How Attack On Titan Redefines The Concept Of Heroes And Villians

Summary

Attack on Titan redefined heroes and villains, blurring the lines between good and evil.
The series showcases complex character development through flawed yet relatable characters.
The story challenges traditional hero narratives, exploring deeper themes of sacrifice and morality.

As a long-time fan of anime and manga, I have seen my fair share of stories that follow the classic hero’s journey trope: the young protagonist sets out on a quest to defeat the great evil, faces challenges along the way, and ultimately emerges victorious, saving the day and becoming a celebrated hero. But Attack on Titan has always been different. From the very beginning, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be your typical Shonen series.

Having grown up in the harsh world of Eldia, I can relate to the struggles of Eren Yeager and his friends as they fight for survival against the Titans. The way that Hajime Isayama portrays the characters’ development over time is truly masterful; it feels like we are experiencing their pain, their anger, and their determination right along with them.

The twist with Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt was a game-changer for me. I had come to trust these characters as allies, only to have the rug pulled out from under me when they betrayed Paradis Island. It showed me that no one can be trusted in this world, and that everyone has their own motivations and flaws.

The finale of Attack on Titan solidified for me that there are no true heroes or villains in this story; just humans struggling to survive in a cruel and unforgiving world. I find myself cheering for Eren as he fights to protect his friends, but also feeling sympathy for the Marleyans who are also victims of circumstance.

One thing that always makes me chuckle is how people try to draw comparisons between Attack on Titan and Game of Thrones. While both series feature complex characters and dark themes, they approach those themes in very different ways. In GoT, the characters are often motivated by power and ambition, while in AoT, the characters are driven by survival and the desire to protect what they hold dear.

In short, Attack on Titan has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions for me, but it’s one I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s a series that challenges the viewer to question their own beliefs about good and evil, and to empathize with characters who are far from perfect. And if that isn’t the mark of a great story, then I don’t know what is!

After wrapping up with “Attack on Titan”, a significant portion of its audience finds themselves both astonished and somewhat perplexed. It’s likely that numerous fans felt compelled to revisit the series to grasp fully the events portrayed, as well as to catch up on the intricate foreshadowing that Isayama skillfully wove throughout the storyline. With a magnificent finale, Hajime Isayama has undeniably elevated “Attack on Titan” to the ranks of all-time great anime.

Even as we’re still wiping away our tears and grappling with this intricate conclusion, it’s hard not to ponder if Attack on Titan isn’t a groundbreaking milestone in the realm of anime. This series has significantly reshaped our perspectives on heroes and villains in anime by challenging traditional norms. Moreover, Eren Yeager, the protagonist, has become one of the most intricate characters ever created, as his transformation from hero to anti-hero to villain offers a unique lens through which we reconsider what truly defines a hero or a villain.

As a die-hard fan of Attack on Titan, I have to admit that the series has left a lasting impact on my life. From the moment I started watching it, I was hooked. The combination of action, drama, and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat week after week.

The story follows a group of characters who live in a walled city protected by three enormous walls, with the outside world being overrun by giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. The protagonists fight to protect their home while uncovering secrets about the true nature of these monstrous beings and the world beyond the walls.

The story takes many unexpected turns, leaving me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting each new episode. The characters are well-developed and complex, with their own unique motivations and backstories that add depth to the narrative.

One thing that sets Attack on Titan apart from other anime is its dark and gritty tone, which is not for the faint of heart. The violence and emotional intensity can be intense at times, but it adds to the overall impact of the story.

I have recommended this series to many of my friends, and they all agree that Attack on Titan is a must-watch for any anime fan. It’s a gripping tale of survival, friendship, and the lengths one will go to protect what they hold dear. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend giving it a try, but be warned: there are major spoilers ahead!

How Attack On Titan Redefined Heroes And Villains In Anime

We Totally Didn’t See That One Coming

In this animated show, our main character yearns for liberty and an end to the fear caused by Titans. Due to their destructive nature, people are confined within three protective walls to keep safe. Unfortunately, one day, one of these walls is broken, resulting in the tragic loss of many residents from Paradis Island, including Eren’s mother.

As a survivor who has witnessed the loss of many lives, every time I close my eyes, I am haunted by the faces of those I couldn’t save. Opening them brings me back to this world filled with despair and heartbreak, a constant reminder of the consequences of war and violence. The weight of their memories is heavy on my shoulders, pushing me forward in search of hope and redemption.

The last living inhabitants of Shiganshina head towards Wall Maria. Upon seeing his mother’s demise, Eren swears to eradicate Titans forever.

