“Attack on Titan” has finally come to an end after being on the air for over 10 years. The anime, based on the manga of the same name, tells the story of oppression, the cost of freedom and the endless cycle of violence. The series has gained immense popularity over its run, and due to its complex themes, it has sparked up discussions and debates that are still ongoing even after the final episode has aired.
The finale, titled “The Battle of Heaven and Earth,” clocked in at one hour and 25 minutes and finally saw the conclusion of the story and its massive cast of characters after the final season being stretched over three years.
“Attack on Titan” follows the story of protagonist Eren Yeager as he grows up in a world where humanity is confined and trapped behind a series of walls that protect them from massive humanoid monsters called Titans. Following the destruction of his home in the pilot episode, Eren promises to kill all the Titans, and with each episode, there is a new twist or turn that keeps the viewers engaged.
Many people regard Attack on Titans as one of the best anime shows ever made. It is highly praised not just for its complex and nuanced characters and plots, but for its animation as well. The show began under the Japanese animation studio WIT Studio, which animated the show until the end of Season 3. Right before the completion of Season 3, the showrunners consulted with WIT Studio and concluded that they wanted the final season of the show to signify a turning point in the story. They expanded the show’s scale by switching to the studio MAPPA.
In an article with Newtype magazine (shared by Yutsomi Chan on Medium), “Attack on Titan” producer Kensuke Tateishi spoke about the difficult process of finding a new animation studio to helm the final season. “Through many talks with WIT Studio, we understood that the continuation would be difficult, so we looked for a new studio,” Tateishi said. “The only studio that said they would consider it was MAPPA. When we talked to WIT about it, they said they could rest easy knowing it was in MAPPA’s hands. The producers agreed, so the production shifted to MAPPA.”
Despite the show having switched animation studios, it has maintained consistency regarding quality and spectacle. However, the shift in studios saw the inclusion of more 3D animated sequences as opposed to the prior seasons, which heavily focused on 2D animation. Some had complaints about the shift, but overall, it was received positively.
“Attack on Titan” has captured the imagination of its viewers in almost every aspect of its storytelling. It is a perfect entry-level series for those who are interested in watching an anime series but don’t know where to start, as the story is very contained and focuses on telling a story from start to finish rather than overstaying its welcome. It is passionately crafted, and it shines within each frame of the show.
Those who are interested in watching the full series can find it on Hulu, Crunchyroll and Funimation. The first season is on Netflix for anyone interested in a “trial experience.”
