Anime has often had a sketchy relationship with its American fans. Despite Anime such as Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon Indigo League, Digimon, Sailor Moon, Gundam Wing, among many others being a key part of nostalgia; in today's society you are just as likely to find just as much detractors than fans of anime. A key reason for this is that newer anime has been criticized for either overusing traits that made the anime of our youth great in an attempt to "cash-in" without doing anything new, along with an over-saturation of tropes that while popular in Japan Westerners either care little about or even blame for the preceived declining quality of anime(ie: Moe). There were also external factors for this preceived decline such as the lack of professional anime critics, a preceived bias to the Otaku community, the use of internet streaming and piracy allowing for anime of less quality to be circulated online, thereby putting the perception of anime into more scrutiny.
This has led to people claiming that anime is dead, or at the very least, it would not return to the prominence it had achieved in the late 90s and early 2000s. Yet however, there has been momentum that could possibly restore the image of anime or gain it a new audience outside of Japan. One of the major aspects of this change is the return of Toonami to Cartoon Network, an anime and action block whose efforts lead to the last anime boom. Another significant shift towards a possible return to form for Anime outside of Japan is the introduction of new Anime that is seen as not recycling tropes that made the anime of old great or using tropes that are preceived to be contributing to the declining quality of anime. And among them, is the anime Attack on Titan.
For those who don't know, Attack on Titan is essentially Neon Genesis Evangelion, but without the mecha. The plot revolves around the the last remnants of humanity living for a hundred years inside a fortified city designed to protect them from a powerful race of man-eating giants known as Titans. The city is protected by three layers of walls these being Wall Maria, Wall Sina, and Wall Rose. The two races have locked one another into a stalemate: the Titans cannot breach the walls of the city, and humanity cannot make war with the Titans without risking extinction.
That is until the reappearence of the Titans in year 845; when a colossal destroyed the the perimeter wall of the village of Zhiganshina, and allowed lesser Titans to invade from Wall Maria. Three children escaped from the ensuing massacre: Eren Yeager, an aggressive adolescent boy who lost his mother in the; Mikasa Ackerman, his quiet adoptive sister; and Armin Arlert, Eren's bookish best friend. Years later, the trio decide to join the Survey Corps, a military branch dedicated to making excursions into the outside world to fight the Titans and research ways to defeat them once and for all — and Eren, with vengeful and murderous intent in his heart, vows to kill every last Titan on Earth. Little do they know however, exactly the full consequences of the Human-Titan war and just what sort of problem they have got themselves in....
Attack on Titan‘s success has grown exponentially in the latest months that it’s become the most sold manga in the first half of 2014. This is the first time that a manga actually unseats One Piece in years with more than 8 million copies sold. And the franchise’s popularity doesn’t only come from Japan either, it is a worldwide phenomena with fans from all over the world. But what makes it so awesome? And what problems does it have? Part 1 of my review of Attack on Titan gives 4 reasons why it is so awesome and one of the better anime. But at the same time the manga has a large hidden problem within it's themes that, if not addressed properly, or at least the implications of such could be twisted and interpreted in ways that might be not what the author wants, could make Attack on Titan an example of how Anime could go wrong, which I will cover hopefully in Part 2 of this review.
1. The Design
One of the things to love about Attack on Titan it's it's design and visual effects. This was achieved through a combination of animation and CGI within the context of special effects. The design for this series is beautifully done, everything being bright and vivid, with the drawings of the characters very detailed. Part of this detail has to do with character design. For instance, the major characters all have a distinct, not copied look that reflects on their characterization and character arcs; an example of such being how eye color and reflections reflect on the struggles of a specific character, such as how Eren's eyes display passion and fury directed in fulfilling his goal to wipe the Titans from the face of the Earth.
