Attack on Titan (literally translated as “Advancing Giants”) is a Japanese manga series, and now an anime, originally written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The story centers around the lives of Eren Yeager, his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their friend Armin Arlert, who live in a world where the remnants of the human population live inside cities surrounded by enormous walls due to the sudden appearance of the Titans, gigantic humanoid creatures who devour humans seemingly without reason. Their lives are changed forever after the appearance of a colossal Titan brings about the destruction of their home town and the death of Eren’s mother, spurring them to enter the army to battle the Titans themselves.
Well over a century ago, mankind’s worst nightmare mysteriously appeared — the Titans, giant humanoid creatures who appears to have no other goal than to kill humans. Standing at 3-15 meters in height, the Titans effortlessly slaughter mankind, pushing it to the brink of extinction. Desperate to save the last of humanity, the people flee and hid inside the protection of giant walls, trapped and cursed to remain there forever.
The humans enjoyed a brief time of peace inside the walls, so much so that some people even lived their whole lives without seeing a single Titan, and becoming accustomed to the cage they live in. But one day, after a deafening lightning strike outside the wall, the Colossal Titan appeared. It was far bigger than the other Titans, being able to peek beyond the enormous wall. It destroyed a part of the wall, allowing the smaller Titans to breach and enter the settlements, and rekindled the war between humans and titans anew.
The story follows Eren Jaeger, his foster sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their childhood friend Armin Arlert, who vowed to eradicate the Titans and free humanity by joining the Survey Corps, an elite team that ventures outside the protection of the walls with hopes of finding the Titan’s weakness.
Shingeki no Kyojin, also known as Attack on Titan, is an anime adaptation for the action manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. Produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G., the series aired a total of 26 episodes (plus 5 OVAs), starting from April 7, 2013 and is currently ongoing its second season. Due to its popularity, the series was also adapted for two live-action films and four video games. As of March 2017, the manga series has already 63 million copies in print.
Unlike most of the other action anime series today, Shingeki no Kyojin’s main characters are not predictably safe from death. They are always in the threat of being killed by Titans, sometimes even whole teams are slaughtered, which makes things more thrilling and interesting. The following will be short introductions to the characters, and some key information about them.
Eren Jaeger
Eren Jaeger is the main protagonist of the series. He is strong-willed and passionate, and has dreamed to roam the world free from the fear of Titans during his childhood. But after the Titans breached the walls and witnessing his mother being devoured by a Titan, Eren vowed to eradicate every single Titan that existed and joined the Survey Corps.
Mikasa Ackerman
Back when she was still a child, Mikasa Ackerman’s home was attacked by bandits. She lost both her mother and father, and was about to be taken away and sold before Eren arrives and kills the bandits. Since then, Mikasa always looked out for Eren, and even follows him when he decides to join the Survey Corps. During their training in the military, Mikasa has shown great physical prowess and mental fortitude, and eventually graduating top of their class.
Armin Arlert
Armin Arlert is Eren and Mikasa’s childhood friend. He has greatly influenced Eren’s desire to free humanity from the walls, after he showed him a book about the different places of the world. During their time in the military, Armin was the weakest in terms of physical strength, which greatly affected his confidence. But with the help of his studious nature, he contributed mostly to developing tactics and strategies used against the Titans.
Levi Ackerman
Once a member of underground thugs, Levi Ackerman became known to be humanity’s strongest soldier after being scouted by Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps. Similar to Mikasa, Levi is stoic and serious in nature. Despite being rude to people he does not like most of the time, he shows great respect to Erwin Smith and his view on the Titans. His skills in killing Titans is impeccable, even among the elite squad of the Survey Corps.
The main defense between Titans and the humans is the military, which is divided into three divisions: Military Police Brigade, Garrison, and Survey Corps. Due to the protection from the wall for over a century, most of the military grew lazy and corrupt.
Military Police Brigade
Only accepting the top 10 graduating trainees of every class, the Military Police Brigade is tasked to protect the king and other prominent citizens. Due to the nature of their work, those assigned to the Military Police usually enjoy abundant supplies and protection deep within the walls, which are the primary reason for their corruption and arrogance.
Garrison
Due to the high fatality rate of the Survey Corps and high requirements for entry of the Military Police Brigade, most graduating soldiers join the Garrison, and thus it is the largest of the military divisions. They are under the command of the Military Police Brigade, and is the main defensive force against the Titans. Other duties include maintenance, surveillance, and protection of the city walls.
