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Tag: Attack on Titan

  • The 10 Scariest Monsters In Anime

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    The Xenomorph. The Thing. Donald Trump in Home Alone 2. What do all these movie monsters have in common? None of them are as scary as creepy critters on this list (well, maybe that last one). Anime has come up with some seriously terrifying beasts over the years, containing as many horrific multitudes as an evil twin of Walt Whitman. When it comes to the freakiest of the freaks, this crop of monsters rises to the top. Here are the 10 scariest monsters in all of anime – the sensitive reader may want to avert their innocent eyes.

    Pride from Fullmetal Alchemist
    (Aniplex of America)

    A secret antagonist from Fullmetal Alchemist, Pride is the true form of spoiler alert – Selim Bradley, son of King Bradley: the Führer of Amestris himself. A synthetic shapeshifter made of shadows, Pride was the first homunculus created by overarching antagonist Father. Named after the deadliest sin in Christian theology, Pride lives up to its reputation by being the single most dangerous creature in the series. It’s a being that exists in total darkness, an obscure mass of eyes and limbs and teeth that can tear anything to shreds when the lights go out. Stealthier than the Xenomorph and twice as tough, Pride haunts the tunnels beneath Amestris, killing anything that gets too close to the lair of its creator. Thankfully, the beast has one weakness: light. A flickering match will stave off Pride’s advance – but not for long.

    The Angels – Neon Genesis Evangelion

    Sachiel, an angel from Neon Genesis Evangelion
    (Gainax)

    The eldritch horror alien invaders of Neon Genesis Evangelion, the Angels possess the exact opposite temperaments of their benevolent namesake. Unknowable extraterrestrial terrors, these beings assault planet Earth for purpose that scientists don’t fully comprehend. Their bodily forms are as inscrutable as their motives – no two angels are exactly alike. Some are walking Godzilla beasts blasting cityscapes with biological lasers, others are higher dimensional horrors that break the laws of physics. Worst of all, each Angel generates a psychic barrier appropriately called an “Absolute Terror Field” that’s capable of deflecting all forms of conventional ballistic weaponry. The only way to stop an Angel is by beating it at its own game – meaning you have to stick a middle schooler in a giant biomechanical suit made of repurposed Angel flesh and sic them on the alien enemy. The tactic works, but is it worth the cost? Shinji Ikari’s mental breakdown doesn’t exactly make a compelling case.

    Titans – Attack On Titan

    Reiner in Marley looking at Erem
    (MAPPA)

    Attack On Titan engineered pure nightmare fuel by wandering through tried and true horror territory: the uncanny valley. Naked flesh-eating giants with sporting a parodies of human faces, Titans are lumbering horrors that belong on the other side of a big old wall. Thankfully, that’s the tactic humanity uses to contain them, but when intelligent Titans emerged and kicked that wall down, humanity was forced to change their strategy. While the idea of intelligent humans piloting Titans is terrifying enough, the WORST type of Titans are the abnormals – killers that behave with an inexplicable level of cunning. Their intelligent behavior isn’t the result of an internal human pilot – so why are they smart? They’re simply aberrants, random mutations of whatever cursed genome makes a regular Titan. Unpredictable. Unexplainable. Uncanny.

    Awakened Beings – Claymore

    (Crunchyroll)

    Underrated monsters from the underrated dark fantasy series Claymore, Awakened Beings rival Berserk‘s demons in terms of pure, unnatural terror. In this dar fantasy world, humankind is plagued with the scourge of the Yoma, shapeshifting flesh eaters that gorge on human flesh. Claymores are all-female warriors made to combat Yoma, augmented with Yoma flesh by the shadowy Organization that engineers them. If a Claymore leans to much on their Yoma powers, they run the risk of become an Awakened Being – an evolved form of Yoma with near divine abilities and infernal appetites. They’re also called “Voracious Eaters,” providing a clue into how they spend 99% of their time. Intelligent, cunning, ruthless, Awakened Beings are a mix of angel, demon and animal – eerily beautiful, totally evil, always hungry.

    Parasites – Parasyte: The Maxim

    a parasite from "Parasyte"
    (Sentai Filmworks)

    Parasites from Parasyte: The Maxim are just plain awful – monsters from the ninth circle of sci-fi Hell. They’re an alien species that begins its life cycle as a nasty little worms, landing en masse on a planet and burrowing into the brains of intelligent life. After they consume the host’s mind, they then devour the host’s entire head – shapeshifting to disguise themselves with their host’s face. Using this human camouflage, they cozy up to their host’s intimate partners and friends – devouring them with fleshy maws of blades and teeth once they get close enough. It’s Invasion of The Body Snatchers but so much worse. The weirdest part? Some parasites are known to develop human emotions, expressing gratitude and even affection to human beings. These are the exception to the brain-eating rule, however. Most parasites don’t feel the need to get to know their food.

    Goblins – Goblin Slayer

    Goblins from "Goblin Slayer"
    (Crunchyroll)

    Who would have guessed that such a traditionally “starter level” enemy would become one of the most reviled creatures in all of anime? The goblins of Goblin Slayer are a different breed, violent killers with surprising levels of cunning and strength. Capable of growing to ogre sizes and intelligent enough to command armies, goblins are so traumatizingly good at murder that the series’ protagonist engineered his whole identity around eradicating them. The worst part of goblins aren’t their homicidal tendencies, but reproductive ones. They create more of themselves by capturing women of all different species and forcing themselves on them – breeding goblin offspring. There is nothing good about goblins, they’re cruel and brutal creatures working towards the total eradication of mankind. No thanks.

    The Walking Fish – Gyo

    A walking fish from "Gyo"
    (Aniplex of America)

    The antagonistic force of Junji Ito’s Gyo, the walking fish are a nameless assortment of sea creatures that have inexplicably grown gross robot spider legs. These critters are able to saunter out of the ocean en masse and lay waste to the human world, spreading their noxious presence far and wide. The horror of these beings is the fact that they aren’t fish at all – they’re machines piloting the corpses of Dead Sea creatures, and the use the gasses generated biological decay to power themselves. Eventually, these evil walking machines are able to attach themselves to human corpses, powering themselves through the rot of our species. What do they want? It’s never made clear – they’re like a virus, they seem to only want to make more of themselves. Considering that the lifeforms in the ocean outnumber us a bajillion to one, it’s only a matter of time before the human race is entirely overwhelmed by the sea.

