Fans of Attack on Titan have been hooked for ten years by the intense characters and tough choices in the show. But many might not know how much emotion the actors, like Trina Nishimura (Mikasa) and Bryce Papenbrook (Eren Jaeger), put into their roles.
Recently, at New York Comic Con, they shared their deep experiences as the English dub of the series hits its ten-year mark. Both the manga and anime feature characters making difficult decisions, but it’s the intense impact on the actors that might surprise fans.
At the ten-year mark of the English dub, Nishimura and Papenbrook talked about their characters’ journey and how the show leads them to dark emotional places.
Voice Actor Bryce Papenbrook Mirrored Eren’s Struggles to Portray the Character’s Intensity
Bryce Papenbrook, a long-time fan of the series, talked about the difficulties of playing Eren Jaeger, a character both complex and intense. He was so dedicated to his performance that he physically mirrored Eren’s challenges.
During a recording, he bit his hand hard enough to leave a bruise, aiming to portray the character’s shift into a Titan. In another instance, he even unhinged his jaw to express Eren’s pain genuinely. The voice actor shared (Via Popverse):
“It’s worth it for this show to go to those dark places, I love that I get to play Eren so many different ways.”
Nishimura was at first nervous about Papenbrook’s strong commitment but got motivated by how passionate he was. She remembered a really emotional part in the story where Mikasa faces a big decision.
Nishimura worked really hard in that recording, feeling the same struggle as her character. She said the team’s support helped her understand Mikasa better.
“It’s the safety and comfort of the team that allows me to go to those dark places,” said Nishimura. “It’s important to be strong and to be brave but it’s also important to be vulnerable and be open and be honest.”
Fans are really excited for the English release of Attack on Titan The Final Chapter Special 2 in 2024 as the series nears its end. They’re eager to see the end of a ten-year journey. If you’re curious about what happened in the final episode of Attack on Titan, here’s a summary for you.
This section of the article contains major spoiler for Attack on Titan The Final Chapter Special 2
Synopsis of Attack on Titan Finale Episode
In the one-hour episode of Attack on Titan Season 4, Mikasa, and Armin face a final battle against Eren. Their attempt to negotiate with Eren doesn’t go well. Ymir captures Armin, while Mikasa and the others confront numerous Titans. After that, Armin uses his Titan abilities to locate Eren.
More chaos unfolds. Armin encounters an unusual Titan, while Mikasa and the group fight the Nine Titans, making it a difficult battle for humans. They split up to handle different tasks.
Armin finds himself in the Path and talks to Zeke. Meanwhile, Mikasa’s team rescues Armin and realizes Zeke’s influence. Levi takes down Zeke, and explosions shake the scene. Eventually, Eren loses his connection with Ymir, concluding the war. Yet, the danger remains.
Armin faces Eren, and Mikasa has to make a heartbreaking choice. She knows she must end Eren’s life to safeguard humanity. In a moment of connection, Mikasa kills Eren. This action leads Ymir to stop empowering the Titans.
