Attack on Titan: a thought-provoking nightmare
As Shingeki no Kyojin, created by Hajime Isayama, known as Attack on Titan overseas, came to its conclusive end last weekend, with the airing of a one-hour spectacle of an animation—referred to as “The Battle of Heaven and Earth”—many fans, like myself, are left dwelling the lasting impact this show has; whether this be the crazy fights, the major plot twists in nearly every episode—keeping one eternally on their toes—or the physical execution of philosophical ideals related to nihilism and existentialism, this show offers something for almost every viewer to take with them long after the credits roll!
Before I dive in, here’s some incredibly brief background: Attack on Titan is a series that follows a young adult, Eren Jaeger, and his close friends within the “Scout Regiment,” a group meant to deal with this world’s main threat: man-eating giants. As they encounter devastating loss after loss from the threat, Eren gains the power to transform into one of these giants himself, using this power to reclaim the island they inhabit slowly—Paradis Island—back from the rule of these mindless creatures. Yet, as time passes, he loses himself to the pursuit of his goals. His mind becomes scrambled, tainted by the power that he possesses, which causes all of existence on Earth to feel the unfiltered wrath of Eren, the “Attack Titan.”
Now, when you hear this, you may think to yourself, “Oh God, it’s another weird, generic anime plot,” but I promise you that is the farthest thing from that! This story conveys some of the most provocative lines of thinking I have heard regarding the fatalistic purpose of life, being a prisoner to your will, endless cycles of hatred, morality as a whole, and so many other prolific avenues that crave exploration. Even if this narrative doesn’t appeal to you, it is irrefutable that this story doesn’t have something to say outside of its drama and action-packed plot.
To illustrate, let me use—what many fans deem to be the best speech in the show—the words of the commander of the Scout Regiment, Erwin Smith, as he and his remaining men come face to face with unbeatable odds: “...Everyone will die someday… Does that mean that life is meaningless? No. We die trusting the living who follow to find meaning in our lives! That is the sole method in which we can rebel against this cruel world!”
This, to many, may seem cheesy, but in the context of the show, it paints a beautiful picture of the true message being pushed: "The world is a cruel place, but it's also very beautiful." These individuals give their lives for the sake of a brighter future, in the noblest sense of the phrase, forgoing their desire simply for the prospect of a better tomorrow. In a world where everything is bleak and near futile, there exist people like this, craving to carry humanity on their back to new life even if it means they, themselves, won’t be able to see it.
Alongside this, the show and manga push this idea of a cycle of hatred prevalently, being implicitly attached to all that occurs within the series. Humanity is contained within a cycle of repetitive war and bloodshed, proving nothing, gaining nothing except temporary freedom or thrills. To break free, we must rebel against our very nature, our hubris. It is not as easy as that phrase makes it out to be, as the show orchestrates beautifully through Eren, a prisoner to his will. Eren is unable to deter from the path of war, unable to give up his freedoms for the sake of peace, and it is because of that selfishness that the story ends where it does, restarting the cycle.
Though I could go on for hours upon hours just talking about the moral implications and philosophical ideals within this plot, I highly suggest you take this opportunity to truly take a deep dive into a show you may have overlooked in the past, as it has been airing since early 2013. Attack on Titan is a show that combines so many complex and moving pieces, creating one of the most visceral but engaging narratives that modern manga and television have to offer! If you haven’t done so already, watch and/or read this prolific narrative yourself today!
Thumbnail Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons