Although the main anime Attack on Titan(Shingeki no Kyojin) came to an end in 2023, the story of the world created by Hajime Isayama still has much to offer, the closure of the series marked the end of an era in animation, but not the end of the franchise. This was confirmed by producer Tetsuya Kinoshita, who recently revealed that there are several projects in development to laterally expand the narrative universe of the series. According to his statements, the idea is not to continue with a direct sequel as other franchises have done, but to keep the legacy alive through spin-offs, video games, concerts and other entertainment media.
Attack on Titan universe expands without sequel but with spin-offs
In his most recent statements, Tetsuya Kinoshita made it clear that the goal is not to create a direct sequel like Boruto: Naruto Next Generations or Dragon Ball Super, the main story has already been told, explained the producer, who also expressed his interest in expanding the franchise through parallel projects that deepen the lore without altering the narrative closure of the anime. Confirmed projects include live concerts, video games and the open possibility of new anime and light novels.
The lateral approach proposed by Kinoshita is ideal for a franchise like Attack on Titan, whose universe has an extensive lore, multiple timelines and a cast of characters with barely sketched backgrounds, throughout the series, many events were told through flashbacks or brief mentions, leaving narrative spaces that could now be exploited to develop new stories.
For example, spin-offs such as No Regrets, focusing on Captain Levi’s past, or Lost Girls, which explores personal aspects of Annie and Mikasa, have shown that there is a great appetite for stories centered on secondary characters. Similarly, Before the Fall, a manga set decades before the events of the main series, showed how the past of this universe can be a narrative goldmine, and these works have been well received by fans and critics alike, encouraging the studio to continue developing spin-off content.
Many Attack on Titan fans are also clamoring for more details about charismatic and complex characters like Hange Zoë, whose scientific passion for titans and eccentric charisma deserve further development. A story retracing his formative years or his evolution as a leader within the Exploration Corps could provide both dramatic moments and touches of humor, likewise, Erwin Smith, whose tactical mind and strong leadership marked an entire generation, is another ideal candidate for a spin-off focused on his origins and ethical decisions.
Other characters within Attack on Titan that could benefit from further development include Sasha Braus, who would bring a lighter, more human vision to the franchise, and secondary characters from the recon squad that were barely explored on screen. In addition, there is interest in exploring the political and social conflicts of nations such as Hizuru or the past of the Eldian Empire, the rise of Marley and the history of the original nine titans, topics that were outlined but never dealt with in depth.
As for multimedia projects, the production team is already working on live concerts where the iconic Attack on Titan music, which will be composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, will be combined with projections of key scenes from the anime, offering an immersive sensory experience for fans. Video games are also in the works that will allow players to explore the world of Attack on Titan from different perspectives, expanding the universe with narrative quests that go beyond what has been seen in the series.
These types of initiatives not only revitalize interest in Attack on Titan, but also serve as a bridge to attract new audiences, unlike a sequel that risks disappointing or altering the closure of the original story, these side projects offer creative freedom without compromising the integrity of the original material.
The future of Attack on Titan will not be marked by a direct sequel, but by a creative expansion that both respects the legacy of the work and enriches it, with such a vast world and complex characters. There is much to explore without the need to remake what has already been closed, the projects underway promise to keep the franchise alive for years to come, turning it into a true ecosystem of stories, emotions and experiences, Attack on Titan does not need a sequel to remain relevant; it needs, and will have, more opportunities to tell new stories within its already legendary universe.
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