Attack on Titan: Real cannibals inspired several giant monsters

This week, April 3 ended, the anime attack on Titan Part 2 did not finally fit the end of the work as one might have thought. Indeed, the third explosion of episodes will end the fate of Eren, Mikasa and Armin in 2023.

This trio of atypical characters created by Isaiah Hajime survived in the heart of feudal Japan, with strange humanoid and giant creatures called the Titans. Often inspired by what is around him, many of these creatures bear a resemblance to public figures and mangakas. However, the two titans stand out not for professional wrestlers, as the author is accustomed to, but for the infamous cannibal.

In Season 1, and as Eren tries to learn of his new transformation abilities from Corporal Levy, Hange Zoe continues to experiment with two titans captured alive during the restoration of Trust County.

Fascinated by the desire for knowledge and this man-eating giants, the young woman immobilized them with ropes and nails. In an attempt to establish a dialogue, Hang tells them the story of a cannibalistic family living on the shores of the Scottish Highlands whose members are said to have committed crimes for more than 25 years, resulting in more than 500 casualties.

After a careless mistake, this line of cannibals was arrested and condemned. The parallel that Hang makes with these two titans who were eventually caught by human eaters in order to find their name. That is how Sonny and Bean were baptized.

One might think of this icy story directly from Hajime Isayama’s imagination, but it is not. A legend of Scottish folklore and listed in London’s Newgate Prison Crime Catalog, the cannibal Alexander “Sonny” Bean is said to have existed and spread in the 1500s.

Set in a cave in East Lotian, he survived by being swallowed by passers-by, along with his wife, children and grandchildren, who were born as a result of incest. After an unsuccessful ambush that allowed their victim to escape, the presence of beans was revealed during the day. A clan led by 400 men funded by King James VI was sentenced to death without trial.

This innovation subsequently crossed the centuries and became a source of ideas for several artists, such as filmmaker Wes Craven, who would be inspired to shoot his famous film: The Hill Has Eyes.

Amateur excitement, Hajime Isayama undoubtedly saw the possibility of telling this tragic story. During the same scene, members of the Search Battalion discuss two other Titans whom Hang baptized Chikatillon and Alberto. It’s a safe bet that these names, though slightly different, refer to cannibals and serial killers, Andrei Chicatillo and Albert Fish.

While you wait for the final destiny for these titans to be discovered, you can find the entire series on Crunchyroll, as well as the entire manga in Pika editions, in 34 volumes.