Review: Attack on Titan ~Shingeki no Kyojin~ (2013)

Attack on Titan ~Shingeki no Kyojin~ (2013) is a Japanese fantasy anime that takes place in medieval Europe. It contains 26 episodes + one special episode. The animated series is based on the popular manga by the same tile illustrated and written by Hajime Isayama.

Set in a world where humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls due to the Titans, gigantic humanoid creatures who devour humans seemingly without reason. The story centers around Eren Jaeger and his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, whose lives are changed forever after the appearance of a colossal titan brings about the destruction of their home and the death of their mother. Vowing revenge and to reclaim the world from the Titans, Eren and Mikasa join the Recon Corps, an elite group of soldiers who fight Titans outside the walls.

This is a story about mankind's survival and its refusal to die out, even against colossal odds against its unfathomable foe -- Titans (man-eating giants). The last of humanity live within the safety of the 3 walls, protected from the horrors of the outside world - the Titans. Horrendous monsters with an appetite for human flesh, the walls have held them at bay for 100 years and little is expected to change. But change comes in a big way and the walls are no longer enough to protect humanity. Eren, Armin, and Mikasa wittiness terrible horrors on that day and vow to join the Survey Corp (literally the front-line soldiers) and but an end to the Titan menace once and for all...

Attack on Titan was so epic that it was literally the best anime that came out in 2013. In case you're wondering why I have been writing fewer anime reviews lately, the reason is because Japan has not produced ground-breaking quality anime for adults in a long time. Therefore, this show's premiere was highly anticipated because it represented a type of work that fans have desired since Claymore. It brilliantly mixes elements of post-apocalyptic, medieval fantasy, and revenge, forming your classic 'hero versus monster' story. The voice acting is very well done, and I cannot say enough good things about the soundtrack (the music captures the emotions and scenery of the story's medieval background). Moreover, I am grateful that they had the audacity to put the series on hiatus while the manga continues, rather than giving us endless episodes of filler, that nobody really wants to see. I hope that a sequel continues two years from now at least. Fans would love for a sequel to continue the truth behind Armin's abilities and the secrets of the Titans.

I am not sure when the DVD will become available, but I provide a direct link to the Amazon page so that viewers can access it. I highly recommend the soundtrack!


Opening Song #1: "Guren no Yumiya" (紅蓮の弓矢) by Linked Horizon (episodes 1-13)


Opening Song #2: "Jiyuu no Tsubasa" (自由の翼) by Linked Horizon (episodes 14-26)