Review of Attack on Titan

To say that Attack on Titan (or Shingeki no Kyoujin) is the most popular anime of 2013 is an understatement. The hype and popularity surrounding the show is much like its iconic Colossal Titan, a massive juggernaut towering over all the other anime that came out this year. And not without good reason, few shows can match Titan for sheer adrenaline fueled gut-wrenching entertainment. It is a hard-knuckled actioner that doesn't hold back any punches, as it beats the audience into a state of shock and awe. The show is bolstered by its grandiose bravado, massive scale, ruthless twists, and broadappeal. It is not wonder it grew to such great popularity instantly. However, that does bring up the eternal question: does the show live up to all the hype?

Attack on Titan is a show so popular that its plot hardly needs to be summarized. The premise of mankind being forced into hiding by a monstrous and mysterious foe that threatens its extinction is hardly an original, but it is a tried-and-true one which instantly hooks the viewers' attention. Attack on Titan uses this premise as the foundation for a harsh and merciless yet endlessly interesting world with a lot to explore.

The setting is fantastical, with unbelievably humongous walls which encompass the surprisingly vast human territory, which is divided into 3 sections. Despite this grandeur, the world feels grounded by a sociological edge. Humanity has grown use to being confined within the protection of the walls; complacent and afraid to venture outside to reclaim the world they had lost to the monstrous titans. Even within the walls, there is a pecking order, with the richer and more privileged having the protection of the inner walls, Rose and Sina, while the less fortunate only have the protection of the outermost Wall Maria. This, of course, has disastrous consequences when the walls are breached. The world is so expansive that the eye-catches before and after commercial breaks feature snippets of information that couldn't be worked into the main narrative.

Along with these grand settings comes a humongous cast of characters; which largely works to the show's benefit, though not completely. Having such a large cast of characters establishes just how tremendous the struggle for humanity's survival is. Seeing so many named characters in risk and at the mercy of powers greater than themselves, the fact that the survival of the human race is at stake really hits home. It also illustrates how small these characters are in the face of this conflict. Characters die regularly, their lives often being snuffed out in inglorious desperation. The dead are grieved by those close to them, and treated with indifference by the bruised masses, who are too busy dealing with their own pain and loss. This disheartening depiction of battle and death is in stark opposition of the idealistic heroism depicted in most shows aimed at the shounen demographic, making it strikingly unique. Of course, the downside is that a lot of characters get barely any development. For as many characters as there are, very little of them are actually have a prominent role; most just feel like background (albeit sometimes quirky distinctive background) or body fodder for the titans to munch on. The sheer volume of characters makes it difficult for in-depth characterization for much of the cast, which is a shame because there is some potentially great characters that just don't get enough screen time. Still, the way the show uses its high body count to accentuate the desperation and tragedy mankind faces makes it hard to complain.

Our protagonist, Eren, of course gets the most screen time and focus. In many respects, he's a typical shounen lead; driven, idealistic, and quick to fight. Personality-wise, he can come of as somewhat monotone in his single-minded goal of killing titans, but it's justified given the tragedy he suffered at the hands of the monsters. He can at times be overshadowed by the more colorful personalities in the show, but his anger and determination make him a logical center for the series. His burning desire to destroy the titans and overcome the complacency mankind has fallen into is at the heart of Attack on Titan, and becomes a particularly potent focal point when Eren develops a power that makes him both a subject of persecution and mankind's best chance of survival.

The other two most prominent characters are Eren's childhood friend Armin, and adoptive sister Mikasa. Of the three of them, Armin is the wimpy kid, but also the smartest. Unlike fiery Eren or stoic Mikasa, Armin is lacks confidence at the beginning of the show and is convinced he is a liability, being physically weaker than most of the other characters. As the series continues, situations arise in which his strategic and negotiation skills become vital, and Armin becomes more confident in himself. It's a tried-and-true method of development, and it works well here.

Mikasa is the strongest warrior of the three, and arguably of the entire show. More importantly, though, is her fiercely protective nature, especially where Eren is concerned. Being as strong as she is, Mikasa puts the weight of her comrades squarely on her shoulders, and has a strong sense of justice. Despite this, she is more pragmatic that Eren in her values, which coupled with her over-protectiveness causes them to clash. Her almost maternal instincts and some more intimate moments make her distinctly feminine, something that fiction (all fiction, not just anime) often struggles with. Some jaded viewers might see her attachment to Eren as the overused 'brother complex', and there is certainly more than a little ground for such accusations, but they're likely brought on by overexposure of the trope through anime more than anything else.

All of these things give weight and substance to the show, but what really makes Attack on Titan an entertaining watch is its unstoppable momentum. Yes, there are some pacing issues; arcs stretch out for episodes and episodes in a series that only has 25. Yet every episode leaves an insatiable desire to see what will happen next. Director Tetsurou Araki has all but mastered the art of keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The show truly feels epic with its crushing bombast, fantastic action sequences, and Araki's signature booming direction. The show is hardly subtle in its heated confrontations and moments of overwhelming despair, but it really doesn't need to be. This is a show of great stakes and big emotions; the kind of show overblown dramatics were made for.

Production-wise, Attack is really quite impressive. Wit Studio, a subsidiary of Production I.G., does some great work bringing the vast world to life. The walls that enveloping the human realm are enormous, imposing structures. The over-crowded stone cities, military grounds, and long stretches of rural areas are well detailed; each having their own distinct atmosphere. Character designs are strikingly different from most anime, with sharp facial features and a European ethnic flavor, with Mikasa being the only character of Asian descent. The titans essentially are giant naked naked people, but genuinely are grotesque and intimidating. There are times their faces can look silly, though (i.e. the infamous moe-face titan) The few special titans look particularly nasty with their fleshy, skinless appearances. There are moments of obvious budget restraints and even a few sequences that are glorified slide-shows, but they are easily forgiven by the mind-blowing, movie quality action sequences. The music is equally as impressive: well composed, bombastic, and entirely fitting for the show.

So, to answer the question from the beginning of this review: yes, Attack on Titan does live up to the hype. Granted, it isn't exactly a flawless masterpiece; it certainly has a few rough spots, including a very open ending. However, it wholly delivers on the promise of being an incredibly entertaining post-apocalyptic bloodbath of epic proportions. Furthermore, it has more than enough substance and emotional girth to elevate it well above the normal bloodbath. This is a great example of what this kind of show can be; a courageous struggle in the face of insurmountable odds.