Greetings, fellow manga lovers! Today’s topic is dedicated to the storm of feelings that followed Hajime Isayama’s statement about the ending of Attack on Titan. Hang on tight because the ride of your life is about to begin!
Think about having a tremendous ability to alter the course of the characters you created, but at the same time, it is impossible. Well, that’s exactly what Isayama, the author of Attack on Titan, is perhaps struggling with. During a recent interview, he freely stated that he felt he was “too tied down” to change the ending of the series. What a plot turn!
It feels like a gut punch for viewers, who have been invested in the series since the beginning. We have been introduced to Eren, Mikasa and the entire team and followed their struggles and triumphs in their fight against the Titans. And now to find out that the ending could have been different if Isayama was given more freedom to come up with it? It is as if a giant Titan has stepped on our chest.
But let’s look at it from Isayama’s perspective again. It takes a lot of effort and hard work to come up with a story as compelling as that of Attack on Titan. It would have been a great pressure since millions of fans were waiting for each new chapter to be released. And when you are in the middle of the storm, it becomes difficult to look at the horizon beyond which lies dreams and freedoms.
Isayama’s admission highlights an age-old dilemma faced by creators everywhere: the conflict between art and commerce. As much as readers may have wished for a better conclusion, it is impossible to argue that Attack on Titan has not impacted the world of manga. Many years after the series has concluded, people are still discussing it because of Isayama’s storytelling ability.
So, again we discover what a reader can learn from Isayama’s revelation. It may be an indication that everyone should be allowed to be creative in their way. As with any creative work, fans like to come up with potential different endings and scenarios, but one must appreciate the artist’s liberty. After all, it is their world that we are only guests in, albeit temporary guests at that.
With that being said, we should celebrate the journey that has brought fans and creators Isayama included up until this point. From the mythical Paradis island to the cold and snowy Marley district, it has been a thrilling adventure. And who knows? Perhaps, someday, Isayama will return to that heartbreaking conclusion and show us the ending we’ve been dreaming of.
However, for now, let’s toast to the almighty Hajime Isayama, for having the audacity to envision his story and penning us one hell of an epic. Emperors may tumble, but Attack on Titans’ influence will remain with future generations.
Cheers to that!
