Attack on Titan is a treasure trove of thought-provoking themes and details. There’s a huge difference between the themes Hajime Isayama tackles at the beginning and at the end. From a story about monsters threatening humans to showcasing the unpleasant and honest truth of humanity, Attack on Titan pushes the audience to question their state of being.
What’s beautiful is that, even on the verge of extinction, humans never stop caring or loving in the series. In a world that’s dark and brutal for the most part, the beauty of human relationships shines through. For many fans, Attack on Titan was a life-changing experience. But what if it had never existed? Isayama once shared that there was something that could’ve stopped him from creating his celebrated series.
Hajime Isayama on the Creation of Attack on Titan
Over the years, Hajime Isayama has talked about the various thoughts that went behind Attack on Titan. From the real-life inspirations to the works of fiction that were incorporated into his own works. While all his interviews usually delved into what led to the creation of AOT, he once spoke about a possibility, that could’ve prevented him from ever creating his highly-regarded series.
During one interview (translations via Tumblr), Isayama shared how the popularity of AOT in his hometown defied his expectations. As a kid, he used to play with his friends near water bodies, specifically rivers. His friends used to jump into the river, but he could never do the same. He said that he was not brave enough to do so, and had he done that, he would have never ended up creating AOT.
I regret that I didn’t dare jumping into the water, perhaps I’ve influenced myself in an unconscious way, leading me to draw and express my feelings at that time. In another word, if I were bold enough and leaped, I would not have created the story of Shingeki no Kyojin.
According to Isayama, for kids, such risky endeavors are an integral part of their development. He called it a ‘spiritual rite of passage’. Isayama probably meant that while he never jumped into the river like the other kids, drawing manga ended up being a similar experience for him. The regret and the feelings that weren’t developed enough ended up being conveyed through the medium of manga.
It sounds almost like a chain reaction where not jumping into the river led to AOT, if he had jumped, a different chain of reactions would have transpired. It’s a profound thought, and a world without AOT wouldn’t be complete for many fans. We’re glad that Isayama didn’t take that leap, as no one can deny the success and acclaim of his series.
Attack on Titan’s Popularity and Prominence
Attack on Titan single-handedly did a lot to popularize anime in the West. From memorable characters to the layers of detail, every event in the series had a lot to offer to fans. Every re-watch of the series reflects the thoughts that were put into setting up the big revelations.
These hints were hidden in the Titans’ appearances and in the ending themes’ video. The show had everything from high entertainment value to some food for thought, making it appropriate for a wide audience. The seasonal division also made it easier to consume than many long-running series.
All these reasons led to the phenomenal success and critical acclaim that it garnered from millions around the world. With how prominent it ended up being, it’s hard to imagine a world without Attack on Titan.
Attack on Titan is available to read on Crunchyroll.
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