And this variation/distinction is also reflected in the depictions of the Titans as well. Rather than be an army of the same group of giant monsters all over again, with very few variations in between(these variations being limited to specific types of Titans such as colossal titans all looking no different from each other and smaller Titans all looking no different from each other). Instead we see with the Titans creepy faces, often grinning with sadistic pleasure at the victims they are to eat. Some of the Titans even look like oversized children, and all of their faces and appearences look different--some have the face of a old bearded man(such as the one that ate Eren), while others have the face of a woman or a younger man. Titan variations may have the same size, but they can be defined by how they act in contrast to normal titans--such as a crawling Titan that can crawl very fast for instance seen in the Scouting Mission Arc(eps 17-22). Overall, the Titans, while all being the same species, are given enough differences to make each one uniquely horrifying or creepy.
Another point of mention in regards to character design is the action sequences, of which I feel the show did a good job combining animation and special effects, the animations for the fight sequences against the Titans with the 3D maneuver gear(used to kill a Titan by slicing it's weak spot) are very fast and I feel the special effects and use of camera angles capture that speed well, it ultimately creating the image that these people are really fighting for their lives and attacking or evading the Titans as fast as they can and that the technology used for the Maneuver Gear is really in effect there; thus creating the image of a fast and desperate battle playing out in front of your eyes!
2. The Worldbuilding
These visual effects are matched by strong and detailed worldbuilding demonstrated throughout the series. This takes form in two ways, first by showing aspects of the backstory and some aspects of the franchise/universe. This is seen during the interlude during an episode, which quickly goes over some of the key elements of the story such as military rank, or how the walls work or how Maneuver Gear works or even military positions; all of which give some insight as to how the war is fought by the military against the Titans. This is significant because it adds detail to the show and show planning and tactics for a war by the characters, this detail even expanding to give insight as to how troop formation are formed, which the first half of the first episode of the 57th expedition/female titan arc dedicates some time to explaining the battle formation that the Scout division is the ride out on. Very few shows show exactly the strategy and procedures battles can be fought with, but this show dosen't hesitate to show that side of war revolving on tactics and planning; this gives the viewer an image that you are seeing strategies unfold with your very eyes on the battlefield and thus, the procedures for fighting a war laid out before your very eyes.
Another way in which the anime demonstrates worldbuilding was through the presentation of the unknown, the fact that there is something bigger out there. A key plot point was Eren and Armin talking about what lay beyond the wall and we see in Armin's book that there is a large world beyond the wall--but what world it is, or where do the Titans come from is unexplored. And this sense of mystery isn't just kept to a scene or two but rather permeates the whole story. In fact, this story starts with a mystery element--what is the key in Eren's neck, what did his father do to him, and as we find out later? What is he keeping in the basement that could be tied to Eren's rebirth as a hybrid, could he have contributed to the rebirth? Just what is the nature of hybrids and shifters such as Eren and Annie, why did their fathers mold them this way? And what is the connection between the Titans to the Wall that makes it so desirable for worship by a cult that views the walls as extensions of god? From these plot points, we see the show creates appeal through the presentation of unknown and mysterious elements torwards the plot and the world at large, creating incentive for the audience to constantly "tune in" and see if these mysteries are solved--and in fact these mysteries aren't solved or are only subtly touched on and we are even given one more mystery to mull over while the wait begins for the next season and wonder just how big or mysterious the world is.
3. Strong Characterization
One might however argue that these effects, as beautiful or flashy they may be, or how much detail and question can get into the worldbuilding, would mean nothing if it was not backed up by strong writing and characterization; and from my prespective, this is exactly a key strength presented by Attack on Titan. This is evident by the amount of character development that was fitted into a 25-episode first season anime for the three leads, Eren, Armin and Mikasa in moving the characters from the position in which they were at the start of the series to the end of the first season as they come to grips of the chaotic world around them.
