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The narrative of Attack on Titan branches out into numerous storylines and complex themes. The characters start out as archetypes and then evolve into their own individuals. These transformations are glorious to witness. When speaking of transformations, characters like Eren and Reiner come to mind, who undergo significant changes throughout the story.

Yet, it’s odd how nobody mentions Armin Arlert during these discussions. Hajime Isayama put his best foot forward with Armin. His characterization was brilliant, and the changes he underwent felt natural because of how highly fans thought of him.

Armin’s Colossal Titan in Attack on Titan | Credits: Studio Mappa

From establishing a perception of him and successfully breaking out of it, the mangaka deserves more praise for the immaculate execution of Armin’s character arc.

Hajime Isayama’s genius and Armin’s duality

Armin was a typical crybaby initially. When Eren headed towards his house after the first Titan assault,...

Mappa Studios’ journey within the anime industry has been a perfect one, as it has produced some great masterpieces. Founded in 2011, the Japanese animation studio has become one of the biggest names all over the world with projects like Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Hell’s Paradise, Kakeguri, The God of Highschool, etc.

Yuri!!! on Ice Anime Series | Credit: Mappa Studios

However, there is one other name connected to Mappa that might have contributed a lot to the studio’s success but didn’t get the respect that it deserved. The name is none other than Yuri!!! on Ice, which came out in 2016 and became an instant hit. It was a sports anime series based on professional ice skating, and while it only had one season under its belt, it managed to reach a huge audience.

Yuri!!! on Ice was so successful that it was renewed for a spin-off anime movie,...

Attack on Titan garnered fans with its tall tales about gargantuan invaders, but Weekly Shonen Magazine Editor-in-Chief Shintaro Kawakubo also loves the series for its creator.

"As a manga editor, one of the most important things I want to convey to the world is that Hajime Isayama is probably the most cost-efficient manga artist in the history of the industry," Kawakubo declared at the Manga Review Contest Presents: Four Major Shonen Manga Magazine Editors' Talk Session, held in Tokyo on March 15, 2025. Via Oricon, the panel featured a manga industry summit of several other editors-in-chiefs: Weekly Shonen Sunday's Kazunori Oshima, Weekly Shonen Jump's Yu Saito and Weekly Shonen Champion's Hideo Matsuyama, with Ciao Editor-in-Chief Ayano Hagiwara moderating.

Attack on Titan's Hajime Isayama Never Says No to an Adaptation Image via Cbr

The assessment was a surprise response to an otherwise innocent inquiry -- a child attendee asked Kawakubo about the most...

The following contains spoilers and discussions of highly disturbing subjects. Proceed with caution.

More often than not, anime adaptations of more mature and adult-leaning manga tend to water down or outright cut some of their characters' backstories due to how dark things can get. This isn't too surprising, and it also makes sense. At the end of the day, anime is a form of mass entertainment. Making even the edgiest story marketable is just a fact of life in the business.

This, however, is not the case for these anime. Unlike their contemporaries, these anime risked it all by adapting their characters' dark backstories as accurately and unabridged as possible. The end results were rarely (if ever) pretty to look at, nor were they always well-received. That said, the fact that these anime left these backstories uncensored and got away with it is a feat in and of itself.

Goblins...

Some anime fans like to watch a good anime series at a leisurely pace, such as a few episodes per day, and other fans are fond of binging. Both approaches are valid, but some anime series are not meant to be rushed like that. Anime with simple plots and constant action are fine to binge, such as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Bleach, while other lengthy anime would feel unsatisfying if the fan rushes through them too fast.

When an anime is quite lengthy, or at least 24+ episodes long, anime fans may be tempted to binge the whole thing and get to the good stuff as soon as possible, but that's not always the right call. Certain long anime are bad for binging, usually because they have complex plots or because the narrative is meant to have a deliberate pace with room to breathe. A complex plot is easier to follow...

This week on The Anime Effect: LeAlec and Leah chat with husband and wife Harley Quinn comic duo Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti about their '60s to '80s anime roots, what Margot Robbie is really like, and more! In our audio-exclusive episode, we fill you in on the latest news in the anime world, including  Gachiakuta  coming to Crunchyroll, a  Konosuba  sequel announcement, and more! Episode 56 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 56 Summary In this week's news episode, Leah, Nick and LeAlec discuss the  All You Need Is Kill  light novel getting an anime adaptation and Tokyo Ghoul collaborating with Dead by Deadlight , among other updates. Plus, we talk to comic...

Ever since the first season of Chainsaw Man ended, fans have been eagerly waiting for news about the next installment. The series by Tatsuki Fujimoto has a massive fan following across the world.

