Attack on Titan: An Epic Tale of Freedom and Survival
Few anime series have captivated global audiences and redefined the medium quite like Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人, Shingeki no Kyojin). Based on Hajime Isayama’s manga masterpiece, this dark fantasy series has grown from a compelling survival story into one of the most thought-provoking commentaries on war, freedom, and the cyclical nature of hatred in modern entertainment.
With its final season concluding the epic saga, now is the perfect time to look back at this revolutionary series that broke into mainstream popularity and challenged what anime storytelling could accomplish. This review explores what made Attack on Titan a cultural phenomenon, from its breathtaking animation to its complex moral questions that leave viewers pondering long after the credits roll.
Series Overview
Attack on Titan premiered in 2013 and quickly established itself as something extraordinary in the anime landscape. Set in a world where humanity resides within enormous concentric walls to protect themselves from man-eating giants known as Titans, the story follows Eren Yeager, who vows to exterminate the Titans after they destroy his hometown and kill his mother.
What begins as a straightforward tale of vengeance evolves into a multifaceted narrative exploring concepts of freedom, nationalism, genocide, inherited trauma, and the morality of war. Through its four seasons (spanning 87 episodes), Attack on Titan delivers one of anime’s most complete and carefully crafted narratives.
“If you win, you live. If you lose, you die. If you don’t fight, you can’t win.” – Eren Yeager
Plot Complexity and Storytelling
Attack on Titan’s narrative complexity is among its greatest strengths. Isayama created a story that continuously evolves, with each season expanding the scope and stakes:
Season 1: The Fall of Shiganshina and Trost
The series begins with humanity’s desperate struggle against the Titans, introducing us to the Survey Corps and establishing the core mystery of the Titans’ origin. Early revelations about Eren’s Titan abilities set the stage for the series’ expansion.
Season 2: Clash of the Titans
The second season deepens the mystery with revelations about Titan Shifters and hints at a world beyond the walls. The betrayal of certain characters adds layers of complexity to previously straightforward relationships.
Season 3: The Truth of the World
Split into two parts, this season reveals the true history of the walls, the royal family, and eventually the world beyond. The revelations about Marley and Eldia transform the entire narrative framework, shifting from a survival horror story to a complex geopolitical conflict with deep historical roots.
Season 4: The Final Season
The final season subverts audience expectations by shifting perspective to the Marleyan side of the conflict before returning to familiar characters who have evolved dramatically. It culminates in examining whether the cycle of violence can ever truly be broken.
What makes Attack on Titan’s storytelling exceptional is not just its plot twists—though there are many jaw-dropping moments—but how these revelations recontextualize everything that came before. Information withheld from viewers mirrors information withheld from characters, creating parallel journeys of discovery.
Character Development
While Eren Yeager begins as a typical shonen protagonist driven by revenge, his character undergoes one of the most dramatic transformations in anime history. His evolution—from idealistic soldier to morally ambiguous anti-hero—challenges viewers to reconsider their allegiances and question the very concept of heroism.
The supporting cast is equally compelling. Mikasa’s unwavering loyalty, Armin’s tactical mind, Levi’s stoic leadership, and Erwin’s willing sacrifice all represent different responses to a world of constant threat. Characters like Reiner Braun embody the series’ moral complexity, struggling with guilt and duty in ways rarely seen in animation.
Even antagonists receive remarkable development. The perspective shifts in later seasons humanize characters initially presented as villains, revealing how environment, indoctrination, and historical context shape individuals’ morality.
Visual Masterpiece
WIT Studio (Seasons 1-3) and MAPPA (Season 4) both brought distinctive visual styles to Attack on Titan. The animation quality, particularly during the ODM gear sequences, revolutionized how action is portrayed in anime. The fluid movements, dynamic camera angles, and weight given to the physics of the world create a visceral viewing experience.
The Titan designs deserve special mention—from the uncanny humanoid proportions of standard Titans to the distinctive appearances of the Nine Titans, each design communicates character and threat level effectively. The transformations, particularly in later seasons, are animated with spectacular attention to detail.
