September 9 is now officially Attack on Titan Day, and the franchise marked its first recognised anniversary with a global campaign built around the number nine: 99 pieces of news from around the world, a new key visual, a commemorative video, fresh artwork from creator Hajime Isayama, and the launch of an official YouTube channel.
Why September 9
The date was registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in recognition of September 9, 2009, when Isayama’s original manga began serialisation in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shonen Magazine. The number nine also ties directly into the series’ lore through the Nine Titans. Among the headline items is a celebratory illustration Isayama drew specifically for the day, plus a separate commemorative visual bringing all Nine Titans together and a special logo inspired by the Doomsday Titan.
The new YouTube channel
The franchise launched its official Attack on Titan YouTube channel to coincide with the anniversary. It will host limited-time anime streams and exclusive videos, and an anniversary livestream was scheduled for September 9 on the channel, alongside a special video introducing the Nine Titans.
Free manga and merchandise
On the manga side, the first 99 chapters of Attack on Titan are being made available to read for free through Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app for 99 hours starting September 9 at 00:00 JST. New commemorative merchandise launched through the Shonen Magazine Shop, including items featuring the anniversary visual and an original Isayama illustration showing the cast in formal attire.
Theatrical returns
Several theatrical projects were included in the announcements. Attack on Titan Part 1 -Guren no Yumiya-, the first of the compilation films, returns to Japanese theatres on October 23, 2026 in ScreenX, 4DX and ULTRA 4DX formats. Attack on Titan THE LAST ATTACK — the compilation of the anime’s final episodes — will receive the same premium formats in 2027, including its first ScreenX release.
Attack on Titan 3 game gets a MAPPA key visual
Koei Tecmo’s upcoming Attack on Titan 3 received a new opening-animation key visual produced by MAPPA, the studio behind the anime’s Final Season. The game is scheduled for release on December 10.
Global collaborations and events
The remaining announcements span merchandise, events, international collaborations and screenings: new projects with Sanrio Characters, esports organisation Team Liquid, hardware brand MSI, and arcade chain ROUND1; additional figures from Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya and MEDICOS ENTERTAINMENT; and Attack on Titan events and product launches across Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Europe, Africa and other regions. The campaign also folded in lighter personal updates from Isayama himself, from his current interest in romantic comedy manga to comments on movies, driving, saunas and food.
Context
Attack on Titan concluded its manga in 2021 after 34 volumes and more than 140 million copies in circulation, and MAPPA’s anime adaptation wrapped with THE LAST ATTACK in late 2024. With the core story finished, the franchise’s post-finale strategy is now about anniversary campaigns, premium theatrical re-releases, games and merchandise — exactly the mix on display for the first Attack on Titan Day.
Via Anime Corner. Full list: Attack on Titan official site.