Funimation Entertainment has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to the long-awaited second season of "Attack on Titan."
The announcement arrives with confirmation of the new season's April 2017 premiere in Japan, more than three and a half years after the conclusion of Season One.
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The anime adaptation of Hajime Isayama’s bestselling manga, "Attack on Titan" is set in a world where the last remnants of humanity live in cities surrounded by enormous walls that provide some protection against enormous, flesh-eating humanoids known as Titans. The story, which debuted in 2009, initially centers on Eren Yeager, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and childhood friend Armin Arlert, but expands to include numerous other characters -- including the fan-favorite Levi -- as we begin to learn the truth about the Titans.
The 25-episode first season ended Sept. 29, 2013, with the second initially announced for 2016. However, following rumors that it wouldn't hit that target date, the staff of "Attack on Titan" officially announced a spring 2017 return.
"'Attack on Titan’ became an instant hit since it first streamed in 2013, and we are thrilled to bring fans the long-awaited Season 2 of the series,” Funimation CEO Gen Fukunaga said in a statement. “'Attack on Titan’ is truly a worldwide phenomenon that has continued to grow at a non-stop pace. Fans can look forward to an exciting second season.”
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Although the announcement doesn't include a timeline for North American distribution, Funimation simulcast the first season in 2013.
The series staff returns for the second season, but with Tetsuro Araki assuming the role of chief director, and Masashi Koizuka becoming episode director. The returning cast includes Yuuki Kaji as Eren, Yui Ishikawa as Mikasa, Marina Inoue as Armin, Kishō Taniyama as Jean, Yu Shimamura as Annie, Yu Kobayashi as Sasha, Shiori Mikami as Christa, Hiro Shimono as Conny, Yoshimasa Hosoya as Reiner, Tomohisa Hashizume as Bertholt, Saki Fujita as Ymir, Hiroshi Kamiya as Levi, Daisuke Ono as Erwin, Romi Park as Hanji, and Keiji Fujiwara as Hannes.
“Attack on Titan’s” 25-episode first season was adapted for theatrical release as two films, “Attack on Titan – Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow” and “Attack on Titan – Part 2: Wings of Freedom,” released in 2014 and 2015.
Isayama’s manga has released 21 volumes to date, with more than 60 million copies in print worldwide. In addition to the anime, the series has inspired two live-action films and a live-action television spinoff, light novels, video games, spinoff manga, theme park attractions, and an upcoming anthology produced by Western creators.