Attack on Titan (TV series)

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Attack on Titan (Japanese: 進撃の巨人, Hepburn: Shingeki no Kyojin) is a Japanese dark fantasy anime television series adapted from the manga of the same name by Hajime Isayama that premiered on April 7, 2013. It currently airs on NHK General TV in Japan and Adult Swim in the United States.

The story begins in a world where the remains of humanity live inside three concentric cities, each protected by enormous walls against attacks by Titans, gigantic humanoid beings who devour humans without any apparent reason. It follows the adventures of Eren Jaeger, his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, whose lives are changed forever after a Colossal Titan breaches the wall of their home town. Vowing revenge and to reclaim the world from the Titans, Eren and his friends join the Scout Regiment, an elite group of soldiers who fight against Titans.




 Series overview


SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
125April 7, 2013September 29, 2013
212April 1, 2017June 17, 2017
32212July 23, 2018October 15, 2018
10April 29, 2019July 1, 2019
416[6]December 7, 2020TBA

2013 season and compilation films


Produced by IG Port's Wit Studio and directed by Tetsurō Araki, Attack on Titan was broadcast on MBS TV from April 7, 2013 to September 29, 2013, and later aired on Tokyo MX, FBS, TOS, HTB, TV Aichi and BS11.[7] The anime had some production issues with needing more animators with Wit Studios' character designer, Kyoji Asano tweeting and looking for active animators to work on the anime.[8]

Both Funimation and Crunchyroll have streamed the series with subtitles on their respective websites. Funimation has also licensed the anime for home video release in 2014.[11] Episode 1 of the English version premiered at Anime Boston,[12] with other episodes put on Funimation's subscription services.[13] On television of the series has broadcast weekly on Adult Swim's Toonami block on May 3, 2014, starting at 11:30 p.m. EST.[14] In Australia, the anime aired on SBS 2 on Tuesdays, in Japanese with English subtitles, with the first episode having aired on September 30.[15] The first season was acquired for distribution in the UK by Manga Entertainment.[16] Madman Entertainment acquired the show for distribution in Australia and New Zealand, and streamed the series on Madman Screening Room.

The final episode was also aired in Japanese theaters. The anime was compiled into two animated theatrical films with new voice acting from the same cast. The first film Attack on Titan – Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow (「進撃の巨人」前編～紅蓮の弓矢～, Shingeki no Kyojin Zenpen ~Guren no Yumiya~) covers the first 13 episodes and was released on November 22, 2014, while the second film Attack on Titan – Part 2: Wings of Freedom (「進撃の巨人」後編～自由の翼～, Shingeki no Kyojin Kōhen ~Jiyū no Tsubasa~) adapts the remaining episodes and adds new opening and ending footage.[19] It was released on June 27, 2015.[20][21] A rebroadcast of the first season was aired from January 9, 2016 on NHK's BS Premium channel. The compilation films were also broadcast in January 2017 on MBS.

2017 season and compilation film


A second season of the anime series was announced on the opening day of the first theatrical film, which was originally set to be released in 2016.[24] It was then confirmed in the January 2017 issue of the Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine that the second season would premiere in April 2017.[25] Masashi Koizuka directed the second season, with Araki acting as chief director.[26] It ran for 12 episodes from April 1, 2017, to June 17, 2017, on MBS and other television networks.[27][28] A third compilation film recapping the events of the anime series' second season titled Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening (「進撃の巨人」 ～覚醒の咆哮～, Shingeki no Kyojin ~Kakusei no Hōkō~) was released on January 13, 2018.[29]

The season premiere was simulcast on Funimation, Crunchyroll, and the former's VRV channel at 10:30 AM EST.[30] Funimation and Crunchyroll streamed the entire second season on their respective websites, while Adult Swim's Toonami aired a dubbed version.[31] It was also announced that the second season of Attack on Titan would premiere on Toonami on April 29.[32] It was subsequently announced on April 3 that the second season would premiere one week earlier, on April 22 instead.[33] Madman Entertainment streamed the season in Australia and New Zealand on AnimeLab.[34] Season 2 home media release was handled by Sony Pictures in the UK.[35]

2018–2019 season and compilation film


On June 17, 2017, a third season was announced at the close of the second season's final episode, with a release date slated for July 23, 2018.[36] A trailer for the third season was released on April 27, 2018.[37] The series' third season aired in Japan on NHK General TV on July 23, 2018, with its first part running to October 15, 2018.[38] Part 2 of the series' third season aired from April 29 to July 1, 2019.[39][40] Hajime Isayama, the original manga's author and illustrator, works closely with the animators to ensure faithfulness to the story and gives suggestions, as well. In 2018, it was revealed that Isayama regretted doing a certain part of the manga in a certain way, so he personally requested the animation studio to make some changes in the anime. The studio honored this wish, resulting in the first part of Season 3 being a little different from the corresponding manga chapters.[41][42][43] A fourth compilation film, Attack on Titan: Chronicle (「進撃の巨人」 〜クロニクル〜, Shingeki no Kyojin ~Kuronikuru~), recaps all three seasons and was released on July 17, 2020.[44]

