attack on titan blew the doors off the anime medium when its first season was released in 2013. Based on the manga series of the same name, Attack on Titan is known for its grisly violence, regular character deaths, and some of the wildest plot twists. this side of Lost.

With high-flying action and swordsmanship, as well as political intrigue and a growing lore, Attack on Titan ends almost every episode on a cliffhanger that will have you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the story. It’s totally exciting and completely addictive, which is part of the enormous appeal of it.

Not only is it one of the most popular anime in the world, Attack on Titan is also one of the most popular TV shows in general. With its pedigree, you’ve probably already heard of this alternative medieval adventure, but what’s all the fuss about? That’s what we’re here to hint at with our Attack on Titan beginners guide.

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Attack on Titan Beginner’s Guide

What is Attack on Titan about?

Attack on Titan takes place in a walled city on the island of Paradis, where the surviving humans live relatively safe from the gigantic titans that roam outside its walls. Although corruption is rampant and the people do not know the truth about the titans, they are happy to be safe and prosperous within the walls.

This all changes when two special titans appear and destroy the gate in the outer wall, leaving a large swathe of humans open to attack. As a third of the walled city dies, the military must fight to hold off the titans while discovering their origins if they hope to save humanity’s last bastion on Paradis.

From this entry point, we follow the Scout Corps of the armed forces, whose job is the reconnaissance and extermination of titans outside the walls. As the threat of the Titans progresses and shocking new revelations shed light on their motivation, the scale and scope of Attack on Titan changes considerably.

Who created Attack on Titan?

Attack on Titan was created by Hajime Isayama, who originally developed the manga as a single 60-page story. Although it was offered to Shonen Jump, a popular starting point for the manga’s success, the magazine wanted it to tone down the violence and skew it toward its younger audience. Instead, he took it to Weekly Shonen Magazine, where it was serialized and eventually became the phenomenon it has become today.

Who are the main characters?

There are a plethora of characters to follow in Attack on Titan, but let’s start with the basics. Eren, a boy who lost his mother to the titans, is the main protagonist. He has a burning hatred for the titans and his anger fuels his passion to destroy them once and for all.

Next is Mikasa, her adoptive sister. A fast and dangerous warrior, Mikasa stoically protects Eren at all costs, as she owes her life to him.

Then there’s Armin, the brains of the operation. Armin is a practical strategist with a tactical mind, even if he lacks the strength to fight up close.

Other key characters include a pragmatic military leader named Commander Ervin, Hange, a scientist searching for answers about the origin of the Titans, and Levi, the fan-favorite badass who has never met a Titan he couldn’t chop up. rush.

Where to watch Attack on Titan

Like Demon Slayer, the first season of Attack on Titan is available on Netflix. For the rest of the series though, you’ll need to go to Crunchyroll or Funimation. Also, the last part of the final season will only be on Crunchyroll, as the anime giant recently purchased Funimation. This means that if you want to watch the adventure, Crunchyroll is probably your best option. Alternatively, episodes can be purchased from services like YouTube, AppleTV+, and Google Play.

Where to watch the live-action Attack on Titan movies

Like many popular anime series, Attack on Titan has been adapted for live action, but the results are a bit disappointing. Stripped of the scope and possibility of animation, the live-action version of Attack on Titan is more interesting as a curiosity than a genuine adaptation of its source material. Set in Japan and with a number of other changes that don’t do the story justice, this shot isn’t a bad way to spend a couple of hours, but it will likely disappoint most fans of the manga and anime of the same name. Still, as a B-movie horror movie or Japanese thriller, you could do worse.

Where can you read Attack on Titan manga?

If you want to read Attack on Titan manga, you can do it in different ways. There are several ad-based services like this where you can read the entire series to your heart’s content, as long as you don’t mind scrolling or closing the occasional ad. Alternatively, you can order a print version through popular book services like Indigo, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.

What should I try after Attack on Titan?

The closest thing in tone to Attack on Titan is probably Game of Thrones. Both shows take place in a dark fantasy medieval world, feature graphic violence, and regularly grapple with the moral gray of our own lives in the safe framework of an alternate reality. However, since you’re probably looking for another anime to try, we’ve got you covered there as well.

Berserk and Goblin Slayer are two easy recommendations if you’re looking for a more brutally violent dark fantasy with murky morality at its hearts. Demon Slayer offers the same, but is much easier with a tone that regularly changes to full-on comedy, making up for the brutality considerably.

Since Attack on Titan eventually goes full kaiju with a lot of giant vs. giant fights, another good option would be Neon Genesis Evangelion. The acclaimed series is relatively short, features many moral struggles, and is just as disturbing and provocative as Attack on Titan.

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