Review of Attack on Titan
The decade-long series has finally come to an end. As someone who started with the anime, and finished with the manga, I decided exam season is a good time to rewatch the whole series, because with this increased maturity and experience, my review of AoT / SnK should be the most comprehensive there is. Many mainstream animes fail to catch the attention of experienced anime veterans. They tend to follow a similar pattern: 1) a hero/ heroine in a deceivingly happy environment 2) they find something off -> their whole life was lie 3) now they rebel 4) defeat 5) (re)new motivation 6) goto step 3 Tropes aren't bad in themselves.But they're done very badly, to the point that I immediately ignore the newest mainstream dystopian saga.
I have read AoT at least twice, and I've watched and loved the anime the first time I saw it.
Did this change with the rewatch? NO.
Even though I know what is coming, and how it's going to end, every episode hooks me in, every mundane moment is foreshadowing for the sinister future. And this just makes me appreciate Eren Yaeger even more. Characters are realistic, and even though you can form your own opinions about the decisions each of them take, you can not help sympathising with their reasons behind it. Even the enemies are not enemies, and I believe this is the greatest point of AoT. In the world we live in right now, so torn with strife and violence, it is easy to dehumanise and pick sides. But every once in a while, you see a series that reiterates why the prefrontal cortex exists, and that all art is similar and unique in their own way. AoT is a mandatory watch, even with its flaws, and even if you already know what's to come.
The first time, Eren was honestly annoying, and Mikasa very Mary Sue. But at least better than Jean, a total party pooper.
Now that I'm older, I like Jean so much. I understand why Eren is so radical, having suffered what he has. And to a certain degree, I understand Mikasa too. But she still is very Mary Sue.
I appreciate each character's motivation, and now this appreciation comes out of respect, not novelty.
The music is everlastingly exciting. The OPs perfectly encapsulate the current season and give a good hint of what's to come. Every moment is carefully planned, and this all lends itself to an experience that traumatises and grounds.
The art is good. It shows what it needs to and much more. You can almost forget this is a cartoon (because of how vivid it is).
tl;dr: All in all, a satisfying rewatch, with its timeless themes, even if we know it already. You can symphathise with the characters and feel angry at their situation even from a place of comfort.