Survey Corps
Known as the “hope of mankind”, the Survey Corps is responsible for operations outside the walls. In reality, they possess the most capable soldiers, usually those who lost their loved-ones and seek vengeance against the Titans. Tasked to reclaim or explore new lands, the Survey Corps is the most exposed division in terms of fighting Titans. They also have the highest fatality rate, often finishing their missions with few to no survivors.
Episode 1: To You, in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are introduced. The wall is breached by the Titans, killing most of the people, including Eren’s mother.
Episode 2: That Day: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 2
Most of the refugees are forced by the government to fight the Titans, due to overpopulation and food shortage.
Episode 3: A Dim Light Amid Despair: Humanity’s Comeback, Part 1
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin join the Trainee Corps, and more characters are introduced.
Episode 4: The Night of the Closing Ceremony: Humanity’s Comeback, Part 2
The Trainee Corps graduate and finish their training. The Colossal Titan reappears and destroys the gate, starting the second invasion of the Titans.
Episode 5: First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1
The battle to defend Trost commences. Without Mikasa around, Eren loses his left leg to a Titan, and most of his comrades are slaughtered.
Episode 6: The World the Girl Saw: The Struggle for Trost, Part 2
Mikasa’s backstory is revealed.
Episode 7: Small Blade: The Struggle for Trost, Part 3
The Rogue Titan appears to save Mikasa moments from death.
Episode 8: I Can Hear His Heartbeat: The Struggle for Trost, Part 4
Eren’s ability is introduced and was revealed as the Rogue Titan.
Episode 9: Whereabouts of His Left Arm: The Struggle for Trost, Part 5
Levi and some of his comrades arrive to protect Trost. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are cornered by soldiers, threatened to be killed after knowing about Eren’s ability.
Episode 10: Response: The Struggle for Trost, Part 6
Eren is saved by Pyxis, in exchange for his help in blocking the hole created by the Colossal Titan.
Episode 11: Idol: The Struggle for Trost, Part 7
The plan to cover the wall’s damage using the Rogue Titan commences.
Episode 12: Wound: The Struggle for Trost, Part 8
Eren regains control of his Titan state and proceed to carry the boulder to cover the damaged wall.
Episode 13: Primal Desire: The Struggle for Trost, Part 9
The hole is finally covered, and the military earns the chance to recover their fallen allies.
Episode 14: Can’t Look into His Eyes Yet: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 1
Eren is brought into military tribunal, and ends up being handed over to the Survey Corps.
Episode 15: Special Operations Squad: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 2
Levi’s elite Special Operations Squad is introduced. After the death of a Titan they have captured for experiments, they realize that the Titans are not their only enemies.
Episode 16: What Needs to be Done Now: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 3
The remaining survivors of Eren’s class are finally assigned to the different military divisions. The Survey Corps begin their 57th Expedition beyond the walls, with hopes to regain Shiganshina, Eren’s hometown.
Episode 17: Female Titan: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 1
The Female Titan appears and wipes the right flank of the expedition squad.
Episode 18: Forest of Giant Trees: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 2
The Female Titan continues its rampage, forcing the expedition team to retreat to the Forest of Giant Trees.
Episode 19: Bite: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 3
Erwin and his team organize a trap to catch the Female Titan.
Episode 20: Erwin Smith: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 4
The Female Titan is captured, but manages to escape by letting other Titans devour her body. It is revealed that there is a traitor within the team, who kills one of Levi’s team member.
Episode 21: Crushing Blow: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 5
The traitor retransforms as the Female Titan, and wipes Levi’s squad. Enraged, Eren transforms into the Rogue Titan and fights.
Episode 22: Defeated: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 6
The expedition team retreats back to the walls after disabling the Female Titan with Mikasa’s help. En route to the walls, they are chased by Titans forcing them to dump the bodies of their fallen comrades to act as bait.
Episode 23: Smile: Assault on Stohess, Part 1
Annie is revealed to be the Female Titan.
Episode 24: Mercy: Assault on Stohess, Part 2
Barely having recovered, Eren transforms as the Rogue Titan to fight the Female Titan inside the walls.
Episode 25: Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3
Eren successfully defeats Annie after an intense combat, but Annie’s human form becomes encased in a protective crystal.