Attack on Titan Anime Review
Aug. 24, 2013Attack on Titan Anime Review
Animereview for Attack on Titan– a project based on the Kodansha-published manga byHajime Isayamaand first published onSeptember 9, 2009. Let me just start by saying this the first Anime I’ve really watched from the start (I’ve seen a few episodes of random Anime here and there, but often didn’t know what the fuck was going on as it was like season 3). I’ve never been a fan of Anime, it just never appealed to me. But all of that changed with Attack on Titan, and below is why!
Since this is an ongoing story, I’ll try to avoid spoilers as much as possible, but some basic setting for those considering:Attack on Titanis about humanity’s fight against Titans. These large humanoid creatures vary in size, but are extremely large, unintelligent and devour humans with no apparent motivation.
Incapable of defeating or reasoning with the humanoid monsters, humanity has built 50m high walls to protect itself. Within the walls, a cult of worship towards the protective barriers develop, as 100 years of peace go by and allow the sorrows of the past to be forgotten. That peace, however, won’t last, as Titans have finally broken through and bring doom to humanity with them.
From the very beginning of the first episode the writer does an amazing job of painting a very bleak and desperate situation for humanity. If you are looking for a feel good Anime, this surely isn’t the one for you. However, if you can handle the gore and despair, you will also find humor, inspiration, and a very real sense of what it means to be human.
Through the painful fight for survival against all odds, the audience is invited to understand the motivations of the characters, their defeats painful and their triumps – however bleak – empowering. Necessity is the mother of invention, and Attack of Titan’s cast needs are dire indeed.
Attack on Titanfollows three friends that dream of one day living outside the walls and seeing the rest of the world. Being very young when the Titans attack, they can’t do anything to stop the invasion and learn the pain of powerlessness. The writer focuses on each one of them, how they handle their grief and anger and how they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. The characters frustrate you and surprise you, and because of this you find yourself constantly wondering what they will do next.
Within the first few episodes, many secondary characters are introduced in detail, with the quirks of anime such as specific and seemingly random characteristics. Because of this, those new to anime may find them strange at first, but I advise you give into the experience and enjoy the little nods when they happen, as they bring some comic relief to an otherwise hopeless situation.
As the story progressed, I was shocked to find I had missed subtle clues that provided significant changes in perspective. This makes a re-watch a must-do once you catch up!
Although there is lots of combat and action (lots of scenes of humans fighting the Titans) the part the really pulled me in was the mystery. The writers allude to the fact that there may be more going on with the Titans than you know. As the story unfolds you gradually learn more and more about why humanity is in the situation they are in and what caused it. With each episode you get a little closer to finding out what is really going on and you can’t wait for the next to find out more. You can watch 3 or 4 episodes in a row without realizing it easily.
The studios in charge of animating this manga have done an outstanding job, realizing the versatility of the combat gears and terrifying prospect of death-by-Titan. Limited to a few weekly episodes per season, it is clear there were few budget constraints as both animation and voiceover cast are at the very best of the industry. The music is fantastic! I absolutely love the theme song and have found myself simply searchingYouTubejust to listen to it. It really adds to the dramatic feel of the show.
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Castielle
Senior Editor at Fextralife. I enjoy gaming, playing and watching sports, cooking yummy food, watching a good movie and hanging out with Fex.
My friend has actually recommended this to me too. It looks fairly interesting, but the story better be as good as you profess 😛
Anyways, if you wanted to try some more anime, seeing as you like story and characters I’d recommend you Monster, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood or Death Note. All very good, all different genres. But an excellent story with very interesting and unique characters in each.
I’ve been telling him we ought to watch Death Note – but we somehow got busy with Wakamote (review coming soon!)
Watamote* 😛
I’d rather see a Watamote review than a Death Note review. I feel Watamote is alot more stereotypically “anime” than Death Note so seeing an opinion from someone who’s not been into the medium very much (if the intro is to be believed) would be alot more interesting 🙂
I have only watchedDeath Note, and then this show since I knew it was created by the same people. I am not really an anime ‘fan’ more like a video game nerd knowing that anime should appeal to me but most never even began to grab my attention at all. I suppose it’s not exactly easy to get into foreign cartoons in my adult life without much experience in my youth 😛 …
I take that back I was also lovingSamurai Champloofor a while as my first anime, but then it stopped playing in English on Hulu Plus so I gave up on it. I will probably go back and try again now that I gave Death Note (my first show watched completely in a foreign language with sub-titles) although I was emotionally invested in the characters voices spoken by English speaking actors.
Fact is I want to like anime, the medium is definitely geared toward an RPG gamer fan like myself, but I am not into the ‘big headed’ ‘chibi’ stuff. I want a compelling story, mature drama, top notch writing, flawless voice acting, or frankly its just not worth my time.
I will probably never be an ‘anime’ fan per-se, but a fan of particular shows or movies I enjoy that just happen to be in the anime format. On a side note I always lovedStudio Ghiblimovies since i was a kid.
I can’t really say I’m “into” Anime. Attack on Titan was the first I really watched. That said you need to watch it. I think you’d really like it…
Started watching it. It is of course by the same people who brought me death note. It’s awesome. Yah. Exactly what I was asking for in my criteria for an animated show worth my time lol.
Been telling Cas he would like Death Note. Anywhere with English subs?
Streaming or downloading?
http://www.watch-anime.net/death_note/
My final score on this anime would be almost the same (maybe just solid 8), but my opinions are different on the sub scores:
Story: 7/10Interesting idea, but not explored enough yet.
Action: 10/10The action scenes and amazing camera drives are definitely one of the features that set this series apart from other animes.
Characters: 5/10The characters tend to be stereotypical, like in most animes.
Music: 10/10One of the most impressive soundtracks, if not the MOST impressive soundtrack I’ve ever heard on any anime. Soundtrack really makes the most epic scenes to pop out.
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