Top 13 "Attack on Titan" Facts

Surprising Details of This Popular Anime Series

Collection of 'Attack On Titan'

Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images

"Attack on Titan" is a popular anime series that has also spawned movies and video games. While the basic premise of the series is humanity's fight for survival against monstrous giants, there's a lot more below the surface and behind the series' creation than first meets the eye. Here are 13 of the coolest and little-known facts about Attack on Titan.

01
of 13

The Manga Actually Started 7 Years Before the Anime First Aired

Attack on Titan anime image

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee 

"Attack on Titan" has become a juggernaut franchise that’s won the love of fans from across the world.

Created by writer and artist Hajime Isayama, it’s hard to believe that the wildly successful series started out as a one-shot manga back in 2006. The 65-page story earned Isayama his first-ever prize, the Magazine Grand Prix’s Fine Work award at the age of 19.

It wasn’t until three or four years later that Isayama’s editor suggested he revisit the title and make it an ongoing series. Running with the idea, it took him half a year to establish the details of what would turn "Attack on Titan" into a megahit manga and anime.

02
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Jean Is Hajime Isayama’s Favorite Character

Jean Kirstein from the anime series "Attack on Titan"
Jean Kirstein is super hot.

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee.

The diverse cast of characters in "Attack on Titan" makes for a wide range of fan favorites. However, it’s not just the growing fandom that admires the skill sets and quirks of the brave heroes and cunning rogues.

"Attack on Titan" creator Hajime Isayama stated that his favorite character is outspoken soldier Jean Kirstein. Isayama said that he likes Jean’s ability to say what’s on his mind “even if it’s something you normally wouldn’t be able to say.”

Jean’s brutal honesty not only makes him Isayama’s favorite "Attack on Titan" character but also one of the sexiest!

03
of 13

Spider-Man and Captain America Once Fought the Titans

Attack on Titan invades the Marvel Universe
Attack on Titan invades the Marvel Universe.

Kodansha/Marvel Comics

Ever wonder how popular superheroes like Captain America and Spider-Man would fare against the vile giants of "Attack on Titan?" Marvel’s collaboration with Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama has it covered.

In a crossover comic titled "Attack on Avengers," the eight-page adventure plays out the scenario of what happens when Titans invade the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"Written by Isayama and illustrated by Gerardo Sandoval, the epic crossover was originally published in the Japanese magazine Brutus. "Attack on Avengers" has since been released digitally for free as part of Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day issue Secret Wars #0.

04
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There Was an Attack on Titan Perfume in Japan

Attack on Titan perfume bottles

CafeReo 

With popularity comes merchandise, lots and lots of merchandise. Now there’s one more thing fans can add to their collection — "Attack on Titan" perfume. If it wasn’t enough to dress up as your favorite characters, now you can smell like them, too.

The fragrances are available for select characters, each with their own signature scent designed to fit their personality. That includes a fresh soapy scent for clean-freak Levi, a tender vanilla aroma for Armin Arlert, and a bitter and mysterious herb for Zoe Hange, among others.

05
of 13

The Series' Greatest Mystery Isn't the Titans... It's the Wall

Live action "Attack on Titan" teaser trailer image

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee  

"Attack on Titan’s" commercial bumpers contain a load of informational texts and diagrams that expand on story elements barely covered in the anime episodes. One, in particular, stood out in the final episode of "Attack on Titan" Season One which reveals a rather startling fact about the giant wall's makeup.


In the year 784 on a blistering hot night, a miner decided to dig under Wall Sina in hopes of living a better life on the other side. No matter how far he dug, the wall never seemed to end. Eventually, he dug so deep that he ran into a layer of bedrock made of the same material as the wall.
06
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Many of the Live Action Characters Aren't in the Anime or Manga

Shu Watanabe as Fukushi in the Attack on Titan Live Action movies
Shu Watanabe as Fukushi in the Attack on Titan Live Action movies.

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee  

As with any movie adaptation, there are bound to be some changes from the original source material. In this case, a handful of new characters are being created for the movies including Sannagi (Satoru Matsuo), Souda (Pierre Taki), Kubal (Jun Kunimura), Lil (Rina Takeda), Fukushi (Shu Watanabe), and Hiana (Ayame Misaki).

The most notable addition to the cast is “humanity’s strongest man” Shikishima (Hiroki Hasegawa), who fans believe is meant to act as a substitute for one of Attack on Titan’s most popular characters, Levi.

Besides a few cast photos, it’s unknown what this new ensemble will bring to the story. One thing’s for sure, they’re going to have to be pretty special if they want fans’ approval.

