Review of Attack on Titan

This is my favourite anime (and also my favourite manga). However, before I continue, I must let you all know that I dropped this anime once after 4 episodes before picking it up again and committing to it (which wasn't hard after I realized how AWESOME it was). Let's start with the story: WOW, where do I even begin? I am a sucker for dystopian-type anything and I ate Shingeki no Kyojin all up. First off, not only are the Titans a pretty unique concept, but the mystery behind their origins was something that I found myself theorizing about constantly upon watching, and I might just beutterly simpleminded, but I could never have guessed the complexities of the plot. Isayama has this talented way of revealing something only for it to generate EVEN MORE questions, and the storytelling, albeit slow-paced at times, is unmatched. Apparently Shingeki no Kyojin is supposed to be a shounen anime with some major seinin elements, but I never felt like it was shounen, especially with all of the subtle foreshadowing and political themes later on. The only thing that reminds me that this anime/manga is shounen is the main character. I am big on plot-driven anime and this is the best plot-driven anime I have ever seen. (*Bonus: the anime follows the general plot of the manga almost to a T. And while there are a few pretty informative scenes that I wish made the cut but didn't, the exclusion doesn't keep anime only watchers in the dark.)

The characters: Like I mentioned earlier, the main character, Eren Jeager, is what you expect a shounen MC to be like, BUT that doesn't mean he isn't a great protagonist. He is determined, capable, and driven by vengeance, but he cares deeply about his comrades and loved ones (those he has left, anyway) and you can't help but root for him in the later seasons. There is, however, one character who seems to be a universal favourite: Levi. He is so badass; he probably invented the term. Brooding, surrounded by mystery, and, oftentimes, without a speech filter, he is true husbando material. Everyone, even the secondary characters, have a great backstory that ties back into the main plot somehow, even in small ways. I honestly love ALL of the characters. Yup, you heard me. ALL of them. (You might not, but that's a 'you' problem.)

The art: Excellent animation/artwork - the characters and the setting all look sharp, crisp, and clean. The animation of the scouts using the omni-directional mobility gear (ODM gear) while in battle is done so well. Thank you, WIT Studio.

The music: Don't. Get. Me. Started. I want Vogel im Käfig playing as they lower my casket into the ground. The soundtracks for each season are grim, epic, and beautiful all in one. Call of Silence still makes me want to cry. Reluctant Heroes? That's on my workout playlist. Hiroyuki Sawano, if you are somehow reading this, you are a godly composer.

Anyway, that's my two cents (more like two-hundred dollars actually) on Shingeki no Kyojin. If you're still reading this, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

GO AND WATCH IT. RIGHT. NOW.

And watch it all the way until Season 3 Part 2...
That last season... *whistles*... you're in for a ride...