Attack on Titan Creator Reveals Why He Can't Replicate His Groundbreaking Manga Success

So, here’s something a little unexpected—Hajime Isayama, the guy who created Attack on Titan (a.k.a. one of the most popular manga/anime epics of the last decade), has basically disappeared from the manga scene since the series wrapped up. If you’ve been waiting for his “big next project,” you might need to let that dream go—or at least don’t hold your breath.

What’s Isayama Been Doing Since Attack on Titan?

When Attack on Titan’s manga finished back in 2021, a lot of fans assumed Isayama would eventually jump into a new series or at least keep drawing. Didn’t happen. At a recent screening for The Last Attack (that’s the latest Attack on Titan movie stitched together from the anime’s endless final arc), Isayama sent a pretty honest message to fans:

'Many years have passed since the manga and anime ended, but I’m no longer working. Sometimes I get asked to do a quick illustration or sign an autograph, and I did help out on Yuki Kaji’s Breeze Project, but I don’t draw every day anymore.'

Not exactly the “manga workaholic” stereotype. Isayama admitted he’s still busy—just not with manga. And even if he did get more free time, he believes anything he tried to write now would just end up looking like recycled Attack on Titan leftovers. So, in his words, that first serialization 'emptied him out' creatively. Kind of wild, considering most creators in his position would be announcing sequels, spin-offs, or at least cashing in on the hype.

Anything At All Since Then?

If you’re looking for post-Attack on Titan Isayama art, there’s only one new manga: a one-shot called The Theory of Ill-Natured Men and AI, which he made for Yuki Kaji (who voices Eren in the anime) and his “Breeze Project.” That’s it. Otherwise, just some guest art and the occasional public appearance.

The Anime Drawn Out Farewell Tour

For those keeping track, Attack on Titan’s anime finally ended in 2023, after a “final season” that was anything but final—it got split across years, padded with feature-length specials, and then everything was repackaged as The Last Attack movie for a 2024 release. If anyone deserved a victory lap, it’s this story, but at this point it’s felt like an extended goodbye.

Is Attack on Titan Really Over?

Here’s the twist: Just because Isayama stepped away doesn’t mean Attack on Titan is dead. One of the producers straight-up said they ‘plan to continue’ making films and working on new game tie-ins. And despite the story’s convoluted endgame, the anime is still raking in awards—it was the very first to win Crunchyroll’s new “Global Impact Award” at the 2025 Anime Awards.

The Short Version

• Isayama hasn’t started any new manga since Attack on Titan ended in 2021, and admits he might not have it in him for a new series.
• He does occasional one-off work (a 2025 one-shot for Yuki Kaji was it), and the rest of his “busy schedule” is a bit of a mystery.
• The anime dragged its ending out until 2023, then got bundled as a movie in 2024.
• Production higher-ups still want to keep the brand alive—more movies and game collabs are on the table.
• The anime adaptation won the first ever “Global Impact Award” at Crunchyroll’s 2025 Anime Awards.

If you’re itching for more Attack on Titan (or just good new anime), check out my guide to all the big 2026 shows, or jump into the full Attack on Titan watch order if you want to relive the highs, the lows, and the absurdly long pauses between episodes.