Attack on Titan: An Inconsistent Mess
If you had asked me a few years ago about one of my favorite manga/anime, "Attack on Titan" would have been at the top of my list. Its gripping narrative, complex characters, and the sheer audacity of its world-building had me hooked from episode one. It had this unique blend of mystery, political intrigue, and high-octane action that made it more than just a typical anime. Everything made sense, everything had a purpose, and the plot moved with a precision that was almost surgical.
However, my admiration started to waver around the time Eren launched his attack on Marley. Until that point, the story had a clear direction – the people of Paradis fighting for survival against a world that had seemingly wronged them. There was this underdog spirit, a fight for freedom and identity that resonated deeply with me. The Eldians’ suffering, particularly those in Marley, added layers to a narrative already rich in its exploration of themes like oppression and the cycle of hatred.
But post-Marley attack, things started to take a turn that I can only describe as perplexing. The series, which had been so meticulous in its storytelling, suddenly seemed to lose its narrative focus. Plot points felt rushed or forcibly twisted, character motivations became murky, and the once clear lines between right and wrong were blurred in ways that didn’t feel organic. I remember sitting there, reading these chapters unfold, feeling more and more disconnected from a story that I once couldn’t get enough of. Some chapters at the end even made me laugh at the absurdity of the twists and drawings.
What went wrong? Let’s dive into the specifics of where "Attack on Titan" seemed to lose its narrative strength and veered off into a territory that, for many fans like myself, was a jarring departure from its previously compelling storytelling.
The Character Conundrum in Attack on Titan
One of my biggest gripes with the later stages of "Attack on Titan" lies in its sudden influx of new characters. It’s not just the number of characters that were introduced all at once; it's also how strikingly similar many of them looked. I found myself constantly pausing, trying to differentiate one character from another, which really pulled me out of the immersive experience I'd come to love about the show.
Introducing new characters isn’t inherently bad, of course. It can add depth and fresh perspectives to a story. But in "Attack on Titan," this was done with such rapidity and with little regard for distinctiveness, it felt more overwhelming than enriching. The individuality that each character once had, which made the series so engaging, seemed diluted in a sea of new, indistinguishable faces. This, for me, was a critical stumbling block in an otherwise captivating narrative.
The author decided to draw odd looking grim faces 99% of the time, making people look more like titans than people. Additionally, dark lines around people’s eyes and in random places on the face were also written, probably to justify the sudden twist in the narrative of the story itself. These design choices were badly implemented and just added to the ongoing worsening of the series.
Where "Attack on Titan" Lost Its Narrative Edge
My love for "Attack on Titan" was always rooted in its compelling storytelling and clear, powerful illustrations. However, as the series progressed, particularly in the manga, these strengths began to fade, replaced by what I can only describe as narrative chaos.
Firstly, the art style underwent a transformation that, rather than enhancing the story, made it harder to follow. The pages became cluttered with excessive detail. This, coupled with the already confusing similarity between many of the new characters, created a visual jumble that was hard to decipher. I often found myself squinting at the pages, trying to piece together who was who and what was happening, which severely disrupted the flow of reading.
Another issue was the narrative structure. The constant back-and-forth between past and present can be an effective storytelling device, but in "Attack on Titan," it felt overused and, at times, unnecessary. It seemed as if the author resorted to this technique not to enhance the story, but to patch up narrative gaps retrospectively. This approach made the plot feel disjointed and often left me feeling lost in the timeline.
The story also appeared to be winging it with new ideas, hoping they’d somehow fit into the bigger picture later on. This 'make-it-up-as-you-go' strategy can leave a story feeling unfocused and unorganized. One glaring example was Historia’s character – initially set up to play a significant role post-time skip, only to be virtually abandoned later on.
Lastly, the attempt to fill plot holes with random scenes from the time skip (retrospectively) felt like a desperate move to make sense of the tangled web the story had become. These scenes, rather than providing clarity, often added to the confusion, leaving me as a reader feeling that the once masterful narrative had lost its way.
