Attack on Titan is one of the most popular anime series of the past decade. The dark fantasy anime first premiered in 2013 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. Attack on Titan revolves around the last remnants of humanity living within three enormous walls protecting them from man-eating titans. The story follows Eren Jaeger and his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlet, who join the military to fight the titans after their town is attacked and Eren’s mother is eaten.
The anime is adapted from the Attack on Titan manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The manga began serialization in 2009 and ended in April 2021 with a total of 34 volumes. The anime series is produced by Wit Studio and directed by Tetsurō Araki.
Attack on Titan has enjoyed immense popularity across the globe. The anime series has spawned video games, several spin-off manga, merchandise, a live action film series, and much more. Four seasons of the anime have aired so far. Season 1 premiered in 2013, Season 2 in 2017, Season 3 in 2018, and Season 4 is currently ongoing.
Season 4 of Attack on Titan is broken up into parts. Part 1 aired from December 2020 to March 2021. Part 2 premiered in January 2022 and ended in April 2022. There are many fans wondering if there will be a Part 3 to conclude the events of the manga in animated form.
The Case for AoT Season 4 Part 3
There are several reasons to believe Attack on Titan will receive a Season 4 Part 3:
- The manga’s ending has not yet been adapted – There are several story arcs and plot points from the manga that have not yet appeared in the anime. The most pivotal events from the manga’s finale have yet to be animated.
- Too much content for a movie – There is likely too much story content left for it to be covered in just a single anime film. At least 10-12 more episodes would likely be needed.
- No official announcement ruling it out – Neither the producers at MAPPA nor the Attack on Titan committee have announced there will not be a Part 3. Their silence leaves the door open.
- TV scheduling availability – There appears to be room in the schedules for a Part 3 to air in 2023 if production starts soon.
- Blu-ray/DVD hints – The Season 4 Blu-ray/DVD releases have been titled “Part 1” and “Part 2” implying there could be a “Part 3.”
There are approximately 16 unadapted manga chapters remaining that would probably translate to around 12-13 more anime episodes. That is too much content to fit into a single compilation film.
The Case Against AoT Season 4 Part 3
However, there are also several reasons why Attack on Titan may not receive a third part to Season 4:
- No official confirmation yet – Neither MAPPA nor the Attack on Titan producers have confirmed a Part 3 is in production. The lack of an announcement this far out is concerning.
- MAPPA’s crowded schedule – Studio MAPPA has a lot of major projects currently in production, leaving uncertainty over their availability.
- A movie could work – While unlikely, it is possible the remaining manga content could be adapted into a 2-hour film.
- The staff is moving on – Some of the key Attack on Titan production staff members have shifted focus to other projects.
- Merchandising hints – Many Attack on Titan merchandise seem to indicate the anime ending with Season 4 Part 2.
The lack of any concrete confirmation of a Season 4 Part 3 over 6 months after Part 2 ended is strange. MAPPA studio also seems to have their hands full with other anime productions in 2022 and 2023. Some key staff members also appear to have shifted focus away from Attack on Titan.
Analysis and Predictions
Analyzing all the available information points toward Attack on Titan Season 4 being unlikely to receive a Part 3. Here is a breakdown of some of the key facts:
Lack of Official Confirmation
– No announcement has been made by MAPPA, Kodansha, or the Attack on Titan committee regarding a Part 3. This lack of confirmation several months out is highly concerning. Most anime productions are confirmed at least 9-12 months in advance of their premiere date. The silence does not inspire confidence Part 3 is coming.
Crowded MAPPA Schedule
– Studio MAPPA has a full slate of major productions already scheduled through 2023:
| 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw Man | Jigokuraku |
| Dance Dance Danseur | Vinland Saga S2 |
| Jujutsu Kaisen S2 | Hell’s Paradise |
| Alice & Therese’s Illusion Factory | Yuri on Ice movie |
– Taking on Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 3 seems unlikely with their production bandwidth already pushed to the limits.
Limited Options to Adapt the Ending
– There are around 16 unadapted manga chapters remaining
– At the Season 4 pacing of adapting around 2 chapters per episode, that is 8-9 more episodes worth of content
– Too much content for a 1-2 hour compilation film
– Very difficult to adapt the remaining story arcs faithfully without a Part 3
Merchandise Winding Down
Much of the Attack on Titan merchandise and promotions we have seen since Part 2 ended seem to indicate the anime is finishing up:
– Collaboration cafes and promotions labeling Season 4 Part 2 as the “Final Season”
– Declining production of new anime merchandise
– Manga re-releases labeling the 34th volume as the “Finale”
Staff Moving On
Some of the key staff members who worked on Attack on Titan have begun working on other projects:
– Director Yuichiro Hayashi is confirmed as directing the new anime Fukumenkei Noise
– Writer Hiroshi Seko is currently working on Vinland Saga Season 2
– Character designer Tomohiro Kishi is working on Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2
This staff migration indicates Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 3 may not be in active development.
Conclusion
Unfortunately for Attack on Titan fans, the chances of a Season 4 Part 3 airing look very low based on the available evidence. While it cannot be ruled out entirely until officially confirmed, the lack of an announcement, MAPPA’s full production schedule, the winding down of merchandise, and the staff moving on all point to the anime most likely concluding with Part 2. The remainder of the manga’s story could possibly still be adapted into a compilation film. But the odds of getting the complete manga story adapted in full animated form seem slim. Many fans will surely be disappointed if Attack on Titan ends without properly completing the story arcs and ending from the manga source material. Yet that disappointing outcome appears to be the most likely scenario based on the information available. Like much in Attack on Titan, the ending remains uncertain and open to interpretation until officially confirmed one way or the other.
