One of the most phenomenal manga and novel properties to come to life in the last several years has been the work of author Hajime Isayama whose 2009 publication, Shingeki no Kyojin – otherwise known as its more commercialized international title, Attack On Titan, has become a highly popular franchise among genre fans of Japanese entertainment. And on the heels of its hugely successful launch on television through anime last year, Attack On Titan was officially announced in December of 2013 to get feature-length live action treatment by way of Toho, with Yuusuke Watanabe providing the script under director Shinji Higuchi.
This week, there are two new important pieces of information involving the live action film, and the anime: Actor Haruma Miura (pictured above) has been officially added to the film, which centers around the character Eren Jaeger who sets out to join a team of legionnaires to hunt down giant human-consuming monsters in order to protect what is left of mankind after the death of his mother, although it has not been confirmed which of the three main characters he will play; Miura will be part of the TBA cast and crew filming undetermined portions of the movie on the deserted island of Hashima (also known as Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island – located off the coast of Nagasaki) to illustrate the world’s only walled-in city protecting what is left of the human race.
Attack On Titan is slated for a 2015 release, which will also add more to the fanfare surrounding the televisied anime which is now being reported to get two full-length movies recompiled from the animated series, with new dubbing and a 5.1 remastering, and will feature voice actors reprising their roles from the animated series. The first film, titled Attack On Titan: Crimson Bow And Arrow, will cover episodes 1 through 13 and will release this winter, with the second, Attack On Titan: Wings Of Freedom, spanning episodes 14 through 25 and releasing in 2015, both directed by series helmer Tetsuro Araki.
I personally haven’t had the chance to watch the series, but its subsequent success since 2009 seems very telling, so it’s no wonder why the creators are taking this phenomenon to new heights. And as often skeptical as people are with live-action transitions are with certain titles, with Isayama overseeing production on Higuchi’s new film, there is reason to be optimistic, at best. Meanwhile, Funimation will be releasing season 1 on Blu-Ray on June 23, 2014.
Stay tuned for more news on Attack On Titan!
April 4, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
i always imagine that the live action of AOA should be played by western actors/actress , if possible from germany considering the german names most aoa characters have. its funny to see japanese using western name.
April 4, 2014 @ 3:09 pm
Actually, considering that it is one if any of the few remaining strongholds for humanity, I imagined a mix race of casts.
April 4, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
That would be epic!!!