A Tribute to the Masters of Animation
At the recent prestigious awards show held on a glittering Saturday night, esteemed animator Hayao Miyazaki received top honors with the Astra Award for Best International Filmmaker. Miyazaki’s film, “Suzume” (Suzume no Tojimari), was in the running for Best Animated Feature, yet it was Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” that ultimately secured the category win.
In a captivating conclusion to a storied saga, the highly anticipated finale of the “Attack on Titan” anime made its grand debut on November 4, premiering on the NHK General channel. This significant event was accessible globally through the streaming services Crunchyroll and Hulu, presenting an extended episode that captivated viewers for 85 minutes.
Additionally, the anime’s climactic moments were underscored by the evocative theme music “Nisen-nen… Moshiku wa…. Niman-nen ato no Kimi e” (“To You in 2,000… or… 20,000 Years From Now”) performed by the renowned group Linked Horizon.
Introducing “The Last Titan”: A New Theme for a Grand Finale
In Japan, fans experienced a special treat as “Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS” Parts 1 and 2 streamed in a unique single-episode format, essentially becoming episodes 88-94 of the Final Season. These episodes stood distinct with their dedicated opening and closing theme sequences.
The band Linked Horizon delivered a powerful opening with “Saigo no Kyojin” (“The Last Titan”), and the soulful Ai Higuchi wrapped up the episodes with her endearing song “Itterasshai” (“Have a Safe Trip”).
The first part of this thrilling conclusion aired as a special one-hour event on March 3, and Crunchyroll shared this momentous slice of entertainment under the title “Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 1”. Hulu joined in on streaming the epic, while Toonami brought it to television screens on September 9.
To top it off, the band SIM infused their new theme song “Under the Tree” into the mix, enhancing the anime’s final journey. The episode titles for the third and fourth parts were carefully crafted, signaling them as the opening act (Zenpen) and closing act (Kōhen) of the Final Season’s conclusion.
The journey began when “Attack on Titan The Final Season” first landed on NHK in December 2020 with an exhilarating 16-episode run. As the anime phenomenon exploded, Funimation and Crunchyroll leaped into action, offering fans the series with English subtitles.
Meanwhile, Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block brought the narrative to an English-speaking audience starting in January 2021, and Funimation concurrently released an English dubbed version, making sure no anime enthusiast was left behind.
Source: Variety
Final Thoughts
Hayao Miyazaki’s recognition as the Best International Filmmaker and the riveting conclusion of “Attack on Titan” represent more than mere achievements in the realm of animation; they signify the power and impact of storytelling through art.
While Miyazaki’s graceful visuals continue to enchant, the bold narrative strokes of “Attack on Titan” bring home the intensity and passion of anime craftsmanship. As the curtains fall on these animated marvels, we’re reminded of the boundless imagination and dedication that make such masterpieces possible, securing their legacy in the hearts of audiences worldwide.
