Attack on Titan ended. The manga concluded in 2021. The anime wrapped its final episodes in late 2023. Eren’s story reached its predetermined conclusion, and one of the defining anime of the 2010s took its final bow.
And yet, the rumors persist.
From School Castes getting animated to whispers of alternate timeline explorations, fans can’t seem to let go of the world Hajime Isayama created. And honestly? Neither can the industry—AOT merchandise continues to sell, and the franchise remains culturally relevant years after ending.
So what’s actually happening with Attack on Titan? Let’s separate fact from speculation and examine what the future might hold.
What’s Officially Confirmed
Attack on Titan: School Castes (OVA/Special)
Status: Officially announced, releasing Fall 2026
This is the only confirmed new Attack on Titan animation. School Castes takes the AOT characters and places them in a modern high school slice-of-life comedy setting. It originated as a bonus manga included in the main series’ volume releases, and fans have loved its absurdist humor.
What to Expect:
- Modern AU with all your favorite characters
- Comedy/slice-of-life tone
- No titans, no trauma (well, high school trauma)
- Pure fan service (the good kind)
Why It’s Happening:
School Castes is low-risk, high-reward. It requires minimal worldbuilding, appeals to existing fans, and allows the franchise to continue without touching the divisive ending. Think of it as an official “what if everyone was just normal teenagers?”
Streaming: Likely Crunchyroll, given their AOT partnership
Attack on Titan: The Final Season Complete Collection
Not new content, but Crunchyroll and Funimation are releasing comprehensive box sets that include:
- All seasons in enhanced quality
- Bonus features and commentary
- Art books and behind-the-scenes content
- Limited collector’s editions
The Rumors: What’s Being Said
Alternate Timeline Anime
Status: Unconfirmed, persistent rumors
The most significant rumor circulating is that MAPPA and/or Wit Studio might produce an “alternate ending” or “alternate timeline” anime. This would essentially be an adaptation of popular fan theories about how AOT could have ended differently.
Why People Think This:
- The manga ending was divisive, with significant fan backlash
- Isayama made comments about having considered different endings
- The “AOT No Requiem” fan project’s success showed appetite for alternatives
- Other franchises have done “what if” projects (Dragon Ball, various Western properties)
Why It Probably Isn’t Happening:
- Isayama appears satisfied with his ending
- Creating an official alternative would undermine the original
- Financially risky—would existing fans pay for a different ending?
- No studio announcements despite years of rumors
Our Take: This falls into “fans wanting something so badly they manifest rumors” territory. While technically possible, there’s no credible evidence it’s happening.
Before the Fall / Prequel Adaptation
Status: Possible but unannounced
Attack on Titan: Before the Fall is a light novel/manga prequel series set around the time of titan combat weapon development (early vertical maneuvering equipment). It follows completely different characters and could theoretically be adapted.
Why It Could Happen:
- Source material exists
- Doesn’t require continuing controversial ending
- Expands the world while telling a fresh story
- Could attract both existing and new fans
Why It Hasn’t Yet:
- Before the Fall never achieved the popularity of the main series
- Would require significant production investment
- Market has shifted since AOT’s peak
- No announcements despite source material completing years ago
Our Take: A Before the Fall adaptation is more plausible than alternate timelines but still lacks any official indication it’s happening.
Lost Girls Expansion
Status: Already partially adapted, could continue
The Lost Girls OVAs adapted some of the side stories, but not all available content. There’s technically material for more.
Our Take: Possible as bonus content but unlikely as a major project.
What Has Hajime Isayama Said?
Isayama has been relatively quiet since the manga concluded. Key statements include:
On the Ending:
“I was able to tell the story I wanted to tell. I’m satisfied, though I understand not everyone will be.”
On Continuing the Story:
“Attack on Titan is Eren’s story, and Eren’s story is complete.”
On Fan Reactions:
“I expected divided reactions. The story couldn’t end in a way that satisfied everyone.”
On Future Projects:
“I want to try something different. Maybe a comedy or something lighter.”
Notably, Isayama hasn’t ruled out others playing in the AOT sandbox—he just seems done telling his story in it.
The Studio Situation
MAPPA
MAPPA finished The Final Season and has moved on to other projects (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, etc.). They’ve made no announcements about returning to AOT beyond School Castes.
Wit Studio
Wit Studio, which animated Seasons 1-3, has similarly moved on. They’ve expressed pride in their AOT work but haven’t indicated plans to return.
New Studio Possibilities
Any significant AOT continuation would likely require a studio commitment. Neither MAPPA nor Wit has signaled willingness, and no new studio has been attached to AOT projects beyond School Castes.
What Could Realistically Happen
Based on industry patterns and available information, here’s what’s actually possible:
Very Likely:
- School Castes OVA (confirmed)
- More compilation films/special editions
- Continued merchandise and collaborations
- Potential video games exploring side stories
Possible:
- Before the Fall adaptation (someday)
- Additional Lost Girls content
- Anthology-style short films exploring the world
- Live-action continuation (Hollywood rights exist)
Unlikely:
- Alternate ending adaptation
- Direct sequel continuing past Chapter 139
- Eren-focused continuation
Very Unlikely:
- Isayama returning to write new AOT content
- Full remake/reboot
The Fan Project Situation
AOT No Requiem
The fan-created alternative ending project drew significant attention but also controversy. While impressive in scope, it highlighted how difficult satisfying everyone would be—even among those who disliked the original ending.
Fan Animations
Various fan animation projects continue to produce AOT content. While not official, they demonstrate ongoing passion for the franchise.
Why AOT’s Legacy Matters More Than Sequels
Here’s a potentially controversial take: Attack on Titan might be better served by remaining finished.
The Case for Letting It End:
Not everything needs to continue forever. AOT told a complete story—one that people can debate, analyze, and interpret for years. Adding more content risks diluting what made the original special.
The ending being divisive isn’t necessarily bad. Great art provokes discussion. Years later, we’re still talking about what Isayama was saying about freedom, violence, and cycles of hatred.
What AOT Represents:
- One of the first anime to achieve genuine mainstream Western success
- Proof that dark, complex narratives can find massive audiences
- Technical achievement in anime production
- A complete story in an era of endless serialization
Sometimes letting something be complete is more valuable than extending it indefinitely.
What We’re Actually Hoping For
School Castes done right – A fun, silly romp with characters we love in low-stakes situations
High-quality collections – Definitive editions that preserve the series for future generations
Respect for the story – Whether you loved or hated the ending, it was Isayama’s vision
Maybe someday… – A Before the Fall adaptation could be genuinely interesting if done thoughtfully
What we’re not hoping for: A desperate cash-grab that undermines the original story’s integrity
Conclusion
Attack on Titan’s future is more limited than rumors suggest. School Castes is confirmed and represents the only official new content on the horizon. Everything else—alternate timelines, prequels, sequels—remains speculation without credible sourcing.
And honestly? That might be okay. Attack on Titan told its story. It ended. We can debate that ending forever (and we will), but the series accomplished something rare: it concluded on its own terms.
For now, enjoy the School Castes announcement for what it is—a fun bonus for dedicated fans. Let the main story rest, and appreciate what one of anime’s defining series achieved.
The Titans have fallen. The walls have crumbled. What remains is a legacy that doesn’t need sequel-baiting to matter.
Related: Attack on Titan Watch Order
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