Has the Creator of Attack on Titan Officially Announced Retirement?

“I have exhausted my soul and can no longer draw anything else.”

Hajime Isayama — the mastermind behind the global phenomenon Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) — recently shared a deeply personal message revealing that he no longer plans to continue creating new works after years of pouring his heart and soul into the series.

Although the Attack on Titan manga concluded in 2021 and the anime officially wrapped up in late 2023, the franchise remains hugely influential worldwide, earning honors such as the Global Impact Award at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

At a recent event celebrating the release of the enhanced Dolby Cinema edition of Attack on Titan: The Final Chapter – The Last Attack, Isayama shared an emotional note with fans stating that he has “completely drained” his creative energy. According to his message, he no longer draws daily and even if he tried to write or create something new, it would only be fragments and echoes of what he has already done. He described himself as feeling “empty” after years of dedication to Attack on Titan.

Isayama also acknowledged that while he still participates in occasional activities like signing events, illustrating special pieces, or supporting friends’ projects, he’s no longer actively working as he used to. This decision marks a significant moment for the manga world, as one of its most influential creators steps back from major creative work.

Despite stepping away from daily creation, his voice actors — including Yuki Kaji (Eren), Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa), and Marina Inoue (Armin) — reassured fans that Isayama’s health is stable. However, after 12 years of intense work and emotional investment, this long break is something he truly needs.