07
of 13

There Was a Theme Park

"Attack on Titan" at Universal Studios Japan
"Attack on Tita" at Universal Studios Japan.

 Universal Studios Japan

Although the exhibit it is now closed, Universal Studios Japan brought the post-apocalyptic world of "Attack on Titan" to life as part of a special theme park exhibit.

Guests got to see the grotesque monsters of "Attack on Titan" up close and personal, with the opportunity to sit inside the hand of a Titan near its gaping jaws. The exhibit also recreated the epic showdown between Eren Yeager and the Female Titan with two life-size statues that stand at 15 and 14 meters tall, respectively.

Along with some additional perks, the attraction gave guests a chance to experience the cruel and terrifying reality of "Attack on Titan."

08
of 13

Sasha Blouse Was Originally Supposed to Die

Sasha Blouse in the Attack on Titan anime

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee

Everyone’s favorite food-loving goofball, Sasha Blouse (aka Potato Girl) has become one of "Attack on Titan’s" most precious characters. Did you know that Hajime Isayama originally planned to kill her off?

In the early version of the manga, her character was supposed to die at the end of Volume 9. However, Isayama’s editor cried in the bathroom after reading the storyboard, which convinced him to rewrite the chapter and spare Sasha’s life.

The decision was a close call, especially since most of "Attack on Titan’s" characters don’t get the same sympathy. 

09
of 13

There Are Attack on Titan Body Pillows

Attack on Titan body pillows

Attack on Titan Body Pillows

Feel like cuddling up with your favorite "Attack on Titan" character? Now you can thanks to Attack on Titan body pillows.

That’s right, you can get cozy with several beloved characters, including a sexy Jean Kirstein. and no need to stop there! Colossal and Armored Titan designs are also available (if you’re into that kind of thing).

Whether they’re used for sleeping, hugging or other naughty things, these "Attack on Titan" anime body pillows are sure to make quite a few fans happy … though maybe a little too happy.

10
of 13

The Titans Were Designed After Famous Martial Artists

Villain in Attack on Titan: Armored Titan
Armored Titan.

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee.

The big baddies of "Attack on Titan" are muscular, athletic, and unnervingly powerful. They always look action-ready, but how exactly did Hajime Isayama come up with their beastly designs? He referenced famous fighters for many of them.

The main protagonist, Eren Yeager’s Titan form was modeled after mixed martial artist Yushin Okami, who has competed in organizations such as UFC and Pride FC. Isayama also used professional wrestler and mixed martial artist Brock Lesnar as inspiration when designing the Armored Titan.

It’s fitting that "Attack on Titan’s" towering giants are inspired by world-class fighters whose main goal is to utterly destroy their opponents.

11
of 13

Lord Balto Wasn't in the Manga

Top 5 Villain in Attack on Titan: Lord Balto
Top 5 Villain in Attack on Titan: Lord Balto.

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee

While most of the characters in the "Attack on Titan" anime series originate from the manga, there are a few exceptions.

One example is wealthy nobleman Lord Balto, who first appears in Episode 5. After getting a glimpse of his illustrious mansion, viewers are introduced to him playing chess with Dot Pixis as they’re interrupted by a soldier informing them of the Titan invasion on Trost District.

Apart from being an original anime character, another small piece of trivia about Lord Balto is that his name is changed to Lord Wald in the English dub version.

12
of 13

Zoe Hange’s Gender Is Ambiguous

Zoe Hange in the anime series "Attach on Titan"
Zoe Hange.

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee 

After some confusion arose regarding passionate scientist Zoe Hange’s gender identity, Hajime Isayama has chosen to leave it open to interpretation.

Even though Zoe is depicted as a woman in the anime and is being played by female actress Satomi Ishihara in the upcoming live-action movies, the character’s gender is never revealed in the manga. This was a conscious decision by Isayama, who asked Kodansha USA (the English translation publishers of Attack on Titan) not to use gendered pronouns when referring to Zoe.

Kodansha explained that Isayama does not consider Zoe’s gender identity relevant to the main story and thought it best to give fans the freedom to decide.

13
of 13

Levi Is Older Than He Looks

Attack on Titan's Levi
Levi.

Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN''Production Committee

Although Levi stars in his own two-episode spinoff series, Attack on Titan: A Choice with No Regrets, there are still some unanswered questions surrounding his personal life. 

Hajime Isayama did cough up a little extra information about the Titan-slaying expert, though; He's actually over 30 years old!

The news was confirmed on the official Japanese "Attack on Titan" Twitter account, which went on to say that Isayama would not go into further detail because Levi’s age may be related to a future story.