Why Does ‘Attack on Titan’ Season 2 Only Have 12 Episodes?

brianonthescreen
TV Anime
TV Anime

Attack on Titan Season 2 is finally here, but excitement over the anticipated release has turned to disappointment for some fans. That’s because the second season of Attack on Titan is only 12 episodes long. That’s significantly fewer episodes than the 25-episode first season. It seems strange that one of the most popular anime titles of the moment would see such a drastic cut. So, why does Attack on Titan Season 2 have 12 episodes? The answer appears to be the most obvious one: money.

Fans Aren’t Happy About Attack on Titan‘s Short Season 2

Many Attack on Titan fans, who have waited four years since the release of Season 1, took to social media to voice their displeasure. And the news has been particularly upsetting to fans who had hoped that the second season would cover more ground from the manga on which the series is based.

So, Why Is Attack on Titan Season 2 Only 12 Episodes?

In response to the fan outcry, French anime artist Thomas Romain (Code Lyoko) jumped into the fray to defend Attack on Titan makers, Wit Studio.

Romain cited issues related to staffing and overproduction in the Japanese animation market. He went on to imply that anime production houses, in general, don’t have the up-front money to support the industry trend of delivering episodes in bulk — a result of the proliferation of binge-watch streaming.

It’s true that seasons for anime series are trending shorter, so there’s likely truth to Romain’s argument.

Should I Watch Attack on Titan Season 2?

While the 12-episode season news is bittersweet, it shouldn’t deter fans from watching. The season is already getting great fan reaction so far, not the least of which is due to the anticipated introduction of Beast Titan.

Where Can I Watch Attack on Titan Season 2?

You can stream Attack on Titan Season 2 online from various services including:

  • Funimation
  • Crunchyroll
  • Hulu

It’ll begin airing on Adult Swim’s Toonami starting April 22.

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brianonthescreen
Hi! I'm the Director of Community Partnerships at Fandom. My team collaborates with gaming and entertainment partners to make Fandom a fun and exciting place for editors and other site users.