“I was surprised myself”: Attack on Titan’s Most Controversial Animation Change Even Stunned the Director

SUMMARY

• The studio switch that happened with the third season of Attack on Titan anime was a controversial decision at first which sparked a lot of heated debates among fans.
• Studio MAPPA took over from Studio Wit and it was a difficult change as Wit had already created a version of the series that couldn't be surpassed.
• Yuichiro Hayashi, the director of the anime at Studio MAPPA, shared his process and initial reaction to the studio switch, as he found himself equally surprised with it.

Attack on Titan‘s success was extraordinary in many ways, as it reignited and skyrocketed the hype surrounding anime among international audiences. Hajime Isayama’s intricate storytelling is more than capable of garnering such a reaction. However, the anime also did a phenomenal job of elevating the storytelling and taking the story to a widespread fanbase. 

Eren in Attack on Titan anime | Credits: Studio Wit

The Attack on Titan anime is a masterful adaptation of the source material that stays true and faithful to the narrative, making use of the visual and auditory advantages to best convey the severity of the events that unfold. 

Every time Attack on Titan anime is mentioned, one can’t help but ask which version of the anime: Studio Wit or Studio MAPPA? The studio switch the anime underwent was the most controversial change which sparked some heated discussions. Even the director of the anime was surprised by it, as he shared in an interview.

The different versions of Attack on Titan anime 

Studio Wit used CGI for the Colossal Titan in AOT | Credits: Studio Wit

Attack on Titan anime started its run in 2013 under director Testsuro Araki at Studio Wit. The anime became immensely popular, and for fans, Studio Wit became the de facto fit for Hajime Isayama‘s celebrated manga series. Moreover, the stylistic choices and vibrant color tones were unique and distinct additions that gave the anime a slightly different experience as compared to the manga. 

In 2020, the anime switched studios from Wit to Studio MAPPA. Fans were initially skeptical of this change and feared the worst. However, as the anime progressed during its final installments, MAPPA proved itself more than capable of enlivening the complex narrative of the series.

Eren during his conversation with Reiner in season 4 of the anime | Credits: Studio MAPPA

As amazing as MAPPA’s work on AOT is, it was undoubtedly the most controversial decision for the series. Fans initially found it hard to accept this huge change, and the MAPPA director was no different as he found himself surprised by the switch. 

Attack on Titan director on the switch from Studio Wit to MAPPA 

The first three seasons of AOT were animated by Studio Wit under director Tetsuro Araki and then Masashi Koizuka (under Araki’s supervision) for seasons 2 and 3. At MAPPA, Yuichiro Hayashi took over as the director for season 4 of the anime. Speaking with JAPAN Forward in an interview, Hayashi shared his initial reaction to the controversial studio switch. 

The director also shared how it wasn’t easy to take such massive responsibility; however, he knew if he didn’t take the job somebody else would. Plus he thought it would be interesting. He revealed that Studio Wit helped with the transition by making resources available to him. Hayashi even sat down with Araki to discuss his approach with the previous seasons. 

A still from the Rumbling in Attack on Titan final season | Credits: Studio MAPPA

From CGI to minute changes, Hayashi discussed the various aspects he focused on. Although it was a difficult job that started on a rough note, things worked out for the better in the end. Both Studio MAPPA and Studio Wit have created their distinct versions of the series, which are endlessly loved and appreciated by fans. 

Attack on Titan is available to stream on Crunchyroll. 

Written by Laveena Joshi

Articles Published: 437

Laveena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism with a keen interest in entertainment journalism. Known to defend Naruto with her life, her love for anime has turned into great appreciation for the Japanese Culture. Besides considering herself a veteran weeb, she's also a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. Better if the perfect brew is paired with a random video essay from YouTube. Blending her love for anime with the know-hows of content writing, she is now an anime content writer at FandomWire.