Attack on Titan (TV series)
On the 1st of July, 2019, a young boy named Eren Yeager stood atop a wall that had protected humanity for a century. He watched as a massive creature breached the barrier and ate his mother before his eyes. This moment sparked a vow to destroy every giant humanoid monster known as Titans. These creatures consumed people without reason or mercy. They lived outside the walls in a post-apocalyptic world where only three concentric fortifications remained standing. Inside these walls, survivors believed they were safe from the monsters that roamed the wasteland beyond. When the Colossal Titan appeared, it shattered the outermost gate and flooded the city with chaos. Eren joined the Survey Corps to fight back against the overwhelming force. He discovered he could transform into a Titan himself after being eaten by one. This power allowed him to control the beast and use its strength to battle other giants. His journey took him from a grieving child to a soldier fighting for survival. Later seasons revealed that the truth about their world was far darker than anyone imagined. The Survey Corps uncovered secrets about the history of humanity itself. They learned that the Titans were not just mindless beasts but part of a complex political struggle. Eren's plan to free his homeland involved unleashing a devastating attack on all enemies. This strategy set in motion events that would span two thousand years into the future.
Wit Studio produced the first three seasons of Attack on Titan between 2013 and 2019. Tetsurō Araki directed the initial run while Kyoji Asano designed the characters. Production issues arose during Season 1 as the studio needed more animators to keep up with demand. The series aired on Mainichi Broadcasting System starting the 7th of April 2013. In May 2020, production shifted to MAPPA for the final season. Yuichiro Hayashi and Jun Shishido replaced Araki and Masashi Koizuka as directors. Tomohiro Kishi took over character design duties from Kyōji Asano. Hiroshi Seko became the new scriptwriter replacing Yasuko Kobayashi. Kohta Yamamoto joined Hiroyuki Sawano to compose music for the later episodes. The transition occurred after the third season concluded on the 1st of July 2019. NHK General TV broadcast the final season beginning the 7th of December 2020. Part 1 ran until the 29th of March 2021. Part 2 aired from January 10 to the 4th of April 2022. Parts 3 and 4 premiered as television specials in 2023. A compilation film covering the finale released the 8th of November 2024. The change in studios brought a different visual style to the animation. Some fans noticed shifts in pacing and action choreography between the two companies.
Yuki Kaji voiced Eren Yeager in Japanese while Bryce Papenbrook provided the English dub. Yui Ishikawa played Mikasa Ackerman with Trina Nishimura handling the American version. Marina Inoue portrayed Sasha Braus and Jessie James Grelle dubbed her role. Hiroshi Kamiya lent his voice to Levi Ackerman opposite Matthew Mercer. Yoshimasa Hosoya voiced Jean Kirstein with Robert McCollum translating it. Romi Park played Historia Reiss alongside Jessica Calvello. Kishō Taniyama was Armin Arlert's Japanese voice actor with Mike McFarland on English. Daisuke Ono spoke for Hange Zoë using J. Michael Tatum for the dub. Rintarō Nishi voiced Commander Erwin Smith with Jerry Jewell in English. These performances helped bring the characters to life across multiple languages. Funimation streamed the series with subtitles starting the 7th of April 2013. Episode 1 of the English dub premiered at Anime Boston later that year. Adult Swim aired the dubbed version weekly beginning the 3rd of May 2014. Madman Entertainment distributed the show in Australia and New Zealand. Sony Pictures handled home media releases in the UK. The cast received awards including Best Voice Actor for Yuki Kaji at the 8th Seiyu Awards. Best Supporting Actress went to Yui Ishikawa for Mikasa Ackerman.
