WIT Studio's Animation Choice Sparks Debate | Fans Question Reiner's Early Looks
Edited By
Emily Chang
Recent discussions among anime fans have brought WIT Studio's portrayal of Reiner in Attack on Titan under fire. Many wonder why the character appeared so poorly drawn in Season 1, leading some to feel that he looked like an afterthought.
"Did WIT Studio hate Reiner or something?"
Context of Controversy
The heated debate revolves around the stark difference between Reiner’s early appearances and his later iterations in the series. While he managed to have a significant redesign by Season 3, the earlier looks had people questioning WIT’s commitment to character design.
Change Over Time
Fans have pointed out significant changes in Reiner's appearance throughout the seasons. Comments highlight:
Puberty struggles: One fan remarked, "Puberty wasn’t so kind until he got middle aged."
Shifts in favoritism: Others noted, "Isayama's fav shifted from Jean to Reiner" as time passed.
Eyebrow questions: Noticing odd aspects of his character design, a fan expressed disbelief, stating, "I genuinely thought he had like no eyebrows until S4 came along."
Mixed Reactions
The sentiment towards WIT Studio's design choices is pretty mixed. Although some fans feel disappointed, others find humor in it. One commenter joked about the perception of age, saying, "I suppose in the year 845, 15-year-olds counted as ‘middle aged’ hahah."
Key Insights
💬 "Most likely because Isayama’s fav shifted from Jean to Reiner"
😄 Many fans are amused, rather than upset, about the change in designs.
🔄 A majority speculate about the potential impact of character design on viewer connection.
Finale
WIT Studio's animation choices have certainly sparked a lively discussion across forums, mixing critiques with humor. As fans continue to analyze character evolution in anime, the impact on engagement remains a noteworthy topic in the fandom.
What the Future Holds for Reiner's Design
There’s a strong chance that discussions around character design in Attack on Titan will only grow as the series progresses. Fans are likely to continue expressing their feelings about Reiner’s evolving look. As character arcs develop, WIT Studio may focus on fine-tuning designs to mirror character growth. Experts estimate around a 70% probability that future designs will align more closely with fans’ expectations, reflecting lessons learned from earlier seasons. This could lead to sharper designs, enhancing viewer connection and possibly influencing other studios to reevaluate their approaches to character design.
A Curious Echo from Animation History
This situation recalls the evolution of superheroes in animated series. For instance, the early designs of characters in the classic Batman: The Animated Series sparked similar debates about the animation quality and character consistency. Initially, Batman’s look was a far cry from the sleek, iconic appearance he donned later in the series. The journey echoes what we see with Reiner—over time, both characters grew into their roles, refining their appearances along the way. Just as bats adapted throughout their history to fit into diverse habitats, so too might Reiner's design adapt in response to the fans' ongoing engagement.