Unveiling Attack on Titan's Handover: Mappa's Takeover from WIT Studio Explained
Experience the transformative power of Attack on Titan as Mappa takes the reins from WIT Studio in an unprecedented handover Witness the evolution of this iconic anime series and prepare to be captivated once again
The release of the first season of Attack on Titan anime in 2013 left a lasting impression on the anime world. Animated by WIT Studio, this season was followed by two more seasons of Hajime Isayama's widely acclaimed series.
However, after the third season, WIT Studio ceased production of the anime, passing the baton to MAPPA Studio. While it is not uncommon for different studios to take over anime productions, this sudden change caught many off guard.
When did WIT Studio drop the Attack on Titan anime? Exploring the reason behind the change in animation studios
WIT Studio gained an excellent reputation over the past decade with the release of the Attack on Titan anime. Their flawless animation demonstrated their growth as a studio, which was founded by a group of animators who were formerly part of Production I.G. In 2019, WIT Studio announced that the fourth and final season of Attack on Titan would premiere in the Fall of 2020.
Therefore, it was surprising to many when WIT Studios announced in 2019 that another company would be producing the final season of the anime. This news did not generate much excitement, as there have been instances in the past where a series' animation quality declined after switching studios.
Contrary to expectation, the Attack on Titan anime took a different turn. The responsibility of producing the final season of the series was eventually handed over to MAPPA Studios. This decision was primarily driven by the ever-increasing magnitude of the show.
Several other studios reportedly declined to take on the mammoth task of producing the concluding season of the series, as they believed it would be an insurmountable challenge to match the caliber of Wit Studio.
Attack on Titan anime final season (Image via MAPPA)
WIT Studios' head, George Wada, clarified the misunderstandings surrounding the decision to transfer the production of the series to MAPPA. In an interview with Anime News Network, Wada explained that their initial contract was only for one season. However, after receiving positive DVD sales results, they were offered the opportunity to create a second and third season.
Wada admitted that, at the time, his management skills were not up to par and he was unable to fit the final season into their schedule due to prior commitments with other funded shows. To fulfill the desires of the series' fans and publishers for a prompt release of the next season, they made the difficult decision to entrust the production to another studio.
This is what ended up happening, as MAPPA Studios took over the production of Attack on Titan's fourth and final season.
To conclude
Fortunately, the switch in animation studios had no impact on the animation quality of Attack on Titan. In fact, it seemed to have enhanced certain aspects, as the overall designs and color schemes now more closely resembled the characters' appearances in the manga.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the handover of Attack on Titan's production from WIT Studio to MAPPA Studio. On the one hand, I understand the challenges that WIT Studio faced in producing the final season of the series, and I appreciate their decision to pass the baton to a studio that could better meet the demands of the project. On the other hand, I am concerned about the potential impact of this change on the overall quality of the anime.
I have been a fan of Attack on Titan since the first season, and I have always been impressed by the quality of the animation. WIT Studio did an incredible job of bringing Hajime Isayama's manga to life, and I was excited to see what they would do with the final season. However, when I heard that MAPPA Studio would be taking over production, I was worried that the quality of the animation would suffer.
My fears were allayed when I saw the first episode of the final season. The animation was just as good as it had been in previous seasons, and I was relieved to see that MAPPA Studio was able to maintain the high standards that WIT Studio had set. I am confident that MAPPA Studio will do a great job of completing the series, and I am excited to see what they have in store for us.
