With the revival theatrical screening of “Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters – THE LAST ATTACK” beginning on the 9th, interviews with the main cast have been released. The featured voices are Yuki Kaji, who plays Eren Yeager, Yui Ishikawa, the voice of Mikasa Ackerman, and Marina Inoue, who portrays Armin Arlert.

With the revival theatrical screening of “Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters – THE LAST ATTACK” beginning on the 9th, interviews with the main cast have been released. The featured voices are Yuki Kaji, who plays Eren Yeager, Yui Ishikawa, the voice of Mikasa Ackerman, and Marina Inoue, who portrays Armin Arlert.

Attack on Titan, created by Hajime Isayama, is a dark fantasy manga that ran in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine published by Kodansha from 2009 to 2021. The series has surpassed 140 million copies in circulation worldwide. The television anime premiered in 2013, and its conclusion, Attack on Titan: The Final Season – The Final Chapters Part 2, aired in November 2023. In November 2024, the theatrical compilation of both parts was released and attracted over one million moviegoers.

Interview

■Yuki Kaji (Voice of Eren Yeager)

ーーMany fans continue to hold this series close to their hearts. How do you feel about the revival screening for those fans?

Kaji
Everyone feels the same way. Thank you for the “it’s ending but not really ending” situation. I love it. Keep it coming.
He laughs.

ーーIt has been about two years since the final episode aired. Has your perception of Eren or the final scene of Attack on Titan changed over time?

Kaji
No, it has not changed at all. What I felt back then is everything.

ーーAttack on Titan has become a global phenomenon. How do you feel about the reactions from fans overseas?

Kaji
I am filled with gratitude. I strongly feel the power of this work and the power of manga and anime themselves. It is something Japan can truly be proud of. I believe it has gone beyond entertainment and has become a kind of universal language for the world.

The story centers on divisions born from boundaries such as walls and the sea. And yet, among those who experience the series, it creates a sense of solidarity and empathy, even encouraging active connections across borders. That contrast feels incredibly meaningful and beautiful to me. Because of that, I feel a deep sense of responsibility when portraying this character.

ーーYou have spoken about wanting Attack on Titan to be passed down to future generations. If you were introducing it to people who have never seen it before, what would you emphasize?

Kaji
This is a cruel world. And yet, so beautiful.

■Yui Ishikawa (Voice of Mikasa Ackerman)

ーーLooking back, what kind of presence is Mikasa to you as a woman who lived through this story?

Ishikawa
Mikasa fought and survived for the sake of the people she loved while struggling with deep pain and conflict. To me, she feels like a close friend whose life I have watched from the nearest distance, and also like a daughter I hold dear. Now that her battles are over, I want to embrace her and tell her, “You did so well.”

ーーHow do you remember recording the scene where Mikasa beheads Eren and brings the story to an end? Has your perspective changed after two years?

Ishikawa
Thinking about Mikasa having to end the life of Eren, the person she wished would always come home, still makes me feel like crying even now. Beyond that, I was painfully aware that once I performed that scene, Eren would die and the story would truly end. During the recording, tears naturally overflowed and would not stop.

I have voiced many characters, but I believe I became this emotionally invested because Mikasa was a character I had walked alongside for so many years.

For me, Attack on Titan has been inseparable from my career as a voice actor. At the time, I felt deep sadness that such a work was ending. Now, with some distance, I feel genuine happiness that I was able to witness the conclusion of such a grand story and portray Mikasa until the very end.

ーーFans continue to speculate about Mikasa’s life after the story. How do you view those reactions?

Ishikawa
I can only imagine her future myself, though there are moments depicted in the anime that make me want to ask Isayama sensei directly what he intended.
She laughs.

I am sure many fans have moments where they think, “Could this mean something?” But I hope everyone can gently let her be, wishing that after losing someone so dear, she was able to live a future filled with kindness and peace.

ーーPlease share a message for the fans who continue to love this series.

Ishikawa
We jokingly say things like “the final final scam,” but honestly, I hope the true end never comes. That is why I am so happy the revival screening was decided and that people can experience it again. This return is only possible because of the passionate support from fans, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you always.

Although the story has concluded, I hope we can meet again in different forms somewhere in the future. Please enjoy the theatrical revival of Attack on Titan.

Marina Inoue (Voice of Armin Arlert)

ーーFirst, do you have a message for fans who still deeply love Attack on Titan?

Inoue
I never imagined we would have another chance to watch it in theaters, so I am honestly very happy. This is a work that truly deserves to be seen on a big screen. If there are people who have not experienced it in theaters yet, I sincerely hope they take this opportunity to do so.

ーーThe honest conversation between Eren and Armin in the final chapter is often cited as one of the most memorable scenes. What are your thoughts on it now?

Inoue
That scene includes lines that were changed from the original manga, and those changes personally gave me a sense of emotional relief. Seeing Eren show his most vulnerable and ungraceful side only to Armin, being able to thank him, and promising to meet again in hell. All of it meant a great deal to me.

ーーWhat do you see as Armin’s greatest strength, and are there aspects you personally relate to?

Inoue
I believe Armin possesses incredible strength. No matter how much he is criticized, he continues forward without wavering in the people and justice he believes in. His determination to keep talking and seeking understanding until the very end represents what humanity, as an intelligent species, should strive to be. That is why he was someone the world needed. Perhaps that is also why someone without physical power was chosen as commander.

ーーThe epilogue suggests that the world may once again be engulfed in conflict. How do you interpret the ending?

Inoue
As long as humans live, conflict will never disappear. Differences in birthplace, culture, and environment inevitably lead to clashes. Even so, if we refuse to give up and continue to talk and talk until there are no words left, perhaps a small seed of hope for change can be born.

What matters most is never giving up and continuing to struggle. That is how I view the ending.

Source : ORICON NEWS