    The God Hand – Berserk

    The God Hand  from "Berserk"
    (OLM Team Iguchi)

    The crapsack world of Berserk is the definition of “godless” – plagued by wanton violence and murder as rival kingdoms attempt to assert their dominance through never-ending war. And yet, gods do exist in this bloody and bitter land – and that’s the most horrible part. The psychic manifestation of collective human suffering, The God Hand is a nigh-omnipotent group of five demon princes that orchestrate the fate of the world. Ordained by the mysterious Law of Causality, these infernal sovereigns command the forces of demonkind, and are responsible for handing out “behelits” – abyssal artifacts capable of transforming humans into demons. They’re not evil for evil’s sake, they’re simply operating according to the greater divine will of the universe – a will that leads everything to death and ruin. Not good.

    Koh The Face Stealer – Avatar: The Last Airbender

    Koh The Face Stealer from "Avatar the Last Airbender"
    (Nickelodeon)

    Koh The Face Stealer is the most criminally underrated monster in all of anime – a primordial terror whose capacity for evil is only limited by the fact that he exists within a cartoon marketed to kids. An unfathomably ancient spirit, this centipede monster has spent eons pilfering the faces of living things – adding them to his never-ending collection. If you seek an audience with Koh, you can’t show the slightest expression – otherwise he’ll yank your mug off your dome! The most terrifying aspect of Koh is that he doesn’t seem to have a reason for face-theft, it’s simply his nature. He’s the ultimate example of Neutral Evil – he doesn’t actively seek out people to hurt, but he’ll hurt you for certain if you visit.

    Johan Liebert

    Johan Liebert in 'Monster'
    (Madhouse)

    The titular monster of Monster, Johan Liebert doesn’t need fangs, claws, or a carnivorous appetite to earn a slot on this list – his actions guarantee it. An angel-faced agent of destruction, Liebert uses his supernatural levels of charisma and cunning to orchestrate “the perfect suicide” – killing himself after killing everyone who knows about his existence. The ultimate nihilist, Liebert views human life as an unimportant speck of consciousness floating in an uncaring cosmos. The ultimate cynic, Liebert thinks that any human being can be manipulated into performing evil acts faced with the right amount of despair. The ultimate monster, Liebert manipulates and kills simply because it is his nature to do so. He’s the pinnacle of anime evil, and the scariest thing on this list.

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    Image of Sarah Fimm

    Sarah Fimm

    Sarah Fimm (they/them) is actually nine choirs of biblically accurate angels crammed into one pair of $10 overalls. They have been writing articles for nerds on the internet for less than a year now. They really like anime. Like… REALLY like it. Like you know those annoying little kids that will only eat hotdogs and chicken fingers? They’re like that… but with anime. It’s starting to get sad.

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    Sarah Fimm

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  • All Attack on Titan Openings, Ranked From Worst to Best

    All Attack on Titan Openings, Ranked From Worst to Best

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    Now that both the Attack on Titan anime and manga series have concluded, it’s finally time to look back at all off the iconic anime openings and determine the best of the bunch. Here are all of the Attack on Titan openings, ranked from worst to best.

    8. My War by Shinsei Kamattechan (Final Season)

    I want to make it absolutely clear that this is not a bad opening by any stretch of the imagination; it’s just so completely different to what fans have become accustomed to with Attack on Titan that opening the final season with this felt like it came out of left field. My War takes a completely different musical direction from the other hyped up openings of the season, and more importantly, we barely see any Titans, which can feel a bit jarring for a show that’s all about the horror of the Titans.

    That said, it’s a necessary opening for the show, especially because the first half focuses so heavily on Marley and the Warriors. The opening gives us a good sense of what the vibe is like in Marley, and also sets the tone for what would be an incredibly harrowing season.

    7. Jiyuu no Tsubasa by Linked Horizon (Season 1)

    Attack on Titan started off so strong with Linked Horizon’s Guren no Yumiya, such that when we got into the second half of season 1, Jiyuu no Tsubasa just felt like a watered down version of that song. Again, this isn’t a bad opening by any means, it just feels a lot messier than the former, and I can’t help but wish we’d just stuck with Guren no Yumiya for the entirety of season 1.

    That said, there are plenty of cool scenes to be found in here, especially the ominous shot of the Female Titan herself, who proves to be the perfect antagonist to cap off Attack on Titan’s debut season.

    6. Under the Tree by SiM (Final Season)

    Attack on Titan’s final season ramped things up with its latter two opening songs. The final opening song of the show, titled Under the Tree, is an intense and emotional culmination of everything that’s happened up to this point. It starts off with scenes in both Paradis and Marley, showcasing the wrath of the Titans, followed by the Rumbling itself while intercut with shots of Eren as a young, innocent boy.

    While I’m not a fan of the song itself personally, there’s no denying that this song is the perfect encapsulation of Eren himself. There are also shades of Mikasa in here, which is fitting, given the important role she plays right at the end of the story.

    5. The Rumbling by SiM (Final Season)

    If you hated My War, The Rumbling must’ve felt like a return to form as far as Attack on Titan openings are concerned. It’s not as hyped up as Linked Horizon’s works, but it’s not supposed to be. This is a terrifying, intense, heavy metal screamo song that’s meant to show Eren’s transformation from a young boy to a seemingly emotionless man who just wants to flatten the Earth.

    We get shots of Eren’s growth yet again, interspersed with scenes of the Scouts fighting to reach out to him and make him see reason. It’s also the first opening that really showed us what Eren is capable of once he starts the titular Rumbling, and it’s genuinely scary.

    4. Shinzou wo Sasageyo! by Linked Horizon (Season 2)

    One of the most iconic songs from Attack on Titan, inspired by a line from Erwin himself, it’s impossible to listen to Shinzou wo Sasageyo! and not feel psyched up as hell. Season 2 might’ve felt like a disappointment for some, given how long it took to finally release and its shorter length, but it’s an important season nonetheless.

    This is the first watershed event for the show, where we finally get answers to some big questions, as well as plenty of focus on the Scouts themselves. The opening starts off with beautiful shots of all the Scouts getting dressed and ready to venture out, and you get a real sense of unity among these characters, which is ironic when you know what’s coming next.

