An Unexpected Crossover: Total War: Empire in Attack on Titan
When worlds collide in the realm of entertainment, the results can be both surprising and delightful. Such is the case with the unexpected crossover between the historical strategy game Total War: Empire and the popular anime Attack on Titan. Fans were amused to find a screenshot from the game cleverly inserted into the anime’s backdrop, creating a humorous contrast with the intense narrative. This article explores the creative use of video game artwork in other media and the playful intersections that enrich our pop culture landscape.
Background Art in Animation
In the realm of animation, particularly within the anime industry, it is a common practice to use references for background art. This technique allows artists to create rich, detailed environments that can enhance the storytelling without the need to craft every element from scratch. These references can range from real-world locations to existing artworks, and they often add a layer of authenticity or familiarity to the animated scenes.
For example, the isekai anime series The Eminence in Shadow featured a redrawn version of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station, complete with its LED screens and Myki machines, Melbourne’s public transport card system. This attention to detail, even including anachronistic elements, showcases the lengths to which animators will go to ground fantastical stories in a semblance of reality.
- Flinders Street Station in The Eminence in Shadow – A real-world train station in Melbourne, Australia, was adapted for the anime.
- Total War: Empire in Attack on Titan – A screenshot from the video game was used as a painting in the anime’s background.
Video Game Artwork in Other Media
Artwork from video games has found its way into various forms of media, sometimes serving as a creative resource or, in other cases, being used to misrepresent reality. This repurposing can range from innocuous Easter eggs in animations to more serious instances of misinformation, such as the use of game footage to fabricate war scenes.
| Media Type | Example of Video Game Artwork Use |
| Animations | Attack on Titan using a Total War: Empire screenshot |
| Disinformation | Arma videos repurposed as fake war footage |
| Game Trailers | Uncharted 4 initially featuring Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag concept art |
A Creative Easter Egg in Attack on Titan
As a viewer and fan of the intricate worlds created in anime, the discovery of the Total War: Empire screenshot within Attack on Titan brings a sense of amusement and appreciation for the creativity of the animators. While some might see this as a shortcut or an oversight, it can also be viewed as a clever nod to another artistic medium, enriching the tapestry of pop culture references for eagle-eyed fans to discover.
Personally, I find this inclusion to be a delightful Easter egg that I hope remains unchanged. It serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of different creative industries and the playful spirit that can arise when art forms intersect. May it continue to be a hidden gem for future viewers to uncover and enjoy within the anime’s dramatic and action-packed narrative.
