Snk Interview on Animage Magazine June 2017

Image from @fuku-shuu

OP Part:

Again, Revo-San (Linked Horizon) hit “home run” for us. But this time it is different from our experience when working on the compilation film. During that time, Revo had already finished the composition when we were at discussion meeting– “Actually, I already finished writing the music” as he said (laugh). In the case of season 2, while Isayama-San, Revo-San and I were together talking about the appropriate images for OP at the beginning, Revo-San first mentioned a phrase “Dedicate your heart (Shinzou wo sasageyo)”, and everyone decided unanimously “that’s it!” Then (I/we) started to construct the OP animation according to that phrase. We created OP with the theme “not only human beings are dedicating their hearts”. I feel that perhaps I was able to properly raise the feelings initially shared by Isayama-San, Revo-San and me into a higher level with films. This OP shows a lot of positive signs.

-Araki

ED Part:

It was already fortunate enough for me to have the opportunity to be present at the first meeting between Isayama-San and Shinsei Kamatte Chan (laugh). Although we credited “Story Board-Isayama Hajime” in the ED, in fact what we received from him were several photos of his draft drawings and detailed memos about the world history in SnK universe. These materials include secrets regarding the SnK world with much information not yet mentioned in the manga… That means, they assume “not to explain things” as the right choice to make. So this ED is made to pose “mysteries” to the audience. Keeping this idea in mind, I took charge of giving design directions to staff members, thinking over how to handle the animation and making photographic elements to edit animation drawings. This ED clip also gives many positive signs but in a disparate way from the OP.

-Araki