Review of Attack on Titan

Why Shingeki no Kyojin might not be the epic you were expecting.... And why it might be. Shingeki no Kyojin or, Attack on Titan was produced by the powerhouse studio Production IG in the spring of 2013. It was instantly a smash success even gathering attention for the casual western masses. By now the summer of 2014, there is even a Hollywood movie in the works. This review will solely focus on whether this anime will meet your understandably high expectations. For some of you it might, for others like myself you might be left scratching your head. Let me make myself clear before I begin however. Iin no way disliked this anime or, have any ill feelings towards it. I rather enjoyed my first time watching the series all the way through, I've even read the manga in between my first and second viewing.

With that all out of the way I'll begin!

;Story~!

The story of Shingeki no Kyojin isn't a hard one to grasp. Humans fear Titans, Titans eat Humans. Admittedly there is a little more behind this including an intriguing enough mystery. Though you rarely get enough bones thrown your way throughout to remember there is a greater mystery.

The story all revolves around Eren Yaeger, a understandably pissed off young man. His goal is to kill all of the titans and trust me, he means ALL of the titans. The story starts off very slow but it doesn't take long for shit to hit the fan.

Overall this story had potential but I think a lack of execution in a lot of areas hinder it. Especially the pacing.

Rating: 5
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;Art/Animation~!

As expected from a studio like Production IG the animation is top-notch. Everything looks like it is high quality which I feel greatly enhances the series. The characters all look exceptional to decent, the titans look morbid and creepy (with the exception of that horrible kawaii titan), and the battles scenes are absolutely bananas.

While Armin's haircut makes him look like a dork this still passes with flying colors.

Rating: 8

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;Soundtrack~!

This was easily the best thing of the whole series. And it was probably one of my favorite soundtracks from last year. It did leave you feeling like what was happening on screen was a big deal. The soundtrack actually made me feel really emotional during scenes, the scenes otherwise never would have made me feel in such a way. The soundtrack played a huge part in getting me through my first watch content and with little complaints.

For a soundtrack to do all of these things is very special.

Rating: 10

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;Characters~!

This has to be the most frustrating part of the whole series for me. I'll focus on the central characters before giving an overview.

I'll start with our main trio of Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. All of these characters were painfully one-dimensional. And I don't accept Mikasa's backstory at all, I know it is fiction, I know it is anime, but in a world grounded by brutal reality I can't suspend my disbelief for Mikasa. By all accounts her parents were normal human beings, she transformed at the flip of a switch to a killing machine? I can't buy it. She also has the personality of cardboard, I felt absolutely nothing from her. And when I say nothing I mean nothing, no suppressed feelings, no real desire, she was just there. There to be the badass protagonist really, very much a female Levi. They're pretty much the same person. Admittedly I find Levi much more interesting though we are given little to nothing about his character, which is a problem that plagues the series.

Armin while having the most potential of the three is just typecast as the cliche crybaby coward. If you want more prove look at the American voice actor chosen to play him, Josh Grelle. *Shudder.*

Lastly is our main protagonist Eren! Once again it just feels like he is making up the last third of a trio with set cliche personalities or lack there of. Most of the time I just found him to be a nuisance while trying to watch the series. Annoying main protagonists aren't uncommon now a days but Eren Yaeger is very tiresome after a few episodes.

Now as I said some characters I found interesting or with potential. The best among them being Annie Leonhart and Jean Kirstein. I understand perfectly well that some of these characters are going to be titan food, but why not develop them before then? It felt like none of these characters were properly constructed. From the bland personalities to the lifeless dialogue, the writing in this wasn't at all what people give it credit for.

Rating: 3
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;Overall~!

Would you be surprised to hear that I enjoyed the series?

It isn't exactly deep or, thought provoking still I found it to be very fun. Honestly it doesn't have a lot going for it aside from epic eight episode long heart pounding battles. But what is so wrong with that?

Does it deserve the hype?

With the dub coining it "the Japanese, Walking Dead," I think saying it does from my point of view would be laughable.

Do I get the hype?

I certainly get it. The soundtrack is enthralling, the animation is quality, the surprising moments really get you. I understand why there was so much hype surrounding this series.

If you are like me, you might be looking for the deep masterpiece of a story everyone has told you about. You won't find it here.

But~!

I certainly recommend it to those who don't mind shutting their brains off to enjoy a hell of a ride.

For that I give Shingeki no Kyojin a solid...

Final Verdict: 5/10~!