Attack on Titan has become a sensation in the anime industry. This is all thanks to Hajime Isayama, the creator of Attack on Titan, and his brilliant storytelling. However, one area where he seemed to lack was the artwork. While the titans in the manga looked visually intimidating and very unique to Attack on Titan, the anime enhanced and improved on these designs. The mangaka’s artwork did get better over time but MAPPA’s version of Eren’s Attack Titan was one of the highlights of it.
Fans of Attack on Titan have realized and made this comparison between WIT Studio and MAPPA’s Attack Titan. While WIT Studio excelled in many other aspects, MAPPA had the advantage with the realistic animation that made the titans much more terrifying. Both studios were, at first, trying to be faithful to Isayama’s artwork and growing to be consistent with his own improvement. However, the realism and characters’ expressions in WIT Studio and MAPPA is what made Attack on Titan so popular and famous for its gorgeous animation.
Where the Anime Adaptation of Attack on Titan Excels
Hajime Isayama is an excellent storyteller but his rough artwork left a lot to be desired. WIT Studio and MAPPA did their best with the manga art and made something timeless for Attack on Titan. The expressions of the characters and fluid animation for the action scenes were thrilling. While WIT focused heavily on the eyes, MAPPA focused on the face. The anime gave much needed depth to characters that otherwise didn’t translate in Isayama’s manga.
Some fans didn’t love the switch to the second studio when WIT was perfect for Attack on Titan. However, according to them, they did get some things right and sometimes better than WIT. Eren’s Attack Titan looked a lot like him in WIT’s version and almost heroic but in season 4, after the protagonist’s transformation, MAPPA’s version reflects that brilliantly with a much more terrifying take on it.
MAPPA might’ve overworked their employees to the brink but their dedication to bringing the best adaptation is admirable. The studio was more in tune with the manga’s artwork than WIT but some fans did not appreciate the change. Moreover, the dragging of season 4 into 3 parts became a huge meme in the Attack on Titan community. It seemed like the studio was milking the anime’s popularity but I suppose it worked in their favor for some time. Now, Isayama’s manga has become one of the best works of fiction.
Manga vs Anime: Who Contributed to Attack on Titan’s Popularity?
The beginning of Attack on Titan already had the anime community hooked. Fans were in awe of how dark and nuanced the storyline is with incredible characters that are very memorable even after the manga’s ending. Eren Yeager is often hailed as one of the most well-written protagonists of all time and Levi Ackerman is recognized by pretty much anyone. From the soundtrack to the fluid battle animation, the anime had us hooked.
Isayama’s ending for this incredible story left many fans disappointed. Although this is subjective, many felt it was rushed and underwhelming. Some of the plot points nearing the climax disturbed fans too, like Mikasa kissing Eren’s decapitated head and Armin’s reaction to Eren’s plan. However, the anime’s version is much more realistic. So, the anime does surpass Isayama’s manga in many ways.
Attack on Titan is available on Crunchyroll.
