200 Top 10 albums—3rd Mini Album MANIFESTO : DAY 1 (July 2022), 4th Mini Album DARK BLOOD (May 2023), 5th Mini Album ORANGE BLOOD (November 2023), and 2nd Studio Album ROMANCE : UNTOLD (July 2024)—which debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 6, No. 4, No. 4, and No. 2 respectively. After triumphantly headlining arenas in 12 cities worldwide for their first world tour 'MANIFESTO,' ENHYPEN embarked on their second world tour 'FATE,' marking their momentous U.S. stadium debut. Armed with authentic stories in their music and multi-talented presence on stage, ENHYPEN continues to capture the attention of viewers worldwide while performing on global shows like Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show.