    3. Shoukei to Shikabane no Michi by Linked Horizon (Season 3)

    Attack on Titan’s third season ends with an explosive showdown at Shiganshina, where it all began. So what better way than to kick things off with another Linked Horizon song? Especially one that features motifs from iconic songs like Guren no Yumiya and Shinzou wo Sasageyo!.

    The entire half of this season is dedicated to the fight between the Scouts and the Beast Titan, Betholdt, and Reiner, and the stakes have never been higher. Winning this battle means finally uncovering the truth behind the Titans and what lies beyond the walls, and the opening is able to capture that feeling perfectly. There are fast cuts between the fights, the sand, and the sea, but it ends with an ominous shot of the stairs leading down to the Jaegers’ basement, where our protagonists will finally learn everything Grisha has been hiding.

    2. Red Swan by YOSHIKI feat. HYDE (Season 3)

    Yet another opening that gets quite a bit of flack, Red Swan is an excellent song and a huge departure from what you’d normally expect from Attack on Titan. If I had my way, this would be at the top of the ranking, but I’ll settle for second place.

    Season 3 marks the biggest twist and turning point for the series, and it’s only appropriate that we get an opening that feels introspective and reflective on everything that’s happened so far. This opening focuses on the childhood innocence of Eren, Armin, and Mikasa, contrasted with Eren’s growing stoicness and determination to find out what’s behind the walls. It marks the loss of innocence as we pave the way for a much darker story.

    1. Guren no Yumiya by Linked Horizon (Season 1)

    You all knew this was coming, and here it is. This is the song and the opening that really put Attack on Titan on the map, and for good reason.

    Guren no Yumiya is by far the most popular song in Attack on Titan, and even if you’ve never watched the series or know the first thing about it, once Guren no Yumiya plays, you’ll just know what anime it’s from. Apart from being one of the most legendary hype songs in anime history, it’s also an excellent opening that sets the stage for what’s to come. Titans! Scouts! Walls! People fighting! People dying! We have everything we could possibly want out of the show condensed into this sub-two-minute clip of non-stop action.

    Guren no Yumiya is practically synonymous with Attack on Titan. There is no Attack on Titan without Guren no Yumiya. And while the show does eventually outgrow the tone of Linked Horizon’s energetic, upbeat tunes, we always come back to Shiganshina.

    And that’s our ranking of all the Attack on Titan openings from worst to best. Disagree with our picks? Let us know in the comments down below!

    About the author

    Zhiqing Wan

    Zhiqing is the Reviews Editor for Twinfinite, and a History graduate from Singapore. She’s been in the games media industry for nine years, trawling through showfloors, conferences, and spending a ridiculous amount of time making in-depth spreadsheets for min-max-y RPGs. When she’s not singing the praises of Amazon’s Kindle as the greatest technological invention of the past two decades, you can probably find her in a FromSoft rabbit hole.

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    Zhiqing Wan

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  • 10 Best Character Glow-Ups in Attack on Titan

    10 Best Character Glow-Ups in Attack on Titan

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    The story of Attack on Titan takes place over several years, so it’s only natural that the cast of characters has gone through much development and many changes, both on a level of personal growth, and physical appearance.

    We’ve rounded up ten characters who have had the most significant glow-ups in the Attack on Titan series, so follow along below to appreciate how much they’ve all changed.

    Armin Arlert

    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    C’mon, there’s no way we could write a list such as this and not include Armin — I mean, this dude had one of the best glow-ups of them all, thanks to that time skip. Gone is his long mop-like haircut and timid nature, as Armin now sports not just smarts, but more confidence and bravery than ever before. Oh, and he’s rocking a much shorter, undercut hairstyle, which has completely changed his appearance and made him look much more mature.

    And while Armin, unlike many of his comrades, has only grown ever so slightly from 5’4″ to 5’5″, he also became the Colossal Titan shifter. Technically, this means it could be argued that he’s truly the tallest of them all. They grow up so fast

    Sasha Braus

    Sasha from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Oh Sasha, our beloved potato girl. While she tragically didn’t get to live as long as her friends due to her passing, she certainly came a long way and went through many changes, both physical and in terms of her growth and confidence. Sasha’s long ponytail and messy bangs have been switched up for a slightly neater look, her hair cut to a shorter length. In addition to this, Sasha’s bangs are gone with strands framing either side of her face.

    Sasha has grown immensely in confidence at this point too, and how could she not? She was one of very few characters who ever went up against a Titan with no ODM gear or blades, and lived to tell the tale. However, deep down, Sasha remained the same lovable food-loving gremlin, just with a much more mature persona and a new ‘fit thanks to the update of the Scouts uniform.

    Hange Zoe

    Hange from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    I will forever love Hange and their development over the series. Upon first meeting them, they were a very eccentric, loud, and passionate individual who came off as a little crazy due to their fascination with Titans. Upon their first appearance, Hange wore their hair in a high ponytail and had goggle-shaped glasses that they wore on their forehead or over their eyes when in the field.

    Following the time skip, Hange’s energetic, loud personality has been dulled down due to both maturing and suffering much loss. Hange is now much more responsible, taking on the role of Commander following Erwin’s death. However, this never stops them from losing the parts of themself that made them stand out as quirky, odd, and entirely wonderful, which is seen right up until their very last moments.

    Appearance-wise, Hange’s high ponytail has been replaced with a slightly different half-ponytail, the bottom half of their locks hanging loose behind their head, which they rock with perfection. I mean, this soldier lost an eye and is still pulling off their brand-new look, eyepatch and all.

    Jean Kirstein

    Jean from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Another very notable glow-up in the Attack on Titan series is none other than Jean Kirstein. Seriously, with this guy, it’s hard to determine which had more change — his personality and views of the world, or his appearance. From being the only one in the Training Corps who gloated about wanting to land a spot on the Military Police for his own safety, to switching his allegiance and teaming up on the side of once-sworn enemies in the name of loyalty and friendship, Jean has come quite a long way.

    Most notably, his messy, undercut hairstyle has grown out, with longer strands pushed away from his face and tucked behind his ears, with the back of his hair now sitting at the bottom of his neck. In addition to growing out his hair, Jean also has some light facial hair to show how much he’s grown and matured during the time skip. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Jean also experiences a growth spurt from his previous height of 5’7″ to 6’2″, which lands him as one of the tallest characters in the series.

