6 Years Later, WIT Studio CEO Breaks Silence on Handing Over Attack on Titan to MAPPA

August 13, 2026, 10:15pm

Attack on Titan took the internet by storm in 2020 when the anime changed studios in the final season. While WIT Studio released the first three seasons of the anime, MAPPA took over in December 2020 for the final season. It’s been nearly six years since the transition, and the anime couldn’t have gone to a better studio. Fans love the adaptation by WIT Studio, and it’s safe to say that MAPPA did justice to the exceptional series. Based on the award-winning manga written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, the anime debuted in 2013 and didn’t take long before capturing fans’ attention.

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The anime had an exceptional run for the first three seasons, but things changed drastically after the transition. WIT Studio wrapped up the second part of Season 3 in 2019, a couple of years before the manga finale. The story changed completely in the post-time skip era, leading to several controversies and fan debates even after the manga finale in 2021. It’s been almost six years since MAPPA debuted the final season, and WIT Studio CEO George Wada finally reveals the real reason behind the unexpected change.

WIT Studio CEO Reveals Why MAPPA Took Over Attack on Titan in Final Season

Attack on Titan Levi Eren — Image Courtesy of WIT Studio

In an interview with Mantan Web, George Wada shares, “At the time, the burden of creating ‘Attack on Titan‘ was immense. When we considered the careers of the creators, including director Tetsuro Araki, there was also a desire to ‘create an original work.’ An animation studio is not simply a group that produces works; it is closely intertwined with the lives of the staff.”

He also added, “WIT STUDIO produced up to season 3, and MAPPA took over from there. I believe that it was because of this combination that the TV anime ‘Attack on Titan‘ was able to be completed. I think this was the only way the work could have ended.”

While the majority of the reason behind the change in studio was the immense pressure and the tight deadline, one of the reasons was also the animators’ desire to focus more on original series. WIT Studio is known for several acclaimed original anime, including Great Pretender, Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song, and Moonrise. In June this year, the studio also confirmed another original anime, LONA.

Considering how much of the budget and time was going to Attack on Titan, WIT Studio decided it was best to let go of its flagship series. Wada also mentioned that the anime ended in the best way possible thanks to the combined efforts of both studios. While WIT Studio initially faced difficulties over its next flagship title, things turned out for the better when Spy x Family was introduced to Wada. Spy x Family is another acclaimed Shonen series, and the anime is a collaborative project between WIT Studio and CloverWorks.

Attack on Titan’s Finale Is More Widely Accepted Now

Attack on Titan Eren Mikasa Armin — Image Courtesy of WIT Studio

Unlike what one might expect, the change in studio wasn’t a major issue and did nothing to diminish fans’ enjoyment of the series. WIT Studio laid the foundation of the incredible story within the first three seasons and handed the reins to MAPPA, another renowned studio. The fluid movements through the ODM gears and the cinematic sequences in the first three seasons are still praised among fans. The color composition fits the mood of the story incredibly as it follows Eren’s journey.

However, when it comes to MAPPA’s adaptation, the anime leans more towards darker shading and gritty details that are closer to the manga. Following the time-skip, the story changed completely when Eren saw the truth of the world through the powers of the Founding Titan.

Although the finale is more widely accepted after the anime’s conclusion, the manga went down in history for being one of the most controversial endings of all time. When the manga reached its conclusion, fans weren’t completely thrilled with Eren’s fate and several other plot points. However, thanks to the original anime scenes and Isayama’s contribution to the anime production, the series erased almost all of the dissatisfaction fans had towards the ending.