About Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a critically acclaimed manga series created by Hajime Isayama. The story follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they battle against giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. The series has captivated audiences worldwide, exploring themes of freedom, oppression, and the moral complexities of war.

Isayama's Regrets and Reflections

Hajime Isayama's recent statement reveals his regrets about the series' ending, particularly concerning the character of Eren Yeager. He expressed that Eren evolved into a protagonist who committed mass slaughter on a scale rarely seen in other works of fiction. Isayama aimed to create a narrative twist where the victim becomes the perpetrator, but he also acknowledged his own immaturity at the time, which influenced Eren's character development. He stated,

“Eren became a protagonist who committed mass slaughter on a scale rarely seen in other works of fiction. As for why I conceived such a story from the beginning, part of it was my desire to create a narrative with a major twist—where the victim becomes the perpetrator. But a large factor was also my own immaturity and foolishness at the time, when I was in my early twenties. That aspect became the core of Eren's character, leading to the point where he confesses not as someone forced into wrongdoing by circumstances, but as someone who harbored a desire to do harm. However, Attack on Titan had long since ceased to be mine alone, and Eren became a character loved by many readers. In the end, without fully committing to portraying him as a detestable figure, I found myself depicting him with a certain closeness and sympathy. As a result, I feel there remains a sense of insincerity in the story's conclusion—at least in my own assessment.”

"Eren became a protagonist who committed mass slaughter on a scale rarely seen in other works of fiction. As for why I conceived such a story from the beginning, part of it was my desire to create a narrative with a major twist—where the victim becomes the perpetrator."

Despite Eren becoming a beloved character among fans, Isayama felt conflicted about how he portrayed him. He noted, “However, Attack on Titan had long since ceased to be mine alone, and Eren became a character loved by many readers. In the end, without fully committing to portraying him as a detestable figure, I found myself depicting him with a certain closeness and sympathy.” This reflection highlights the struggle between authorial intent and audience reception.

Changes to the Final Chapter

In response to some fans' criticism that the original ending felt rushed, Isayama added eight extra pages to the final chapter. These additions aimed to offer further context, flesh out character arcs, and provide a more satisfying closure to the series. While this extended ending has been mostly well-received, it remains a point of controversy within the community.