If you were told that you played a role in the success of something, how would you react? While attending New York Comic-Con 2013, I decided to stop by the Kodansha Comics booth to check out what was happening there. I got to speak with two of its key staff members, Ben Applegate and Dallas Middaugh, about the success of Attack on Titan in the U.S. What really shocked me was how Dallas said that Titan’s manga success was because of me.

Two years ago, I did this piece about why Attack on Titan should be licensed. The manga was only up to Volume 4 at the time, which was basically the end of the 1st half of the anime series. Kodansha quoted my article later that year at their panel when they announced a U.S. license during NYCC 2011. What was interesting was that Kodansha quoted me again at their panel in Anime Boston this year. I was honestly speechless.

And then while speaking to Dallas Middaugh at NYCC, he said that I had a key role in Titan’s popularity because of what I wrote. My anti-compliment mechanism kicked it and I was thinking “Oh please, blame the anime!” I felt he was being too nice to me. Yet when I put things in perspective, perhaps I did play a role in keeping the manga industry alive in the U.S.

While reading blogs to catch up on NYCC news, there was an article by Erica Friedman (aka Yuricon) in which she talks about a conversation she had with Ben Applegate. Ben told her that Titan’s success was partially due to the manga and anime being out at the same time in America. This doesn’t happen often since the anime version of a series usually comes out before the manga and vice versa here.

When I wrote about Titan way before fandom ate it up, I honestly felt that this title just had to come out here no matter what. Mikasa Ackerman also took my heart as well. I still stand by my words that she’s an amazing role model for young girls, despite whatever faults she has. I DIDN’T KNOW PROMOTING ONE OF MY CRUSHES WAS GOING TO MAKE MONEY FOR KODANSHA HERE! It was a really long process though and people doubted Dallas when Volume 1 sold very little back when it was first printed in America.

I think this is a good reminder that you should take risks in life in the case of Kodansha. Sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don’t. But at least you’ll learn some important lessons along the way. I think Homer Simpson said it best to Lisa once and that the biggest risk in life is not taking one. You never know unless you try.

Also, the little things matter. I just wanted to offer a suggestion for manga fans who liked dark fantasy. My blog is just a tiny niche blog hidden in the depths of the Net. It does feel weird to be considered a part of something big for manga in North America by an important person in graphic novel publishing. But seeing fans purchase the Titan manga here makes me smile deep inside, like how Hanji smiles when she sees Titans.

I still think that I didn’t do much, but to Kodansha and Dallas, thank you. You forever have my heart like Erwin has Levi’s. *does military salute*

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