Hajime Isayama’s decade-long journey with Attack on Titan originated from a modest idea in his imagination. What started as a tale of humanity’s desperate struggle against gigantic, man-eating titans evolved into a complex narrative that explored the depths of human nature, the cycle of violence, and the consequences of choices.
Isayama provided a fascinating insight into the creative process behind Attack on Titan, revealing how his original vision for the series shifted dramatically over time. His reflection offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a mangaka and the evolution of a story that has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Human’s Struggle Against Titans
Building on Isayama’s initial vision, the early drafts of Attack on Titan were primarily focused on the awe-inspiring and terrifying nature of the Titans. In an interview with Febri, he revealed that his childhood fascination with dinosaurs and giant creatures manifested in his detailed depiction of Colossal humanoid monsters. He wanted to create a world where the very existence of humanity hung by a thread, constantly threatened by an overwhelming and mysterious enemy.
He recalled:
As far as I can remember, I’ve liked giant creatures since I was in kindergarten and I spent all my time back then drawing dinosaurs… In Jurassic Park, there’s a really intense scene when a guy runs away from a dinosaur and hides in a bathroom, but the dinosaur just destroys the bathroom and gobbles him up, and I remember seeing that and being scared but also finding it strangely funny, in a way.
The influence of the video game Muv-Luv Alternative played a crucial role in shaping the dystopian setting of Attack on Titan. Hajime Isayama was particularly drawn to the game’s concept of humanity being pushed to the brink of extinction by an unknown extraterrestrial threat. Drawing from his passion for mixed martial arts, he envisioned realistic, brutal fights between these gigantic beings.
He admitted:
I wanted to draw honest-to-god fights using logical moves you could kill someone with. But then, once I had drawn a few scenes like that and I got the urge out of my system, I realized I didn’t actually want to do those all that much.
Interestingly, his obsession with the Titans and their battles was not destined to last. This realization marked a turning point in the development of Attack on Titan, setting the stage for the series’ evolution into a more character-driven narrative.
Character Development Takes Center Stage for Hajime Isayama
As the series progressed, Isayama found himself moving away from his initial titan-centric focus. This shift in interest coincided with an unexpected development in his storytelling: the growing importance of human characters. It was not without challenges, as he admitted his initial struggles with character illustration.
He reflected, highlighting his growth as an artist alongside the evolution of his story:
I sensed that I needed to make likeable characters, but never did I think that they’d grow into the characters they are now. I’ve learned to like drawing characters while drawing Eren and his friends, and now I don’t feel like I’m so terrible at it.
His shifting interest aligns with the manga’s narrative progression, which gradually unveils the complex backstories and motivations of both human characters and titan shifters. His approach to character creation revealed a fascinating philosophy.
He explained that he has tried to make all his characters with something like that about them, referring to the idea of incorporating imperfections or vulnerabilities into his characters.
He stated:
Just the other day while I was listening to the radio, they were talking about how imperfections make an idol more beautiful, and I was like, ‘Huh, they’re right.’
This belief in the power of flawed characters is exemplified in Isayama’s treatment of fan-favorite Levi. His approach to these designs demonstrates his commitment to creating relatable, multi-dimensional figures that resonate with readers.
Attack on Titan is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
