Attack on Titan: Good or overrated crap?

[Alcamonic]

Very lacking. It has a premise which screams "Look how bloody and serious this show can be! This might actually be a good show!" but then falls back on it's Shōnen training wheels with angsty protagonist and superpowers which (of course) scale with how angry and screamy he can become.

Seriously. Had this show not had the damn superpower it would've been A LOT better. All Shōnen is flooded with the crap, we didn't really need another one.

Edit: It has a very good opening the first 13 or so episodes though.

 

[SGT_Noobnuts]

But how do you feel about the show itself? I'm not disagreeing with your views on what something overrated is, but do you think that Attack on Titan deserves the praise and attention it gets? I know that the wedding proposal disguised as a unbiased forum post indicates my camp when it comes to the show.

I like it, a lot. I mean, do I like Madoka Magica and Gatchaman Crowds and Revolutionary Girl Utena and Code Geass and Evangelion and Bakemonogatari more? Yes, I do,

Oh cool, we have another fan of Crowds! I am a big fan of the show as well. It frankly needs more attention than it does now. Personally there are two kinds of anime that I like the most. Firstly are the shows that have a really good atmosphere that is constant through the majority of the episode or the series. For example most of Shinichiro Watanabe's works, Mushi-Shi, Berserk, Higurashi: When they cry and the original Fullmetal Alchemist at certain points. Secondly are the ones that fully embrace the idea of simple fun and ditch convoluted narratives and melodrama to just make a good, fun story that is clearly a project of passion. The most extremely obvious examples are Gurren Lagann, Space Dandy, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Kill la Kill.

I do agree on the standing of the broad appeal of Attack on Titan. It's popularity actually makes me kind of glad that so many people were actually watching and acknowledging a well crafted story but then I see disposable titles at best and offensively bad titles at work like Sword Art Online (bet you never saw that one coming) and.........*sigh* No Game No Life that have massive popularity makes me kind of sad.

Also, sorry NGNL and SAO fans for stepping on your toes but this show was obviously not for me

 

[Atmos Duality]

I've seen episodes 1-13.
It's entertaining schlock.

^That exactly.
I can't even begin to take it seriously and the scenes of attempted levity in the wake of, or during, horrific death (of which there is plenty) are so bizarre that I'd almost call it a black comedy.

I'll give it props, AoT is one of the few recent animes that doesn't make me immediately want to change the channel as it were. But at the same time, I can't really recommend it either.

It's just kinda there.

 

[dragonswarrior]

Guh, it was too grimdark for me. I don't mind grimness and impossible odds and whatnot, but don't have ALL your characters feel that nothing is ever going to turn out allright. Or the ones that do think things will turn out allright be idiots. You need at least a couple of reasonably sane folks believing in a better future to balance that shit out, even if they are eventually proven wrong.

 

[DaWaffledude]

I really can't find any overriding desire to watch the series, I get that people love the hell out of this series, but, it looks to me as though it's going to be really repetitive 'monster/titan of the week' bull shit.

It's nothing like that at all. Most of the Titans are generic (if still very deadly) types, and the few special ones are most certainly not resolved with in one episode. Trust me, if there's on thing AoT isn't, it's predictable.

 

[matrix3509]

While I like the first season well enough, I spoiled myself and started reading the manga, now that I'm caught up, without wishing to spoil, I was not very impressed with where it goes.

 

[Valkrex]

I very much enjoyed this show, and come on OP. NO need to deal in absolutes, and just because something is overrated doesn't make it crap.

The main problems I had were the occasional excessively long monologue and some flashbacks that, while necessary for plot and character development, just dragged on for too freaking long. It can become frustrating and really take one out of the experience. That, plus one twist that was just telegraphed SO hard there was no way NOT to be able to predict it.

