From Manga Fan to Webtoon Phenomenon: Aidyn Arroyal (Snailords), Webtoon Creator, Reveals the Genius Behind “Freaking Romance” Talks Movie Adaptation & Webtoon “Death: Rescheduled”

Webcomics are exploding on the scene and at the forefront of this digital revolution stands the visionary creator Aidyn Arroyal, better known as Snailords! With genre-bending hit comic “Freaking Romance,” a supernatural love story that has captured hearts across dimensions with a staggering 468 million views globally, Arroyal has taken the world of digital storytelling by storm. 

Gaining immense popularity due to its captivating storyline, fascinating characters, and amazing artwork, the webcomic phenomenon is now being adapted into a film through the ultimate dream team partnership of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios and Skybound Entertainment! 

The news has ignited a high level of excitement among fans, and as we eagerly waited for the film adaptation, we had a chance to interview Aidyn Arroyal on his creative process, specifically how he crafts such intricate, captivating worlds and the inspiration behind the creative genius of, “Freaking Romance” and most recent webcomic, Death: Rescheduled. 

What initially drew you to creating web toons? Were there any specific artists or web toons that inspired you?

I grew up reading a lot of manga, those were my favorite pastimes so I wanted to start making stories on my own by myself so I could do for other people what Manga had done for me growing up. I wanted to start writing stories on my own. 

You grew up reading Manga, did you have any artistic role models or inspirations? What Manga did you read? 

I read Case Close, Hunter x Hunter, YuYu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin those were my vibe but I do like a lot of the new manga and animes.

Your storytelling has evolved over the years. Are there specific techniques or influences that shaped your growth? Or is just based on your experience? 

I started off writing “Snailogy” which is a slice-of-life webcomic. So I learned how to write meaningful and impactful short stories and I also have experience reading manga. I have severe ADHD so structuring stories was a nightmare for me. I didn’t know how to do it until I met my editor and he gave me some structural tips on how to write stories and then I took his advice. They started branching off from that, watching a bunch of YouTube videos, I started taking Masterclasses on story writing and reading books on story writing. So sometimes you will see me try and test out different things that I learned and find out for myself if they work or not on the Webtoon platform.  

“Freaking Romance” Poster | Photos Courtesy of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios

“Freaking Romance” is beloved by fans and is even being adapted as a movie. Can you share the initial spark of inspiration that led to its creation?

I grew up living in really strange old houses. They were old and made a lot of noise. I was a kid and I believed in ghosts so I always thought my houses were unsafe. That stayed with me. Actually, one of the moments in “Freaking Romance” was inspired by one of the moments I experienced. I was sleeping next to my cousin and when I turned over she was on one side and then when I turned over again she was on the other side of me again. Sometimes my aunt would sleep next to us as well. But when I woke up the next morning and asked aunts if they slept next to us last night, none of them did. So none of them slept there. So I don’t know what I saw. So that moment ended up in Freaking Romance.

How do you approach developing a storyline for your webtoons? Do you start with a specific plot point or theme in mind?

Usually, I would have a concept first. For example, I would think of something like an 18-year-old who has resurrection power and he had to find the body of his dead soulmate so he makes up a serial killer to find her. I start off with a little concept like that then I decide which kinda of character would make this story more interesting and with their specific personality can mess things up even worse and make it fun to follow. It would go from there and then I would start by thinking about how I would begin the series and how would it end and most of the middle part is pretty flexible for me. 

Your webtoons, “Freaking Romance” and “Death: Rescheduled,” explore themes that range from fantasy to mortality and the afterlife. How do you balance those themes and elements in your storytelling?

It depends on what I feel like touching base with at the moment. As I go through life there will be events or experiences going on in the world or I come by an article, a moment happens, something that’s happening will inspire me to think of a story and write a story. Certain themes would resonate with me more due to what I was going through in life at that time as well. Or mental growth at that point. It’s like therapy for me. 

What do you hope readers take away from your works? Is there a particular message, experience, or journey you want them to have? 

Where I write these stories at the very least I just hope they are entertained or amused. For me, I write for a specific fictional person in my head, like a younger person who is very stressed out in life and they are looking for an escape and I want to be that escape for them. 

