Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama has shared a heartfelt message with the anime's fans just days before its highly anticipated finale. Isayama expressed his gratitude to the audience for their unwavering support over the past decade and acknowledged the emotional challenge he faced in crafting the manga's final panels earlier this year. He also extended a sincere apology to the MAPPA studio for the demanding task of bringing the final episode to life. Ending on a cryptic note, Isayama revealed that he has managed to sketch a glimpse of the conclusion and implored fans to stick with the series until the very end. This enigmatic farewell has ignited intense speculation among the passionate Attack on Titan fan base.
Why Some Fans Don't Like Attack on Titan's Ending
Attack on Titan has gained widespread acclaim as both a manga and anime series, regarded as one of the greatest of its kind. However, its ending has sparked controversy among fans. The story takes place in a world where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, constantly threatened by Titans - enormous humanoid creatures that feed on humans. To ensure their safety, the remaining humans have sought refuge within the walls of a fortified city. The narrative delves into the journey of Eren Yeager and his companions who enlist in the military to combat the Titans and unravel the secrets that lie within their world, unearthing their origins and the true nature of the protective barriers. Throughout the series, various themes are explored, including the dark side of heroism, the hidden intentions behind sacrifice, and the inherent meaning or lack thereof in life.
The conclusion of the Attack on Titan manga, which was serialized in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine from 2009 to 2021, generated a strong reaction among fans. Many believe that there were significant plot holes and that only Eren Yeager received a satisfactory ending. The manga also includes a noteworthy plot twist that left some feeling disheartened. The ending was so distressing for fans that Isayama and his team reportedly received death threats. In response, some fans took it upon themselves to write their own ending and petition for it to be considered the true conclusion of the series.
Isayama, faced with the immense pressure of his first-ever series becoming an unexpected hit with a devoted following, struggled greatly with the audience's dissatisfaction with the ending. In an attempt to appease fans, he released an additional eight pages, but it did not have the desired effect. During Anime NYC in 2022, Isayama delivered a heartfelt apology to fans, expressing his lingering doubts about whether he had successfully concluded the story.
Fans are currently engaged in passionate discussions about the "rough draft" content in the final episode, speculating on whether this will result in a different ending for the anime compared to the manga. Many fans have expressed hope for a different ending, particularly regarding the fate of Eren Yeager, while others have interpreted Isayama's apology to MAPPA as an indication that the ending will likely remain largely unchanged, similar to the disappointment expressed in the manga's ending. Some fans have expressed gratitude towards Isayama for creating Attack on Titan and have encouraged him to maintain the manga's ending, emphasizing that it is his story. However, there are also doubters who question whether the story will conclude at all.
The 85-minute final episode of Attack on Titan will be released on November 4th on Crunchyroll. Fans can watch the complete series on Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Prime Video.
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the ending of Attack on Titan. On the one hand, I am grateful to Hajime Isayama for creating such an incredible story that has captivated me for so many years. The world he built is incredibly rich and complex, and the characters are complex and well-developed. I am also impressed by the way Isayama has handled the ending of the series. He has clearly put a lot of thought into it, and I think it is a fitting conclusion to the story.
On the other hand, I can understand why some fans are disappointed with the ending. It is certainly not the happy ending that many fans were hoping for, and it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I also think that the pacing of the final few episodes was a bit rushed, and I would have liked to see more time spent on some of the character arcs.
Overall, I think the ending of Attack on Titan is a solid conclusion to the series. It is not perfect, but it is still a satisfying ending that I think most fans will appreciate. I am excited to see what Isayama does next, and I am confident that he will continue to create amazing stories.