It might be over now, but Attack on Titan remains one of the most popular modern anime, having had a massive impact on both the anime and manga communities since the series debuted back in 2009. While the ending might've been controversial, the series is still thought of as one of the best of this century.
As far as anime adaptations go, Attack on Titan stands out as a must-watch for anime fans both old and new. Every series has its strengths and weaknesses, but there are some things that Attack on Titan does better than its contemporaries. Here's a look at them.
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Opening Themes
Plenty of shonen anime have memorable openings, but Attack on Titan's OPs are something special. The visuals are amazing, sure, but the songs themselves have become some of the most recognizable anime themes out there.
Hajime Isayama's amazing story and world-building definitely played a big role in making Attack on Titan the juggernaut it is, but you can't overlook just how important the opening themes were in making the anime what it is today. They're earworms that stick with you long after you're done with the series. As great as the series itself is, the openings are just as iconic.
Solid Pacing That Keeps Things Going
Some shonen anime - especially the longer ones - have a tendency to stretch things out. Not Attack on Titan. The series doesn't rely on filler as other iconic shonen series do, giving fans a well-rounded viewing experience that doesn't drag on.
The anime is incredibly faithful to the source material, and that makes it all the more enjoyable. The anime does a great job of setting things up and gradually building to big reveals and plot developments. At 94 episodes long, it's not a short series, but it flies by thanks to its great pacing.
Characters Don't Get Sidelined
Many shonen anime that have a large cast of characters tend to sideline most of them in favor of a core group. It's an issue most series suffer from in some way or another, but Attack on Titan finds a nice balance for the most part.
While the main narrative does focus on Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, other characters like Levi, Reiner, Connie, and Sasha all have moments in the series that either have them helping move the narrative forward or explore their characters in some way. Some characters do get a little less time in the spotlight, but overall, Attack on Titan makes great use of its great ensemble cast.
High-Octane Fight Scenes
Anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer rightfully get praised for their animation and action sequences. There aren't many series out there that can rival their quality, but Attack on Titan is a strong contender.
AoT's fight scenes are some of the most exciting in anime. From scouts taking on impossible odds when taking on Titans to Titan on Titan combat, the fight scenes are a highlight of the series that both Wit and MAPPA did great jobs with.
Shocking Twists That Push The Story Forward
Every anime needs some good twists to keep viewers interested, and some do it better than others. Isayama did a great job with Attack on TItan's world-building, giving readers an interesting setting and gradually revealing more about it as the series progressed.
Attack on Titan has some of the most memorable twists in anime. Each season has its fair share of jaw-dropping moments; from the colossal Titan found within Wall Sina in season 1, to the big Reiner and Bertholdt reveal in season 2, the world beyond the walls in season 3, and the absolute roller coaster that was season 4, every season of Attack on Titan is full of memorable revelations that make it worth watching.
Complex Characters
One of Attack on Titan'sstrong points is its versatile cast of characters. Throughout the series, we get a good look at how each character is affected by life within the walls and the daily Titan threat. As we learn more about the world beyond the walls and the people who inhabit it, we get different viewpoints and a better understanding of the events and dynamics that shaped the world into what we know it to be.
Eren, who by the end of the series had committed numerous atrocities, was incredibly fleshed out, and made for an interesting hero and/or antagonist. The same can be said for a lot of Attack on Titan's characters. Throughout the anime, we get a good look at key events and interactions that shaped different characters into being who they are, and by the end of it, we're left with a dynamic cast who come across as incredibly human in their hopes and flaws.
Character Deaths That Matter
One thing that Attack on Titan isn't afraid to do is kill off its cast of characters. From supporting characters to major characters, the series will kill people off to show just how dire things are and just how high the stakes can get. Even minor character deaths feel incredibly emotionally charged.
Most shonen series either avoid major character deaths or barely make use of them in their narrative. Attack on Titan doesn't shy away from killing off its characters, and while these moments can be upsetting to fans, they stick with you and ultimately show just how grim and unforgiving its world can be.
Attack On Titan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2023-00-00
Cast
-
Matthew Mercer -
Josh Grelle
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on Hajime Isayama's widely popular manga, Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy anime set in a world where humanity lives behind walls to protect themselves from massive creatures known as Titans. Over the course of four seasons, the story takes plenty of unexpected twists and turns, almost evolving into a different type of series in the process.
- Number of Episodes
- 94
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.55 (Season 1)