Funimation announced that they would air the worldwide premiere of the first episode at Anime Expo on July 8, 2018.[45] They also announced that the first episode would air in theaters in the US and Canada alongside Attack on Titan: Roar of Awakening on July 10, 2018.[46] Adult Swim aired the English version of the third season, starting from August 18, 2018 to July 27, 2019.[47] On July 4, 2020 Funimation announced that they licensed the compilation film for UK, Ireland, and North America release.[48]

2020–2021 final season


Upon the airing of the final episode of the third season on July 1, 2019, it was announced that the fourth and final season of the anime series was scheduled for release in Fall 2020 on NHK General.[49][50] On September 22, 2020, Crunchyroll and Funimation announced that the final season would be streaming "later this year" in 2020.[51] Netflix Singapore and Thailand announced that regional streaming will commence from December 10 and 11.[52][53][54] On May 29, 2020, the final season was confirmed to have switched production studios to MAPPA.[55] Jun Shihsido and Yūichirō Hayashi are replacing Tetsurō Araki and Masashi Koizuka as chief director and series director, scriptwriter Hiroshi Seko is taking over the series composition from Yasuko Kobayashi, and Tomohiro Kishi is replacing Kyōji Asano as character designer. Hiroyuki Sawano is being joined by Kohta Yamamoto to compose the music.[56]

Music

First season

“Attack on Titan” Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by 
Hiroyuki Sawano
ReleasedJune 28, 2013
Studio
GenreSoundtrack
Length1:17:27
LabelPony Canyon
Producer

In the first season, for the first thirteen episodes, the opening theme is "Guren no Yumiya" (紅蓮の弓矢, lit. "Crimson Bow and Arrow", styled in German as "Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen") by Linked Horizon, and the ending theme is "Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai" (美しき残酷な世界, lit. "This Beautiful Cruel World") by Yōko Hikasa. For episodes 14–25, the opening theme is "Jiyū no Tsubasa" (自由の翼, lit. "Wings of Freedom", styled in German as "Die Flügel der Freiheit") by Linked Horizon, and the ending theme is "great escape" by Cinema Staff. Both "Guren no Yumiya" and "Jiyū no Tsubasa" were released as part of the single "Jiyū e no Shingeki" on July 10, 2013,[57][58] which sold over 100 thousand copies in its first week of sales.[59]

The series' soundtrack was composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, and the first CD was released on June 28, 2013, by Pony Canyon.[60] The first CD contains 16 tracks, with 6 vocal tracks featuring performances by Mika Kobayashi, mpi, Cyua, Aimee Blackschleger and CASG. The second CD containing the other half of the soundtrack was released on October 16, 2013, as a bonus offered with the fourth Blu-ray and DVD limited edition volumes of the anime.[61]

Track listing

All music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.

Second season

"Attack on Titan" Season 2 Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by 
Hiroyuki Sawano
ReleasedJune 7, 2017
GenreSoundtrack
Length2:29:13
LabelPony Canyon
Producer
Singles from "Attack on Titan" Season 2 Original Soundtrack
  1. "YAMANAIAME"
    Released: November 19, 2014
  2. "theDOGS"
    Released: July 1, 2015

The opening theme is "Shinzou wo Sasageyo!" (心臓を捧げよ!, lit. "Dedicate your Heart!", styled in German as "Opfert eure Herzen!") by Linked Horizon,[62] and the ending theme is "Yuugure no Tori" (夕暮れの鳥, lit. "Bird at Dusk") by Shinsei Kamattechan.[63][64]

Sawano returned to compose the soundtrack for the second season, with the 2-CD soundtrack released on June 7, 2017, by Pony Canyon.[65] In addition to music composed for Season 2, the soundtrack also featured any and all tracks composed for other media in-between seasons one and two, such as compilation films and OVAs.

Vocals were provided by yosh, Gemie, mpi, Mica Caldito, Mika Kobayashi and Benjamin.

All music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.