    Hitch Dreyse

    Historia from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    When the topic of Attack on Titan glow-ups comes up, there’s one character who I think takes the title of ultimate glow-up, and that’s none other than Hitch Dreyse. Hitch is a side character who doesn’t get all that much attention or screen time, which is why her glow-up following the time skip was such a surprise to many.

    Hitch was once easily identified by her unkempt locks of hair. However, it seems that at some point during the time skip, Hitch grew into the habit of brushing through her bedhead. Her messy bangs are gone, and instead, her hair falls just above shoulder-length in a clean and tidy cut, which completely changes the look of Hitch’s face, drawing attention to her slightly thickened eyebrows and big, green eyes. This makes her look almost like a completely different character entirely, which is quite a significant change.

    Floch Forster

    Floch from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Floch has always had one of the strangest hairstyles in the Attack on Titan universe, especially in the anime adaptation. I mean, seriously, it looks like there’s a hedgehog just setting up camp on his head! Thankfully, the time skip does Floch justice in regards to his appearance, replacing this odd style with a much simpler, smoother look with his bangs smoothed over his forehead.

    But, it’s not just Floch’s hair that received a significant change, as his characteristics also changed rather drastically. Previously, Floch had been seen breaking down and cowering in fear as the Scouts charged on to their slaughter. However, as one of the survivors, he now lives on in full bravery and confidence, confronting his opponents head-on in the name of those who were lost, such as Erwin and Marlowe. It’s this very approach that makes Floch such a fierce opponent and fighter for the Yeagerists, which highlights how much he’s changed during the time skip.

    Eren Jaeger

    Eren from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Look, look, I get it. He’s the main character, of course, and he was going to have a glow-up moment. To be fair, Eren isn’t as much of a significant contender as others, but still…that damn hair bun earns him a spot on this list, without a doubt. Eren’s hair has been grown out a bit, often worn and pulled back into a half-tied loose bun with the latter half of his hair falling down his neck, and loose strands falling onto his forehead. This is single-handedly the best decision our boi here made in the entire last arks of the story (fight me), so at least we have something not horrible to remember him by…right?

    Eren’s big, green eyes have shrunken in size on his face, which takes away from his somewhat naive and innocent approach to wanting to kill all titans, and instead brings a presence of dread, ambition, and seriousness to his facial expressions, which creates quite a harsh appearance. This is quite a small, but interesting detail, considering young Eren wanted to slaughter Titans and older Eren used Titans to slaughter many innocents…oh how the tables turned. And look at him, standing there in that black jacket — playing Grim Reaper, Mr. Yeager?

    Historia Reiss

    Historia from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Historia has quite the journey in Attack on Titan, first seen under the alias of Krista Lenz — a quiet, timid, but kind girl with long blonde hair and big, blue eyes. However, Historia later grows in confidence, taking her real name back, living for herself, and standing up to her father, just as Ymir would have wanted.

    This is a huge milestone for Historia in itself, proving that she had some serious positive changes in character. Oh, and then she ended up pregnant, even if it was not her first choice and in very dire circumstances. And they do say pregnant women look as if they are glowing, so perhaps that contributes to Historia’s glow-up.

    Reiner Braun

    Reiner from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Reiner Braun is another character who received quite a significant glow-up following the time skip. Back in earlier seasons, this sturdy 6’1″ dude was recognized for his short-cut blonde hair and squinty yellow eyes. However, following the time skip, Reiner’s facial features have changed quite a bit.

    His eyebrows are no longer so thin and pointed, and his eyes appear much bigger on his face, which helps to portray more emotion — and boy does this guy have them. Aside from this, Reiner’s hair has grown out quite a bit, and he’s received the addition of some facial hair in the form of a brand-new beard. Reiner truly came back with not only a badass new persona but certainly also a badass new look to match.

    Connie Springer

    Connie from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Aw, Connie Springer…another lovable dork who had as much development as his bestie, Sasha Braus. Connie here was once the shortest male cadet of them all, sporting a buzzcut, paper-thin eyebrows, and big eyes, full of expression. Oh, and he used to get his salute backward, as some of us will fondly remember.

    Following the time skip, Connie’s hair has grown out slightly, his eyebrows have thickened ever so slightly, and his eyes, while still big and full of expression, are much more proportionate to the rest of his face. Most significantly, however, Connie finally grew! This Scout over here grew from 5’1″ to 5’9″, having perhaps gained the most height out of anyone. Finally, Connie is no longer the shortest guy on the squad!

    About the author

    Grace Black

    Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.

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    Grace Black

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  • The Best Anime Series of 2023 Were Tough To Decide!

    The Best Anime Series of 2023 Were Tough To Decide!

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    2023 flew by—hardships and all. It was only by its end, observing the releases of the year, when I realized how many absolutely incredible anime series had come along.

    These series compassionately explored trauma, reinvestigated the stereotypical endings of the “girl meets boy” genre, delicately wondered what the meaning of life is once you stop defining yourself by your work, and heralded a new era of hope by referencing Tex Avery. The fact that series like Oshi no Ko, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Trigun Stampede—with huge fan followings—were relegated in my mind to “honorable mentions” only goes to show how strong the year was as a whole.

    10. The Apothecary Diaries

    Banner image for The Apothecary Diaries
    (Toho Animation Studio)

    There are numerous ways in which The Apothecary Diaries stands out. Primary among them is Maomao, the titular apothecary and an incredible protagonist. She’s clever and particular, but struggles with the conundrum of following her conscience and keeping her head down—making her quite easy to empathize with. The series also takes place in an unusual setting for anime: 15th century China. Add to this gorgeous animation and a slew of engaging mysteries, and you have one hell of a series.

    9. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc

    Mitsuri with her whip sword in 'Demon Slayer'
    (Ufotable)

    Despite being one of the most hyped anime series of the past several years, 2023 is the year that Demon Slayer really and truly clicked for me. A huge part of that shift lies on the shoulders of Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, who was an absolute joy to behold and whose backstory about what the pressures of what a woman “should” be like tugged at my heartstrings.

    But furthermore, the removed nature of the Swordsmith Village arc allowed Tanjiro and Nezuko space to fully grow, with a conclusion that made me way more emotional than I would’ve anticipated.

    8. Attack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters

    Levi Ackermann looking even more badass than he already did in Attack on Titan Final Season Part 3
    (MAPPA)

    One of the most important—and most controversial—anime series of the last decade has come to a close. The first of the two movie-length episodes of Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters delivered one of the most epic, moving character deaths of the year. The second learned from the missteps of the manga, delivering an impactful ending worthy of these characters that so many of us have spent a very tumultuous decade with.

