The following article contains spoilers for Attack on Titan The Final Chapters Special 2.
While there were plenty of heartfelt reactions, the final episode of the Attack on Titan anime was perhaps more emotional for the voice actors than it was for its adoring fanbase.
Japanese state broadcaster NHK has commissioned a behind-the-scenes series documenting the Attack on Titan voice actors as they perform their roles for the final time. In a video from November 7, 2023, Mikasa voice actor Yui Ishikawa bids farewell to Eren’s character as she kills him, fulfilling Ymir’s wish and saving the world. Moments after she delivered her lines — “Itterasshai, Eren,” which roughly translates to “See you later, Eren” — Ishikawa burst into tears. Eren’s voice actor Yuki Kaji and Armin’s VA Marina Inoue were also crying and ran to comfort her. All three were given flowers, marking the special occasion and their great efforts.
Fans also marked the ending of Attack on Titan in their own way with a reposted video of some viewers in China coming together to hold Eren’s funeral. These include emotional speeches and the burning of incense at the altar. The final season concludes the series that began in April 2013. Attack on Titan spanned 10 years, 90 episodes, and two specials. The series is directed by WIT Studio for Seasons 1-3 and MAPPA for Season 4 onwards.
The Attack on Titan anime may return at some point in the future. The ending demonstrates the cyclical nature of war, ever-present in the series with the conflict between the Marleyans and the Eldians. Furthermore, one of the final scenes depicts a young boy entering the cave where the Titan Hallucigenia resides, possibly initiating the Titan’s challenge once more. Because of this, Isayama appears to be leaving the door open for a possible return. While voice actors Ishikawa, Kaji and Inoue may not return, Ishikawa will play Elise in Doctor Elise, while Kaji appears as Soujiro the Willow-Sword in Ishura. Both anime will premiere in 2024.
Crunchyroll streams all seasons of Attack on Titan, including Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Special 2. It describes the series as follows: “Known in Japan as Shingeki no Kyojin, many years ago , the last remnants of humanity were forced to retreat backwards.” towering walls of a fortified city to escape the massive, man-eating Titans that roam the lands outside their fortress. Only heroic members of the Survey Corps dare stray beyond the safety of the walls – but even those brave warriors rarely return alive. The people of the city cling to the illusion of a peaceful existence until the day that dream is shattered, and their slim chance of survival is left with only one horrifying choice: kill – or be eaten!
Source: NHK Official Camera X (formerly Twitter)