'Attack on Titan' season 2 spoilers, plot news: Anime storyline follows manga's major character death?

The recent chapter release of the manga version of "Attack on Titan" featured the death of what is considered an important character in the series, Armin. This development has caused fans to scramble around for the latest information on the anime, wondering whether "Attack on Titan" season 2 will in fact follow this direction.

The way things are with the anime production side, fans may be looking at the devastating death of not only a major but also a well-loved character in the series. Reports have surfaced that the delay which has beset the start-up of the next season's project has been due to the commitment of the producers wanting to stay true to the story based on the manga series.

It is clear that, if this is the way the anime production will be pursued, there is no way to avoid facing the death of a character who has brought both the manga and the anime series to its present level of popularity.

Although Hajime Isayama has had no qualms about killing off characters in this series, this particular one's death may be a turning point in it and could actually mean the adventure is winding down to an obvious conclusion.

Armin is one of the three main leads in the "Attack on Titan" anime, the other two being Eren and Mikasa. Together with other select fighters, they make up an elite team of specially trained soldiers called Survey Corps who vow to lay down their lives to protect their people.

The Survey Corps differs from the garrison or military troops in that they have the most perilous job of all: venturing outside the wall that protects their city from the Titans. Also called the Scouting Legion, they gather intelligence on their foes, the Titans, which are quite massive that it would require great numbers and a singular technique to subdue and kill them.

With the dangers posed by their job, Armin naturally becomes vulnerable to the threat of death. If his death in the manga shocked the avid readers, it would be no less so for fans of the anime.

Still, without any of these reports being officially confirmed, there may still be a chance the anime will take another course.

Production may be starting soon on "Attack on Titan" season 2, considering a lot has already transpired in the manga and will need to catch up fast. However, release may still be in early 2017.