Third season

"Attack on Titan" Season 3 Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by 
Hiroyuki Sawano
ReleasedJune 26, 2019
GenreSoundtrack
Length2:02:55
LabelPony Canyon
ProducerHiroyuki Sawano

The opening theme song is "Red Swan" by Yoshiki feat. Hyde,[66] while the ending theme is "Akatsuki no Requiem" (暁の鎮魂歌, Akatsuki no Chinkonka, lit. "Daybreak Requiem") by Linked Horizon.[67] The second opening theme is "Shoukei to Shikabane no Michi" (憧憬と屍の道, lit. "The Path of Longing and Corpses") by Linked Horizon, and the second ending theme is "Name of Love" by Cinema Staff.[68]

Sawano once again returned as composer. The soundtrack was released on June 26, 2019. As with the second season's soundtrack, music featured in compilation films and OVAs released between season two and three was included in the soundtrack. Vocals were provided by Laco, David Whitaker, Gemie, Eliana, mpi and yosh.

Track listing

All music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.





Fourth season

"Attack on Titan" Season 4 Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album
GenreSoundtrack

The score is directed by Masafumi Mima and composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto.[69]

The opening theme song is "My War" (僕の戦争, "Boku no Sensō") performed by Shinsei Kamattechan, and the ending theme song is "Shock" (衝撃, "Shōgeki") performed by Yūko Andō.[70]

Anime films

For the first compilation film, Attack on Titan – Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow, the ending themes were "YAMANAIAME" (lit. "Unstoppable Rain") by Hiroyuki Sawano feat. Mika Kobayashi, Mica Caldito & mpi and "Guren no Zahyou" (紅蓮の座標, lit. "Crimson Coordinate") by Linked Horizon.[71] For the second compilation film, Attack on Titan – Part 2: Wings of Freedom, the ending themes was "theDOGS" by Hiroyuki Sawano feat. mpi.[72] The film's theme song was "Jiyuu no Daishou" (自由の代償) by Linked Horizon.[73]

Reception

Sales and accolades

The anime series has been successful in Japan, with average sales of 52,067 across 9 volumes, with a total of 468,603 as of August 2016.[74] It was the number one selling TV anime of 2013 in Japan[75] and is currently the eighth best selling anime of 2010's.[76] It has also been very successful in the U.S. with sales of at least 200,000.[77] It was also the number one streaming anime from Funimation in 2014[78] and the number one fan favorite Funimation home video released of 2014.[79] The anime adaptation won multiple prizes during the 3rd Newtype Anime Awards, including Best Director, Best Script, Best Soundtrack, Best Theme Song, Top Female Character and Title of the Year.[80] It received the award for Best TV Animation at the 2013 Animation Kobe Awards.[81] It received the award for Animation of the Year at the 2014 Tokyo Anime Award, along with, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Music.[82] It won the 2013 Digital Contents of the Year Award at Japan's 19th annual Association of Media in Digital (AMD) Awards.[83]

Critical response

The three seasons of Attack on Titan were met with wide critical acclaim with praise for the storyline, animation, action sequences, soundtrack, dub performances, and its dark tone. Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network sharply gave critical acclaim to the first two episodes of the anime adaptation. He did praise the show for "making giants freaky again", but added that "bringing back the terror of the fee-fi-fo-fum set does make good show make". Kimlinger praised Araki's direction, saying he "clearly intends it to be powerful and unsettling, and it hits the mark."[84] However, other critics from Anime News Network praised much of the series. Rebecca Silverman said it "is both gorgeous and appalling in its visuals", and "an excellent mix of what 18th century Gothic novelist Ann Radcliffe defined as horror versus terror: the one is physical, making you want to look away, and the other is intellectual, making you want to know what's going to happen next."[85] Carlo Santos noted that "few [apocalyptic action shows] get as close to perfection as Attack on Titan does". Santos described it as "a masterpiece of death and destruction" after watching only the first episode.[86] Theron Martin of Anime News Network praised the musical score and the "intense, impactful first episode" despite his feeling that it has "limited animation". Martin also compared Attack on Titan's vibe and visual aesthetic to Claymore.[87]

John Sinnott of DVD Talk called the series one of the best ones he has ever watched and one "that anime fans should not miss."[88] Maya Phillips of New York magazine and Vulture praised the uniqueness of the series as she states, "In our current age of terrifying dystopian realities, it's hard to find a dystopian show with something new to deliver - and yet here it is."[89] As for Phelim O'Neill of The Guardian, he praised the animation of the series as "Spellbinding... It's all wonderfully acrobatic and intense."[90] Regarding the climactic episodes of the third season's second half, Manga. Tokyo called Isayama a "genius" for how well he handled the revelation about Grisha's past to smoothly link the present events with the ones from the manga pertaining to the beginning of the story.[91]

Crunchyroll listed Attack on Titan in their "Top 25 best anime of the 2010s".] IGN and Polygon also listed Attack on Titan among the best anime series of the 2010s.

China ban

In 2015 the Chinese Ministry of Culture forbade distribution of Attack on Titan, along with 38 other anime and manga titles, which were deemed to feature scenes of violence, pornography, terrorism and crimes against public morality, in an effort to "protect the healthy development of youth".