‘Attack on Titan’ Creator Admits Regret Over the Anime’s Ending
New comments from Hajime Isayama have brought fresh discussion around the ending of Attack on Titan, especially the character arc of Eren Yeager. The remarks were shared through a display at the Attack on Titan Museum in Hita City, Japan, and have since drawn attention from fans and media.
Isayama reflects on how Eren was written as a character who changes heavily over time. He explains that Eren was never meant to be simple. Instead, he was shaped by both his inner feelings and the harsh world around him. This mix leads Eren down a dark path where he becomes responsible for massive destruction.
In his statement, Isayama explains the idea behind Eren’s role in the story. He says, “Eren became a protagonist who committed mass slaughter on a scale rarely seen in other works of fiction. As for why I conceived such a story from the beginning, part of it was my desire to create a narrative with a major twist—where the victim becomes the perpetrator.”
He also talks about his own mindset when he was younger and how that may have influenced the writing. He admits that some of Eren’s darker traits were connected to his personal thinking at the time the manga began. Over time, Eren became a more complex figure than originally planned, especially as readers became deeply attached to him.
Isayama says the story changed once Eren became widely loved by fans. He explains that it became difficult to fully portray him as a purely negative character. This led to a final version of the story where Eren is shown with more emotional depth and sympathy rather than being written as completely hateful.
He adds, “However, Attack on Titan had long since ceased to be mine alone, and Eren became a character loved by many readers. In the end, without fully committing to portraying him as a detestable figure, I found myself depicting him with a certain closeness and sympathy. As a result, I feel there remains a sense of insincerity in the story’s conclusion—at least in my own assessment.”
The ending of Attack on Titan has been debated for a long time. Some fans felt it moved too fast, while others accepted how the story ended. Additional pages were later added to the final chapter to give more detail and expand certain parts of the ending, but discussion around it has continued.
Isayama’s recent reflection adds another layer to that debate. It shows that even the creator sees parts of the ending as imperfect and shaped by outside pressure, including audience response and the long development of the series.
ATTACK ON TITAN creator Hajime Isayama shares thoughts on the series' ending
— Anime Updates (@animeupdates) April 27, 2026
Now on display in the Attack on Titan Museum in his hometown as of April 24, 2026:
"Eren became a protagonist who committed mass slaughter on a scale rarely seen in other works of fiction. As for why I… pic.twitter.com/YGZr4FrNil
Eren’s journey remains one of the most talked-about parts of the series. He starts as a character driven by anger and loss, but ends up taking extreme actions that change the entire world of the story. This shift is what makes him both controversial and memorable.
At its core, Isayama’s statement highlights how difficult it can be to finish a long-running story, especially when the main character becomes deeply loved by fans. Eren’s final role sits between villain and victim, which is part of what keeps the debate alive.
It is interesting when creators speak openly about doubt in their own work. It shows how stories can evolve beyond their original plan. Eren’s ending may never satisfy everyone, but it clearly left a strong impact. What do you think about Isayama’s comments and the ending of Attack on Titan? Do you agree with his view or not? Share your thoughts in the comments.
