14 Years Later: Bandai Namco Apologizes for Sgt. Frog's Unauthorized Attack on Titan Reference
The anime world got a blast from the past this week. Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Pictures issued a surprise apology for an unauthorized Attack on Titan reference. The real shocker isn't the reference itself, but that this apology comes for a film released all the way back in 2010.
The film in question is Gekijōban Keroro Gunso: Tanjō! Kyūkyoku Keroro Kiseki no Jikūjima de Arimasu! (Sgt. Frog the Movie: Creation! Ultimate Keroro, Wonder Space-Time Island). Fans of the comedic frog squad might remember a specific scene featuring a line directly lifted from Attack on Titan's Eren Yeager: "I'll kill them all!" While delivered for laughs in Sgt. Frog's typically irreverent style, it turns out the production never secured proper clearance.
Bandai Namco acknowledged they failed to obtain permission from Kodansha, Attack on Titan's publisher, or the manga's creator, Hajime Isayama. The companies expressed deep regret and vowed to prevent similar oversights in the future. It’s a significant reminder that even seemingly minor, humorous homages require strict adherence to intellectual property rights, regardless of how much time has passed.
“The real shocker isn't the reference itself, but that this apology comes for a film released all the way back in 2010.”
Catzye Take
This surprising apology for a decade-old film highlights the ongoing importance of intellectual property rights in the anime industry. It's a stark reminder that even seemingly minor references require proper clearance. Fans might wonder if this sets a precedent for other past, unapproved homages resurfacing.
Newsletter
Stay in the loop
Weekly digest of the top manga & anime stories. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Want to learn more?
Read our complete Anime guide →
