'Attack on Titan' has an alternative ending… but absolutely illegal

Released in January of this year, the short Shingeki no Kyojin: Requiem was presented as a reinterpretation of the ending of the popular manga Attack on Titan, created by Hajime Isayama. This project, carried out by a group of animators under the name Studio Eclypse, seeks to offer dissatisfied fans an alternative ending that contrasts with the official conclusion of the story, generating a melting pot of opinions within the community.

Attack on other versions

The short film, which has a duration of 15 minutes and is based on a fancomic, was initially designed as a non-profit project. However, it soon faced opposition from Kodansha, the publisher responsible for Shingeki no Kyojin, which has taken legal action against Studio Eclypse for copyright infringement. This situation has affected the availability of the short on social media, including the removal of videos from platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

Despite the fact that Studio Eclypse has stated that they are not currently facing legal issues personally, the fact that Kodansha has not directly sued them does not eliminate the growing scrutiny over their project. It is worth remembering that in the past, the studio has already had similar legal problems with an unauthorized Berserk project, which adds tension to their current situation.

The rise of Shingeki no Kyojin: Requiem highlights the division of opinions among Attack on Titan fans regarding Isayama’s original ending. Although it is currently unknown whether Studio Eclypse will continue with its project, the pressure from Japanese publishers suggests that the future of the short may not be promising. Fans remain expectant, wondering if the studio will be able to move forward amid these legal challenges.