Eren Loses Humanity

Following his enrollment in the Survey Corps and assignment to the 104 Training Squad, Eren is devoured by a Titan during a wall breach. Yet, within the belly of this beast, the powers of the Attack Titan are ignited inside him, transforming him into a Titan shifter. At first, he faced execution, but the military recognized the potential of the Attack Titan and chose to utilize its abilities for their advantage instead.

As Eren transforms into little more than a tool for the military, he suffers a mental collapse when he finds himself embodying the very thing he despises most. Then, when Historia ascends to the throne and Eren kisses her hand, a vision of the future leaves him emotionally devastated and triggers a profound transformation in his character.

In addition to this, he uncovers the reality of his surroundings and the concealed mysteries tucked away in the cellar of his residence. During the Marley storyline, it dawns on him that the only means to safeguard Eldians from the harsh world is through rumbling, a catastrophic event involving genocide, which encompasses releasing all Colossal Titans scattered worldwide.

In this ever-evolving realm, I find myself at odds with its inhabitants and the very fabric of existence itself. Yet, my spirit remains indomitable; I won’t give up, I can’t! This world has stripped me bare, yet I am driven to obliterate it – to reshape it in a way that brings justice for all the pain it has caused me.

From the outset, Attack on Titan made it clear that Eren had an extraordinary level of protective instincts towards those he cared for. He was willing to employ whatever resources were available to ensure the safety of his companions.

In response to the hostility from Marley and the rest of the world towards Eldians, Eren perceived this predicament as having just one resolution: eliminating everyone beyond the walls of Paradis Island. This aspect, in particular, sparked debate among viewers as to whether Eren was a hero striving to protect his homeland or a villain who crossed the line with acts of literal genocide.

Marley’s Perspective

On the other side of the globe lies Marley, home to characters such as Falco and Gabi who initially seem to be adversaries in the story. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the intense animosity Marleyans harbor against Eldians stems from the deaths they’ve witnessed at their hands. Over time, we discover that Gabi serves as a reflection of Eren in some ways, as both are deeply affected by the consequences of their respective societies’ actions.

Gabi Braun doesn’t prioritize the citizens of Paradis; instead, her focus is on safeguarding Marley and those she cherishes.

As we uncovered additional truths about the Eldian-Marleyan dispute, it grew increasingly challenging for us to decide on which side to take. The intense animosity towards Eldians globally appeared overwhelming, but given their past actions, such as utilizing Titans’ power to instigate turmoil across the world, the Marleyans’ resentment towards them appears somewhat understandable.

Not Your Typical Heroes

Over time, the distinction between right and wrong grows increasingly unclear within this series, which is part of what makes Hayao Miyazaki such a skillful storyteller. His unique ability to showcase complex, imperfect characters provides a fresh outlook for the audience.

Initially, characters such as Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt appear as reliable allies to Eren. However, it is later revealed that they are actually titan shifters who betray Paradis Island, causing us to question everyone’s loyalty. Meanwhile, Mikasa and Armin remain steadfast friends to Eren, but they struggle to help him as the weight of their uncertain future weighs heavily on him. In essence, this narrative twist underscores the idea that trust can never be taken for granted.

As someone who has seen the world’s harsh realities firsthand, I cannot deny that life is often a relentless cycle of pain and hardship for many people, myself included. We all have our unique roles to play in this grand drama, some as victims, others as perpetrators, and still others as bystanders. The key is not to lose hope or give up on ourselves or others, but rather to strive for compassion, empathy, and understanding, knowing that each of us has the power to make a positive impact in our own small corner of the world.

In the group of three friends, Armin, who initially seemed frail and unassuming due to his nerdiness and the inheritance of Colossal Titan, found himself compelled to take actions that were debatable, even going so far as to risk lives for a greater cause. Conversely, Mikasa was faced with the heartrending choice of giving up what she held most dear – her beloved Eren – in an effort to protect mankind.

As a long-time fan of Shonen anime, I must say that Hajime Isayama’s character growth in Attack on Titan truly caught me off guard and resonated with me on a deep level. Unlike other Shonen series, where heroes are often one-dimensional and lack depth, the characters in Attack on Titan felt real and complex, evolving in ways that made them relatable and engaging. With the finale of this groundbreaking series, it’s clear to me that Isayama has successfully challenged and redefined what a hero can be in anime, offering a new perspective on how heroes and villains are portrayed. This shift in storytelling has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the anime industry as a whole, and I eagerly await seeing how other creators will be inspired to push boundaries and explore the complexities of their own characters.

In “Attack on Titan,” the narrative skillfully presents multiple perspectives of the conflict and portrays characters making drastic choices for survival, thus underscoring that within this tale of war, there are no pure heroes or antagonists, merely individuals grappling with their imperfections.

2025-01-03 05:07