Denji from Chainsaw Man. [Credit: Mappa]

Now, legal documents filed by Shueisha have reportedly confirmed that Chainsaw Man Season 2 is greenlit. However, the announcement does not guarantee a quick release, which means that the wait is not yet over!

Fans may have to be a bit more patient, but at least we have hope that sooner or later, we will be getting a new season. And that is more than we can say for many anime, even the popular ones (No Game No Life for instance).

Mappa’s heavy workload spells delays

With the upcoming Reze Arc movie officially set for 2025, the second season seems further away than expected. This is because the studio in charge of the series is Mappa.

Heroes never go out of fashion, and gorgeous ones with beautiful white hair even more so. This is exactly why the upcoming release of To Be Hero X anime is so highly anticipated. For those unfamiliar with this upcoming anime, it’s important to know that the star cast is packed with renowned voice actors and the animation looks stunning and stylish.

To Be Hero X anime | Credits: Crunchyroll Official YouTube channel

However, the most important part is that the release date of the anime has been officially confirmed along with other important information. From the plot to the full cast, all cards are on the table with the release date just around the corner. So, here’s everything you need to know to catch the first episode as soon as it drops!

To Be Hero X release date, plot, and more

To Be Hero X anime is scheduled to...

Ever since the Egghead Island arc ended in One Piece, I have noticed that one character has been popping up among fans’ discussions and thus has been trending a lot. This character is none other than Borsalino Kizaru, the Admiral of the Marines and the secondary antagonist of the Egghead Island arc. Kizaru’s twist within the storyline was something that no one expected and it completely startled me.

Admiral Kizaru in One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

It has raised speculation in my mind that maybe he might be a good character after all, and once he gets his redemption, he might rectify his image and gain forgiveness for his actions in the past. But in order to redeem himself, Kizaru will need to do something big enough that could help him clear his image. The one thing that comes to my mind is that he could possibly take on...

Anime fans are known for their dedication and wholehearted support when it comes to their favorite series. But it seems like the Vinland Saga enthusiasts want to take it a step further.

Thorfinn (young) from Vinland Saga [Credit: Wit Studio]

They wish to show their respect, love, and reverence for the work by permanently inking the art of Vinland Saga onto their bodies. Fans have started to get inked portraits of beloved characters like Thorfin and Askeladd or the cool-looking Norse symbols.

The creator’s genuine concern for his fans

To see one’s work get immortalized in such a way is something that rarely happens, but Yukimura does not let this get to his head. Although he appreciates the gesture and is grateful for the love towards his show from people across the world, he is concerned about the long-term consequences of ink on one’s skin.

These include massive...

Censorship can be a bummer and that was the case with Psycho-Pass. The series is underrated in terms of its animation as well as its themes. It dealt with corruption, morality, and the workings of the human psyche. The human mind can be dangerous and there’s an interesting inspiration behind it.

A still from the Psycho-Pass anime | Credit: Production I.G.

Not video games or books but a Russell Crowe movie influenced this 2000s anime. Both share similarities in their themes and elements but here’s a catch. While the film was greenlighted, the anime was eventually banned in China. That, however, doesn’t dispute its masterpiece status in any way.

Russell Crowe’s $126 million movie inspired this dystopian anime

From Insider to Gladiator, Russell Crowe has dabbled in every genre as an actor. He is a well-rounded artist who is celebrated for his diverse roles and filmography. But...

Although One Piece’s creator Eiichiro Oda has been crowned as one of the greatest manga authors in history, there have been moments where he has received a lot of criticism and hate from his own fanbase. From Ace’s death to the portrayal of the female characters in the story, Oda has faced a lot of resentment for contentious moments in One Piece.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

One such moment where Oda was hated a lot was when Usopp hoped for Nami to save herself instead of dying for Luffy’s dream and his pride. This moment led to fans believing that Usopp is not loyal to Luffy and might betray him in the future in One Piece. There are fans who think that Usopp’s cowardice will take over him and force him to leave Luffy at some point.

However, what fans don’t...

The anime community has undeniably gotten bigger in the past few years, and some series in particular are responsible for it. Most seasoned anime fans grew up watching either Naruto, Bleach, or One Piece. Recently, most new fans have started their journey with Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan.

Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. [Credit: Mappa]

I personally grew up watching Fairy Tail and One Piece, but I still remember watching the first episode of Attack on Titan in 2013. From the get-go, it was a unique, one-of-a-kind series. I also never would’ve predicted Eren’s arc would go the Lelouch route. It’s what makes Attack on Titan so amazing.

That, however, is the downside of having Attack on Titan as your first-ever anime. This industry has several genres to explore, from slice-of-life to horror. Not all of them will live up to the high-quality animation and intense storytelling of Isayama’s story.

