Jun 12, 2013
This is my very first review, so you should do well to take everything i say with a pinch of salt. I am also unfamiliar with the source material that it's been adapted from, meaning that my review will focus solely on the anime, and more specifically, on the very first ten episodes that have been aired thus far. So, without further ado, let's get to it.
"Shingeki No Kyojin", to me, felt like a breath of fresh air. In a time where most animes are undeserving of their notoriety, this series manages, for the most part, to practice what it preaches. In my experience, truly
...
good animes are not well-received by your everyday anime fanatic. Viewers who long for something more sophisticated, of more depth, and of more substance are quickly disregarded as pretentious snobs, hipsters or people who pretend to gravitate towards lesser known series because it paints them in a more enlightened light. While it's certainly true that such individuals exist, it's also equally true, i find, that the arguments that are otherwise valid when directed in their general direction are now being used to discredit the merit of any opinion that opposes the opinions of those who are content with mediocrity. Which is why it's refreshing to see that a show such as this one has garnered such interest, and gained popularity within all circles of anime enthusiasts.
The story is about humanity's struggle for survival, and their attempts to not only prevent their own extinction, but to possibly flourish once again. The show does a competent job at presenting the titan threat as legitimate, ever-present and capable of unleashing true horror. The despair feels very real, as the human inhabitants of this fictional world meet their ends in the most gruesome ways possible. While the gore, blood and semi-graphic nature of the series sometimes feels self-serving, and the carnage at some points is only present for the sake of inciting a reaction from the viewer, it mostly exists as a tool to plunge fear into the hearts of the protagonist and his comrades, discouraging them, and compelling them to shake in their boots with sheer, utter terror. This in turn provides said characters with the right amount of internal conflict, as the narrative forces them into constantly questioning their determination, and brakes their will, while taunting them to regain their composure. There's a certain intensity here that manages to do what it sets out to do: Giving the characters enough reasons to feel conflicted, and the viewer enough reason to care about their predicament.
Eren, in many ways, in your typical shounen hero. He's confident, sometimes cocky and his will trumps those of his peers. He lacks any astounding attributes, save for his undying determination to achieve his goal. In these aspects, he's a shounen archeype. However, what i liked about Eren was his anger. Most all shounen protagonists are infused with this quality, but their anger gets subdued at some point or another, which is supposed to further evolve the character, lending credence to the notion that anger is a hurdle that needs to be overcome. But not in Eren's case. There's one particular scene when his emotions get the better of him, and he has to be put in his place. But barring that scene, i fail to recall anything that would have hinted at him abandoning his rage. I liked that. I like that the protagonist taps into his anger, and channels it into something greater, giving it redemptive capability. The show realizes that Eren's anger is not innately bad, but it's how he'll use it that counts.
Side characters are also given a fair amount of attention, as they are put in the limelight, explored, meditated upon and are given a fair amount of screen time. Granted, this is more true of some characters than others.
The visuals are really impressive. Very flud, consistent and easy on the eyes. The art direction is to my liking, but that is more a matter of personal preference. Nothing else needs to be said in this department. It's awesome.
The music is highly enjoyable, and shares a great chemistry with the visual style. Great sound.
All in all, you should give "Shingeki No Kyojin" a shot. It stands out among most other popular works of it's kind, and is worthy of the benefit of your doubt, even if you have doubts about it. Give it a go.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
