Attack on Titan, The Movie: Part 1

Attack on Titan, The Movie: Part 1 (進撃の巨人) is a live-action movie, directed by Shinji Higuchi and written by Yusuke Watanabe and Tomohiro Machiyama, based on the Attack on Titan manga created by Hajime Isayama.

The world premiere was announced to be on July 14, 2015, at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California, with the Japanese release being on August 1 and the US & Canada release being on September 30.

It is the first of a two-part story that will continue with Attack on Titan, The Movie: Part 2, to be released on September 19 in Japan and October 20 in USA & Canada.

Synopsis
That day, humanity remembered... More than one hundred years ago, Titans suddenly appeared. The majority of the human race was eaten and civilization collapsed. The survivors of the war built three walls to prevent the invasion of the Titans, and kept the peace by securing the living area inside. In one hundred years, the wall has not been broken... until this day.

Plot
Souda attempts to stop Eren, Mikasa, and Armin from wondering near the Walls. As he's talking to them, the ground begins to shake and a roar is heard. Above them, a Colossal Titan is looking over the wall, and with one kick he breaches the wall allowing Titans inside. The Garrison begin firing their cannons, but the Titans' regenerative abilities makes them ineffective. Regardless, the Garrison continue firing until the Titans are close enough to grab and eat them. The city is in chaos as the Titans spread out, devouring every civilian they can catch.

Armin decides he has to check on his family. Eren and Mikasa see a crowded house and attempt to hide in it. Mikasa notices a woman carrying a baby outside being pushed by other people attempting to flee. Eren goes for the woman, while Mikasa goes for the baby, but due to the frantic people Mikasa is unable to make it back into the house. Eren tries to go after her, but the frightened people inside quickly shut the door. Suddenly a Smiling Titan makes it's way toward Mikasa, fearing the end, she begins crying. A force knocks Eren back, but when he looks outside again Mikasa is no longer there. After quickly heading outside, a group of Titans attack the house. The people inside are screaming for their lives as the Titans remove the roof. Eren watches in horror, unable to help.

Description
The story of the live-action movie is based on the manga but includes some original aspects and was supervised by the author, Hajime Isayama.

Among the aspects that the film shares with its manga counterpart are the concepts of the Titans, the Walls, the three military factions and the Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear. Manga characters confirmed to appear in the movie are Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Hange Zoë, Sasha Blouse and Jean Kirstein. The Colossal Titan appears too, but it is unknown if his identity is still Bertolt Hoover in the movies' continuity. Eren is also shown being able to transform into Titan, showing thatTitan Shifters exist in that continuity.

However, there are many differences; one of the most notable being that all characters are portrayed by Japanese actors, while in the original work, most people have western names and features (except the Asian races). Also, many of them bear little physical resemblance with the manga versions, including the case of Armin portrayed by an actor with black hair.

The world depicted in the movies has more advanced technology that the one shown in the manga and the rest of derivated works. Several images were released where Hange was holding an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). In the manga, that level of technology has never displayed. Also on trailers and pictures several motorized vehicles can be seen, while in the manga, horses are the principal way of transporting people, and the most advanced device seems to be the 3D Maneuver Gear (which works with compressed gas).

A new character called Shikishima replaces Levi Ackerman as Humanity's Strongest Soldier, being referred to as "The Strongest Man" in his cast poster. Other new characters introduced in the movie in main roles are Souda, Hiana, Kubal, Fukushi, Sannagi and Lil.

Production information
The film was announced on October 2011, with a planned release date in 2013 and in December of 2011 was announced to be a live-action movie. A car commercial featuring the Titans and directed by Shinji Higuchi was also announced.

Filming began May, 2014 and finished August, 2014. Shooting locations include Hashima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture and Toho studio.

Release
The film is scheduled for release in Japan on August 1, 2015 In June 29 it was announced that FUNimation acquired the theatrical, home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast rights to the movies across the Americas (North America, Central America and South America).

FUNimation also announced that the film’s director Shinji Higuchi was going to appear at the San Diego Comic-Con for an autograph session on Sunday, July 12, at 1:00 p.m. PST at FUNimation’s booth (#4135). Following this they hosted the world premiere of the first movie in Japanese with English subtitles at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, July 14. Haruma Miura and Kiko Mizuhara, who portray Eren and Mikasa in the movie respectively, appearad at the film’s premiere along with the director.

"FUNimation is honored to host the world premiere of Attack on Titan here in the United States with Toho," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of FUNimation Entertainment. "Attack on Titan is truly a worldwide phenomenon and we are excited to bring the live action movie to theaters across the Americas later this fall."

On August 14, FUNimation revealed the screening dates of both parts of the movie in US and Canada, with Part 1 screening in a limited theatrical release on September 30, October 1 and October 7, and Part 2 airing three weeks later on October 20, 22 and 27.

“Fan reaction to Attack on Titan was extremely positive at the world premiere and we’re pleased to be able to announce dates for the theatrical releases in September and October,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of FUNimation Entertainment, in a press statement. “Attack on Titan is a worldwide phenomenon and we are excited to bring the live action movies to not only fans of the manga and anime but also horror fans as well from across the U.S. and Canada.”

Cast, Crew and other Details

 * Haruma Miura - Eren Yeager
 * Mizuhara Kiko - Mikasa Ackerman
 * Kanata Hongô - Armin Arlert
 * Satomi Ishihara - Hans
 * Nanami Sakuraba - Sasha Blouse
 * Takahiro Miura - Jean Kirstein
 * Hiroki Hasegawa - Shikishima
 * Ayame Misaki - Hiana
 * Pierre Taki - Souda
 * Jun Kunimura - Kubal
 * Shû Watanabe - Fukushi
 * Satoru Matsuo - Sannagi
 * Rina Takeda - Lil

Production Companies

 * Kodansha
 * Licri
 * Nikkatsu
 * Toho Company
 * Toho Pictures

Distributed by

 * Toho Company
 * FUNimation

Special Effects

 * Nishimura Motion Picture Model Makers Group

Trivia

 * Tetsuya Nakashima was originally selected to direct the film, with a public announcement on December 8, 2011. It was announced by December, 2012 that Tetsuya Nakashima has dropped out of the project due to creative differences. On December 4, 2013 a public announcement was made that the movie project will begin again with Shinji Higuchi as the film's director.
 * The theme songs of the movie are Anti-Hero and SOS, both by Sekai no Owari.
 * The film has been written fully in Japanese.

​External Links

 * Official English website
 * Official Japanese website
 * Attack on Titan Live Action Movie on IMDB