What Happened to Attack on Titan?
Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) is a Japanese dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, which captivated a global audience with its intricate plot, complex characters, and themes of war, freedom, and humanity's survival against colossal humanoid creatures known as Titans. The manga concluded in April 2021, and the anime adaptation, after a decade-long run, aired its final episode in November 2023, leaving a significant cultural legacy that continues to be celebrated through various projects and events into 2026.
Quick Answer
Attack on Titan concluded its highly successful manga run in April 2021 and its anime adaptation officially ended with a final special episode in November 2023. While the core story is complete, the franchise remains active in 2026 with events like the 'Attack on Titan - Beyond the Walls World Tour' concert series returning to the US, a 4K theatrical re-release of the anime's finale, and new illustration projects from former animation directors, demonstrating its enduring cultural impact.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Manga Serialization Begins
Hajime Isayama's 'Attack on Titan' manga begins serialization in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine.
Anime Series Premieres
The first season of the 'Attack on Titan' anime, produced by Wit Studio, begins airing, quickly gaining widespread popularity.
The Final Season Part 1 Airs
The fourth and 'final' season of the anime, now produced by MAPPA, begins airing its first part, consisting of 16 episodes.
Manga Concludes
The 'Attack on Titan' manga officially ends with its 139th chapter after an eleven-and-a-half-year run.
The Final Season Part 2 Airs
The second part of 'Attack on Titan: The Final Season' premieres, continuing the adaptation of the manga's concluding arcs.
The Final Chapters: Special 1 Premieres
The first of two feature-length specials, officially titled 'Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 1', airs, adapting further manga chapters.
Anime Series Concludes with Special 2
The final episode of the anime, 'Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2', premieres, bringing the decade-long animated saga to its conclusion.
Theatrical Compilation Film 'The Last Attack' Released
A compilation film, 'Attack on Titan: The Last Attack', covering the anime's finale and featuring a new post-credits scene, is released in theaters.
Hajime Isayama Releases One-Shot Manga
Creator Hajime Isayama writes a one-shot manga titled 'The Theory of Ill-Natured Men and AI', with art by Kai Noshigami.
Beyond the Walls World Tour Returns to US
The official 'Attack on Titan - Beyond the Walls World Tour' concert series begins its return to the United States, kicking off in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The Last Attack 4K Theatrical Re-release
The compilation film 'Attack on Titan: The Last Attack' receives a special one-night-only theatrical re-release in the US and Canada with a 4K visual upgrade.
New Illustration Project by Kyouji Asano Begins
Wit Studio announces a new project featuring monthly bonus illustrations for 'Attack on Titan' by former Chief Animation Director Kyouji Asano, starting this month.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Attack on Titan began its serialization in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine in September 2009, quickly rising to prominence for its unique premise: humanity living within walled cities to protect themselves from man-eating Titans. The series, created by Hajime Isayama, explored profound themes of survival, freedom, prejudice, and the cyclical nature of violence, resonating deeply with a global audience. The manga concluded its eleven-and-a-half-year run on April 9, 2021, with its 139th chapter, collected into 34 tankōbon volumes.
The anime adaptation, which premiered in April 2013, significantly amplified the series' international reach. Initially produced by Wit Studio for its first three seasons, the production of 'Attack on Titan: The Final Season' shifted to MAPPA due to the demanding schedule required to adapt the concluding arcs. This final season was notably split into multiple parts, extending its broadcast over several years. The first part aired from December 2020 to March 2021, followed by a second part from January to April 2022. The story's animated conclusion was delivered through two feature-length specials, 'The Final Chapters: Special 1' in March 2023 and 'The Final Chapters: Special 2' in November 2023, officially bringing the anime series to an end on November 5, 2023.
The series achieved immense critical and commercial success, with the manga having over 140 million copies in circulation worldwide by November 2023, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. Its cultural impact is undeniable, often cited as a 'gateway anime' for many Western viewers and praised for pushing the boundaries of animated storytelling with its mature, thought-provoking narrative and high-quality animation.
Even after the manga and anime's conclusions, the Attack on Titan franchise continues to engage its fanbase. In November 2024, a compilation film titled 'Attack on Titan: The Last Attack' was released, featuring a new post-credits scene. As of 2026, the franchise remains active. In May 2026, 'Attack on Titan: The Last Attack' received a special one-night-only theatrical re-release in the United States and Canada, featuring a 4K visual upgrade. Furthermore, the 'Attack on Titan - Beyond the Walls World Tour,' an official concert series blending orchestral and rock music with synchronized anime visuals, returned to the United States in February-March 2026. Hajime Isayama, the creator, has also contributed illustrations to projects like Yuki Kaji's (Eren Yeager's voice actor) 'Soyogi Fractal AI voice project' and released a one-shot manga in 2025, though he has stated he is unlikely to create another full-length manga of the same caliber as Attack on Titan. Additionally, new bonus content in the form of monthly illustrations by former Chief Animation Director Kyouji Asano was announced to begin in May 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Attack on Titan made different choices?