How does it feel knowing that “Freaking Romance” is being adapted into a film? Additionally, could you share your level of involvement in the creative process behind the film adaptation? Do you plan on being on set?

At the very start of it all, I was told that they do want me to be involved in the process but we are still in the very early stage of development so I don’t much yet. 

You don’t know much yet but you are open to being fully involved? 

I want to be involved as much as they want me to be. Yeah, I want to be on set to just watch the actors. If they wanted me to help clean the set, I would do that too. 

If you are on set, I hope you so cameo. Would you be open to doing that? 

Yes, That would be fun. I can be the janitor or a plotted plan in the background. 

Death: Rescheduled Poster | Photos Courtesy of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios

On that topic, I really hope Death: Rescheduled becomes an anime. Would you be open to that? 

I would love that. I will be there praying with you to all the gods in the multiverse that happens. 

I would be right there rewatching it over and over.

“Freaking Romance” like many of your works incorporates elements of humor alongside other themes. Is that something that is naturally effortless? Or more something you have to work at? 

I was just born this way. I wasn’t cute in high school so I needed a sense of humor and a personality. My friends helped with develop my sense of humor as well. 

“Freaking Romance” has been completed. Looking back, what lessons did you learn from this project, and did any of the wisdom you learned to get incorporated in Death: Rescheduled?

I learned a lot from making “Freaking Romance. I used to do really elaborate stories and they just didn’t really reinstate well with the audience. I didn’t know why. The Freaking Romance resonate well with the audience. By asking the audience what they liked about it, it seems like readers really appreciate honesty. Even though it is fiction a lot of the feelings and mentions came from actual real-life experiences that I went through. So I repackage into the fantasy version, Readers really appreciate that kind of honesty. They can relate to it. 

Do your characters ever surprise you by taking the story in unexpected directions than what you perhaps initially intended? 

All the time. Like I said I know the beginning and the ending and I would decide what kind of personality would put me in a certain situation. I would have an idea of what kind of situation needs to happen in order to get from point A to point B. Given this character’s personality, say it like a really bratty person who likes to throw a tantrum and doesn’t like challenges, what would they do to get us from point A to point B? Then the fun starts from there for me. They keep me on my toes. 

What are some of the most interesting or memorable fan reactions you’ve received from any of your works?

All the time. Sometimes the audience asks very interesting questions I am like that sounds like another webtoon that should happen. 

What advice would you give to aspiring webtoon creators or anyone who wants to get involved in creating a webtoon? 

Dont try to be a perfectionist like dont try to know how to draw human anatomy perfectly, or know how to write a perfect story, or how to lay out every panel perfectly. You dont need to know all of that before starting a webtoon because starting a webtoon is how you learn. It is better to learn in the field, try things out, see for yourself what works and what doesn’t. It is okay to fail and make a bunch of mistakes because you learn and grow faster that way. Then you’ll be able to make something that is like the best version of yourself. 

Do fans and reader comments and feedback play any role in your creative process?

It depends on where I am in the process. Now before I start a story I would pitch it to my audience first. I would have a concept and I will pitch one line to them. If they like it, I will write a short story. If they like that, I will storyboard the Webtoon version and if they like the Webtoon version then I pitch it to WEBTOON. They are very involved in that part of the pitching process. During the sketches phase when I showed them the storyboard, whenever the audience asked questions, I got to learn what was interesting to them, their likes, and what do wanted to know about the story. I use that to construct the story from then on. Once the series has reached the finalized version, I don’t involve the audience at that point anymore. 

If I do read through comments is more through technical details, it is too confusing, is the story lacking or is it going too fast or too slow? At that point is more for technical details. 

Do have any plans to collaborate with other creators in the future? Perhaps a joint Webtoon.

Definitely in the future but for now I want to be the one who writes the story and works with artists. As for working with other writers or drawing someone else’s story it has to be a story that will really move me. 

Is there anything you want to say to your fans and readers? 

I love you guys and I hope you continue to read my stories. I get embarrassed but thank you, guys! 

While we wait for the film, check out more of Aidyn’s web comic here. To stay updated, follow Snailords’ future projects on Twitter and Instagram.