Key Takeaways:
– Hajime Isayama, the creator of Attack on Titan, faced numerous challenges and rejections early in his career.
– Isayama has stated that creators should commit their all to their work, regardless of its eventual success.
– Attack on Titan was never guaranteed to succeed and could have been cancelled early in its run.
– Isayama draws significant inspiration from Hollywood characters, including those from popular shows like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones.
Attack on Titan Emerges from the Ashes
Few mangakas — creators of manga, a style of Japanese graphic novels and comic books — have risen to worldwide acclaim. Hajime Isayama fills this short list, thanks to his wildly successful anime, Attack on Titan. Boasting millions of avid fans, some even label it as the best anime ever, no small feat given the genre's mainstream popularity.
Despite the anime series' current success, Isayama's journey was no cakewalk. Early in his career, he weathered a storm of rejections from publishers. When his work was finally picked up, the hurdles did not stop there; if the series failed to live up to its hype, it could have easily been canceled.
The Road to Serialization
The road to Attack on Titan's serialization was filled with doubt and hardship. Shintaro Kawakubo was the first editor to express interest in Isayama's concept. This sparked doubt in Isayama who questioned whether the editor was truly invested or merely going through the motions.
Despite these concerns, Isayama took on the mammoth task of developing engaging arcs and characters to keep his manga afloat. For six months, he worked tirelessly to craft a perfect world to house his narrative.
Isayama's Advice to Aspiring Mangakas
Embodying grace and humility, Isayama shares his wisdom with the next generation of aspiring manga creators. At Anime NYC, he offered an invaluable piece of advice: “I would say 80 percent of manga is canceled after two volumes, and you might not get the initial investment that you put into the story back.”
He believes that it's better to pour everything into a project and possibly fail, rather than wasting time worrying about potential success.
Isayama's Hollywood Influence
Isayama's creative process for Attack on Titan also required careful attention to detail. His story, set in a past age, needed characters and scenarios that fit the timeline. Throughout the series, he ensured there was no margin for error.
What's fascinating is his evident appreciation for Western culture. Several characters in Attack on Titan were inspired by characters from Hollywood — Falco and Gabi were based on Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad and Arya Stark from Game of Thrones, respectively.
The Result of Isayama's Hard Work
Isayama's relentless efforts and experiments with his masterpiece paid off. Today, Attack on Titan stands as a colossal success, garnering him recognition from worldwide audiences. The man behind the manga series certainly gave his best, and now, he's reaping the benefits of his hard work.
The anime series can be streamed on Crunchyroll, and the manga is available on Viz Media.
It's a great reminder that even the most successful stories and characters we love have stemmed from humble beginnings and arduous journeys, just like Hajime Isayama's process with Attack on Titan. It offers both a captivating narrative for readers and a sense of hopeful resilience for creatives starting on their own journeys.
