Attack on Titan’s Hajime Isayama Reflects on Creative Burnout
Hajime Isayama, the mind behind Attack on Titan, has opened up about his creative struggles and why he’s stepped away from manga since the series ended. His candid remarks came during a special film screening.
Hajime Isayama, the artist and writer responsible for the phenomenon that is Attack on Titan, has offered a rare glimpse into his life since the manga’s conclusion in 2021. Addressing fans at a special screening of The Last Attack, the latest film instalment, Isayama shared a message that was as honest as it was unexpected.
“Many years have passed since the manga serialization and anime broadcast ended, but I'm no longer working,”
he wrote, making it clear that his days of relentless drawing and storytelling are, for now, behind him. He went on to explain that while he’s occasionally been roped in for the odd illustration or autograph, and has lent a hand to Yuki Kaji’s Breeze Project, the daily grind of manga creation is no longer part of his routine.
Despite what some might imagine, Isayama insists he’s not simply lounging about.
“However, I am by no means living a self-indulgent life; I am busy every day,”
he added, hinting at a schedule that’s full, if not with drawing, then with other pursuits. Yet, even if he found himself with more time on his hands, he doubts he could recapture the creative spark that fuelled his most famous work.
“However, even if I wasn't so busy now, I don't think I could write anything like Attack on Titan. If I try to write something, it will end up being a [copy] of one of the elements I drew in Attack on Titan. I think this first serialization was like that, where I poured everything out until I was completely empty.”
Post-Titan Life and Lingering Impact
Since the curtain fell on Attack on Titan, Isayama’s creative output has been minimal. The only notable exception is a one-shot penned for Yuki Kaji, titled The Theory of Ill-Natured Men and AI, which is set for release in 2025. The anime adaptation, meanwhile, wrapped up in 2023 after a protracted final season that stretched over several years and included a handful of feature-length specials, collectively known as The Final Chapters. These were later compiled into The Last Attack, which hit cinemas in 2024.
Isayama’s withdrawal from the manga scene hasn’t gone unnoticed, but it hasn’t spelled the end for the franchise he created. Producers have hinted at plans to keep the brand alive, with more films and a variety of game tie-ins on the horizon. The anime’s influence remains considerable, having recently picked up the inaugural Global Impact Award at the 2025 Anime Awards.
Creative Exhaustion and the Weight of Success
Isayama’s remarks paint a picture of a creator who gave everything to his debut series, leaving little in reserve for future projects. The sense of creative exhaustion is palpable, and his reluctance to revisit familiar territory is understandable. For many, Attack on Titan was a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, and Isayama seems content to let it stand alone, rather than risk diluting its impact with lesser imitations.
While fans may hope for a return to form, Isayama’s honesty about his limitations is refreshing in an industry that often demands constant output. For now, he appears to be focusing on life beyond the drawing board, leaving the world he built to continue evolving in the hands of others.