Breaking the Internet: Attack on Titan's Epic Finale
Attack on Titan's explosive finale triggers overwhelming demand, causing widespread outages on Crunchyroll and Funimation Throngs of devoted fans express their exasperation as the Internet struggles to handle the immense hype
The sheer number of viewers for Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Special 2 caused the popular anime streaming site Crunchyroll to crash on Nov. 4, preventing many from watching the highly anticipated series finale on time.
The final special of Attack on Titan was scheduled to air at 5 p.m. PT, leading many fans to log onto the site hours in advance to ensure they didn't miss the conclusion of the beloved anime series that first premiered on April 7, 2013. However, just minutes before the episode was set to go live, Crunchyroll's servers experienced a crash. This left thousands of people unable to watch the finale and led to an outpouring of frustration on social media.
Crunchyroll admitted to the error at 5:25 p.m. and announced the restoration of service at 6:16 p.m. Although some fans were able to access the episode, others still could not. Funimation, another streaming alternative, also experienced significant downtime. Similar outages occurred for episodes 1071 and 1072 of One Piece, known as the iconic Gear Fifth episodes, as well as for Attack on Titan: The Final Season - Part 2, which crashed the site in January 2022. These incidents highlight the widespread popularity of the Attack on Titan franchise.
As one of the most beloved anime series of all time, Attack on Titan concludes its run after 90 episodes and two specials. The series has sparked countless political and philosophical debates and received universal acclaim for its animation by WIT Studio (Seasons 1-3) and MAPPA (Season 4 onward). The soundtrack, led by Hiroyuki Sawano, has been highly praised. The anime appears to be ending on a high note, garnering mostly positive reviews, which is a remarkable achievement for such a long-running series. Fans who are curious about what comes next for the franchise may find interest in the upcoming art book, featuring new manga material, or the after-party event, where new information will be teased.
Crunchyroll offers streaming for all seasons of Attack on Titan, including the upcoming Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Special 2. The series, known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japan, depicts a world where humanity seeks refuge behind fortified walls to escape the threat of man-eating Titans. Only the courageous members of the Scouting Legion venture beyond the safety of the walls, but their survival is scarce. The people within the city live under the illusion of tranquility until their peaceful existence is shattered, and they are left with a horrific choice: to kill or be devoured.
Editor's P/S
Attack on Titan's epic finale has left me in awe. The animation, music, and storytelling were all top-notch, and I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this incredible series.
However, I was disappointed by the streaming issues that prevented many fans from watching the finale simultaneously. Crunchyroll and Funimation should have been better prepared for the high demand, and it's frustrating that so many people missed out on seeing the episode when it first aired. Despite this, I'm still incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have watched Attack on Titan, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for this franchise.