Hiroyuki Sawano composed the soundtrack for all four seasons of Attack on Titan. Linked Horizon performed the opening theme Guren no Yumiya during the first thirteen episodes. Yōko Hikasa sang the ending theme for those same episodes. Both songs were released as part of a single on the 10th of July 2013. That single sold over 100,000 copies within its first week. A second CD containing the rest of the soundtrack arrived the 16th of October 2013. Shinsei Kamattechan provided vocals for the Season 2 opening song. Yoshiki featuring Hyde performed Red Swan as the third season opener. SiM delivered The Rumbling for Part 2 of the final season. Ai Higuchi sang several ending themes throughout the series. The soundtrack was released by Pony Canyon across multiple dates from the 23rd of June 2021 to the 8th of November 2023. Compilation albums appeared in 2024 covering the entire run. Vocals came from artists like mpi, Cyua, Aimee Blackschleger, and CASG. The music blended orchestral elements with rock and electronic sounds. Critics praised the score for enhancing emotional moments and action sequences. The themes became cultural phenomena among anime fans worldwide.
Attack on Titan received universal critical acclaim since its debut in April 2013. It holds a rating of 96% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Carl Kimlinger called it a clenched fist of a series that strikes hard. Rebecca Silverman described visuals as both gorgeous and appalling. Carlo Santos labeled it a masterpiece of death and destruction after one episode. John Sinnott ranked it among the best shows he had ever watched. Maya Phillips noted its uniqueness compared to other dystopian stories. Phelim O'Neill praised animation as spellbinding and acrobatic. The series won Best TV Animation at the 2013 Animation Kobe Awards. It took home Animation of the Year at the 2014 Tokyo Anime Award. Sales figures showed average volume sales of 52,067 across nine volumes totaling 468,603 copies. It was the best-selling TV anime of 2013 in Japan. In the United States, sales reached at least 200,000 units. Funimation listed it as top streaming anime in 2014. The show broke Guinness World Records for most in-demand animated TV show until surpassed by Jujutsu Kaisen in 2024. It became the first non-English language series to earn World's Most In-Demand TV Show status. Vice wrote that it catapulted anime into mainstream popularity outside Japan.
In 2015, China banned Attack on Titan along with thirty-eight other titles due to violence concerns. The Ministry of Culture cited scenes deemed pornographic or terrorist-related. Malaysia required censorship of body parts considered indecent in some episodes. A Titan corpse appeared wearing a bodysuit to comply with local laws. Russia banned distribution in July 2021 citing welfare of youth concerns. Following Ukraine invasion starting the 24th of February 2022, Crunchyroll shut down subsidiaries Wakanim and Crunchyroll EMEA there. International sanctions from Japan and the US prevented legal streaming access. These restrictions affected how audiences could view the series globally. Some regions allowed limited broadcasts while others enforced complete prohibitions. The bans reflected political tensions alongside content sensitivity issues. Despite these hurdles, fans found ways to access the story through unofficial channels. The controversy highlighted challenges faced by international media distributors during geopolitical conflicts.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did the Attack on Titan TV series first air?
The Attack on Titan TV series first aired on the 7th of April 2013. Wit Studio produced the initial run while Tetsurō Araki directed and Kyoji Asano designed the characters.
Who voiced Eren Yeager in the Japanese version of Attack on Titan?
Yuki Kaji voiced Eren Yeager in the Japanese version of Attack on Titan. He received Best Voice Actor at the 8th Seiyu Awards for this performance.
Which studio animated the final season of Attack on Titan?
MAPPA animated the final season of Attack on Titan starting in May 2020. Yuichiro Hayashi and Jun Shishido replaced previous directors after the third season concluded on the 1st of July 2019.
What music group performed the opening theme for Season 2 of Attack on Titan?
Shinsei Kamattechan provided vocals for the Season 2 opening song of Attack on Titan. Hiroyuki Sawano composed the soundtrack for all four seasons of the series.
Why was Attack on Titan banned in China in 2015?
China banned Attack on Titan along with thirty-eight other titles due to violence concerns. The Ministry of Culture cited scenes deemed pornographic or terrorist-related as the reason for the prohibition.