    7. My Hero Academia

    Ochako Uraraka about to make the speech of a lifetime in My Hero Academia
    (Bones)

    The second cour of My Hero Academia’s sixth season, which aired during the first quarter of the year, is the best the long-running, beloved shounen has ever been. The series began finally digging into the tougher, darker themes that have been running underneath it for years, with incredible results. There were three major tear-jerker episodes in a row, culminating with a profound, compassionate, and resonant speech that, to get personal for a second, fundamentally changed how I think about my goals in writing for the media. It is arguably the best anime moment of the year.

    6. Buddy Daddies

    Kazuki, Miri, and Rei in Buddy Daddies
    (P.A. Works)

    Buddy Daddies was one of the biggest surprises of the winter season, but perhaps even more surprising is its staying power, even as 2023 has offered several incredible series. Hell, I saw a ferris wheel last week and still got a little misty-eyed. Buddy Daddies is beautifully emotionally vulnerable, exploring the idea of intergenerational trauma—and what it takes to heal from it—with heartbreaking sincerity.

    Buddy Daddies got tagged as “gay Spy x Family,” but unlike Loid Forger, both of the assassins/fathers are obviously flawed people who are simply trying their best—which is precisely why the series is so warm and heartfelt.

    5. One Piece

    Screenshot from One Piece 1071 of Luffy in Gear 5
    (Toei Animation)

    2023 was truly the year of One Piece—and I’m not even talking about the live-action adaptation. After more than four years, the anime has officially wrapped up the Wano arc. In the process, it continued to deliver some of the most stunning and unique fight sequences of the year, with climaxes so triumphant that even I, a manga reader who knew what would happen, teared up a few times.

    Long story short, 2023 was the year One Piece finally got to animate Gear 5, which delivered a climax 25 years in the making in the most genre-bending, delightful, and goofy way possible.

    4. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

    Promotional art for Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
    (BUG FILMS)

    As 2023 trudged on, I noticed something becoming alarmingly, widely present among my peers and within myself: burnout. And so if I could pick one series to describe 2023, it might (unfortunately) be Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, whose absolutely brilliant first episode is one of the most accurate, affecting depictions of workplace toxicity and burnout I’ve ever seen.

    There’s a reason the show nails the tone so thoroughly: The studio Akira works for, ZLM, is clearly a jab at OLM, the studio that makes Pokémon. (Zom 100′s studio, refreshingly, also practices what it preaches, opting for delayed episode releases over grinding its animators into he ground.)

    Coming from an existentially dark place so many people understand, Zom 100 turns the zombie apocalypse into something funny and joyful—but resonant all the time.

    3. Pluto

    Atom (Astro Boy) flying through the air using the rockets on his feet in 'Pluto'.
    (Netflix)

    If Buddy Daddies will make you cry at the sight of a ferris wheel, after one episode, Pluto risks reducing you to a puddle at the mere sight of a piano.

    Pluto—which is a darker retelling of an arc from Osamu Tezuki’s foundational classic Astro Boy (a.k.a. Tetsuwan Atom)—found itself premiering in a timely fashion, in the midst of a lot of real-world anxiety about the ways in which AI will reduce the job market. It grapples with the hardship of AI taking over, say, creative work, while also effortlessly wooing the audience to have their hearts break over a robot in a maid outfit within less than 30 minutes of its runtime. Pluto is profound and beautifully animated—and one hell of a good mystery show, too.

    2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

    Frieren and her friends drinking and laughing in a tavern in "Frieren Beyond Journey's End"
    (Madhouse)

    For a series that deeply embeds itself within the well-worn grooves of high fantasy, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has an incredibly unusual and fascinating premise. Its first episode drops you off at the very end of a Baldur’s Gate 3-level epic D&D campaign. The series then becomes about what it means that the elf mage, Frieren, inevitably outlives the rest of the party. While there’s certainly action, Frieren thrives when it’s at its most meditative. It’s a stunningly gorgeous, deliberate, and even-keeled look at what it means to really live—and, therefore, to die.

    1. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

    Cast of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
    (Netflix)

    In Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the always-brilliant Science Saru took the most epic reunion of the last decade and delivered something suspiciously close to perfect. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off learns from and ingeniously addresses the issues that arose from the original Scott Pilgrim series and film, creating something in conversation with itself in the most hilarious, thoughtful ways possible.

    It delivers a message that very few pieces of media dare to explore, and even fewer land: There’s no such thing as a fairytale “happily ever after,” because life is more complicated than that—but the absence of that fairytale ending doesn’t mean despair or failure, either. People are messy, and it’s okay if our joys, our loves, our ups and downs are a little messy, too.

    (featured image: Science Saru)

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    Kirsten Carey

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  • 10 Anime Gift Ideas for the Otaku in Your Life

    10 Anime Gift Ideas for the Otaku in Your Life

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    The anime universe can be a lot to handle when first diving in, especially if you are in the market to buy a present for that special someone. We’re here to help you narrow down the search by providing you with some anime gift ideas for the holiday season.

    Lenticular Artwork by Dominic Glover

    Image Source: Dominic Glover

    Dominic Glover has some of the most unique anime artwork, as its design changes based on the angle you are looking at. While one side showcases a focused Naruto, the other exhibits him in action during an all-out battle. It’s almost as if it’s a moving picture without the need for any electronics, creating an illusion with its different perspectives.

    Glover’s collection harnesses a plethora of anime to choose from, from Demon Slayer to Dragon Ball Super to One Piece. However, you may want to get your hands on it fast since their products are typically sold out with their constant high demand.

    An Ode to Attack on Titan Final Season

    Attack on Titan gifts
    Image Source: Etsy & Hot Topic

    If your special someone considers themself to be a member of the Scout Regiment, then you should definitely get them a gift to commemorate AOT’s finale. First up, we have the “I Survived All Parts of AOT: The Final Season” sticker, which can act as a badge of honor for dedicated fans.

    You can also go for the classic Scout Regiment jackets that every Attack on Titan has wished for at some point in their life. To keep things simple, you can acquire a hoodie or shirt version at Hot Topic. Or, purchasers can go for a more cozy approach with its cloak blanket variation.

