by The official theatrical trailer for Attack on Titan Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow has been released, giving fans a new look at the beginning of the legendary dark-fantasy anime ahead of its return to Japanese theaters.
The compilation film will return to theaters on October 23, 2026, where it will be screened in SCREEN X, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX. This marks approximately 12 years since the film was originally released and, most notably, the first time an Attack on Titan title will be presented in SCREEN X.
The newly released trailer focuses on the earliest stage of the story, showing Eren Yeager and the other members of the Training Corps taking on the Titans. It is designed to let viewers relive the beginning of the Attack on Titan story in a new theatrical format.
Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow Returns to Theaters
Attack on Titan Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow (Gekijoban Shingeki no Kyojin Zenpen: Guren no Yumiya) was originally released in Japan in 2014.
The film is the first installment of a two-part theatrical compilation based on the first season of the television anime. The original Season 1 aired in 2013, and the theatrical films re-edited the television episodes for the big screen.
For its 2026 return, Crimson Bow and Arrow will receive screenings in three immersive formats:
- SCREEN X
- 4DX
- ULTRA 4DX
The screenings begin on Friday, October 23, 2026.
For longtime fans, the theatrical release offers an opportunity to revisit the beginning of Eren’s journey on the big screen. For newcomers, it provides another way to experience the opening chapters of one of the most influential anime franchises of the past decade.
New Theatrical Trailer Shows the Beginning of the Story
The newly released trailer is centered on the early events of Attack on Titan.
It features Eren Yeager and the Training Corps confronting the Titans, bringing audiences back to the period when Eren, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, and their fellow recruits were still learning how to survive in a world surrounded by enormous walls and terrifying enemies.
The trailer emphasizes the series’ early action and atmosphere while introducing the basic conflict that drives the beginning of the story.
For fans who first watched Attack on Titan when it premiered in 2013, the footage provides a nostalgic look at the characters before the story expanded into its much larger mystery and war narrative.
The official announcement describes the trailer as a chance to enjoy the beginning of the Attack on Titan story, making it especially appropriate for the film’s theatrical revival.
What Is Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow About?
For viewers who are new to the franchise, Attack on Titan takes place in a world where humanity is forced to live behind enormous walls because of the existence of giant humanoid creatures known as Titans.
The story follows Eren Yeager, a young boy who dreams of seeing the world outside the walls.
His closest friends, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, become central figures in his life. Their lives change forever when the Titans suddenly breach the walls and attack their home.
After experiencing the destruction caused by the Titans, Eren decides to join the military and fight back.
The early story follows Eren and his fellow trainees as they learn how to use their equipment, fight Titans, and survive in an extremely dangerous environment.
Crimson Bow and Arrow focuses on these foundational events, making it a story about the characters’ first steps into a much larger and more complicated world.
Important Correction: The Movie Does Not Cover All 25 Episodes
One important detail in the original article needs to be corrected.
Crimson Bow and Arrow does not re-edit all 25 episodes of Season 1.
Instead, it is the first part of a two-part theatrical compilation covering the first half of Season 1.
The original official announcement confirms that:
- Crimson Bow and Arrow covers Episodes 1–13
- Attack on Titan Part 2: Wings of Freedom covers Episodes 14–25
Both films were created as theatrical compilation versions of the first television season.
This means viewers who want to experience the entire first season through the original compilation movies would need to watch both theatrical films.
The distinction is important for newcomers because Crimson Bow and Arrow is not a complete replacement for all 25 episodes of Season 1.
The Original Season 1 Ran for 25 Episodes
The first Attack on Titan television season aired from April through September 2013 and consisted of 25 episodes.
The first theatrical compilation, Crimson Bow and Arrow, was released in 2014 and condensed the first 13 episodes into a feature-length movie.
The second compilation, Wings of Freedom, followed in 2015 and covered Episodes 14 through 25. The official franchise website confirms this two-part structure.
This original two-film format is now important again because Crimson Bow and Arrow is returning to theaters in a new immersive presentation.
What Is SCREEN X?
One of the biggest highlights of the 2026 theatrical event is the introduction of SCREEN X to the Attack on Titan franchise.
SCREEN X is a three-sided multi-projection movie system. Instead of showing images only on the main screen in front of the audience, the system also projects visuals onto the left and right walls of the theater.
This creates a much wider viewing area and can make large-scale action scenes feel more immersive.
The upcoming screening is particularly interesting for Attack on Titan because the anime frequently uses enormous environments, fast-moving combat, towering Titans, and three-dimensional movement through cities and forests.
The official announcement confirms that this will be the first SCREEN X presentation in the series.
For beginners, the simplest way to understand SCREEN X is to imagine the movie expanding beyond the normal front screen and continuing onto both side walls of the theater.
4DX Brings the Battles Into the Theater
The movie will also be screened in 4DX.
4DX is a theater format that adds physical effects to the movie experience. Depending on the scene and theater, audiences can experience moving seats and environmental effects designed to match the action on screen.
This could make the high-speed battles and Titan encounters feel very different from watching the film at home.
The upcoming release will also use ULTRA 4DX, bringing together the immersive visual presentation and 4DX-style effects.
The official announcement lists all three formats—SCREEN X, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX—for the October 23 screening.
The Movie’s Theme Song Is “Guren no Zahyou”
The theatrical compilation film features “Guren no Zahyou” by Linked Horizon as its theme song.
Linked Horizon has a long-standing connection with Attack on Titan. The group performed the iconic “Guren no Yumiya”, the opening theme of the first half of the original Season 1.
The official Attack on Titan music information also lists “Guren no Zahyou” as the theme song for the first theatrical compilation film.
The song helped establish the theatrical identity of Crimson Bow and Arrow when the film was originally released.
