"Attack on Titan" review: A thorough analysis of the shocking story and profound themes

Attack on Titan: The Battle for Humanity's Survival and Its Profound Themes

"Attack on Titan" is an anime series based on the popular manga of the same name by Isayama Hajime, which aired from April 7 to September 29, 2013. Animation was produced by WIT STUDIO with production support from Production IG, and the series took the world by storm with its captivating storyline and detailed drawings. Below, we will take a deeper look at the appeal of "Attack on Titan" and its details.

Story and setting

"Attack on Titan" is set in a world surrounded by giant walls. Titans exist outside the walls, and humanity is forced to survive within the walls. The protagonist, Eren Yeager, is a boy who dreams of a world outside the walls, and has a past in which his mother was killed by a Titan. He joins the training corps and aims to be assigned to the Survey Corps. Eren's childhood friends, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, act alongside him. The three grow up fighting the Titans and seek the truth of what lies beyond the walls.

The story not only depicts the battle against the Titans, but also universal themes such as human desire, betrayal, friendship and love. In particular, the process in which the true identity of the Titans and the secrets of the walls are gradually revealed keeps viewers glued to the screen. In addition, the backgrounds and psychological portrayals of each character are also deeply explored, allowing viewers to empathize with their growth and struggles as they follow the story.

character

Eren Yeager is a boy with a strong will and a reckless personality. After his mother was killed by a Titan, he harbors a desire for revenge against the Titans, but he cannot let go of his longing for the world outside the walls. Voice actor Yuuki Kaji's voice realistically expresses Eren's passion and anguish.

Mikasa Ackerman prioritizes protecting Eren above all else, since Eren saved her life in the past. Her calmness and fighting ability leave a strong impression on viewers. Yui Ishikawa's voice perfectly expresses Mikasa's strength and kindness.

Armin Arlert is a man of great knowledge who taught Eren about the world outside the walls. Although he lacks physical strength, he uses his wisdom to help his comrades. Marina Inoue's voice skillfully portrays Armin's intelligence and insecurity.

In addition, many other unique characters such as Jean Kirschtein, Annie Leonhart, Sasha Blouse, Christa Lenz, Connie Springer, Marco Bott, Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, Ymir, Levi, Erwin Smith, and Hange Zoe also appear and liven up the story. The voice actors who voice these characters are also luxurious, bringing out the charm of each character to the fullest.

Production and staff

WIT STUDIO, the studio in charge of the animation production of "Attack on Titan," faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while adding their own interpretation to create a strong visual impact. Director Tetsuro Araki used meticulous direction and camerawork to recreate the tension and thrill of the original work in the anime. Character designer Kyoji Asano also optimized the characters from the original work for the anime, creating visuals that will leave a strong impression on viewers.

Series composer Yasuko Kobayashi has successfully adapted the story of the original manga to the anime format, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the story. Music composer Hiroyuki Sawano has created a background music that fuses grand orchestral and electronic sounds to stir the emotions of viewers. In addition, the powerful voices of Linked Horizon, who sing the theme songs "Guren no Yumiya" and "Jiyuu no Tsubasa", resonate to symbolize the theme of the story.

Main Robot Items

In "Attack on Titan," various items for fighting Titans appear. The 3D Maneuvering Gear in particular is an important piece of equipment that allows soldiers to move three-dimensionally at high speed and attack Titans. This gear is extremely lightweight, maximizing the mobility of the soldiers. Additionally, the swords, made of ultra-hard steel, are the only weapons capable of slicing through the flesh of Titans, and can be said to be the soldiers' lifeline.

Titans are also an important element of the story. While typical Titans are low in intelligence and prey on humans, Titans with special abilities, such as the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan, also appear. These Titans have a major impact on the progression of the story, creating developments that surprise the viewer.

Subtitles and episodes

Each episode of "Attack on Titan" is composed of a compelling storyline and meticulous artwork. Starting with episode 1, "To You, 2000 Years Later," and ending with episode 25, "The Wall: Raid on Stohess District (3)," each episode depicts an important turning point in the story. Also included is a summary episode, "Since That Day," allowing viewers to review the flow of the story.

In particular, episodes 17, "The Female Titan - The 57th Expedition Outside the Walls (1)" to 22, "The Losers - The 57th Expedition Outside the Walls (6)" are turning points in the story and leave a strong impact on viewers. Additionally, episodes 23, "Smile - Raid on Stohess District (1)" to 25, "The Wall - Raid on Stohess District (3)" are the climax of the story and continue to move viewers.

Related works and theme songs

"Attack on Titan" also has an OVA called "Ilse's Notebook - A Scout Regiment Member's Notes", which delves even deeper into the worldview of the original work. The theme songs "Guren no Yumiya" and "Jiyuu no Tsubasa" are sung by Linked Horizon's powerful voice, which seems to symbolize the theme of the story. The ending themes "Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai" and "Great Escape" are also important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Attack on Titan" has been highly praised by viewers for its detailed drawings and profound themes. In particular, the battle against the Titans, character growth, and universal themes such as betrayal and friendship evoke strong empathy in viewers. In addition, the process in which the story unfolds and the character backgrounds are gradually revealed has a fascinating pull on viewers.

This work is recommended not only for those who like action and suspense, but also for those who want to enjoy deep themes. It is a must-see for fans of the original work in particular, and its appeal has been further enhanced by its anime adaptation. It can also be said that even those who are new to anime will be satisfied with the visual impact and depth of the story.

"Attack on Titan" is a masterpiece that depicts the struggle for the survival of mankind and its profound themes, and is a work that gives strong emotions and empathy to the viewer. Please watch this work and experience its charm for yourself.