Overview
- Volume 0 is Hajime Isayama’s inaugural draft, composed at the age of 19 and recognized with the Fine Work award in 2006.
- The narrative includes characters named Murakumo and Tsubaki, mirroring traits of Eren Yeager, alongside planned live-action film aspects.
- In the pilot chapter, it’s unveiled that Titans are the unintended consequences of governmental warfare experiments.
Known as Attack on Titan: Volume 0, this foundational draft by Isayama was produced when he was only 19 years old in 2006. Upon its introduction, it garnered the Fine Work award at Kodansha’s Magazine Grand Prix. In a noteworthy promotional strategy, a physical edition of this book was included with the anime’s inaugural DVD release in mid-2013.
The thematic backbone mirrors that of the acclaimed series, depicting humanity ensnared within fortified walls, this time encircled by dense forests. Similar to the 2015 live-action adaptations, here, Titans are engineered as potential warfare assets, but their manifestations spiral beyond control.
Eren’s Will
In this narrative, while Mikasa is celebrated as a pivotal character in the established Attack on Titan universe, Volume 0 introduces Murakumo as its primary protagonist. His character exhibits strong parallels to Eren Yeager, particularly in his fervor and ambition to join the Vanguard Corps. Alongside him is Tsubaki, his determined protégé, who is driven by a desire for vengeance against her parents’ demise.
The character Murakumo embodies attributes reminiscent of prominent characters within the series; he showcases Erwin’s core values and resilience, an unwavering demeanor akin to Levi, and tactical agility similar to Mikasa. Meanwhile, Tsubaki exhibits both Gabi’s and Eren’s traits through her intense dedication and quest for respect. Additionally, her visual design evokes strong comparisons to Eren’s character.
The small society depicted in Volume 0 harbors beliefs about Titans who consume humans acquiring the ability to transform and live undetected among the populace. Murakumo, due to his assertive nature and exceptional skills, becomes a suspect for being a Titan. However, the truth emerges when one of the guards who accused him is unveiled as a Titan in disguise. In a heroic act, Murakumo transforms himself and sacrifices his life for the safety of his community.
Comparative Analysis
It’s essential to acknowledge the numerous discrepancies and similarities, as Volume 0 marks a pilot chapter introduced three years prior to the official serialization of Attack on Titan. The origins of the Titans diverge significantly; instead of arising from supernatural powers, they are depicted as products of government-sanctioned experiments designed to convert humans into monstrous weapons of warfare.
Notably, only individuals with pure intentions or resolute willpower can retain their humanity post-transformation. This situation leads to a fraction of humanity retreating into a primitive society built behind dense walls—this time, constructed of trees capable of inhibiting Titan access.
Interestingly, Volume 0’s storyline closely parallels that of the 2015 film adaptation. Both narratives reveal the existence of individuals outside the fortified barriers and portray the chaotic results of Titan experimentation as humanity shrinks back into secure enclaves. The story also explores modern-day themes of biological weaponization, with many Transformations resulting in mindless beasts, save for a few, like Eren, who maintain their consciousness and control over their transformations. While there remains a critical weak point for each Titan in all variations, in Volume 0, this vulnerability is identified as a nucleus located within the arm.
Specific moments also reflect intriguing parallels; for instance, Murakumo repairs a radio for a child, akin to how Armin tinkers with faulty electronics in the live-action rendition. Moreover, while Murakumo’s reputation isn’t extensively negative, he shares similarities with live-action Eren, particularly in taking on menial jobs that often result in him being dismissed.
Canon Status
As Isayama was significantly involved in the development of the live-action adaptation, it is plausible that elements from Volume 0 influenced the final narrative. Although it diverges from the established manga storyline, it serves as an intriguing and valuable piece within the broader Attack on Titan universe.
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