The world of Attack on Titan is not kind to anyone, be it for its own characters or its audience. Even the protagonist of this anime got the shorter end of the stick and died a harrowing death for the liberation of his people.

Levi from Attack on Titan [Credits: Mappa]

But at least, we got to know him properly and heard his story before he perished, never to return. The same kind of fate did not come for Levi Ackerman, the man with a cursed life.

Levi is deemed as humanity’s strongest soldier, but this strength has carved situations where everyone else dies while he alone stays to witness that. He hardly ever had a fulfilling personal life, and the only time we got to know him in detail was through a prequel instead of a proper sequel.

Levi’s story is one of the most tragic in Attack on Titan...

Shigeki Awai, one of the foremost animators and directors of Japan’s massive anime industry unfortunately passed away on March 19th, 2025. Awai was 71 at the time, and he left behind a legacy of hundreds of the industry’s most famous anime series to his name.

Shigeki Awai contributed to Naruto: Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot

From industry headliners like Naruto, One Punch Man, Boruto, Black Clover, Attack on Titan, and many more, Awai has left his impression on pretty much every series anime fans have come to appreciate over the years.

Interestingly, what many don’t know is that he also helped create an anime that remains to this day one of the most underappreciated series in the industry. When honestly it should have been talked about much, much more.

Shigeki Awai helped create Bungo Stray Dogs into the shonen mammoth it turned out to be

Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa...

The worst thing one can do while watching Attack on Titan is assume that what has been told is the truth. This is because Hajime Isayama continues to introduce plot twists that redefine all the information the audience has. One second, you believe that Eren’s journey is one of revenge fueled by his mother’s death, and the next you realize that it was Eren who was responsible for it.

In this way, every new revelation changes what we already know about the world in Attack on Titan. The best example of this is Grisha Yeager’s character arc. Fans’ perception of him drastically changed with every scene that featured him. The mangaka kept surprising us, and it took a long time for Grisha’s character arc to conclude in the story.

Grisha Yeager in Attack on Titan | Credits: Studio Mappa

The nonlinear narrative of the series can make...

This article discusses sensitive themes. Reader discretion is advised.

The wondrous world of anime is a convoluted hotpot of various emotions induced by memorable and sometimes shocking stories. However, when it specifically comes to the shock factor, there are anime that literally leave fans gasping for air. These stories don’t generally start out with complicated premises or a noticeable body count. Good anime often depends on a slow-burn buildup and an eerie atmosphere that usually entails the coming of something disturbing.

However, sometimes nothing can prepare the viewers for a reality-breaking revelation or a mind-boggling conclusion that is more traumatizing than inspiring. From one of the most well-known mecha franchises to unsettling psychological thrillers, these unpredictable anime endings petrified fans.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’s Unexpected Sacrifice Made It Memorable Stream Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion on CrunchyrollImage via Sunrise

Lelouch vi Britannia is one of...

Solo Leveling Season 2 has shattered Crunchyroll servers at least twice with the number of anime fans tuning in for new episodes every week; its popularity is leveling up higher than the mana readings in Sung Jinwoo's second hunter evaluation. The series has surpassed One Piece — a mainstream anime with 21 seasons to its name — by garnering over 600,000 reviews on Crunchyroll without even having finished its second season.

As with any piece of media that reaches such insane heights of popularity, many anime fans are asking: what makes Solo Leveling so deserving of this kind of attention? While fans are bound to have criticisms about the quality of such a super-hit anime, Solo Leveling is still undeniably enjoyable by the overwhelming masses because of everything it does right.

The English Dub of Solo Leveling Knocks it Out of the Park Casting Aleks Le as Sung Jinwoo was the Best Decision for the...

The following contains spoilers for Dr. Stone Season 4, Episode 11, "Those Who Know the Rules; Those Who Make Them," now streaming on Crunchyroll.

The Science Future story arc of Dr. Stonehas been mixed to positive, bouncing back and forth between lengthy expositions and explosive action to serve as payoff. After a slow start, Dr. Stone Season 4 kicked things off with new weapons and higher stakes as Dr. Xeno's corn kingdom opened fire with machine guns, only for more sluggish to continue holding back the pacing. Fortunately, Dr. Stone Season 4, Episode 11 delivers much needed payoff, giving the impression that the next episode will do the same.

Dr. Stone Season 4, Episode 11 is everything the last few episodes' worth of setup promised to deliver, which makes "Those Who Know the Rules; Those Who Make Them" a highly satisfying and exciting watch. It helps that the episode includes some stellar production value and smart visual...

War stories often struggle to make loss feel real. 150,000 people dying is merely a number and it appears distant, even cold. But the death of one beloved character? That is devastating. Some stories embrace grandeur in death, making it purposeful and legendary.

