3 Reasons “Attack on Titan” Anime Blew Me Away.
February 27, 2014 in ANIMATION
ANIMATION – 3 Reasons “Attack on Titan” Anime Blew Me Away
It’s no secret that I like anime. I grew up watching it. I think it’s one of the few sources for unique animated cartoons in the world.
The Japanese are not afraid to take risks when it comes to stories and genres in animation. Most of the time because the anime is based off of already successful Manga with huge fan bases.
When I start watching a new anime show or movie I’ve never seen or heard of, I watch it hoping for the best but expecting something mediocre of bad. I’ve watched enough anime to know that there’s some pretty bad stuff out there.
Recently on Netflix, a new anime by the name of Attack on Titan came to my attention. It was recently released yet it had four stars. This was quite surprising.
The title made it seem like it would be a science fiction story. Maybe, it would take place in outer space.
I had to take care of holding Baby Gio at the time. I didn’t really have much to do since I had to hold and rock him to sleep, so I put the cartoon on to pass the time. Imagine my surprise when I was instantly gripped by this cartoon.
I’ve rarely been so enthralled so quickly. Here’s the three reasons why this cartoon blue my mind:
1. It’s a Fantastic Premise
This is NOT a cartoon about outer space like I thought it was. If anything, the title almost makes no sense. It should have been called, “Attack on the Titans,” or “Attack of the Titans.”
It’s a fantasy story about the last of humanity and the giants who have all but wiped them out.
This isn’t your happy fairyland and magic type of fantasy, this is dark, dreadful, “we’re all going to die” kind of fantasy.
After a century of safety and peace behind these giant walls that protect humanity from the giants that have wiped out almost all humans, the giants manage to breach the first wall, thus starting humanity’s last stand.
It’s as intense as it sounds.
And the world building is really well done.
2. It’s Got Some Fantastic Cinematography
One of the things that is just mindbogglingly good is the use of the camera in this cartoon. It’s a hand drawn cartoon but uses CG backgrounds to move through the streets, following the soldiers as they do their thing.
Believe me when I say that what the soldiers do in this cartoon is very dynamic.
The cinematography adds a visceral flair that really builds the intensity of show. I can imagine how much duller this show would be with static cameras.
3. It’s Gripping
From the very first minute of this show, you’re hooked. THIS is how to tell a story. It’s truly gripping.
It’s one scary show. Very intense. Very creepy. Very suspenseful.
If you’ve watched the Battlestar Gallactica reboot from a few years back, you have a bit of an idea of the intensity of the situation the characters in this story are dealing with. It’s a very similar premise.
And the giants in this show are really horrific. The show goes out of it’s way to make you realize how awful these things are. The are REALLY SCARY. And humanity really doesn’t stand much of a chance against them.
You empathize with the protagonists right away, simply because their situation is so dire.
This is one of the reason the show is so gripping. On top of that, the story is so full of twists and turns, shows often end in these crazy cliff hangers. And just when you think things are finally going to be okay, they throw in another twist.
It’s brilliant.
Watch It
If you have Netflix streaming and you want a great, intense show and don’t mind reading subtitles, this is the a show you should watch.
I’ve watched a lot of anime, and they rarely grip you like this. This show is obviously based on a manga series. Now that I’ve watched the anime, I’m curious how much more story there is in the manga.
Have you seen this show? If you have, what do you think? Do you agree?
Sound off in the comments below.
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I too was surprised by Titan. It was very much unexpected.
I agree with all your observations here.
I like anime stories that have endings.
Titan was an unexpected treat.
Scary, graphic, and visceral at times, but artfully done.
Not for kids though, on account of the blood and gore. And most of all, those giants will probably cause nightmares very easily.
(I have to filter the anime my daughter wants to watch).
Scariest giants ever.
I’m sold! Have to check it out 😀
I’ve finished it now! Very intense indeed. Brilliant stuff. Looking forward to the second season!
Awesome!
Me too. Glad you liked it.
🙂
Apparently the second season is still quite far off though … but the manga continues where the first season of anime has left off so I guess I have to buy the manga 😉
Just watched the first two eps tonight on netflix. I am gobsmacked. The version they have is sub-titled, which I generally hate since I use one monitor for what I’m writing and the other for netflix; hard to read the movie monitor and type at the same once, so I treat most shows like radio and just look around now and again. But I realized that sub-titles didn’t matter on this one – I wasn’t looking away. The Look, the photography, the long stretches of life with no sound-track, the creeping awfulness of the giants, the claustrophobic feel of a town under siege and then you under attack. Pretty surprising stuff, wholly engaging, and definitely not for little kids.
Yeah, I tend to watch some shows while I work so I also don’t like subtitled shows. That said, I went out of my way to just watch this show without working. Eventually the subtitles will matter a bit more. Especially during exposition scenes. But generally, the action pretty much sells the show.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed what you saw.
Started watching this a couple of nights ago and was instantly blown away by it, it is by far one of the best animated stories ever made. I would recommend this anyone.
It’s definitely good, but not really my type of series. I’m not big into horror-type stories. A good story doesn’t need to be so dark, horrifying and gory – a lot of eye-candy to me, just saying.
when I started watching it, I could never stop, This anime is insane! I couldn’t even wait for the next season, so I started reading the manga where the story left off on the anime. I heard there’s a live action move for this anime that’s coming up, looking forward to that to!
Thanks for the comment Bob,
I agree! Although I haven’t picked up the Manga yet. I love manga but for some reason I kinda want to see this particular story animated instead. I’m probably going to pick it up eventually.
Yes, I’ve also heard there will be a live action version. Although I can’t see it being as good as the anime. It would be too expensive to do to do the Manga justice.