    Jujutsu Kaisen Manga Woven Blankets

    Jujutsy Kaisen gift idea
    Image Source: Etsy

    Another big anime that continues to dominate viewership is the action-packed Jujutsu Kaisen. That said, you can’t go wrong with ALLEVRO’s hand-woven manga blankets that show off the elite Satoru Gojo. The artist’s creation is perfect for those who enjoy manga and anime, reimagining these covers in an entirely new way.

    ALLEVRO’s products come in many different shapes and sizes, as well as alternative design choices based on the Jujutsu Kaisen series. But if your Otaku prefers another anime, you can browse through the artist’s collection to discover other remarkable finds, including My Hero Academia, Hunter x Hunter, and Chainsaw Man.

    Anime Funko Pops

    Anime and Manga Pop Figure Collection
    Image Source: Funko

    Funko’s Anime and Manga collection features many famous characters, including Dragon Ball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. Figures generally cost around 12 to 15 dollars, so you don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money, as you may have seen with other high-priced items.

    If you aren’t sure which Funko to decide on, you can filter in some content by checking out the best-selling or most exclusive products. Purchasers can also take it a step further with scenic pops that typically capture an iconic moment from the show. For instance, the Pop! Moment Eren & Zeke Jaeger takes you back to the infamous conversation shown in AOT.

    Studio Ghibli Steelbooks

    Studio Ghibli Steelbooks
    Image Source: Crunchyroll

    When in doubt about anime gift ideas, you can always rely on the Studio Ghibli collection for presents. Any anime fan will undoubtedly have at least one favorite film, and you can use it to your advantage by getting them the Steelbook version. It’s the perfect collector’s item that commemorates the breathtaking art style of Hayao Miyazaki.

    The Crunchyroll shop features Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and many more. On top of that, Miyazaki has recently launched the film The Boy and the Heron, so you may want to gift them movie tickets to give them some new content.

    Demon Slayer Kimonos

    Tanjiro Kamado Kimono
    Image Source: Anime Kimono

    Another popular anime of 2023 is none other than Demon Slayer, with the most recent Swordsmith Village arc. There’s a lot of excellent anime gift ideas for this beloved series, but the one that takes the cake is the kimono collection. You can start with the main protagonist’s iconic clothing, exhibiting the classic green and black checkered design.

    It doesn’t even have to stop at Tanjiro’s get-up with the numerous variations from other lovable characters. In particular, you can purchase outfits based on Giyu Tomioka, Shinobu Kocho, and Nezuko. You can also explore Anime Kimono’s personal designs that add a unique twist to the series’ fashion.

    One Piece Wanted Posters

    Wanted Posters for One Piece anime and live-action
    Image Source: Etsy & One Piece Store

    One Piece has taken the world by storm (again) with Netflix’s live adaptation and the exciting new content from the animated series. If there’s one thing that any OP fan wants, it’s definitely the show’s wanted posters. Your best bet would probably be Monkey D. Luffy’s famous smiley-faced bounty or any of the other Straw Hat members like Roronoa Zoro.

    But if your Otaku has been explicitly obsessed with the One Piece live-action, then head over to Etsy to claim some wanted posters there. PotterTatts’ selection showcases Monkey D. Luffy, Gold D. Roger, Buggy, and Arlong, along with various sizes (and a digital download.)

    Manga Sets

    Dragon Ball Z Complete Manga Set
    Image Source: Amazon

    Complete manga sets are another excellent anime gift idea that continues on the adventures in written and hand-drawn form. In general, it can be difficult to obtain each book individually, so having the set can help them experience the narrative as a whole.

    One of my favorites has to be the Dragon Ball Z collection (or the Dragon Ball series, if I’m being more specific) due to its connected illustrations on its spines. Alternatively, you can go for an ongoing anime like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen to give them some insight into what’s to come. You can also purchase them an entirely new manga set that hasn’t yet debuted as an anime if you want something more unique.

    SeerLight’s Anime Artwork

    SeerLight's Anime art
    Image Source: Seerlight

    As an anime lover myself, I’ve always marveled at Seerlight’s artwork through their usage of vibrant colors and subtle placement of anime characters. Even those who haven’t watched any anime will be in awe of its design, whether it be through the artist’s print or phone case collection.

    The artwork above shows the Cowboy Bebop-inspired High-Rise, the Hunter’s Inn, and the Meteor Shower depicted in Your Name. Even more so, Seerlight has unleashed a live wallpaper series on their Patreon, which brings your phone’s photographs to life with various anime.

    Personalized Anime Portraits

    Custom anime prints
    Image Source: Etsy

    For a more personal touch, you can get your friend or family member a customized anime portrait from Etsy. The highly recommended BlueMintAnime can use your suggestions to create your very own artwork, with a maximum of six characters (pets can be included, too.) The artist can work with almost any anime, regardless of its popularity, and an added bonus of a background.

    Purchasers can explore the Etsy page to find even more depictions, like DoyourToon’s Haikyuu-inspired artwork. On a more bizarre note, you can turn your Otaku into a Titan using JasuDigitalArts’ many templates.

    About the author

    Kristina Ebanez

    Kristina is a Staff Writer and has been with Twinfinite for more than a year. She typically covers Minecraft, The Sims 4, Disney Dreamlight Valley, anime, Call of Duty, and newly released games. She loves the Metal Gear Solid series (Snake Eater especially), Rockstar’s Bully, the Horizon franchise, What Remains of Edith Finch, and many more. Her dog is also an avid video game watcher, primarily when there’s a horse or a cat. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and grew up gaming on the islands.

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    Kristina Ebanez

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  • Attack on Titan: How Are Levi and Mikasa Related?

    Attack on Titan: How Are Levi and Mikasa Related?

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    Attack on Titan stands as a captivating anime and manga series since long. Renowned for its gripping narrative, unforeseen twists, and complex character relationships, the series has a lot to offer. Set within a dystopian world filled by towering humanoid creatures known as Titans, this series takes viewers on a ride. The story follows humanity’s struggle for survival within enormous walled cities.

    Mikasa Ackerman and Captain Levi Ackerman emerge as two major figures in the Attack on Titan universe. Mikasa, initially introduced as Eren Yeager’s adoptive sister, shows exceptional combat skills, steady loyalty, and a sound connection to Eren. Captain Levi, famous for his mastery in combat and leadership, has an interesting arc. He holds a stoic demeanor and an unyielding dedication to protecting humanity.