Others strip away all meaning, making it abrupt, cruel, and unfair. One Piece and Attack on Titan exemplify these two approaches, where one is rooted in sacrifice and legacy, the other in the raw brutality of war.

One Piece turns death into a legend. Ace’s sacrifice isn’t just tragic; it’s pivotal to the tale. Whitebeard’s last stand cements his place in the show’s history. Their deaths shape the world they leave behind. Attack on Titan, however, doesn’t offer that comfort. Hajime Isayama doesn’t glorify heroics. He drags the audience through war’s true horror: sudden, merciless loss.

The Brutality of Loss...

Ahead of an April 6 broadcast and subsequent simulcast on Crunchyroll , the official accounts for To Be Hero X today released a "character story video" for second-ranked hero Queen. The video previews her episode theme song, "Queen of the stars", which is composed by Shangri-La Frontier composer Ryuichi Takada (Monaca) and performed by R!N. Individual character story videos for each of the core heroes are currently being released daily. To Be Hero X Queen Character Story Video The main cast of To Be Hero X is as follows: Nice voiced by Natsuki Hanae E-Soul voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki Ahu voiced by Koichi Yamadera Lucky Cyan voiced by Inori MInase Loli voiced by Ayane Sakura Little Johnny voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Ghostblade voiced by Yuichi Nakamura Dragon Boy voiced by Koki Uchiyama Queen voiced by Kana Hanazawa X voiced by Mamoru Miyano Related: To Be Hero X Anime Releases Dragon Boy...

Shonen manga tend to be some of the most mainstream and popular in the industry, and this is extended to their anime adaptations. On the other hand, seinen manga don't quite have the same appeal, namely due to them being intended for older audiences. However, there's currently one manga for this demographic that could find more mainstream success, especially if it's adapted.

Science fiction manga Snowball Earth has been running for four years, and in that time, it's begun to attract some major attention. The story combines elements from several popular genres of anime and manga, namely some big hits from the past few years. While an anime adaptation hasn't even been so much as hinted at yet, it's only a matter of time before it's produced to build upon the success of the manga.

Snowball Earth Remixes Shonen Elements The Underrated Sci-Fi Manga Is Seinen by Way of Shonen...

Up until a certain point in Attack on Titan, the lives of Eldians were confined within the walls. Everything foreign was a cause of concern. All that the central trio dreamed of was to see what lay beyond these walls, and overcoming them became the main agenda.

During an interview, the producer of the anime, George Wada, shared that this was one of the main reasons behind the international popularity of the series. Overcoming this wall or the metaphorical ‘Wall of Fear’ was a relatable idea for the audience.

The walls in Attack on Titan | Credits: Studio Wit

Hajime Isayama took inspiration from Japan and its culture to establish this key concept of the series. Here’s how it still relates to the current reality of the country.

Attack on Titan producer explains the “Wall of Fear”

The story of Attack on Titan began with the establishment of the Titans’ terror.

Jujutsu Kaisen'sdirector, Sunghoo Park, is releasing a brand-new anime series soon, entitled Bullet/Bullet, and it will be exclusively streaming on Disney+. The studio producing the anime is E&h production, which was created by Sunghoo Park himself.

A sneak peek trailer and a poster that offer a thrilling glimpse at the action-packed series to come were posted on X on the official @BULLETBULLET_PR account. Furthermore, it was announced that the first few episodes of the series are set to premiere on July 16, 2025.

Jujutsu Kaisen's Director Sunghoo Park's New Anime is Almost Here Bullet/Bullet Will Be Debuting on Disney+ This Summer 2025 ||◤底辺（ジャンク）ã©ã‚‚ã€ãƒãƒƒãƒ—ã«ä¸–界を変ãˆã‚ï¼â—¢||　完全新作アニメ「BULLET/BULLETã€ï¼ˆãƒãƒ¬ãƒƒãƒˆ/ãƒãƒ¬ãƒƒãƒˆï¼‰ðŸš™âš¡ã‚ービジュアルè...

Anime has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity over the past decade, transcending cultural barriers and expanding its influence worldwide. Once considered a niche form of entertainment, anime now has a huge, dedicated audience and generates billions in revenue. While high-quality animation, diverse storytelling, and global streaming platforms have all contributed to this growth, two key demographics have played a crucial role in making anime more mainstream than ever before, and those are female viewers and adult audiences.

According to grandviewresearch.com, industry trends from recent years indicate that these groups have driven revenue to new heights, shaping the type of content being produced and consumed. However, the anime boom is far from over. As content creators adapt to evolving audience preferences, a shift is expected in the coming years. Female viewers and teenage audiences are projected to be the next dominant forces in anime consumption, influencing the future of the medium.