Hiroyuki Sawano Handles the Ending Music
The ending theme is handled by Hiroyuki Sawano, the composer whose music became one of the defining elements of the Attack on Titan anime.
Sawano also worked on the film’s score, helping preserve the dramatic musical atmosphere associated with the franchise.
His music has played an important role throughout the anime, particularly during major battles and emotional turning points.
The combination of Linked Horizon’s theme song and Sawano’s music makes the theatrical compilation closely connected to the musical identity of the original anime.
Hajime Isayama’s Original Manga
Attack on Titan is based on the manga created by Hajime Isayama.
The manga began serialization in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shonen Magazine in 2009 and concluded in 2021.
The series became a worldwide success, with cumulative circulation exceeding 140 million copies.
Its story initially appears to focus on humans fighting giant monsters, but the narrative eventually develops into a much broader story involving mystery, war, political conflict, history, identity, and the meaning of freedom.
The anime adaptation began in 2013 and helped introduce Isayama’s work to audiences around the world.
The Anime Continued for More Than a Decade
The Attack on Titan television anime began in 2013 and continued through several seasons and production stages.
Following Season 1, the anime received additional seasons that expanded the world and introduced new mysteries surrounding the Titans and the society living behind the walls.
The series eventually entered The Final Season, which began in 2020.
The anime’s final television installments were released in multiple parts, with the concluding episode airing in November 2023.
Although the main television story has already ended, the franchise continues to receive new projects, special events, merchandise, games, and theatrical screenings.
Attack on Titan Returns With a New Official YouTube Channel
Another major update for the franchise came in September 2026 with the launch of the official Attack on Titan YouTube channel.
The official channel was created to provide special video content for fans around the world, including limited-time anime episodes and exclusive footage.
As part of the launch, the complete 25-episode Season 1 is being made available for a limited time in weekly batches.
The announced schedule is:
- September 9: Episodes 1–4
- September 16: Episodes 5–7
- September 23: Episodes 8–10
- September 30: Episodes 11–13
- October 7: Episodes 14–16
- October 14: Episodes 17–19
- October 21: Episodes 20–22
- October 28: Episodes 23–25
Each batch is scheduled to remain available for one week.
This is particularly useful for fans who want to revisit Season 1 before watching Crimson Bow and Arrow in theaters.
A Convenient Way for New Fans to Catch Up
The timing of the official YouTube release is especially notable because the theatrical screening focuses on the beginning of the franchise.
Someone discovering Attack on Titan for the first time can use the official Season 1 episodes to become familiar with Eren, Mikasa, Armin, the Training Corps, and the world inside the walls before attending the theatrical screening.
At the same time, longtime fans can revisit the original episodes and compare them with the theatrical compilation.
The official channel also plans to release other special video content, making it another important destination for fans during the franchise’s current anniversary activities.
THE LAST ATTACK Will Arrive in SCREEN X, 4DX and ULTRA 4DX in 2027
The immersive theatrical project will continue beyond Crimson Bow and Arrow.
The official franchise announcement confirms that Attack on Titan: The Final Chapter – THE LAST ATTACK will be screened in SCREEN X, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX in 2027.
However, the specific 2027 release date has not yet been announced.
This means fans will eventually be able to experience both an early and late part of the anime’s story in these immersive formats.
Crimson Bow and Arrow takes audiences back to the beginning, while THE LAST ATTACK represents the concluding portion of the main anime story.
Attack on Titan’s 2026 Anniversary Campaign
The new theatrical screenings are part of a larger wave of Attack on Titan franchise activities taking place in 2026.
The franchise has designated September 9 as “Attack on Titan Day,” marking the date the original manga began serialization.
As part of the celebration, the official franchise announced 99 pieces of Attack on Titan-related news, including the theatrical screenings, game information, special content, and other announcements.
A new illustration from creator Hajime Isayama was also revealed as part of the anniversary activities.
These announcements demonstrate that the franchise continues to receive new projects even after the conclusion of the television anime.
Why the 2026 Theatrical Screening Is Special
The return of Crimson Bow and Arrow gives Attack on Titan fans a chance to revisit the story’s earliest chapter in a presentation that was not available when the film originally premiered.
The biggest change is the addition of SCREEN X, which will allow images to extend across the theater’s side walls.
The availability of 4DX and ULTRA 4DX also means viewers can choose a more physical and immersive way to experience the film.
For longtime fans, the screening can serve as a nostalgic return to the beginning of Eren’s journey.
For new viewers, it offers a straightforward introduction to the central characters and the basic conflict of Attack on Titan.
However, newcomers should remember that the movie only covers Episodes 1–13, meaning it does not contain the entire first season.
The release of the new Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow theatrical trailer has given fans another look at the beginning of the franchise ahead of its 2026 theatrical return.
Originally released in 2014, Crimson Bow and Arrow is the first of two compilation films based on the original 25-episode Season 1. It covers Episodes 1–13, while Wings of Freedom covers Episodes 14–25.
The 2026 screening will make the film particularly distinctive through its use of SCREEN X, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX. SCREEN X is making its franchise debut, while 4DX and ULTRA 4DX will add physical and environmental elements to the theatrical experience.
The timing also gives fans several ways to revisit the franchise. The official Attack on Titan YouTube channel is currently making Season 1 available in limited-time weekly batches, allowing viewers to return to the original story before the October theatrical screening.
And this will not be the end of the franchise’s immersive theatrical presentations. Attack on Titan: The Final Chapter – THE LAST ATTACK is scheduled to return in SCREEN X, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX in 2027, although its exact release date has not yet been announced.
Attack on Titan Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow will screen in Japan from October 23, 2026, in SCREEN X, 4DX, and ULTRA 4DX, bringing the story’s beginning back to the big screen approximately 12 years after its original theatrical release.