The Plot Twists That Lost Their Way in "Attack on Titan"
“Shingeki no Kyojin" was always hailed for its intricate plot, but as the series progressed, especially post-time skip, the plot twists began to tread a path that felt not only incoherent but at times, utterly baffling.
Take Eren, for instance. The character development he underwent in the second part of the series felt disjointed and out of sync with the Eren we had come to understand. His decisions and actions seemed to diverge drastically from his established character. What was most jarring was the portrayal of adult Eren as someone hell-bent on destruction and massacre. This drastic shift was not only disturbing but also seemed to lack a solid narrative foundation. Then came the ending reveal, where it’s suggested that his diatribes about annihilation were part of a convoluted plan to ultimately get rid of the alien (which was introduced almost at the end of the series, but more on this further down) that made it possible for people to become Titans. This twist felt like an awkward attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable, leaving many of us more confused than satisfied.
Furthermore, the series introduced a plot device that appeared to attribute the root cause of the story’s events to an extraterrestrial origin. This sudden introduction of an otherworldly element felt like a leap too far, diverting from the show's established themes and narrative style. Even Naruto and Boruto did it better with the Ootsukis.
And then there's Mikasa's role in inspiring Ymir. This development felt random and unearned, almost as if Mikasa was chosen simply because she was a main character, rather than for any logical narrative reason. It didn’t resonate well with the overarching storyline and felt like a forced connection, diminishing the impact of what could have been a powerful plot point. Not to mention that they never explain it in any shape or form. Mikasa loved Eren and Ymir loved the king. So what? A lot of people love a lot of people.
In sum, these twists and turns, rather than adding depth or excitement, only served to muddy the waters of what was once a clear and engaging plot.
The Unraveling of "Attack on Titan": A Disjointed Finale
As "Attack on Titan" drew to its close, I, like many fans, had high expectations for a coherent and satisfying ending. Unfortunately, what unfolded felt, again, disjointed and, in many ways, betrayed the essence of the series. This has become common in Shonen mangas, though. Naruto, Bleach, and Kimetsu no Yaiba are other examples of this phenomenon (****Crosses fingers with One Piece****).
The most glaring issue was the final characterization of Eren. Throughout the series, Eren had been portrayed as fiercely determined to eliminate the mindless Titans, the apparent scourge of humanity. His abrupt decision to exterminate humanity itself was not only shocking but also deeply incongruous with the character we'd been following. This radical shift in motivation lacked a logical narrative bridge, making it feel forced and unauthentic.
Moreover, the attempt to explain Eren's actions as a means to eradicate the Titans by killing the alien source of the Titans came across as an afterthought. This plot device didn't convincingly tie together the events leading up to this revelation. It seemed like an oversimplified solution to a complex web of issues the series had woven, leaving more questions than answers. Isayama really pulled this one out of his you know where.
Eren's final conversation with Armin further compounded this narrative dissonance. Their exchange, meant to be poignant, instead came across as out of character, particularly for Eren. It contradicted his previously shown resolve and persona, making it hard to reconcile with his earlier actions.
Additionally, the revelation that Eren had foreknowledge of future events was introduced abruptly, without sufficient groundwork laid in the earlier parts of the series. At no point in the beginning of the series is it hinted that Eren knew the future after inheriting the Attack Titan. There were even moments where he genuinely believed he was going to die. Moreover, he took no action against Bertholdt and/or Reiner before they revealed themselves as the Armored and Colossal Titans. This lack of foreshadowing made the revelation feel more like a convenient plot device than a thoughtfully planned element of the story.
In essence, the ending of "Attack on Titan" felt like a departure from the series' established storytelling standards. It left many of us feeling disconnected from a narrative that we had invested in so deeply.
As "Attack on Titan" concludes, we're left pondering the thin line between genius and chaos in storytelling. While the series' end might not have met all expectations, it certainly sparked conversations and debates, forever marking its place in the pantheon of memorable, if contentious, anime narratives.