For instance we see that our key characters are not just defined by vengeance or just killing the Titans in their various character arcs, but rather, by how they deal with their own dreams, beliefs and ambitions interwoven into the storyline of the Human-Titan war. This is expressed through their interactions with each other. For instance, Eren is the character with the most desire to rid the world of the Titans, but that isn't his only personality trait. He also cares about his friends and want to see what is outside the wall--adding a sense of camaraderie and adventure to his quest for vengeance. This desire to care for his friends also translates into a desire to protect them, as evident when he sacrifised himself to protect Armin from the Bearded Titan and when he was reborn as a Human-Titan hybrid himself, one of the first thing he does is to protect Mikasa from Titans about to kill him.
Yet from the determination to see the outside world, to protect his friends, and to destroy the Titans we also see another key factor of Eren's story arc that proves instrumental to how the show tells the story it sets out to tell; in that it highlights Eren's weakness through these traits. Eren in the earlier arcs thought the war would be an adventure where he would explore new lands and slay Titans right and left, but soon, after his rebirth found out that to survive in such a cruel world, he must renounce his humanity and become part Titan while in the body of the bearded Titan. Even more as he finds out, it is not determination to protect his friends that would transform him into a powerful weapon, but an understanding at how cruel the world is as a result of the war and the embraceing of that cruelty to transform into a Titan, this being evident in his final battle with the Female Titan. Ultimatly a key factor is that these characters are well-rounded, with their own hopes and dreams, but these dreams are not used to make perfect and badass characters, but also to show flaws that demonstrate how these traits ultimately turn into nightmare and resignation to the darkness around them as they experience what the world is really like.
What is most significant however is that not only this form of characterization just applies to the protagonist of the story, but also to the supporting leads as well. For instance this was the case with Armin, who starts off the story, in contrast to Eren and Mikasa in a state that could be seen as "weak" or "disadvantaged". Like Eren, he is curious about the world outside the Walls and is also hungry for knowledge. Yet this has had him branded as a social outcast by other children, who constantly harass and bully him--with only Eren and Mikasa to stand up for him; all of which made him come to the conclusion that his life was worth less compared to others. As such his character arc deals with himself having to deal with this weakness of being shunned by society and not doing much to protect Eren and Mikasa, a factor that comes into play when he witnesses Eren's apparent death at the hands of the bearded Titan.
Yet the show shows, just as it shows how Eren's defining characterization as being his weakness, also demonstrates how Armin, who starts off with a negative self-perception, finds strengths in his character traits. For instance his study of knowledge and his perspectives pay off during the Battle of Trost district, when he lays out a plan for to take the supply depot and create an opening for Titan-Eren to attack other Titans in their favor, this occurring as the battle of Trost district was shaping up to be a disaster for the Scout Regiment and concurrently allowed the Scout District to turn the battle in their favor. Intrestingly enough, while Eren is the character as to which the narrative focuses on the theme of "humanity vs. inhumanity" in the face of War, Eren is one of the earliest to suggest it. This was evident when his history of being bullied and left at others mercy allowed him to come to the conclusion that only by sacrificing humanity could people achieve victory in war, as it is humanity that holds them back in the war with the Titans. . Armin admires strong leaders that are willing to forsake their humanity like Erwin and Pixis. Even if their victories come with hefty sacrifices, Armin justifies that any lives lost were merely the price of change--the idea that the ends justify the means, through whether this mindset is one supported by the show is up to debate.
In regards to the characterization and development given to these two characters, a important aspect of Attack on Titan is not just that males get all these character arcs related to humanity and war but also females as well. This can be seen in the characterization of Mikasa Ackerman, the third protagonist of the story. Her story is not just developed or strung through Eren and Armin's character development but to some extent takes on dimensions of her own. At first glance this character appears to be yet another female character "tied to a love interest" and whose characterization revolves around problematic sterotypes on the basis of protecting Eren due to unrequited feelings and because of the fact that the plot says so. Yet her backstory reveals that she has her own issues and worldviews leading to this conclusion over the idea that "she simply finds Eren good-looking so she must protect her just because that's what the plot demands". Instead her backstory sees that she is just as affected over the theme of "humanity and inhumanity" as the other two leads in shaping her own worldviews. That is because we see that she was not brought up with a happy childhood but a tragic one; in that her family-seen as "the last Asians in existence"-were killed, and not by titans, but by human criminals--and she had to protect herself by killing one of them without hesitation in order to save herself and Eren. This experience gave her the belief that humanity is inherently bad with only a few exceptions in contrast to Eren's view that humanity is worth saving with a few exceptions(this driven in part by being raised by a loving family up until the return of the Titans and the death of his mother at the hands of the Titans driving him to vengeance).
