Hajime Isayama regrets the ending of Attack on Titan
Intelligence Summary
- Hajime Isayama reflects on his regrets about Attack on Titan’s ending and Eren Yeager’s character arc.
Regrets of Hajime Isayama over the ending of Attack on Titan
Hajime Isayama, the creator of the popular manga Attack on Titan, has spoken about his regret over how he handled the story’s divisive ending. Isayama feels that his sympathy for Eren Yeager made the conclusion feel somewhat unfaithful to the tone of the series.
Background on Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan began in 2006 as a one-shot and was serialized weekly from 2009 to 2019. With its detailed lore and complex political intrigue in a world where the remnants of humanity are threatened by man-eating giants, the manga became a massive hit in Japan and internationally. In 2013, the year the anime first aired, the manga had already sold more than 140 million copies.
Eren Yeager’s development
Isayama has shared insight into Eren Yeager’s development and portrayal. He described Eren as a protagonist who committed mass bloodshed, and said his original goal was to create a narrative with a major twist, where the victim becomes the perpetrator. That idea also reflected Isayama’s own immaturity at the time.
The museum in Hita City
In Isayama’s hometown of Hita City, there is a dedicated museum for Attack on Titan. The museum features original concept art, a giant Titan statue, and other exhibits. Visitors can also find detailed comments from the creator himself on selected scenes from the manga. The museum reflects the impact the story has had on culture.
Reflections on the ending
In recent comments shared publicly, Isayama noted that it was difficult for him to portray Eren as completely despicable while also feeling sympathy for him. Because of that, he believes there is still a sense of insincerity attached to the story’s conclusion. He shows uncertainty and a critical view of his earlier choices, and says Eren’s development might have gone differently if he were writing Attack on Titan today.
Timeline
2006: Isayama creates a one-shot of Attack on Titan.
2009: Attack on Titan begins serialization.
2013: The anime begins airing and the manga sells more than 140 million copies.
2019: Serialization of Attack on Titan ends.
Isayama’s openness about his regrets and his reflections on the characters offer fans a new perspective on a story that captivated them for years. The complexity of its themes and character development remains a topic of discussion and reflection, even after the series has ended.