Whenever a manga’s ending divides fans, it leads to a group of fans who are extremely disappointed and start thinking about the many ways the ending could have been better. Then, an inevitable trend follows: they start popping up with fan endings.

Nobara Kugisaki’s death in the anime | Credit: Mappa Studio

There is nothing wrong with fan fiction; it is the freedom afforded to the fans by the authors, but when it comes to endings, they are often better off left alone. The alternate conclusions created by readers who dislike the author’s choices are usually off when it comes to narrative flow, tying up loose ends, and aiming for a fairy tale ending.

But this is not easily achieved just by believing they can craft a “better” conclusion. Writing is a skill that is honed through years of experience, the series which should have been put to...

Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga are two of the most popular seinen series in the history of the anime industry. As such, frequent comparisons between them aren’t really unheard of.

Mikasa and Eren from Attack on Titan Season 2 | Credits: Wit Studio

Especially since both shows depict a storyline rife with battles, betrayal, despair and the ultimate test of the human will in a world of adversaries. However, there is another series that’s making the rounds these days that’s making people take a second look. That is, of course, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.

Interestingly, if the reviews are anything to go by, it is evident that it’s not Attack on Titan that should be compared with Vinland Saga, but Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth proved that Vinland Saga’s comparison should be with this...

Any action anime series will need some cool and strong villains to threaten the world and challenge the heroes. Weak, forgettable, or generic villains are sure to hold back the narrative somewhat, but truly great villains will make an action anime shine and keep viewers coming back for more. Whether those villains are halfway sympathetic beings or unforgivable monsters, they will be entertaining if they're stylish and strong.

A variety of action anime titles absolutely deliver on that front, and at times, the villains are more interesting than the heroes themselves. The best action anime with the best villains treat viewers to not just excellent fight scenes between good and evil, but also some thoughtful dialogue and ideological views from the villains. It's not enough for the antagonists to be strong — they also need an interesting why with what they do, and they should have strong personal convictions or even vulnerabilities to round things out.

Eren Yeager has become fundamental to Attack on Titan that any spinoff set in or around his time is destined to be overshadowed by his legacy. His story is so deeply ingrained in the series’ DNA that future expansions will struggle to escape comparisons to his character.

Ymir Fritz, first person to obtain the power of the Titans | Wit Studio

This creates what one can call the “Eren Yeager’s Curse”, which is the impossibility of any spinoff standing on its own without ever being associated with him. However, there is one character whose legend is grand enough to rival even Eren’s: Ymir Fritz. A Ymir’s Uprising spinoff, focusing on her journey from a powerless slave to the founder of the Titans, could be the fresh and independent take that the Attack on Titan fandom needs.

The Rise of Ymir Fritz

Despite being the originator of all existing Titan powers,...

In the last few decades, Attack on Titan has been among the more decent titles that have minimal to no fan service at all. There are some graphic and gory scenes during fight sequences, but nothing outrageous enough to attract the wrath of the censor board. However, that rule or sentiment doesn’t seem to be uniform across the board.

The Beast Titan in Attack on Titan | Credits: Studio Wit

There’s one country where Attack on Titan has been censored in the most bizarre way possible. The censored version changed a fundamental aspect of the anime-manga series without affecting the narrative in any way. But then, what’s the problem? The problem lies in the absurdity of this entire ordeal.

Attack on Titan’s bizarre censorship in Malaysia

Anime and censorship in the same sentence are more than enough to spark outrage in the anime community. With an anime...

There have been few bigger names in the anime and manga industry over the last decade than Attack on Titan. The dark fantasy series by Hajime Isayama debuted in September 2009, and ran for nearly 12 years before ending in April 2021. The anime series, which wrapped up in 2023 after a decade of shaping and reshaping the landscape of the industry, quickly rose in popularity during its very first season, and remained incredibly successful until its completion.

Known for its cold, unforgiving world and tragic protagonist, Attack on Titan is not a series for the faint of heart. Its violence and cruelty cuts through the narrative and delivers gut punch after gut punch to the audience, all the way up to its apocalyptic climax. However, the original manga's editor wants everyone to know that Attack on Titan's original creator is an "amazing person".

Attack on Titan's Editor Shares that Hajime Isayama...

