Why is anime series Attack on Titan's ending such a big deal?
From its gripping storyline to its complex characters and stunning visuals, Attack on Titan has become a cultural phenomenon and a testament to the power of storytelling. Here’s all you need to know about the revolutionary anime before it comes to an end.
Attack on Titan (or Shingeki no Kyojin) has been lauded by fans and critics alike as one of the greatest anime series of all time. Created by Hajime Isayama, the series has captivated audiences with its groundbreaking narrative techniques and immersive world-building.
But before we get into that, here is the trailer for its final segment:
At the heart of Attack on Titan's success is Isayama's unique narrative style. The series is known for its non-linear storytelling, with each episode building upon the previous one to create a rich and complex narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Isayama's use of flashbacks and flash-forwards creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that drives the plot forward and keeps viewers engaged.
Isayama's world-building is unparalleled, with expansive lore and intricately designed arcs that rival the universes created by JRR Tolkien and Frank Herbert. The world of Attack on Titan is a dystopian society where humanity is on the brink of extinction, forced to live within massive walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. The world is richly detailed, with its own history, culture, and political systems that add depth and complexity to the story.
Beautiful Attack on Titan Season 2 scenery#AttackOnTitan #ShingekiNoKyojin pic.twitter.com/vtfdDiGTi3
— Attack on Titan Wiki (@AoTWiki) October 10, 2017
The series also employs the “unreliable narrator" technique which adds an extra layer of complexity to the story. As viewers learn more about the world within the anime and the characters who inhabit it, they begin to question the reliability of the information they are given. This creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that makes the narrative all the more captivating.
The characters in Attack on Titan are a major part of its appeal. Isayama has created a cast of complex and multi-dimensional characters who are both relatable and compelling. The series is known for its character development, with each character undergoing significant changes over the course of the series. The character arcs are expertly crafted, with each character facing their own challenges and struggles that make them feel real and relatable.
The anime’s willingness to tackle difficult and controversial themes has also contributed towards its notoriety among the otaku community. The series explores themes of war, genocide, racism and discrimination, forcing viewers to confront the darker realities of the human condition. Isayama's willingness to tackle these difficult themes head-on sets Attack on Titan apart from other anime series, which often shy away from more mature themes.
Finally, the stunning visuals of Attack on Titan cannot be overlooked. The series features breathtaking animation and expertly choreographed action sequences that leave viewers in awe. The attention to detail in the animation is impressive, with every movement and expression carefully crafted to convey emotion and nuance.
It's worth noting that Attack on Titan has a large and dedicated fan base around the world - with a strength to rival the likes of Star Wars and Marvel fandoms. Thus the receptions to its conclusion would likely be divisive to say the least.
If the final part stays faithful to the manga, it could potentially be controversial due to its macabre and complex arcs, as well as the unpredictable twists and turns in the plot. However, any deviation from Isayama’s original vision will not only be a monumental task to pull off, but also bound to raise eyebrows in the process.
The response to this final part of Attack on Titan would likely depend on how well it manages to tie up loose ends, answer lingering questions, and satisfy the expectations of the audience. It's likely that the ending could become a topic of debate and discussion within the fandom for years to come, regardless of whether or not it is seen as a satisfying conclusion to the beloved series.
As a quick refresher before diving into the final part of the saga, here is a short recap of events for each season of Attack on Titan so far:
Season 1:
The first season of Attack on Titan aired in 2013 and consists of 25 episodes. The season introduces the main characters Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert, who live in a walled city that is protected from Titans. However, when a Colossal Titan breaches the wall, chaos ensues, and many people are killed. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin join the military to fight against the Titans and uncover the mystery behind their existence.
Throughout the season, Eren discovers that he has the ability to transform into a Titan and uses his power to help his fellow soldiers fight against the Titans. Meanwhile, the group uncovers a conspiracy within the military and discovers that there may be humans who can transform into Titans as well.
Season 2:
The second season of Attack on Titan aired in 2017 and consists of 12 episodes. In this season, the group faces new challenges as they discover that there are Titans within the walls of their city. They also encounter the Beast Titan, a highly intelligent Titan that can speak and control other Titans.
As they search for answers, the group is attacked by a group of Titans led by the Armored Titan and the Colossal Titan. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin work together to take down these Titans, but not without suffering major losses.
Season 3 (Part 1):
The first part of season 3 aired in 2018 and consists of 12 episodes. In this season, the group continues to uncover the truth about the Titans and their origins. They discover that the government has been hiding the true history of humanity and that the Titans were created by a group of humans known as the Eldians.
The group also encounters the mysterious Kenny Ackerman, who has a personal vendetta against Levi. As they try to uncover the truth and protect themselves from the government and the military police, they must also deal with the growing threat of the Titans.
Season 3 (Part 2):
The second part of season 3 aired in 2019 and consists of 10 episodes. In this season, the group faces their biggest challenge yet as they confront the true enemy behind the Titans. They learn that a group of humans known as the Marleyans have been using the Titans as weapons in a war against other nations.
The group also learns that there are other humans who can transform into Titans, including Reiner Braun and Zeke Yeager. As they fight against these new enemies, the group uncovers the truth about their own history and the true nature of the Titans.
Season 4 (Part 1):
The first part of season 4 aired in 2020 and consists of 16 episodes. In this season, the story takes a significant turn as the focus shifts to a new group of characters, including Gabi Braun and Falco Grice. The season takes place four years after the events of season 3, and the group is now fighting against the Marleyans.
As the group navigates new political and personal conflicts, they also uncover more about the history of the world and the origins of the Titans. The season also introduces new factions and alliances, including the Anti-Marleyan Alliance and the Yeagerists.
Season 4 (Part 2):
The second part of season 4 of Attack on Titan aired in 2022 and consisted of 12 episodes. The season picks up after the shocking revelation of Eren Jaeger's plan to use the Rumbling to destroy the world outside of Paradis Island.
As Eren unleashes millions of Colossal-like Wall Titans, the rest of the world is left to scramble and fight for their survival. The Alliance, led by members of the Survey Corps and the Warrior Unit, realize that they must put an end to Eren's plan before it is too late.
The season focuses on the Alliance's journey to Marley, where they hope to locate Eren and put an end to the Rumbling. However, they face numerous obstacles along the way, including the Marleyan military and the loyal followers of Eren, known as the Yeagerists.
As the Alliance fights to stop Eren's plan, they are forced to confront their own beliefs and values. Many characters, including Mikasa and Armin, must come to terms with their feelings towards Eren and the decisions he has made.
This arc is action-packed and filled with twists and turns as the Alliance fights to save humanity from destruction. In the end, they are faced with a difficult decision that will determine the fate of the world and the future of humanity. The season ends with a cliffhanger, setting the stage for the final part of the series.
Crunchyroll servers tomorrow, knowing AoT fans coming back #AttackonTitanFinalSeasonpart3 #AttackOnTitan pic.twitter.com/8FJdJ1RHaQ
— 멜로디⁷ (@RMforPrez) March 3, 2023
Here is the definitive Attack on Titan master playlist compiled by us for otakus to enjoy before diving into the final segment:
Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 3 is set to be released at 12.25 am JST on March 4, which means at 8:55 pm IST today, March 3 on Crunchyroll, although Indian otakus would know where to go-go (pun intended) instead.