The contrast between Eren and Mikasa's childhood can also be seen in their personalities--Eren is hot-blodded and willing to protect his friends and humanity at all costs, while Mikasa is cynical and withdrawn and willing to kill humans if necessary for the greater good, as shown during the Battle of Trost when she threatened a businessman who was putting citizens and soldiers at risk, and when she threatened human soldiers when Eren’s life was in danger and developed bitterness at Levi for coercing Eren during the latter's trial.
Yet that is not saying that the character is driven completely by these traits. Mikasa may have "thrown off" her humanity when exposed to the world's cruelty, but it dosen't mean that she is only defined by "the world is crap except for Eren". That is because despite her skills, she does not like the killing herself, but uses it as a means to an end to protect her friends over embracing it as the only solution to protecting those she cares about. The "human side" of her character can not only be seen in her desire to protect Eren at all costs but also in her interactions with Armin. She regularly protected Armin from bullies in their youth, and has supported him during times of emotional distress. Mikasa even comforted Armin after Eren's supposed death during the battle for Trost District, even though Mikasa was just as distraught at the time. While it can be criticized or examined critically in regards to Mikasa's character as to what extent the character is driven solely by her feelings for Eren and to what extent does that factor into defining her agency, a key factor of the show, when examining how our leads gradually come to terms with the world as it is through their experiences before the war and after, is that Mikasa has just as a strong and well-rounded character arc as the male leads, in that she comes to her choices or her worldviews out of her own traumatic experiences in life giving her a negative perception of the world around her over a cliche and overdone "the protagionist is hot, so I must protect him because he is the chosen one and the plot says so" trope often prevalent in stories like this.
In regards to Mikasa receiving the equal amounts of characterization as the male leads, we see that the series goes out of it's way to portray an "equalized" treatment of gender roles in the military, subtly demonstrated by the male and female characters receiving the same equipment and training, along with uniforms, combined with the lack of fanservice. The series in itself is full of female characters who are just as skilled and active as their male comrades. From fellow new recruits to veterans to zealous researchers, there are many types of female characters popping up to play significant roles ranging from the researcher with the scout division having entire episode devoted to how she conducts experiments on captured Titans to find out their weaknes--to the character of Annie being given much backstory in the final two episodes when she is revealed to be the female Titan terrorizing the scout division--in that we see her own monologue demonstrating respect to Eren and her own worldviews on defying the government, and we see how her cold nature is the cause of her father training her to be like this in her youth--a fact that she alludes to when she sparred with Eren at the end of the training arc. In a time where Anime gets criticized for disproportionately focusing on how a woman can be a sex object for the purpose of creating love interests solely tied to the agency of a male lead; Attack on Titan instead chooses to subvert this worldview with how it focuses through Mikasa's characterization-and by extension to characterization of other female characters-as to how women can also display agency in a war and hold out well on their own.
4. The Themes Presented
As mentioned above, a key theme pertaining to Attack on Titan is how war and chaos often brings out the worst in us, and from my perspective this is a key reason why I feel Attack on Titan at the moment is one of the better anime of the decade, in that it deconstructs key themes regarding to war as adventurous or "glorious" to defeat the Titans, a school of thought espoused by Eren just as he decides to join the scout division. However, as I mentioned in the analysis of major characters, this is clearly not the case. Eren fails to destroy the colossal Titan and gets eaten by the Bearded Titan, which starts the process of his rebirth.