    The possibility of a familial link between Mikasa and Levi stems from various key moments and revelations within the series. Let’s dive a little deeper into the connection between Levi and Mikasa.

    Speculations about the connection between Mikasa and Levi arise due to several key facts and shared attributes. Mikasa and Levi both bear the surname “Ackerman,” a significant detail in a world where surnames often depict family ties. Beyond their name, they share remarkable combat prowess, reserved personalities, and loyalty to their leaders—Mikasa to Eren and Levi to Erwin.

    The introduction of Kenny Ackerman, known as Kenny The Ripper, sheds light on a potential familial link between Mikasa and Levi. Kenny’s association with both characters hints at a deeper connection, supported by Mikasa’s acknowledgment of the Ackermans’ historical persecution.

    Mikasa and Levi showcase similar bursts of exceptional power, a trait linked to their shared lineage with Kenny. Levi’s inquiry about Mikasa’s sudden surges of strength aligns with experiences shared by him and Kenny, suggesting an underlying familial bond rooted in extraordinary abilities.

    While not officially confirmed, the intricacies of Mikasa and Levi’s relationship in Attack on Titan point toward a complex family connection. Their shared surname, abilities, and ties to Kenny Ackerman allude to a lineage connecting them, adding depth and intrigue to their characters within the series.

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    Gaurav Mukherjee

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  • The ‘Attack on Titan’ Anime Is Officially Over, so Now Is the Perfect Time To Binge Watch the Series

    The ‘Attack on Titan’ Anime Is Officially Over, so Now Is the Perfect Time To Binge Watch the Series

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    After ten years, the anime adaptation of Attack on Titan has finally come to an end—a couple of years after its original material, which concluded back in 2021 when mangaka Hajime Isayama published the last chapter of the manga of the same name.

    During both its manga and its anime run, Attack on Titan—also known by its original Japanese title, Shingeki no Kyojin, which translates more literally to “Attack Titan,” a difference that is pretty relevant for those who know how the story progresses—has undoubtedly been one of the most successful stories of its genre. I, for one, know that it deserves my eternal gratitude simply for introducing me to Captain Levi Ackerman. I might be basic, but I do love that man. He really is everything to me.

    So, whether you’re new to the series or are already planning a rewatch because you miss the Survey Corps, this watch order guide, complete with all seasons and all OADs (Original Animation DVDs), might be just what you need.

    How to watch Attack on Titan in narrative order

    The four seasons of the show do their best to make things confusing because no anime series would be complete without a mind-bending watch order. Seasons 1 and 2 were released in full, while seasons 3 and 4 were divided into two and four parts, respectively. The first two parts of season 4 are called “The Final Season,” while parts 3 and 4 are dubbed “Final Chapter Specials”. Like I said, it’s confusing. Despite this, watching Attack on Titan is actually a pretty straightforward affair.

    The four seasons run in order from episode 1 to episode 89, and ignoring the various “Final” titles in favor of sticking with the episode numbers might be for the best. In between them, there are six OADs. These are short films that did not air on television but were released directly on DVD. The OADs dive deeper into certain characters and focus on side quests parallel to the main plot.

    So with that in mind, here is the best order in which to watch Attack on Titan:

    • Season 1 (episodes 1-25)
    • Distress (OAD)
    • The Sudden Visitor: The Torturous Course of Youth (OAD)
    • Ilse’s Notebook: Memoirs of a Scout Regiment Member (OAD)
    • No Regrets: Part 1 (OAD)
    • No Regrets: Part 2 (OAD)
    • Season 2 (episodes 26-37)
    • Lost Girls. Wall Sina, Goodbye: Part One (OAD)
    • Lost Girls. Wall Sina, Goodbye: Part Two (OAD)
    • Season 3, Part 1 (episodes 38-49)
    • Lost Girls. Lost in the cruel world
    • Season 3, Part 2 (episodes 50-59)
    • Season 4, The Final Season, Part 1 (episodes 60-75)
    • Season 4, The Final Season, Part 2 (episodes 76-87)
    • Season 4, The Final Chapters, Part 1 (episode 88)
    • Season 4, The Final Chapters, Part 2 (episode 89)

    How to watch Attack on Titan via in-universe chronological order

    Watching a franchise’s various installments via the in-universe chronological order might be a great choice for other sagas, but it’s not ideal for Attack on Titan. Especially if it’s your first time diving into this story. 

    Still, if you want to give it a go, the only thing changing from the previous watch order to this one is the placement of the various OADs. The two-parter about Levi takes place years before the story of Eren, Armin, and Mikasa begins. One might argue that episodes 56 and 57 could be watched even before No Regrets since they go back decades before the main events. But that would mean completely killing any kind of narrative tension and build-up to a resolution, so it might not be the best idea.

    Here is the suggested in-universe chronological watching order:

    • No Regrets: Part 1 (OAD)
    • No Regrets: Part 2 (OAD)
    • Season 1 (episodes 1-3)
    • Distress (OAD)
    • The Sudden Visitor: The Torturous Course of Youth (OAD)
    • Ilse’s Notebook: Memoirs of a Scout Regiment Member (OAD)
    • Season 1 (episodes 4-16)
    • Lost Girls. Wall Sina, Goodbye: Part One (OAD)
    • Lost Girls. Wall Sina, Goodbye: Part Two (OAD)
    • Season 1 (episodes 17-25)
    • Season 2 (episodes 26-37)
    • Season 3, Part 1 (episodes 38-49)
    • Lost Girls. Lost in the cruel world
    • Season 3, Part 2 (episodes 50-59)
    • Season 4, The Final Season, Part 1 (episodes 60-75)
    • Season 4, The Final Season, Part 2 (episodes 76-87)
    • Season 4, The Final Chapters, Part 1 (episode 88)
    • Season 4, The Final Chapters, Part 2 (episode 89)

    (featured image: MAPPA)

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    Benedetta Geddo

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  • Is ‘Attack on Titan’ on Netflix? Answered

    Is ‘Attack on Titan’ on Netflix? Answered

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    The mega-popular Attack on Titan anime series ended last weekend, but many fans might not have been able to watch the finale yet due to licensing restrictions. So that begs the question: is Attack on Titan on Netflix?

