Attack On Titan Creator Celebrates Billie Eilish's New Album With Incredible New Art

Summary Billie Eilish's new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, features anime-inspired tracks and has received critical acclaim.

Hajime Isayama, creator of Attack on Titan, created artwork for Eilish, highlighting her love for anime and Japanese media's impact on American pop music.

Eilish's song CHIHIRO is inspired by Spirited Away's protagonist and her love for Hayao Miyazaki's works.

In celebration of Billie Eilish’s newest anime-inspired album, Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan’s creator, delivers a stunning piece of new artwork. On May 17, 2024, Billie Eilish released her long-awaited third studio album, Hit Me Hard And Soft. The track list features 10 original songs and 45 minutes of impactful, personal ballads that make listeners feel like they’ve entered an alternate universe. Alongside her co-writer and brother, Finneas, the pop star has undoubtedly crafted another Grammy-worthy work of art. However, something makes this album stand apart from the rest.

Hit Me Hard and Soft is Eilish’s first full-length studio album since her 2021 installment, Happier Than Ever. The album has received critical acclaim, with all 10 songs reaching the top 40 of Billboard’s 100 upon release. Furthermore, Billie Eilish announced back in April that her seventh tour, Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour. is set to commence in September 2024.

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In addition to the head nods to her fellow artists sprinkled throughout the album, Billie noted to Zane Lowe in an interview with Apple Music:

“This is the most ‘me’ thing I’ve ever made.” - Billie Eilish

However, anime fans may be surprised to learn that one song in particular is a hat-tip to Studio Ghibli’s best film, Spirited Away. As a result, Hajime Isayama took notice of the album and sent Eilish a personalized drawing alongside his iconic characters from AOT.

Billie Eilish’s Newest Album Is a Love Letter to Anime

CHIHIRO, Eilish’s New Song, Is Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-Winning Film, Spirited Away

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Eilish discussed her song, CHIHIRO. She mentioned that the song is based on Spirited Away’s protagonist of the same name. In addition to CHIHIRO, Eilish mentioned in 2019 that her album, WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, is also accredited to Miyazaki and his works:

“The song is loosely based off of that movie, which is one of my favorites. It’s kind of from her point of view, mixed with mine. The visuals in that movie are some of the best ever.” - Billie Eilish

Anime’s impact on American media is wide-ranging, and it has finally reached the pop music industry. However, this fact is not always widely accepted or widely known. Perhaps it is for this reason that Hajime Isayama wanted to create a stunning piece of new art, specially for Eilish, as she continues to give anime the rightful credit that it deserves.

Hajime Isayama Depicts Pop Music’s Biggest Star Alongside AOT’s Most Iconic Protagonists

Billie Eilish Has Never Looked Better in Hajime Isayama’s Recent Artwork

Alongside Attack on Titan’s three heroes, Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert, a stunning portrait of Billie depicts her in a new, perfectly fitting way. Her iconic hooded eyes and pouty expression peer coldly up at the Colossal Titan, who peeks over the wall. In Eilish’s hand, she holds a “flesh paring,” AOT’s term for a unique sword used by the Scouting Regiment. Finally, at the top of the drawing, Isayama left Eilish a personalized note:

“Congratulations on the release of your newest album! To Billie Eilish-san.” - Hajime Isayama

Years ago, Billie Eilish was spotted at her Austin City Limits performance sporting an Attack on Titan t-shirt, proving that her love for anime goes deep. Furthermore, her recent album is a love letter to the anime films by Miyazaki that have inspired a generation, proving that Japanese media’s impact on America has finally reached pop music. Thanks to Isayama’s celebration of Eilish’s newest album with new incredible art, American music artists can be encouraged to take inspiration from anime’s best stories, like Spirited Away and Attack on Titan.

Sources: Rolling Stone and Apple Music