Review of Attack on Titan

For a mainstream anime that has been popular for quite a while, I'm not surprised that many people have praised this show so extensively. It is not only an action-packed series full of nerve-wracking battles but also one including a multitude of emotions, dark mysteries, and creative plot twists. I was constantly gasping aloud or scared for the characters' circumstances, and I could see how many viewers became captivated by the story. At first I was quite skeptical about watching Attack on Titan because what I had seen of it was very bloody. I'm glad I tried it out, though. Of course a lot of peopledie and lose limbs, but it's all part of humanity's struggle against the bloodthirsty Titans who do nothing but devour humans. At the same time, while humans are desperate to survive, even the ones who've signed up to sacrifice their lives to save others continuously find themselves completely petrified when they see their comrades gruesomely eaten by Titans. They can never overcome fear of death. And though death is always a possibility, a few rise to lead humanity and try their hardest to extinguish the Titans that threaten their way of life. They can only hope that their dream to live freely can overcome their fear of losing their lives to the Titans.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the occasional bouts of humor in the episodes. The main characters are teenagers, after all, so it's not uncommon for them to make jokes even in the midst of danger, partially to calm their nerves. They didn't overdo the humor, though, else that would have been inappropriate to the plot, so that was good.

While most of the plot is devoted to finding a way to extinguish the Titans, I feel that a lot of it is filled with people dealing with their fear of dying in the mouth of a Titan. It got to be a little repetitive, though maybe it's just me. The threat of death for these characters is always present, and it isn't something that can be dealt with in one episode. It's reminiscent of PTSD, which can last a lifetime.

Additionally, the majority of the story is concentrated on certain missions undertaken by Eren and the others after a five-year time skip of training to be soldiers. While the rest of the action flowed fine, I wished to see the characters train more. Some of them became very skilled, but the span of their training was only about an episode or so. Also, that way more history of Titans could have been revealed as well as their opinions behind the structure of the government, which was a little muddled or one-sided before they began fighting against the Titans.

While I greatly enjoyed the plot, there were a few interruptions within major battles to allude to back stories and flashbacks of various characters. Those were important to know, but I found myself impatient while watching them because I wanted to know what was happening in the present.

There are also a few unexplained parts of the plot, very minor details, but I'm sure that they will be explained in the upcoming season.

Attack on Titan has some of the best animation I've ever seen. Most of it is attributed to the characters' movement with 3D Maneuver Gear; the users seem to weave through the skies between buildings and trees effortlessly. They're quick, though, and I found that a little disorienting. However, the speed is necessary for their Titan killing.

Whenever there were transitions between scenes and screen was focused on landscape and such, they looked great. Flowers swaying in the wind sparkled under sunlight, buildings were very detailed with old-fashioned decorations and precise to the very bricks they were made with.

The characters were drawn with thick black outlines around them, which I disliked. I suppose this is done to distinguish between them and the background, but I think it was unnecessary. I did, however, like their uniforms. They were stylish and pretty unique; I haven't seen anything like them before.

The songs for Attack on Titan are pretty phenomenal. The first opening theme song is super amazing; it sounds epic and like a song I could imagine soldiers getting ready to suit up with. The second one is similar in quality, but I prefer the first one. The ending themes are pretty good, too. They're not as pumped as in the intros, but they're pleasant and otherwise enjoyable.

The soundtrack is perfect. There are many themes composed for certain events, battles, flashbacks, etc., and they sound exhilarating or morose, fitting whatever feelings they need to. There is some techno, rock, soft piano, all very cool. This composer knew what he was doing.

I think what is best about this show is the variety of characters and their uniqueness. For example, before I watched Attack on Titan, I was already familiar with Levi Ackerman from the fandom because they're crazy about him. However, I should really talk about the most important three:

The protagonist Eren Jaeger starts out as a small boy with the most courage I've ever seen. His mother's death at the hands of a Titan drives him to do his best in order to achieve his ultimate goal: to kill every Titan on the face of the earth. While some may tire at his determination and lack of strength, his training helps him a lot in becoming a better and stronger soldier. He also comes to think more about his actions and the world within the walls rather than just about himself.

Mikasa Ackerman is lovely girl with a stoic countenance. She cares first and foremost for Eren, whom she has spent much of her childhood with. Initially I found her character to be bland, but she grows into a formidable Titan killer through her training. I admire her skills and love for her friends.

Armin Arlert is at first an impish blond child who is bullied a lot and can't fend for himself. However, he is very intelligent and comes up all the ideas and plans when he is a trainee. It is a lot of change from the crybaby he once was, as he is an observant person who thinks things through and is incredibly smart.

The other characters are also very well designed. They have distinct personalities and their own unique traits. I didn't hate a single one of them, though some I liked more than others. Some of them seemed a little too powerful, though, but maybe that was just me. Anyway, there are a lot of notable characters in this show and I'm sure all of them are someone's favorite.

It is without a doubt that I enjoyed watching Attack on Titan very much. I binge watched it in 2-4 episode bursts and eagerly made sure to finish the OVAs before writing this review. This show kept me on the edge of my seat, cringing at the bloody parts but nervously waiting for the characters to fight their way to the top. Many characters die, most of them not so significant but also others who have had larger roles. I honestly didn't tear up more than once, though. The action is definitely addicting, but the plot in between is also good to see. The animation is swell, soundtrack is amazing, characters are great, and the show was an overall an enjoyable watch.