Between wrestlers and drunken bar patrons, Hajime Isayama, the author of Attack on Titan, was also inspired by a famous cannibal family to create two of his famous creatures: the clan of Alexander “Sawney” Bean.
Completed this Sunday, April 3, part 2 of the Attack on Titan anime ultimately did not adapt the end of the work as one might have thought. Indeed, a third burst of episodes will conclude the destinies of Eren, Mikasa and Armin during the year 2023.
Created by the hand of Isayama Hajime, this trio of atypical characters survives in the heart of feudal Japan, facing strange humanoid and gigantic creatures called titans. Often inspired by what surrounds him, many of these creatures display a resemblance to public figures and known to the mangaka. Two titans stand out, however, by referring not to professional wrestlers as the author is used to doing, but to an infamous cannibal.
During Season 1, and while Eren tries to learn his new transformation abilities from Corporal Levi, Hange Zoë continues his experiments on two titans captured alive during the recapture of the Trost District.
Eager for knowledge and fascinated by these man-eating giants, the young woman has them immobilized with ropes and nails. In an attempt to establish a dialogue, Hange then tells them the story of a cannibalistic family, living on the side of a Scottish mountain and whose members are said to have perpetrated their crimes over more than 25 years, causing more than 500 victims. .
After a careless mistake, this line of cannibals would have ended up being arrested and condemned. A parallel that Hange makes with these two titans, devourers of humans finally captured, in order to find them a name. They are thus baptized Sawney and Bean.
Wit Studios Sawney and Bean in Attack on Titan
One might think this icy story straight out of the imagination of Hajime Isayama, but it is not. A legend of Scottish folklore and listed in the catalog of crimes at London’s Newgate Prison, the cannibal Alexander “Sawney” Bean is said to have existed and was rampant in the 1500s.
Installed in a cave in East Lothian, with his wife, children and grandchildren all born of incestuous relationships, he survived by devouring passers-by. After a failed ambush allowing their victim to escape, the existence of the Beans was revealed in broad daylight. Pursued by 400 men sponsored by King James VI, the clan was sentenced to death without trial.
This news item has, subsequently, crossed the centuries to become a source of ideas for several artists such as the filmmaker Wes Craven who would have been inspired by it to make his famous film: The hill has eyes.
Blood Relations Co.
Michael Barryman (Pluto)
Amateur thrills, Hajime Isayama has undoubtedly seen an opportunity to tell this tragic story. During the same scene, members of the exploration battalion discuss two other titans that Hange would have baptized Tchikatiloni and Alberto. It’s a safe bet that these names, although slightly different, refer to the cannibals and serial killers, Andreï Tchikatilo and Albert Fish.
While waiting to discover the final fate reserved for these said titans, you can find the entire series on Crunchyroll, as well as the entire manga at Pika editions, in 34 volumes.