The final chapter of the TV anime series "Attack on Titan, " based on the popular manga by Hajime Isayama, "The Final Season," will be shown again in theaters from January 16th. Following the screening, Hiro Shimono , who plays Attack on Titan Springer, spoke about his thoughts on the series and Connie.
--What do you think is the reason why the content " Attack on Titan" has been loved for so long?
Of course, the work is interesting for its unexpected worldview and story, the characters and their relationships, and the balance between serious and comical, but I think the reason it has been loved by so many people is because, when combined with the visuals, music, and voices of the anime, it has resonated with so many people!
--You've said that you were certain that Connie would die. Of all the scenes in which he has overcome many difficult situations with his strong willpower, is there one that stands out in your memory?
Rather than "Connie dies," I thought "Connie isn't an important character," so I was surprised that he managed to survive until the end. He plays a variety of important roles in the series, so it's hard to choose a particular scene, but... it was the scene where Connie tries to feed Falco to his mother. He may have become stronger as a soldier, but I think it was his mental weakness that caused that incident. I think it was his interaction with Armin at that time that helped him grow mentally, which led to his later achievements.
--Connie seems to have been an active mood maker despite the tragedy he endured, with everyone in his hometown, including his mother, turning into Titans. What do you think of his personality and his appeal, Mr. Shimono?
When he first appeared, I got the impression that he was really "stupid." He calls himself a genius, jokes around with Sasha, and all his flaws stand out... But he's always been considerate of his friends, and even when he runs away, he doesn't run away alone, he runs away with everyone, and even in the Falco incident, he ends up saving Armin. He may be a joker and a fool, but I think Connie's good points are that he cares about his friends and family.
--One of Connie's charms throughout the series is her comical interactions with her fellow trainees. Please tell us if there was a conversation scene that left an impression on you.
As I mentioned above, Connie and Sasha often joke around, and there are many comments that make you wonder, "Is this guy okay?" Among them, "Eren's house!" really made me wonder, what happened all of a sudden? It's a line from the original work, so Isayama-sensei may have had some intention behind it, but I remember really struggling with how to act it out in the anime. Personally, I interpreted it as a line that Connie blurted out unconsciously as a result of her mind refusing to think because of her extreme fear.
"Attack on Titan" is a manga that depicts humanity's desperate battle against giants with overwhelming power. It is Isayama's debut work, and began serialization in September 2009 as the inaugural title of "Bessatsu Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha), with the final episode airing in April 2021. The comic has sold over 140 million copies worldwide.
Season 1 of the TV anime aired from April to September 2013, Season 2 from April to June 2017, and Part 1 of Season 3 from July to October 2018. Part 2 of Season 3 aired from April to June 2019, Part 1 of the final chapter, "The Final Season," aired from December 2020 to March 2021, Part 2 from January to April 2022, the final episode (Part 1) aired in March 2023, and the final episode (Part 2) aired in November 2023.
"Attack on Titan: The Final Chapter - The Last Attack" was released on November 8, 2024, and was a hit, attracting over 1 million viewers.
