Attack on Titan, The Movie: Part 1 - Attack on Titan
Shingeki no Kyojin: Attack on Titan is a Japanese live-action film based on the manga, Attack on Titan created by Hajime Isayama , also known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese. Although the films are based on the original manga, it has a completely original story.
The film ATTACK ON TITAN is divided into two parts. The film was directed by Shinji Higuchi, and written by Yusuke Watanabe and Tomohiro Machiyama for parts 1 and 2. Both films were supervised by writer Hajime Isayama , although the story and setting were significantly changed. The characters were created by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. GANTZ screenwriter Yusuke Watanabe cooperated with film critic Tomohiro Machiyama to write the screenplay.
The world premiere of Part 1 took place on July 14, 2015, at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The theatrical release in Japan took place on August 1, 2015, while the United States and Canada received their releases on September 30, 2015.
About Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is a Japanese dark fantasy series that has gained worldwide popularity. It began as a manga series written by Hajime Isayama and premiered in 2009. The manga series became a hit and was adapted into an anime, an animated film series, and then a live-action film. The original manga continues to this day.
Synopsis
The setting of the story is a world where humans are protected within enormous walls while gigantic Titans roam the lands beyond. Since these Titans are considered evil and dangerous, humans built high walls to protect themselves. As these walls surrounded cities and towns, people lived in peace until one particular day.
The story begins on a day like any other, until the outer wall is suddenly destroyed by the Colossal Titan . This Titan crashes into the village where the protagonist, Eren Yeager, is located. Shortly after, the Titan kills and eats Eren's mother. Eren runs away, sad and angry, and promises to dedicate his life to eliminating all Titans.
Actors and characters
The two-part film has a completely original story that includes the main characters from the manga who are portrayed with an original cast.
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Haruma Miura plays the protagonist, Eren Jaegar , a young man who demands freedom.
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Kiko Mizuhara plays Mikasa Ackermann , the skilled warrior who flies around the battlefield.
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Kanata Hongo plays Armin Arlelt , Eren and Mikasa's kind childhood friend.
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Satomi Ishihara plays Hans, the reconnaissance regiment's commander and Titan researcher. She is the live-action counterpart of Hange Zoe None.
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Takahiro Miura plays Jean Kirstein , the rebel blade.
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Nanami Sakuraba plays Blouse Sasha , the hungry sniper.
New characters
Besides these key characters above, the live-action film introduced seven new characters:
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Hiroki Hasegawa plays Shikishima, the captain of the scout regiment. He is the "strongest" man in humanity.
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Pierre Taki plays Souda, the sad leader.
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Jun Kanimura plays Kubal, the director of the military forces.
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Rina Takeda plays Lil, one of the female soldiers who lives for love.
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Satoru Matsuo plays Sannagi, the hero with deep affection.
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Shu Watanabe plays the role of Fukushi, the protector of grief.
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Ayame Misaki plays Hiana, the warrior who resembles a mother.
Producer Yoshihiro Sato responded to a question about whether the film crew chose the actors based on the physical characteristics of the original characters. He stated that he never took this into account and that he had discussed several times with Isayama, the screenwriter, the issue of choosing actors based on how they would embody the spirit of the characters rather than their appearance.
Production and filming location
Filming began in May 2014 and lasted until August of that year. Locations such as Gunkanjima in Nagasaki Prefecture were used, as well as others such as Kumamoto, Ibaraki Prefecture, and others. Director Higuchi explained that they split the week's work into two days and filmed with two crews at the same time. Higuchi said he doesn't remember much about the process because it was so fast-paced.
On Gunkanjima, Higuchi explained that the location was "beautiful, but sad." "There aren't many places like this in Japan, and maybe even in the world. I wanted the actors to feel that kind of atmosphere," he explained. Actress Mizuhara also said she was amazed to see Gunkanjima. "I felt a mysterious power. I was scared at first, but now I feel a lively atmosphere," she explained. Actress Ishihara commented, "I was relieved and happy after seeing the finished film. I'm glad I gave it my all." Actor Hongo also said, "It was amazing to see the Titans' strength with aftereffects through special photography instead of CG."
Reviews
Since Attack on Titan, the manga series' success was such that audiences believed it would be difficult to create a live-action film capable of recreating this dark action story. Such films are rarely produced in Japan because it is a difficult genre. Productions have slowly increased, but compared to Hollywood films, the number of productions and their budgets are low.
The film's setting is slightly more futuristic, making vehicles the primary means of transportation. This is a huge difference from the manga's use of medieval horses, rifles, and cannons. Readers explain that the mounted soldiers who go to fight the Titans are one of the important factors that contributed to its fantasy world.
In the "2015 HIHO Hakusaku Magazine Film Awards" by "Movie Treasure," the magazine chose to choose the worst film of the year. This particular film was voted 1st. The second part of the film, ATTACK ON TITAN - End of the World, was voted the 4th worst film later that year.