    Unfortunately, if you happen to live outside of Asian countries like Japan and Singapore, you’re pretty much out of luck. As of now, Attack on Titan is not available on Netflix for most Western countries, including the United States and the rest of North America. The anime series was taken off Netflix in June of this year and hasn’t been seen back since.

    The post Is ‘Attack on Titan’ on Netflix? Answered appeared first on The Mary Sue.

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    Michael Dawson

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  • Attack On Titan Is Getting A ‘Bonus’ Manga Chapter 2.5 Years After Its Divisive Ending

    Attack On Titan Is Getting A ‘Bonus’ Manga Chapter 2.5 Years After Its Divisive Ending

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    Image: Hajime Isayama / Kondasha

    Surprise, Attack on Titan, the mega-popular manga series, is getting a new volume in 2024, years after the series’ highly contentious conclusion.

    Before you get too excited, the upcoming Attack on Titan volume, simply titled Volume 35, won’t be a fully fledged book. Instead, Volume 35 will be an 18-page booklet called “Bad Boys” that’ll be included inside the series’ first official art book “The Fly,” according to Comic Natalie. Attack on Titan Volume 35 will be released on April 30th, 2024 in Japan.

    “It’s been about two-and-a-half years since the serialization of Attack on Titan ended. We are now releasing a color art book. I’m very honored. I’m glad that the culmination of everything I’ve done so far has been compiled into a book,” creator Hajime Isayama said in a press release. “And I’m currently writing a new manga for this art book. This is a bonus manga included in the bonus ‘Attack on Titan Volume 35.’ I hope you’re looking forward to it.”

    While a portion of AoT fans view Volume 35 as more of a good thing, others pray it’ll change the series’ official ending in some significant way, or see that as a lost cause. I won’t go into specifics about the manga’s ending but just know that things got so bad that publisher Kodansha released a statement from Isayama on its official Instagram page asking fans to be courteous to the mangaka during his first international panel appearance at Anime NYC. In fact, Isayama was received with thunderous applause, which nearly moved him to tears.

    Read More: Attack On Titan’s Final Episode (For Real This Time) Gets Release Date

    Attack on Titan Volume 35 will be released five months after its anime counterpart finally makes its storied crawl across the finish line, when Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Part 2 premiers in Japan on November 4.

       

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    Isaiah Colbert

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  • Spy x Family’s Unique Studio Collab Helps Prevent Anime Worker Crunch, Says Wit Studio Prez

    Spy x Family’s Unique Studio Collab Helps Prevent Anime Worker Crunch, Says Wit Studio Prez

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    It’s no secret among anime fans that Wit Studio’s herculean efforts on earlier seasons of the mega-popular Attack on Titan and sleeper hit Vinland Saga helped make each series a household name in the anime industry. While both shows have since been passed on to Mappa, and fans have growing concerns over whether animators in the industry working on such shows are being overworked, George Wada, president, CEO, and producer at Wit, told me that his studio’s uncommon collaboration on Spy x Family helps prevent worker crunch.

    Read More: Celebrate Attack On Titan Maker Wit Studio’s 10th Anniversary With These 10 Anime

    Speaking with Kotaku at Anime Expo 2023, Wada revealed that Wit Studio’s collaboration with fellow animation studio CloverWorks (the makers of Wonder Egg Priority) to produce Spy x Family, his favorite anime at the moment, is an unheard-of practice within the anime industry.

    “Each studio has its own color and own way of doing things so it’s really, really hard in most cases for multiple anime studios to be working together on a single series,” Wada told Kotaku. “And I believe it was possible only because it was Spy x Family.”

    On the production side of Spy x Family, Wada revealed that Wit and CloverWorks split the workload in half episode-wise. Under this model, Wada says fans can “see all the good parts of Wit and CloverWorks melded together to create Spy x Family” while also providing new seasons of the show at a pace that matches fans’ expectations.

    Toho Animation

    Why Wit isn’t working on Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga anymore

    As mentioned, Wit is no longer animating Attack on Titan or Vinland Saga. Instead, both anime’s latest seasons are being made by studio Mappa. When I asked what led to Wit passing the baton to Mappa twice, Wada said it was because handling those shows didn’t work with Wit’s production cycle.

    “There was a schedule set by like the manga side saying, ‘Can you air it on this and this date’ and it just did not mesh with the studio. We can’t really create something with that schedule because the fans want to get the show sooner than later,” Wada said. “On the other hand, Spy x Family is created with CloverWork so we can give it to you sooner.”

    Wada’s comment about the timeliness of Spy x Family’s production cycle is important to note because fans had previously bemoaned that it took Wit four years to release the second season of Attack on Titan.

    When asked what Wit does to prevent its staff from having to crunch in order to complete an anime series, Wada responded by saying the first thing Wit does is get a good budget for an anime project so it can ensure its staff is being “properly paid.”

    “We hire the creators as employees so that we can give them a salary,” Wada said, adding that Wit plan on having a “tag team” between employee creators ad freelancer to help create “great anime.”

    To improve the working conditions in the anime industry, Wada suggests that studios make each creator a full-time employee so that, while they’re in the negotiation process, they can fight for a more reasonable schedule to ensure that all the creators can have good working conditions with ample pay and “not too much crunch time.”

    Read More: Spy x Family’s Loid Actor Says His Favorite Anime Scene Isn’t In The Manga

    Crunchyroll Collection

    Wada thinks family-oriented shows are going to be the new wave in anime

    When asked whether he thought that the rise in popularity of family-oriented shows like Spy x Famly and Ranking of Kings was indicative of a new anime trend moving away from battle anime featuring power fantasy characters, Wada said he thinks it is, stating that it’s good to have more shows that casual fans can enjoy, especially if they don’t enjoy battle anime.

    “You had your Demon Slayer, you had your Attack on Titan, but now it feels that there’s a new wave of anime genres coming in. Now that anime is becoming more prominent with [even] more fans, you’re gonna have a lot more casual watchers as opposed to the hardcore watchers,” Wada said. “It’s nice to have shows that people can watch and have fun together. That might be why shows like Spy x Family and Ranking of Kings [are] getting up there in popularity.”


    Kotaku is covering everything at Anime Expo 2023, including big announcements at panels and exclusive one-on-one interviews with the industry’s biggest creators. Whether you’re a seasoned anime fan or a newbie, you can keep up with all things Anime Expo 2023 here.

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    Isaiah Colbert

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