The acquisition of new powers should have given him support amoung the Scout Division and the Military Police, but it does not. When he reverts to Human form, he is held at cannonpoint by the military, with only Armin and Mikasa to protect him. And the debate to decide what his fate will be has less to do with if he is a human being, but what asset can he be of to the military, with Levi having to cohere him in front of the tribunal in order to ensure his survival as an asset; therefore, Eren's survival comes as a result of dehumanization, or the treatment of him as a military asset for being able to turn into a Titan over the fact that he was a human being, this point being further reinforced when the failure of the scouting mission of the 57th expedition was placed on him and he was arrested for questioning as to what happened, the revelation being that expedition was not used to scout out new lands or find the truth pertaining to the origin of the Titans, but instead to test out Eren's abilities as a shifter as to see if he can stay alive or he should be "culled".
In fact, dehumanization is the key theme of his story arc as a Titan. It is revealed in the end, when he has to fight Annie, that he has to "give in" to becoming the monster to defeat the Female Titan over placing his faith in his friends. Yet it turned him into a monster ripping apart at the enemy and losing his sense of humanity until he saw Annie's body encasing itself. The final battle of Season 1 has Jean and Armin wondering what happens once all humanity is lost for humans to become Titan-shifters--will they be able to stem the threat to humanity, or become monsters in the process--and this is coming at the end of a story arc that saw nothing achieved by the Scout Division--their expedition was a failure thanks to Annie's sabotage and they failed to learn anything from the Female Titan about how Titan-shifting works, all of these demonstrating the futility of the war and how dehumanization to achieve victory may not ultimatly achieve anything no matter how "efficient" it is.
Another point this anime raises in regards to the the dehumanization that war results that is also deconstructed is the idea as to if war is even worth anything, or is a ploy to keep people fighting to benefit a small group of elites at the top. We have heard a lot about the government/monarchy being corrupt and society living in a constant state of obedience, one of the main themes of the series being if humanity should strike out against the Titans or remain in the wall(with Eren supporting the former). But what if both of these goals are illusory and only used to control the populace?
A key scene of the series that may reinforce this is General Dot Pixis talking about how the war against the Titans replaced wars driven by nationalism, ethnicity and resources, or all three(these being things we are all to familiar with). He talks about how scout divisons are sent to die or that the Wall was allowed to be broken to allow a pretext for controlling the population in the face of hunger and overpopulation--sacrifice a number of people with scouting missions or allowing Titans to gain ground to control the rest and make them greatful for staying in the walls. From this scene, it can be seen that rat maybe the war isn't something to in the best intrests of humanity, but to allow a specific group to control humanity to protect it from itself, thereby intergreating the idea of war as dehumanizing and futile into it's backstory with the implication that this "war" may not even be fought to protect humanity but to keep control by a small elite under the guise of "protecting humanity from its own chaos and to keep the population down a certain amount". Within this context we see that a key theme of the show is that war may not be glorious, but fought for dubious and sinister ends at the expense of the populace.
Part 1 Conclusion:
Overall, regardless of a perceived decline in quality for anime in the past few years or so due to either focus on plots viewers couldn't care less about or in rehashing storylines without an understanding of what makes the good. I will say that Attack on Titan is an exception, with it's excellent visual effects, intriguing worldbuilding, which is in turn combined with strong characterization and development in regards to the themes presented by the plot. As such Attack on Titan is, in a world where anime is constantly seen as not living up to our nostaligia or doing wrong, an example of how Anime went right.
The series is not without its criticism however, the second theme song is not as impressive as the first and that I feel some of the supporting characters should have a bit more development and introspection(Annie comes to mind) and may come out as a bit flat.
That said however, there are some key problems with Attack on Titan that in my opinion, could undermine the key themes presented by the series itself and could turn the show into an example of how Anime goes wrong. These themes tie to the possible political worldviews of the author of the manga, Hajime Isayama, in regards to his perception of Japanese nationalism in the past. How this might undermine the presentation of Attack On Titan and it's themes I will cover in part 2 of this review.
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