Title : Attack on Titan
Seasons : 3 + specials + three movies + two short dramas
Episodes : 48 so far
Genre : Fantasy, Dystopia, Politics, Action, Horror, Mystery, Drama
Story : 9 out of 10
Characters : 8 out of 10
Art : 8 out of 10
The famous anime finally got a third season, now airing. If you are still wondering whether to let yourself be sucked into the world of Titans or not, here’s my review on the anime that might help.
Story
As with many anime, the story starts with a simple built up and grows into a web of characters, secrets, and adventures. The first season focused on introducing to the audience the dystopian world of the anime. Here, humanity has hidden into cities surrounded by huge walls, to protect themselves from the titan, huge giants who feed on them.
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are three children living near the barrier. One day, a huge titan breaks the wall and lets the horror in. Eren’s mother gets killed, and the three of them are rushed into the second level of the city, where they grow up as immigrants and later join the Training Corps in order to become Survey Corps and go out of the walls to fight Titans. During their traineeship, Eren finds out about a horrible secret, that he can turn into a Titan himself.
The second season takes us along the adventures of the Survey Corps, as many secrets start to unfold. Eren is trying to figure out what he is, how to control his power, and how to protect himself from those who want to use him as a pawn to serve their own ambitions.
In the third season, the politics take over, as we learn that the danger for humanity isn’t outside the walls, but rather, inside, in the very core of the city. Corrupt aristocrats, deadly secrets, unexpected heroes and mysteries from the past reign this season, with the action scenes being not as plenty as the ones in the first seasons.
Overall, the universe of the anime is intriguing. It’s not just about Titans eating human flesh, but it is about society itself. In any case, the dystopian theme has been popular in the last couple of years, with many movies and books overexploited it. But this is one of the most well-built ones.
The story, moreover, does drag in some episodes, focusing on the plot twists and setting the foundation for the action scenes that are to follow. Sure, the plot is heavy and you have to follow it through, but it is worth it. It’s not a mystery that this theme has given birth to not only this anime, but side stories as well. Lost Girls and No Regrets are the two mini-series that are most worth watching, while the movies are just recaps of the seasons. Now, the Junior High isn’t for everyone, and if you are not a huge fan of the series, you can just skip it.
Characters
There are many characters that take over the spotlight from time to time, but Eren is presented as the main hero of the story. He undergoes a big character development, as he is a reckless, angry youngster when the series starts, and he grows into a mature, more responsible soldier. The mystery of his nature is being revealed in the third season, but till then, we go through the same agony as he does, as he tried not only to accept himself but to make others accept him as well.
Mikasa is Eren’s protector and friend. She was saved by Eren when they were kids and she owes him since then. She acts as his mother and body-guard most of the time. Her real personality isn’t clear, as she is Eren’s shadow and a super talented soldier for the biggest part of the anime.
Probably the most popular and famous character of the series, however, is Levi. He is the leader of the Corps team and, even though small, his personality is the one of a lead character. He is a clean freak, a genius of combat, a great fighter and an authority among his equals. He is the one who takes Eren under his protection when his secret is out and aims to help him develop his power in order to protect humanity but to hide him from those who would use him for unworthy means.
Historia is an unexpected character. She is a happy, sweet character that hides a huge secret. Her relationship with everyone is one of a friend and little sister, but she is strong when she is needed to be. She takes over the second and the third season, as she is a key pawn in political corruption.
Art
The art isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It is enough dark and gloomy for the atmosphere that the story wants to project. But the characters seem roughly made at times. Though the action scenes were nicely executed and the aesthetics as a whole are quite realistic and well made.
Overall
My overall rating for this anime would be 8.5 out of 10. Though the art isn’t my favorite thing about this anime, the story and the characters are a must.
K&J Reviews 