“Attack on Titan” is one of the most thoughtful and artistic texts of its generation. Every frame, every line of dialogue, every interaction, all are essential to the story. Eren Jaeger lives in a dystopian world in which society is trapped within towering walls that protect them from brainless titans who have an overmastering appetite for humans. The show begins the day the outer walls are breached by the mysterious colossal and armored titan, with an invasion of all the outside titans occurring as a result. Eren and his friends, Mikasa and Armin, are among the many trying to escape. One thing leads to another and Eren witnesses his mother getting eaten by a titan. Filled with hate and rage, in Eren’s world of good and evil, he is determined to eradicate every single titan. 

Throughout the existing four seasons of the show, Eren grows older and painfully begins to realize how grey his world actually is; that the idea of “good” and “evil” is subjective. At the beginning Eren’s realization would be a slow climb, until his friends/fellow scouts reveal themselves as the colossal and armored titan. Feeling heartbroken and furious, this would significantly affect Eren’s perception of titans and humans, as the line between them blurs. This is reflected upon the viewer; they feel attached to the Attack on Titan universe and all it’s accommodations. After a brief summary, the show appears as the standard coming-of-age piece, filled with betrayal, failure, and expectations. Not only does it hold up a mirror to the target audience, but it goes beyond, and incorporates these factors into a dark, twisted tale, led by one of the most realistic main characters. 

Everyone can recollect when their biggest fear as a child was monsters and the dark. When it was easier to identify exactly what you were scared of. As you grow older, however, the direction of fear shifts more towards humanity and uncertainty. Eren’s observations on humanity as he matures are similar to that of an adolescent. Through this, Attack on Titan beautifully replicates real life in its portrayal of the characters. The show’s assumed “heroes” (or protagonists) are also monsters themselves, being that they eventually all gain blood on their hands.  This also makes it difficult to label one sole antagonist as inherently “bad,” leaving an unfamiliar, yet long-lasting impression on the viewer. Much similar to our own world, we don’t know what to make of it… which is why it is so engrossing.

I can say with confidence that there was not a single episode of Attack on Titan that I didn’t enjoy. Each one is so thoughtfully crafted and stuffed with small important details you would miss otherwise. The entire plot of the show is also dropped right in front of your eyes, making the experience all the more personal. 

Overall, anyone can get something out of Attack of Titan, and I encourage them to. The show is more than what meets the eye, and will definitely creep its way into your heart. I’ve never seen such an odd premise develop into a story that discusses universal feelings and situations.