The film adaptation of Riyoko Ikeda's The Rose of Versailles introduced a whole new generation to the story of Lady Oscar and Marie Antoinette. To celebrate the feature, shopping mall Zozotown is collaborating with the film to offer a limited-edition line of apparel and goods. High on the list of goods offered are two shirts—one tee, one sweat—sporting the film's key art: Key visual tee Key visual sweatshirt Related: The Rose of Versailles Anime Film Shares "Tearjerker" Video Two other tees are available: one spotlighting Lady Oscar, and another featuring Marie Antoinette and Fersen: By way of accessories, there are two offerings featuring a beautiful rose-tinted graphic pattern: a tote bag and a scarf: Graphic tote Graphic scarf Related: The Rose of Versailles Anime Film Unveils New Trailer, More Cast Pre-orders open on the Zozotown website on March 18 and will run until April 7. Products are scheduled...

Survival action-adventure Ark: Survival Ascended is getting what it refers to as its “first all-original” expansion pack in the form of Ark: Lost Colony . The major update is set to launch this November, and the reveal was made during this week’s Game Developers Conference with some help from anime studio Mappa. Mappa put together a two-minute video showing legendary Ark survivor Mei Yin in action. The character features the voice work of Michelle Yeoh, though in this particular cut you’ll just hear her battle cries and grunts throughout. Ark: Lost Colony Mappa Animation Related: Zombie Land Saga Anime Film Kicks Off in 2025 Pre-orders for the expansion—which will connect the previous Extinction and Genesis expansions while leading into the events of Ark 2 —go live this June. Ark: Lost Colony will be priced at $29.99 and available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Source: Press Release...

Whenever the discussion about the greatest anime movies and series takes place, the one name that is always on top is Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan. While the series has ended, it still beats some big names from the anime industry in terms of fame and popularity and is embedded in history as one of the greatest stories.

Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan | Credit: Wit Studios

The series is a personal favorite not only for anime fans but also for many prominent celebrities, including Walker Scobell, the young actor known for The Adam Project and the Disney+ fantasy series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The American actor recently expressed his love for Attack on Titan in an interview and pointed out that it is the best television show of all time.

Not only that, he even apologized to his own show hinting that he believes that Attack on Titan...

To know more about their favorite manga series and creators, all fans have to do is go to the editor. This would work for Attack on Titan as well. Hajime Isayama dedicated more than a decade of his life to Aot. And, the one person who helped him in shaping and honing different parts of the story during that time was editor Shintaro Kawakubo.

From pushing Isayama to aim for awards and redirecting his focus to Attack on Titan at the right time, the editor has his own dedicated fanbase for his contribution to the manga. Over the years, both the mangaka and the editor have spoken at length about the serialization and production process of Aot.

A panel from Attack on Titan | Credits: Kodansha USA

This time around Kawakubo took a moment to appreciate Isayama’s work ethic and his adaptability during a recent interview. His words are a...

School uniforms in the real world have a function: they promote uniformity, discipline, and equality among students. They are mass-produced with functionality, not fashion, in mind, usually stiff, unflattering, and monotonous. But in anime, school uniforms are anything but dull.

A still from the Code Geass anime. | Credit: Sunrise Studio

Mangakas go out of their way to design school uniforms that do not just blend into the background, but rather an expression of a character’s personality, a visual shorthand that tells you who they are without them ever opening their mouths. So, why do anime school uniforms always look better than their real-life counterparts? And how do they contribute to making characters more memorable? Let’s break it down.

The power of silhouette in anime uniform: Exaggerating proportions

Great fashion begins with an eye-catching silhouette, and anime takes this idea to its extremes. Anime school uniforms aren’t just practical to wear,...

In today’s world, Attack on Titan is considered one of the greatest anime and manga series in history, and it is all thanks to its creator, Hajime Isayama. Because of his work on Attack on Titan, Isayama has been deemed one of the best manga creators in the world, competing with the likes of Eiichiro Oda, Masashi Kishimoto, and Tite Kubo.

Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan | Credit: Mappa Studios

Not only that, Isayama’s greatness as a manga creator is also reflected in the fact that even his editors were impressed by his way of creating a story and his brilliance as a mangaka. This was recently revealed when one of the former Attack on Titan Editors, Shintaro Kawakubo shared his experience while working with the Attack on Titan manga creator.

Kawakubo revealed that the industry might not know this but Isayama is the most cost-effective manga creator in history.

Not all anime heroes are created equal. Most of them have inherent powers that they develop over time. But others only gain their magical powers later in their lives. No matter how they receive their abilities, these anime characters had to go through some difficult trials (and traumas in some cases) to finally gain their magical powers.

To borrow a phrase from the Harry Potter franchise, the best anime characters who start out as Muggles but gain magical abilities later are some of the best characters, period. In a lot of cases, they have to work twice as hard to gain their powers, to go through something unspeakable. However, once they are on the other side, they are as powerful (if not more so) than any of the other magic users in their franchise. No matter their origins, these characters have proven themselves excellent magic users.

Lelouch Lamperouge Makes a...

