On September 9, 2026, Attack on Titan fans will get to celebrate the first official “Attack on Titan Day” after franchise publisher Kodansha sealed the landmark recognition 17 years after the manga’s 2009 debut, turning a fan-favorite date into a national day itself.
According to official announcements, the inaugural Attack on Titan Day packs a stacked lineup for fans. Japan’s official registry has certified September 9th for the franchise, kicking off a live cast broadcast with major reveals, 99 hours of free manga access, brand-new Hajime Isayama artwork, and exclusive merch drops.
September 9 Officially Recognized as Attack on Titan Day
Attack on Titan Day Art | Credit: Attack on Titan Official Website
The Japan Anniversary Association, the very national governing body that certifies all cultural and corporate commemorative dates, has formally registered September 9 as “Attack on Titan Day” (via the anime’s official website).
But why September 9? It is because it marks the exact day Hajime Isayama’s brilliant manga was serialized in the inaugural issue of Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shonen Magazine in 2009. So, it will be exactly 17 years since then on September 9 as well. In fact, this date, 9/9/9, also means a lot considering how there are 9 titans in the story. This many coincidences make you wonder if Isayama planned this out in advance himself.
In fact, the official key visual embeds the Nine Titans directly into the 9/9 date graphic. It includes the original panels from the manga with iconic forms like the Colossus, Armored, Beast, and Founding Titans bursting from inside the numbers.
Special Anniversary Livestream Promises Lots of Information
Credits: Wit Studio
Credit: MAPPA
Credit: MAPPA
To celebrate it all, an official live broadcast will stream on September 9, 2026, at 21:30 JST. It will be hosted by lead voice actors Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager), Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa Ackerman), and Hiro Shimono (Connie Springer). However, the event promises to be far more than a simple reunion of the cast. The official anime websites clearly reveal that the broadcast will deliver a lot of information regarding the franchise.
While what these announcements will be is still a mystery, the phrasing has sparked a lot of speculation in the fandom. There may be a new video game, maybe some unannounced side-story projects, or further theatrical screenings. However, until the actual livestream, all is speculation. Notably, the details regarding the streaming location will be revealed on the official Attack on Titan X (formerly Twitter) account.
Limited-Time Manga Access, Exclusive Artwork, and Merch Drops Announced
Levi from Attack On Titan | Credit: Wit Studio
However, Kodansha is not done yet. Kodansha is launching several special events for fans to celebrate as well. For digital readers, the official Magapoke application is offering an amazing free deal. Matching the numbers of the date, fans can read the first 99 chapters of the manga completely for 99 hours, starting at midnight on September 9.
And for physical collectors, Kodansha is dropping anniversary merchandise that features brand-new artwork drawn by Hajime Isayama himself, showing Eren, Levi, and Erwin. There is also a T-shirt with the date 9/9 and art straight from the manga on it. This is a really exciting moment for the fans, as getting new official art is really rare.
Why the Franchise Remains Strong Years After the Anime Finale
Annie from Attack on Titan | Credit: Wit Studio
The Attack on Titan anime ended in 2023, but it shows no signs of losing its cultural grip, proven by the fact that it now has a national day for it. There aren’t many anime or manga that have achieved this much significance in Japan.
Much of this is thanks to the series’ unmatched storytelling and lasting impact. Hajime Isayama’s masterful plot twists, complex moral themes, and unforgettable character arcs ensure that fans are constantly revisiting and debating many aspects of the story. For example, many fans still debate whether Erwin should’ve been the Colossal Titan or, best of all, whether Eren did the right thing.
By officially establishing September 9 as a national holiday, Kodansha is securing Attack on Titan‘s place as a permanent, living fixture in pop culture for years to come.
What major announcement are you hoping to see during the September 9 livestream? Let us know in the comments.
Attack on Titan is streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
