Summary
Attack on Titan’s controversial ending sparked division among fans and criticism of series creator Hajime Isayama for abandoning heroic interpretations of the characters. Isayama expressed concern over fan reactions and asked for kindness and honest opinions at the Anime NYC convention. The anime adaptation made significant changes from the original ending, in which Eren’s actions are judged more harshly by his friend Armin. Fan reaction to the ending became unpleasant, prompting the creator to remind fans to be respectful.
Warning: contains spoilers for the end of Attack on TitanAttack the giantIts ending was so controversial that series creator Hajime Isayama had to issue a statement about it days before a scheduled appearance at a convention in the US. With the recent release of the final episode of the Attack on Titan anime, the debate about the final episode and Eren Yaeger’s justification for his actions has been reignited. However, despite fan divisions, Isayama’s statement suggests that some fans may have taken their passion too far.
By the time Attack on Titan released its final chapter in April 2021, the ending had become the subject of intense debate, among other things, many revelations about Eren and why he chose to become enemy of humanity. While it could be argued that Eren’s turn as a villain was foreshadowed from the first chapters of the series, fans still criticized Isayama for seemingly giving up all hope of an interpretation truly heroic about the characters in Attack on Titan, leaving them feeling hollow about the overall story. .
In preparation for his appearance at the Anime NYC convention in November, Isayama broke his silence through his longtime publisher Kodansha, issuing a message to fans that read:
For fans of the Attack on Titan manga and anime, Attack on Titan is heavily influenced by Hollywood movies, TV shows, and American culture, so I’m excited to meet fans who come from the place I always dreamed of going. I know that the ending of Attack on Titan is quite controversial. I’m open to everyone’s honest opinions. However, I would appreciate it if you were kind to me. I was both hopeful and nervous going to Anime NYC, but I was definitely looking forward to it.
Attack on Titan’s Creator expressed concern over fans’ reactions
While his expression of excitement was admirable, Isayama’s statement suggested that some fans may have expressed their personal distaste for the series finale. Despite all the backlash, Attack on Titan really ended the only way it could. Isayama decided not to honor the typical shounen hero by ensuring that Eren would not be redeemed in the end. Eren in Attack on Titan refuses to learn from his constant mistakes and his friends’ trust in him despite the final red flags makes them complicit in his final choices.
How Attack on Titan’s Anime Changed the Series’ Ending
Aside from the comments about kindness and concern, what stands out in Isayama’s statement is his comment about being open to honest opinions. While Isayama himself may not have been directly involved in the Attack on Titan anime, that series did make some small but pivotal changes to Isayama’s original ending. Notably, Eren and Armin’s final conversation has a much different tone, the latter being much more harsh and judgmental of his former friend’s actions.
Regardless of whether the criticism of Attack on Titan’s ending is justified or not, it seems that fan reaction has taken an extremely unpleasant turn. In spite of Attack on the giants The ending will probably still be controversial, it’s a shame that the series creator has to remind fans to be respectful when discussing.
Attack the giant is now available on Kodansha’s manga app, K Manga.
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Source: Kodansha
Attack the giant
Release date: 2013-04-07
Cast: Matthew Mercer, Josh Grelle, Hiroshi Kamiya, Shiori Mikami, Jerry Jewell, Kishô Taniyama, Jessica Calvello, Masahiko Tanaka, Yui Ishikawa, Romi Park, Robert McCollum, Tomohisa Hashizume, Hiro Shimono, Trina Nishimura
Main genre: Work
Category: Animation, Adventure, Action
Rating: TV-MA
Seasons: 4
Season list: Attack on Titan – Part 1, Attack on Titan – Part 2, Attack on Titan – Part 3, Attack on Titan – Part 4
Summary: Years ago, humanity was forced to retreat behind the towering walls of a fortified city to escape the massive, man-eating Titans that roamed the lands outside their fortress. This is their story. When his homeland is destroyed, young Eren Yeager is determined to fight against the giant Titans that threaten to destroy humanity.
Franchising: Attack the giant
Character By: Hajime Isayama
Distributor: Adult Swim (Toonami)
Protagonist: Armin Arlert, Mikasa Ackerman, Eren Jaeger
Production company: Studio Wit, MAP
Story by: Hajime Isayama