Fans of the anime series "Attack on Titan" —"Shingeki no Kyojin" in Japan — have had a long wait for season 2 to arrive. Season 1 was released back in 2013, and during a press conference for the upcoming live-action film adaptations, it was announced that season 2 won't be coming out until 2016.
According to a report from CrossMap, one possible cause for the delay is that the anime series is catching up to the manga. Series creator Hajime Isayama has currently done six story arcs in the manga and four of them have already been adapted in the anime series.
Delaying the second season to 2016 allows Isayama to work on the manga so it can establish the main story which the anime will then adapt. This prevents the studios from being forced to work on filler episodes not based on any of the published work. The latter was the problem with the first animated adaptation of the hit manga series "Full Metal Alchemist."
The report also indicates that the delay may also be caused by the two live-action films that are set to hit theaters this 2015. "Attack on Titan" was already released in Japan last Aug. 1 while the second part, "Attack on Titan: End of the World," is scheduled for a Japan release this Sept. 19.
Isayama's involvement in the two films might be consuming his schedule as the manga artist and writer has been busy with press releases and conferences to promote the film. Both films are also expected to see a limited release in the U.S., with the first part already being shown at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California last July 14.
When the second season comes out, fans will have to look out for the introduction of a brand new kind of Titan. Described as an ape-like beast Titan, this Titan is stronger than the others and can telepathically control the lesser Titans to summon them to its side, essentially making it the leader of the Titans.
