Plot
The story revolves around a ten year-old boy who has his life turned upside-down when Titans (tall creatures that very closely resemble humans in terms of appearance) attack one of the three walls that were built to protect humanity from the clutches of an insatiable enemy. The plot of this series is what makes it stand out the most. AoT has an engrossing plotline that sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. And every time you feel like you have a tiny part of the story figured out, it throws you in for another loop. It keeps you guessing constantly and successfully manages to keep the element of surprise intact throughout the series. The way in which the story is shown to unravel – through shifts in character narration and time jumps – is truly masterful.
Animation
While this anime is known to be quite gruesome for its depiction of horror and violence on the screen, it somehow always manages to maintain a delicate balance between too much and too little. By creating beautiful juxtapositions of imagery, it portrays both the purity and corruptibility of the world on the screen – limbs go flying and heads are chomped off on regular basis, yet, in contrast, the sky remains clear and sunny in every backdrop of almost every frame. The stunning action sequences of this anime must also be noted, especially the way in which the Scouts (the only characters that are allowed to explore the world outside the aforementioned walls) are shown to maneuver action sequences with the help of their weaponized mobility gears.
Character Development
Attack On Titans is one of the very few anime that deems secondary characters and protagonists equally important. The first season focuses on the development of character arcs of the main trio which consists of Eren, the protagonist, Mikasa, the female lead and strongest fighter in the Scout Regiment and Armin, the brains of the group. While the second season concentrates more on building up the secondary characters – Erwin, Levi, Hange and many more – who each contribute to the progression of the plot in one way or another. By exploring the pasts of its multi-faceted characters, AoT provides us with a wider perspective on the story.
While most of the characters are shown to develop and smoothly transition from one phase to the next, the protagonist’s character growth remains stunted for the better part of the first two seasons. Slowly fighting his insecurity, Eren takes his time to come into his own, and while it paves a path for characters such as Mikasa and Levi to shine more, Eren’s actions do end up seeming a bit annoying.
The Prestige Favorite Character: Captain Levi Ackerman
Levi Ackerman is a lot of things – a loyal friend, a fearless fighter and a caring supervisor. Despite having a rough childhood, Levi has come a long way. That is why he is one of our favorites.
Voice-over and Music
Moreover, this show has brilliant voice-actors, and unlike most animes, the English dubbing is just as good as the Japanese, if not better. The magnificent story-telling is supported by a stunning musical score – the songs embody the theme of mystery, fear and hope that is prevalent throughout the entire series.
The Prestige Favorite Moment:
If you’re an avid watcher of the show, you will definitely remember a certain scene from the very first season where you see a random cat sitting serenely on a staircase coated with blood. The reason why this scene, of all the scenes, sticks with you is because it displays horror and innocence – two things which you don’t usually see together – in one single frame.
Attack on Titan exhibits the unfair, violent and tragic nature of the world in a hauntingly beautiful manner. It deals with complex moral situations and gives us insight on human psychology. Although AoT is not perfect, it’s still a good watch. So if you’re looking to binge on a show which makes you think, but is entertaining at the same time, you should definitely watch Attack on Titan. And it’s better if you do it before the 4th season is released.