In Japan, the latest shonen manga craze is Galaxias, a "battle fantasy" series about two young people and their struggle to acquire freedom within a perilous society. According to series creator Ao Hatesaka, one of his strongest influences was Attack on Titan, Hajime Isayama's iconic dark fantasy hit.

Galaxias launched in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine in July 2024 -- two years after winning the "Special Selection" category at the 108th Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Awards. The work and its creator have since gained international attention after receiving praise from Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima. With two bestselling volumes of Galaxias now under his belt, Hatesaka is being hailed as a "new generation rookie" with a bright future in the industry. In a recent interview with Da Vinci Magazine, Hatesaka detailed the numerous elements that informed his creative process.

Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan Inspired New Hit Shonen Series 'Galaxias'...

Shintaro Kawakubo, editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Magazine and former editor of Attack On Titan, said that Hajime Isayama is the most cost-effective artist in the industry’s history.

Kawakubo’s remarks came during the Manga Review Contest presents: Four Major Shonen Manga Magazine Editors-in-Chief Talk Session, held in Tokyo on March 15, 2025.

When asked by a young attendee, “Of all the works you’ve been in charge of, which one do you think is the most interesting?”, Kawakubo immediately highlighted Attack On Titan.

He then took the opportunity to talk about Isayama, whom he has known since the manga artist was just 19 years old.

“I met Isayama when he was 19, and as an editor, what I most want to convey to the world is that he is probably the most cost-effective creator in manga history,” Kawakubo said.

He explained that Isayama never resisted or complained about any aspect of Attack On Titan‘s adaptations,...

How else do you start an album than with an Attack on Titan quote? With their opening track “The World is a Cruel Place… And It Is Also Very Beautiful” Europe’s Ankor proves that there is no better way. With brutal breakdowns, intricate storytelling, and catchy choruses, the band’s exciting rise has seen them take the metalcore world by storm, culminating with the release of their Shoganai mini-album in 2024. I got to chat with vocalist Jessie Williams and guitarist David Romeu about how anime permeates into their music, remixing some of their newer songs, creating their own story world, and of course their love of Attack on Titan . Can you tell me a little about your anime journey? How it started and where you are now? Are there genres you gravitate toward? What is your favorite anime series or movie of all time? Jessie : There was a...

Star Wars actor Manny Jacinto's dream role is a character in an incredibly popular manga. Over the past two decades, live-action adaptations of books, graphic novels, and video games have become some of the most popular television shows and movies of the moment. Whether it's the incredibly successful Harry Potter series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, whose comic book origins helped pave the way for countless other cinematic universes, or successful television shows like The Last of Us, adaptations have become a clear source of success for studios. However, adaptations of anime and manga (Japanese comics) have proven more difficult. Now, Jacinto has revealed the adaptation he would most like to make: Attack on Titan.

During an appearance at MegaCon Orlando, Manny Jacinto talked about his career and what roles he would want to tackle in the future. This is when Jacinto brought up Attack on Titan, saying:

"That is...

Global anime sensation Attack on Titan has inspired a new streetwear collection with the Los Angeles-based Hypland. Available both in-store and online, the lineup features jackets, graphic tees and much more.

Via a press release, Hypland announced its latest anime collaboration, this time with the popular Attack on Titan anime series. The 30-piece collection reimagines the show’s iconic outfits, color palettes and beloved characters across all four seasons in a nostalgic blend of anime with contemporary fashion. Fans can already shop the collection at the Hypland LA store on 200 S San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, before the full collection launches online on March 17. Readers can check out the official images below.

Attack on Titan Goes International With New Hypland Anime Clothing Collection

Hypland's diverse range of Attack on Titan apparel includes bold graphic tees to standout pieces like bondage pants inspired by the Omni-Directional Mobility (Odm) gear from the final season,...

Ahead of an April 6 broadcast and subsequent simulcast on Crunchyroll , the official accounts for To Be Hero X today released a "character story video" for sixth-ranked hero Loli. The video previews her episode theme song, "Candy Mountain", which is composed by Shuhei Mutsuki ( Lycoris Recoil ) and performed by Kaon Kokudo. Individual character story videos for each of the core heroes are currently being released daily. To Be Hero X Loli Character Story Video The main cast of To Be Hero X is as follows: Nice voiced by Natsuki Hanae E-Soul voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki Ahu voiced by Koichi Yamadera Lucky Cyan voiced by Inori MInase Loli voiced by Ayane Sakura Little Johnny voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Ghostblade voiced by Yuichi Nakamura Dragon Boy voiced by Koki Uchiyama Queen voiced by Kana Hanazawa X voiced by Mamoru Miyano Related: To Be Hero X Anime Releases Lucky Cyan Character Story Video To Be Hero X...

