"I think the images are very attractive, but the passion that seems to be the writer indicting with his soul is even more impactful." Shintaro Kawakumi, the editor in charge of "Attack on Titan", expressed the above emotion when he first saw the original manuscript brought by Isayama Sou. At that time, he had only been in the editorial department of "Weekly Shonen Magazine" for only a month, and he was a complete newcomer. However, when he read "Attack on Titan", he felt a heat from the original manuscript that other works did not have.

"While the two of us were discussing storyboards for serialization, "Bessho Shonen Mazagine" was launched. Since this magazine advertises the purpose of "dark fantasy series", I felt that it was very much in line with Mr. Isayama's style, so I immediately asked him to make a few set plans. But after watching it for a long time, I don't think it's very attractive. I always believed that Attack on Titan would be a very interesting work if it was serialized, so I asked him, 'Is Attack on Titan a short story, or is it intended to be serialized?' ’”

In this regard, Isayama said: In fact, he considered such a setting...... After listening to his introduction, Chuan Qi immediately clapped his head and said, "Let's do it!" So the combination of rookie cartoonist X rookie editor and editor began this serialization. But what kind of negotiation did "Attack on Titan" go through to be created?

"I'm quite an 'energy-efficient' editor-editor. Although there are editors who come up with ideas and frameworks, I don't think I have the talent for them, so I adopted the basic policy of 'guiding the writer's inspiration'. When Isayama drew the frame and storyboard, I read it carefully and asked him about the plot and the meaning of the characters' actions. There are some parts that I already understand, but I plan to think of myself as a 'stupid person who doesn't understand anything' and ask him as many questions as I like. ”

Because when discussing the plot, Kawaki frequently asked, "Why?" "You might think that this kind of behavior will cause the people around you to be angry, but there is no such thing. For a work full of foreshadowing, "Attack on Titan" needs this kind of discussion.

"When I first started serializing, the popularity of my work was about 5th in the magazine. But from the beginning of the plot of Eren being eaten by a giant in the fourth episode, the popularity suddenly soared. By the time the first volume of the monograph was released, some manga fans had already started discussing the topic on their blogs. In addition, bookstore staff also began to distribute some advertisements made by themselves, and it can be said that word of mouth gradually formed. The first edition was 40,000 copies, but the next day the sales department contacted us to reprint it, and it didn't take long for news of a reprint to be reported. ”

After about four years since then, the work has become a popular manga that has sold more than 40 million copies. And in the face of this jaw-dropping figure, what kind of analysis did the responsible editor-editor make?

"I think the setting of the work is very captivating to the reader's heart. The scenes of humans being dominated by giants, being devoured by giants, and the scenes in the first volume where the protagonist seems to have died in battle, are easy to spark discussion among readers. For today's era of the development of blogs and online platforms such as Twitter, this work that is very appetizing to everyone naturally spreads rapidly. ”

When "Attack on Titan" started to spark, everyone Kawaki met told him, "I like it very much" and "it's so funny." But it didn't take long for "But this painter ......" and "Haven't you been lazy lately?" Complaints like that......

"At first I couldn't understand why they had to say these complaints. I think it's good if everyone likes it? However, Mr. Isayama also said that "the important thing about idols is the process of maturity and blooming", and when readers find some imperfections, they will have the idea that "if I don't support him, I won't be able to do it." I think Mr. Isayama has made good use of this mentality. And he grew up as a writer with the help of everyone, right? ”

Releases of related merchandise, real-life escape games, and collaborations with Seibu Railway...... It should be said that "Attack on Titan" has achieved cross-field popularity, which has also become a phenomenon.

"If I had to give a standard answer, then I can only say that Attack on Titan grew up under everyone's cultivation. Sora Isayama was in charge of the paintings, I was in charge of the editing, and there were also people in charge of printing and publicity, as well as readers and booksellers. I don't really feel about the 40 million number, I just feel that everyone involved is a team, and the number of people in this team is constantly increasing. I think that the people who draw the biography and the people who are involved in commercialization are all members of our group. And there is only one condition for joining this team - I think "Attack on Titan" is an interesting work. ”

This is the end of the editor-in-charge's impressions. But from the success of Attack on Titan, it is not difficult to get a message: for a work to be successful, it must capture the curiosity of readers and add as many people as possible to the "creative" team. Perhaps after mastering this trick, the birth of the next "Attack on Titan" will not be far off.