MAPPA’s takeover for the final season brought a shift toward more cinematic composition and lighting. While some fans debated the CGI integration for certain Titan sequences, the overall visual direction maintained the series’ reputation for innovation.
Musical Excellence
Hiroyuki Sawano’s original soundtrack remains one of anime’s most distinctive and powerful musical accompaniments. Tracks like “Attack on Titan,” “YouSeeBIGGIRL/T:T,” and “Call of Silence” have become instantly recognizable anthems that elevate pivotal moments to legendary status.
The series’ opening themes deserve particular praise. From Linked Horizon’s “Guren no Yumiya” (which became a cultural touchstone) to Shinsei Kamattechan’s haunting “My War,” each opening perfectly captures the evolving tone of the series. The careful selection of ending themes often provides emotional counterpoint to the episodes’ intensity.
Themes and Symbolism
Attack on Titan’s thematic depth separates it from standard action anime. The series grapples with profound questions about:
- Freedom vs. Security – The walls represent both protection and imprisonment, raising questions about what freedoms people will sacrifice for safety.
- Cycle of Violence – The series methodically demonstrates how hatred passes through generations, with children inheriting the conflicts of their forebears.
- Nationalism and Propaganda – Both Marley and Paradis use nationalist ideology to motivate their populations, showing how historical narratives can be weaponized.
- Determinism vs. Free Will – The series questions whether individuals can escape patterns established by history and biology.
- Perspective in Conflict – By showing multiple sides of the Eldian-Marleyan conflict, the series demonstrates how “hero” and “villain” often depend on perspective.
These themes are woven throughout the narrative rather than presented as simple lessons, allowing viewers to form their own interpretations about the series’ ultimate message.
Cultural Impact
Attack on Titan’s influence extends far beyond anime fandom. It helped introduce countless viewers to anime as a medium, demonstrating that animation could deliver sophisticated, adult storytelling on par with prestige television. Its popularity in international markets has contributed to streaming services investing more heavily in anime licensing and production.
The series’ visual language has influenced other media, with its distinctive ODM gear movement and Titan designs referenced across popular culture. Its storytelling approach—particularly the way it handles dramatic revelations and perspective shifts—has inspired creators in various mediums.
Critical Analysis
Strengths
- Meticulously planned narrative with foreshadowing that rewards rewatching
- Complex, evolving characters who defy simple categorization
- Revolutionary action sequences and visual direction
- Powerful musical score that enhances emotional impact
- Thematic depth that elevates beyond genre conventions
- Consistent quality throughout its run
Weaknesses
- Controversial final arc that divided the fanbase
- Occasional pacing issues, particularly in political episodes
- Some character arcs receive less resolution than others
- Transition between animation studios created some visual inconsistency
- Extreme violence may limit accessibility for some viewers
Conclusion
Attack on Titan stands as one of the most ambitious and fully realized anime series of all time. Its evolution from a horror-tinged action series to a profound meditation on war, freedom, and human nature represents the medium at its most accomplished. Few stories manage to maintain such quality while expanding their scope so dramatically.
While the conclusion has provoked intense debate among fans, this controversy itself speaks to the deep investment viewers developed in this world and its characters. Attack on Titan challenged audience expectations at every turn, refusing to provide easy answers or conventional resolutions to its complex moral questions.
For those who have yet to experience this landmark series, Attack on Titan offers a narrative journey unlike any other in animation—one that combines spectacular action with philosophical depth and emotional resonance. For those who have completed the journey, it remains a series that rewards revisiting, as early episodes reveal new layers of meaning when viewed with knowledge of the full story.
In the landscape of modern anime, Attack on Titan has secured its place not just as popular entertainment but as a genuine artistic achievement that will influence storytelling for years to come.
“Everyone had to be drunk on something to keep pushing on. Everyone was a slave to something.” – Kenny Ackerman
Have you watched Attack on Titan? What were your thoughts on the series and its controversial ending? Share your opinions in the comments below!