How did the Odm gear come to be? What was the true origin of the Titan powers? How did the world end up in another war after Eren’s death? Attack on Titan might have concluded in 2023, but the curiosity remains. Hajime Isayama established a simple idea and continued to build the lore upon it.

Mikasa wakes Eren from his dream in Attack on Titan | Credits: Studio Mappa

Up until the final episodes, we still had shocking plot twists coming our way. The mangaka incorporated many different ideas and drew a vivid picture of world history. However, it seems realistically impossible to explore every event and still end up with a narrative as coherent as Attack on Titan.

This makes spin-offs the perfect way out. There are countless possibilities for potential spin-offs that could expand the Aot universe organically. Fans on Reddit shared a long list of ideas that would...

Anime as a medium has gotten the mainstream attention fairly recently. Considering that, it’s a matter of great joy that Attack on Titan is ahead of acclaimed shows like Breaking Bad and Invincible in one aspect. When it comes to the episode ratings, Attack on Titan has more highly rated episodes than both these shows, revealed by a fan who came up with an interesting criteria.

Eren in Attack on Titan anime | Credits: Studio Wit

There are endless reasons that justify this achievement for Hajime Isayama’s beloved series. However, there’s also a possibility that the cumulative and individual ratings would have been much better if the anime community wasn’t so competitive.

Attack on Titan beats Breaking Bad and Invincible in this aspect

Breaking Bad has been the undisputable king of TV shows and no amount of chatter is enough to express how much fans rever this show.

My Neighbor Totoro is one of the most characteristic works of Studio Ghibli. It is a heartwarming movie about two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who become friends with a magical creature. It is one of the most popular works of Hayao Miyazaki, and Totoro is also the mascot for Studio Ghibli.

My Neighbor Totoro is one of the most popular Ghibli films | Credits: Ghibli

For years, fans of Ghibli movies have fawned over Totoro. Almost every Ghibli fan has Totoro merchandise, which just shows how much everyone unanimously loves the mystical animal. But the clever creator of the movie has his own (slightly terrifying) opinion of the fuzzy creature.

Hayao Miyazaki spins a terrifying tale of My Neighbor Totoro Hayao Miyazaki exposes a terrifying possibility in My neighbor Totoro | Credits: Ghibli

Kenji Itoso was appointed under Hayao Miyazaki as an apprentice in 1988. He later contributed to iconic anime like Attack on Titan,...

Ahead of an April 6 broadcast and subsequent simulcast on Crunchyroll , the official accounts for To Be Hero X today released a "character story video" for seventh-ranked hero Lucky Cyan. The video previews her episode theme song, "Take Off" by Mecha Ude: Mechanical Arms composer Daiki (Awsm.), and her popularity as a hero and musician. Individual character story videos for each of the core heroes are currently being released daily. To Be Hero X Lucky Cyan Character Story Video The main cast of To Be Hero X is as follows: Nice voiced by Natsuki Hanae E-Soul voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki Ahu voiced by Koichi Yamadera Lucky Cyan voiced by Inori MInase Loli voiced by Ayane Sakura Little Johnny voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Ghostblade voiced by Yuichi Nakamura Dragon Boy voiced by Koki Uchiyama Queen voiced by Kana Hanazawa X voiced by Mamoru Miyano Related: To Be Hero X Anime Releases Ahu...

There are few anime with more international recognition than Naruto , and its unforgettable score has played a major part in that fame. With music by composer Toshio Masuda and a host of fantastic opening themes, it left you humming its tunes long after Naruto went off to train with Jiraiya. And now, fans of both the show and live symphony can enjoy Naruto ’s music thanks to Naruto: The Symphonic Experience . Currently touring around the United States, it’s being conducted by the talented Emily Marshall. Emily took the time to participate in an interview with Crunchyroll where she told us about how she fell in love with the music of the series, what goes into making a symphonic tour run, and what audiences can expect from such a fan-focused event. Thank you, Emily, for taking part in this interview. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself...

So you awakened as a hunter in the world of Solo Leveling ? If you’re strong enough and wish to make a living off your new-found powers, you need to join a guild. If you’re a B-Rank or above, you’re sure to be scouted by one of the five great guilds in South Korea. Or maybe even the second strongest guild in all of Asia, the Japanese guild Drawn Sword? If you want to find out which guild you truly belong to, you just need to anwer the quiz below! Which Solo Leveling Guild Do You Belong To? Are you satisfied with your result? Did you join a strong guild? Don’t forget to share your result on social media and let us know what is your guild of choice! More Quizzes Which Jujutsu Kaisen Character Are You? Which Chainsaw Man Character Are You? Which Attack on Titan Character Are You?...