This story is kind a famous among Japanese Attack on titans fans. AOT(Attack On Titans) didn’t have any attention from 集英社(Shueisha). Due to the author of AOT couldn’t draw as great as now. As you can see the comic book 1, his hand writing is not quit good actually. Comic book editor said his first comic which he brought it to the comic book company was not as good as even comics 1.
The manager of 別冊少年マガジン(Bessatsu syounenn magazine) had felt the chance of AOT would turn to be interesting comics ever.
This guy from the comic book company was a key of AOT turning to be the best comic book and anime later.
When the AOT was came out as anime, I was only 12 but It was too much blood scenes and biting off his own hand were kinda new wind from nowhere. Those kind of expression was not really public in Japan at that time. Therefore, AOT was social phenomenon and blow everyone’s minds.