Summary
- Hajime Isayama's new one-shot manga, The Theory of a Malicious Man and AI, debuts in February 2025, blending humor and deep themes of AI's societal impact.
- The eccentric story revolves around a self-aware AI exploited by a black company, becoming a viral V-Tuber and inadvertently endangering humanity.
- This collaboration with Yuki Kaji, inspired by the Soyogi Fractal project, marks a creative reunion for the Attack on Titan duo, thrilling fans with its experimental nature.
Attack on Titan fans were left stunned when the Attack on Titan creator, Hajime Isayama, announced that after finishing his legendary series, he might never create another manga again. However, to the delight of his loyal followers, this declaration seems to have been premature. Isayama was planning to publish his first work since 2021-a collaboration with a well-known voice actor, Yuki Kaji, the Japanese voice of Eren Yeager, and debut manga artist Noshigami Kai. Exciting one-shot manga, The Theory of a Malicious Man and AI will debut in February 2025.
The Unusual Title and Its Meaning
The on-the-surface title of the one-shot might leave fans dazed and confused. The full, proper name is The Theory of a Malicious Man and AI – I’m an AI Who Gained Self-Awareness, Is Exploited by a Black Company, Becomes a V-Tuber as a Joke, Goes Viral Which Risks Humanity’s Extinction! But Well, I’m Just an AI, So What Do I Care! —is very much a mouthful, to say the least.
At face value, one would say this title is something out of space, but such is a just reflection of what the project fundamentally consists of: very experimental and eccentric. The project itself was from the concept in the Soyogi Fractal, voice synthesis which uses Yuki Kaji as the “voice instrument.” To create this unique voice bank has been dedicated to his name in honor, also serving as its main theme. At its core, the plot is centered around a self-aware AI character who was taken advantage of by a black company and became a viral V-Tuber that inadvertently puts humanity’s future in danger. As the story plays with humor, it also tackles deeper themes of artificial intelligence and what kind of influence this could have on society.
A Team Effort with Deep Ties This new work can be seen as a reunion of sorts between Isayama and Kaji, who first worked together on Attack on Titan, where Kaji voiced Eren Yeager, the story’s central character. Their partnership during the anime’s production was crucial in capturing the emotional depth of Eren’s journey, and it appears that the bond they formed during that time has inspired their collaboration once more. Isayama, one of the most known artists for his style, had worked on a cover illustration for the manga- this features Soyogi Fractal AI- naturally, as a token to show that he still inspires the project, which he is not directly in charge of the artwork for.
This new manga is a thrilling chance to re-engage with the creators who shaped one of the most influential anime and manga series of the past decade. The Soyogi Fractal project, which inspired The Theory of a Malicious Man, serves as a fascinating exploration of the convergence between technology and entertainment.
