Before Attack on Titan became the massive global phenomenon we know today, it started with a very different concept—a pilot chapter known as Attack on Titan: Volume 0. Written by Hajime Isayama at just 19 years old in 2006, this early draft laid the foundation for the world we would come to love. The story shares many elements with the final Attack on Titan series, but there are distinct differences that highlight how the series evolved over time.
The Premise: Humanity Trapped by Giants
In Volume 0, the central premise remains the same: humanity is confined to an enclosed space by giant humanoid creatures. However, in this original iteration, the humans are surrounded not by walls but by massive trees, which serve as the primary defense against the Titans. The Titans themselves, instead of being a mysterious, supernatural force as in the final version, are created as weapons of war through government experiments that spiral out of control, turning them into a global threat.
The Characters: A Blend of Familiar Traits
The characters in Volume 0 bear striking similarities to those in the final series, though with some key differences:
Murakumo: The main protagonist, Murakumo, shares many traits with Eren Yeager. He is passionate, driven, and determined to fight back against the Titans. Murakumo’s personality combines the honor and resilience of Erwin Smith, the bluntness of Levi Ackerman, and the agility of Mikasa Ackerman.
Tsubaki: Murakumo’s protégé, Tsubaki, has traits similar to both Gabi Braun and Eren. Like Gabi, Tsubaki is passionate about avenging her parents and wants to be taken seriously as a fighter. She also has a character design that closely resembles Eren’s.
The characters in Volume 0 seem to be early prototypes for their counterparts in the main series, foreshadowing many of the key personalities and relationships that would later develop.
The Titans: War Weapons Gone Rogue
In Volume 0, the Titans are not the result of a mysterious supernatural curse but are instead the outcome of government experiments. These experiments turn humans into Titans, with the process only succeeding for those with a pure heart and strong willpower. Those who lack these traits become mindless monsters. This backstory hints at a world where Titans were once used as weapons of war, only to spiral out of control and force a retreat of humanity into walled-off communities.
The Titans in this version share a key weakness—a small orb located in their arm, referred to as the “nucleus,” which is their weak spot. This is in contrast to the later series, where Titans are vulnerable to being killed by a shot to the nape of the neck.
Setting and Themes: A Step Back in Civilization
The world in Volume 0 is significantly more advanced than the one depicted in the main series. However, due to the Titan threat, civilization has been set back hundreds of years, with humanity retreating behind giant tree walls to protect themselves. This concept of a “regressed” society is reminiscent of the Attack on Titan world, but the walls in this iteration are made of dense trees rather than stone.
Interestingly, the plot of Volume 0 also shares parallels with the 2015 live-action Attack on Titan films. In both the movie and the early draft, it’s revealed that a portion of humanity retreated behind walls due to Titan experiments gone wrong. This suggests that Isayama may have been influenced by his earlier work when developing the live-action movie’s narrative.
Character Similarities in the Live-Action Films
Several elements from Volume 0 also appear to have been carried over into the 2015 live-action Attack on Titan films. For example, Murakumo fixes a radio for a child in the draft, which mirrors Armin’s role in the live-action film, where he fixes a broken electronic. Additionally, both Murakumo and the live-action Eren are portrayed as characters who take on various small, often menial jobs, with Eren famously getting fired shortly after starting each one.
These parallels between the original draft, the live-action movies, and the manga suggest that Volume 0 had a lasting influence on the broader Attack on Titan universe.
Is Volume 0 Canon?
While Volume 0 is not considered canon within the main Attack on Titan timeline, it remains an important part of the series’ history. Isayama was heavily involved in the creation of the 2015 live-action films, and it’s clear that Volume 0 served as a source of inspiration for both the film’s narrative and some of the themes explored in the manga. Though it differs from the final product in significant ways, Volume 0 offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of Attack on Titan and the evolution of its world and characters.
Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Past
Attack on Titan: Volume 0 is a fascinating early draft of a world that would go on to captivate millions. With its similarities to the final series, its exploration of the Titan backstory, and its early character prototypes, Volume 0 provides a unique perspective on the genesis of one of the most beloved anime and manga franchises of all time. While it may not be part of the official timeline, it stands as a testament to the creativity and vision of Isayama as he began to craft the epic story that would eventually become Attack on Titan.
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