Attack on Titan anime rights and licensing: who owns what
The Attack on Titan franchise is controlled by Kodansha and the production committee, with MAPPA finishing the animation and Crunchyroll licensing select theatrical rights.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Attack on Titan is based on the manga by Hajime Isayama, published by Kodansha. The anime adaptation was produced by Wit Studio for the first three seasons and by MAPPA for the Final Season and the Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK theatrical compilation. Crunchyroll acquired North American and select international theatrical rights for THE LAST ATTACK, including Brazil.
Who owns the Attack on Titan property?
The original Attack on Titan manga is written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama and published by Kodansha. Kodansha's English-language site lists the series as by Hajime Isayama and notes that it spawned the hit anime television series. As the publisher, Kodansha holds the underlying literary rights and is the central rights holder for any adaptation.
The anime production involved two studios. Wit Studio animated seasons one through three, and MAPPA took over for the Final Season. MAPPA's works list includes both the Final Season TV series and the 2024 Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK theatrical compilation.
How Attack on Titan is licensed for theaters and streaming
Crunchyroll announced at CCXP 2024 that it had acquired North American and select international theatrical rights for Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK. The deal includes Brazil, showing that Crunchyroll's rights extend beyond the United States.
Theatrical rights are separate from streaming and home video rights. Crunchyroll also streams the Attack on Titan television series, but the exact territorial scope of that streaming deal is not the same as the theatrical deal announced for THE LAST ATTACK.
Publicly disclosed Attack on Titan rights structure.| Party | Role | Rights layer |
|---|
| Hajime Isayama / Kodansha | Original manga creator and publisher | Underlying literary and character rights |
| Wit Studio | Animation studio seasons 1-3 | Animation production for first three seasons |
| MAPPA | Animation studio Final Season onward | Animation production for Final Season and THE LAST ATTACK |
| Crunchyroll | Theatrical licensee and streamer | North American and Brazilian theatrical rights for THE LAST ATTACK; streaming rights for the TV series |
What the production committee controls
Like most major anime, Attack on Titan is organized through a production committee that includes Kodansha, the music label Pony Canyon, and other investors. The committee funds the anime, distributes risk, and decides how rights are licensed.
Public announcements tell us which companies hold specific licenses, but they do not reveal the committee's full membership or each member's share. The manga publisher typically retains veto power over adaptations and merchandise.
Ownership uncertainty note: The exact membership and revenue shares of the Attack on Titan production committee are not public. Sources confirm Kodansha as the manga publisher, Wit Studio and MAPPA as animation studios, and Crunchyroll as a theatrical licensee for THE LAST ATTACK, but the full rights map remains private.
Why Attack on Titan rights changed studios mid-series
Switching animation studios during a franchise run is unusual but not unheard of. Wit Studio animated the first three seasons, and MAPPA took over for the Final Season. Studio changes usually reflect scheduling, capacity, or rights negotiations within the production committee.
The change does not change ownership. Kodansha and the production committee still control the property; MAPPA is a production contractor that owns its animation work but not the franchise.
How Attack on Titan compares to other Kodansha anime
Like Vinland Saga and The Seven Deadly Sins, Attack on Titan is a Kodansha property with anime adaptations handled by outside studios. The publisher remains the central rights holder, while studios and distributors come and go by project.
The practical implication is that Kodansha is the starting point for manga and franchise rights, while Crunchyroll is the key partner for North American theatrical and streaming distribution of the anime.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Attack on Titan?
The underlying rights belong to Hajime Isayama and Kodansha. The anime was produced by Wit Studio for seasons 1-3 and MAPPA for the Final Season and THE LAST ATTACK movie.
Who licenses Attack on Titan for theaters?
Crunchyroll acquired North American and select international theatrical rights for Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK, including Brazil.
Does MAPPA own Attack on Titan?
No. MAPPA is the animation studio for the Final Season and THE LAST ATTACK. Kodansha and the production committee control the franchise.
Which studio animated the first Attack on Titan seasons?
Wit Studio animated seasons one through three. MAPPA took over for the Final Season and the 2024 theatrical compilation.