Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan has become a global phenomenon, with its intense storytelling and complex characters. The manga and its anime adaptation have left a mark on the entertainment industry, inspiring countless fans and influencing creators worldwide. At the heart of its success story is Isayama, the mastermind behind the series.
However, in a surprising twist, revelations have shed light on Isayama’s personal struggles with the overwhelming success of his creation. Despite the widespread acclaim and the undeniable impact of Attack on Titan, he appears to grapple with feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt. This internal conflict paints a picture of a creator who may never fully appreciate the magnitude of his contribution to the world of manga and anime.
The Burden of Unexpected Success
In a revealing interview with Men’s Culture magazine Brutus, Hajime Isayama opened up about his journey and how it began with modest aspiration. He initially hoped to make just enough money from manga to feed himself, never anticipating the rapid rise of Attack on Titan. The manga’s unprecedented success seems to have caught him off guard, leaving him grappling with feelings of unworthiness and guilt.
He remarked:
Attack on Titan is being well received, but there are all sorts of incredible works of entertainment out there, and I wish they would receive more attention and be praised more.
This sentiment reflects his belief that other works are more deserving of the acclaim his series has received. He even went so far as to say, “I feel guilty about it, yes,” when discussing the praise heaped upon Attack on Titan. These statements reveal a creator who is very aware of the broader landscape of manga and anime, and who perhaps feels that his success has overshadowed other worthy works.
Isayama’s guilt seems to stem from a place of genuine appreciation for his peers and a desire to see recognition spread more evenly across the industry.
Hajime Isayama’s Persistent Self-Doubt
In the interview, Isayama’s responses reveal a creator who struggles to see the value in his own work. The self-doubt is a stark contrast to the global acclaim the series received, highlighting the often wide gap between public perception and an artist’s self-image. His critical view of his own abilities extends across multiple aspects of his craft, from artistic skills to his storytelling prowess.
Despite crafting one of the most visually striking and recognizable manga series of recent years, he remains his own harshest critic when it comes to his art. He confessed:
I actually felt my art looked pretty good when I was starting out, but I’ve come to feel worse and worse about my art as I’ve gradually noticed how awkward it looks.
This admission reveals a creator who, rather than becoming complacent with success, continues to scrutinize and question his work, always striving for improvement. Perhaps most revealing is Isayama’s perception of his place within the manga industry. In spite of his monumental success, he still views himself as unable to reach the level of his idols. He remarked:
I don’t really have much experience with that myself. It’s sad to know that I won’t be able to become like the older artists I respect.
It shows that mangaka Hajime Isayama is caught between unprecedented success and persistent self-doubt. Hope that he will one day be able to view his work through the same lens of admiration and respect that millions of readers around the world do.
Attack on Titan is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
