If Attack on тιтan ever gets another live-action adaptation, it needs to avoid making the same mistake as the previous one. There are a number of live-action anime movies on the horizon, and while such projects tend to get a bad rap, Netflix’s One Piece is proof they can be done well. With a decent budget and creatives who are pᴀssionate about the source material, it’s possible to do these adaptations justice. That realization could see Hollywood revisiting anime that already made the jump to live-action; in fact, Death Note is already getting a second chance in this medium.

And Death Note may not be the only anime to get another sH๏τ at a live-action movie or series. Attack on тιтan also has a failed adaptation from 2015, which has a disappointing 45% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Even split into two films, the adaptation fails to capture what makes Attack on тιтan one of the best anime series of all time. And although another adaptation would need to fix a few things the original got wrong, there’s one fatal mistake it would need to avoid: the one that killed any hope of 2015’s adaptation succeeding.

Attack On тιтan’s Live-Action Movies Made The Fatal Mistake Of Not Including Levi

The Fan-Favorite Character’s Absence Is Felt In The 2015 Adaptation

The 2015 Attack on тιтan movies have quite a few issues, including their questionable effects and disregard for the story they’re based on. However, the most fatal decision the film makes is cutting fan-favorite Levi Ackerman from the narrative. Levi isn’t the only prominent character to be excluded from the live-action adaptation; Reiner Braun and Bertolt Hoover, both of whom play crucial roles in the anime, are also missing. But while the film might not have had time for the anime’s big Reiner and Bertolt reveal, cutting Levi is particularly perplexing.

This is especially true because the film replaces the Survey Corps captain with Shikishima, a character that has the same rank and reputation as Levi — though he also proves far less sympathetic. Considering Levi is one of Attack on тιтan‘s biggest supporting players — he’s often depicted alongside the main trio on posters and the merchandise — it’s strange that the live-action adaptation replaces him with an unknown newcomer. It’s certainly a miscalculation, as anime fans love Levi. While changes are inevitable in a live-action movie, this one doesn’t benefit Attack on тιтan at all.

I Get Changing The Anime’s Story, But Attack On тιтan Without Levi Makes No Sense

He Would Have Fit Into The Live-Action Movies’ Existing Framework

Attack on тιтan‘s anime spans a total of four seasons — and the fourth is broken into multiple parts — so it’s understandable that 2015’s adaptation changes Hajime Isayama’s original story. There’s no way it could fit all the series’ twists and turns into a feature-length film, or even two of them. This is why other characters’ absences can be explained away; tackling Reiner’s arc, for example, would require far more than two films. However, Levi could easily fit into the existing framework, and cutting him makes absolutely no sense.

Levi is introduced early in Attack on тιтan, and he’s an essential part of Eren’s journey and the anime overall. He’s the adult character who plays the largest role in training and protecting the main cadets, and he’s the one who convinces Paradis’ military to use Eren’s тιтan powers to their advantage rather than wasting them. Some have even argued that Levi is Attack on тιтan‘s true hero, as he’s one of the Survey Corps’ best weapons against the тιтans. Needless to say, cutting him from a live-action take on the series was never going to work out.

Attack On тιтan Is The Perfect Anime For A Live-Action Adaption (If Done Right)

Its Political Storylines Are Perfect For The Medium

Although the previous live-action Attack on тιтan adaptation fails to capture the heart of the anime, the series could still work in this format. The biggest challenge to a live-action take on the story is getting the тιтans right; cheap CGI and effects simply won’t do, especially given how great the anime’s action looks. But 2015’s Attack on тιтan arguably handles the тιтans better than the original series. They’re certainly scarier than their animated counterparts, and that works in the films’ favor.

Apart from the тιтans, Attack on тιтan is a political story at its core, as it grapples with the cycle of violence humans perpetuate and whether it’s possible to break free from it. The human-centered drama would translate well to live-action if it’s handled correctly. In fact, the anime’s themes are prominent in other popular live-action projects. And even the Survey Corps’ training and the EDM gear would work in this format. Despite falling into the fantasy genre, Attack on тιтan doesn’t feature outlandish powers or characters, making it much easier to adapt than something like My Hero Academia or Naruto.

Attack on тιтan

Created by

Hajime Isayama

First Film

Attack on тιтan: The Crimson Bow and Arrow

Latest Film

Attack on тιтan: The Final Chapters (2023)

Upcoming Films

Attack on тιтan: The Last Attack

First TV Show

Attack On тιтan

Summary

Attack on тιтan is a globally successful manga and anime franchise created by Hajime Isayama. The story is set in a world where humanity lives inside walled cities, threatened by giant humanoid creatures called тιтans. The series follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they fight to uncover the truth about the тιтans and the world. First serialized in 2009, the franchise has expanded into anime series, films, video games, novels, and live-action adaptations.

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