Attack on Titan is a manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The series was published in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine from September 2009 to April 2021 as 34 volumes. The manga has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The anime adaptation began in 2013 and concluded in 2023.
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Plot
Attack on Titan is set in a universe where Titans, giant, human-eating creatures, threaten the world. Humans live in a city surrounded by three great walls to protect themselves from the Titans. However, one day, a giant Titan called the Armored Titan breaks down the walls, and humanity faces great danger. This event changes the life of the main character, Eren Yeager. Eren joins a military unit called the Survey Corps to fight the Titans. The story becomes more complicated when Eren discovers he has the power to transform into a Titan, and the war between humanity and Titans escalates.
Universe
Titans
Normal Titans: These are giant, human-eating creatures, usually mindless and thoughtless. Normal Titans are generally physically strong but lack intelligence or strategy. They hunt humans merely to survive.
Special Titans (Shifters): These Titans are special creatures that possess human intelligence and specific powers or characteristics. They are generally more intelligent and controlled.
Berserk Titan (Eren's Titan): This is the Titan Eren Yeager can transform into. This Titan is known for its uncontrollable rage and destructive power. Unlike others, Eren's Titan form possesses human intelligence, and its combat abilities are highly developed.
The origin of the Titans and how they came into existence is one of the series' fundamental mysteries. Titans are actually the result of a genetic change and a curse. The ability of humans to transform into Titans is revealed in later parts of the series. Titans are connected to a dark past and wars in human history. They are not only a threat to survival but also at the center of the universe's philosophical and political conflicts. As both a physical and ideological danger, they are a great source of fear for humanity.
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Military Branches
Survey Corps: This is the military unit that directly fights Titans and explores the world outside the walls. The Survey Corps is the most dangerous unit for humanity because they constantly battle Titans outside. Although initially formed for survival, over time, they gain a broader purpose to uncover the secrets beyond the walls and destroy the Titans. Eren Yeager and other main characters also join this unit.
Garrison Regiment: This is the military unit that maintains order within the walls and protects them against external attacks. This unit tries to defend the walls during Titan attacks. The Garrison Regiment is more defense-oriented than the Survey Corps and tries to prevent Titans from entering. However, members of this unit generally do not have information about the outside world.
Military Police: This is a military unit under government control and has a higher status in society. The Military Police are responsible for maintaining order and security in the city. They also protect the safety of the aristocratic class. This unit fights less than the other two units and is generally concerned with internal affairs. It is under the command of the government and has more secrecy and privilege within the walls.
Walls
Wall Maria: The outermost wall. When it falls, humanity faces great danger.
Wall Rose: The middle wall, a more protected area that houses people.
Wall Sina: The innermost wall, the safest area, and the government's headquarters are located here.
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The Truth Beyond the Wall:
One of the fundamental secrets of the universe is understanding what the walls and Titans truly are. Humans are unaware of the Titans' origin and the walls' purpose. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the historical origins of the Titans and the world beyond the walls hold a much more complex and profound mystery. Humanity is not merely confined within a wall; there are other peoples and different historical realities outside, along with the Titans.
Politics and Ideology:
The world is affected not only by Titans but also by different ideological and political conflicts. The government is controlled by a powerful aristocratic class. The rulers try to keep the populace within the walls, isolating them from the truth and external threats. This creates significant political tension in the universe.
Main Characters
Eren Yeager: The protagonist of the series and the central figure in the war against the Titans. Eren develops a deep hatred for Titans after his family is killed by them. He joins the Survey Corps and will stop at nothing to destroy the Titans. Over time, Eren learns that he has the power to transform into a Titan and uses this power to fight for humanity. However, the methods he uses in the name of freedom and salvation become harsher and more ruthless over time.
Mikasa Ackerman: A character dedicated to protecting Eren. Mikasa, belonging to the Ackerman family, is known for her innate superior combat abilities and fights alongside Eren in the Survey Corps. She stands out with her intelligence and warrior skills.
Armin Arlert: Eren and Mikasa's closest friend. Despite being physically weaker and more timid, he possesses extraordinary intelligence and strategic thinking ability. After joining the Survey Corps, he begins to play a significant role in the war against the Titans. Armin generates solutions and plans through logic, relying more on his intelligence than physical abilities. As he tries to overcome his timidity, he shows great development in leadership and self-sacrifice.
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Themes and Narrative
Attack on Titan is a production that explores deep philosophical and social themes beyond action. The series questions humanity's desire for freedom and the cost of this freedom. Eren Yeager fights to free humanity trapped in a world surrounded by colossal walls, but the price paid for freedom leads to social and personal changes. Titans are not just an external threat but a reflection of the dark aspects of human nature and evolve alongside the characters' internal struggles. The series addresses topics such as human nature, social structure, and identity. The Survey Corps and other military groups reveal conflicts and power dynamics between social classes, while characters also try to find their own identities. Themes of fate and choice also play an important role, as characters test their free will under the influence of the past and social structure.