But then the action would start up again, and I'd be glued to my seat. What I REALLY liked was the emphasis on planning and strategy. They come up with some very interesting tactics that range from questionable to downright GENIUS. Then half the time it goes horribly horribly wrong, which really helps highlight the overall helplessness that the show is trying to convey. It really shows that no matter how smart, strong, or quick you are, it all just comes down to luck against a foe who has you outclassed in just about every way. Then when things DO go wrong, they actually try to LEARN from it and adapt for future encounters.

I mean the mobile scouting formation/flare thing is a stroke of genius.

I see a LOT of shows (I'M LOOKING AT YOU WALKING DEAD) where things go wrong because the main characters didn't have a plan for crisis situations, they fail to learn or adapt, STILL don't make a halfway decent plan for anything, and then wonder why everything goes wrong despite not even trying to get smarter.

 

[CelestDaer]

I really can't find any overriding desire to watch the series, I get that people love the hell out of this series, but, it looks to me as though it's going to be really repetitive 'monster/titan of the week' bull shit.

It's nothing like that at all. Most of the Titans are generic (if still very deadly) types, and the few special ones are most certainly not resolved with in one episode. Trust me, if there's on thing AoT isn't, it's predictable.

*shrug* It may very well not be, but everything I've seen of it leads me to believe it will be, and I just can't shake that feeling, so my desire to see it stays at 0. It also gives me a vague Evangelion feeling when I hear people talk about it. And I absolutely hate how overblown Evangelion is. "It has religious symbolism!" "It has awesome giant mechs!" It has..." "It has..."
It is, at its core, a study of how people react to apocalyptic scenarios, focused on one boy who could very well be the posterchild for tumblr, with glancing references to religion at best. Oh, that one's named Azazel? Congratulations... what does that have to do with Shinji? Why is Gendo looking to revive... is it Eve? No, that's not it...Um, crap...Lilith! There's just so much of Evangelion that feels like it was underexplained. And while I'm okay with not explaining the hell out of everything, there's too much that was touched on and forgotten. And that's what I expect Titan to be as well.

 

[Valkrex]

Also, one thing. Saying that no one important dies in this show is just dumb.

Spoiler

I mean come on. Squad Levi, which contains the best of the best of the best, and has very likable characters that stick around for a significant amount of time, gets wiped off the map in the span of ten minutes. We meet Petra Ral, Oluo Bozado, Eld Jinn and Gunther Schultz, all characters that kick ass and that I really liked, and then BOOM. Gone.

Go ahead and have your criticisms, just don't lie about things.

I really like it, but it doesn't hold a candle to shows like Kill la Kill or Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

 

[DaWaffledude]

I really can't find any overriding desire to watch the series, I get that people love the hell out of this series, but, it looks to me as though it's going to be really repetitive 'monster/titan of the week' bull shit.

It's nothing like that at all. Most of the Titans are generic (if still very deadly) types, and the few special ones are most certainly not resolved with in one episode. Trust me, if there's on thing AoT isn't, it's predictable.

*shrug* It may very well not be, but everything I've seen of it leads me to believe it will be, and I just can't shake that feeling, so my desire to see it stays at 0. It also gives me a vague Evangelion feeling when I hear people talk about it. And I absolutely hate how overblown Evangelion is. "It has religious symbolism!" "It has awesome giant mechs!" It has..." "It has..."
It is, at its core, a study of how people react to apocalyptic scenarios, focused on one boy who could very well be the posterchild for tumblr, with glancing references to religion at best. Oh, that one's named Azazel? Congratulations... what does that have to do with Shinji? Why is Gendo looking to revive... is it Eve? No, that's not it...Um, crap...Lilith! There's just so much of Evangelion that feels like it was underexplained. And while I'm okay with not explaining the hell out of everything, there's too much that was touched on and forgotten. And that's what I expect Titan to be as well.

Unfortunately, I've never watched Evangelion, so I can't really compare the two. I will say that AoT doesn't have any overt religious symbolism (that I've noticed, anyway), and so far, everything in the plot seems to have some purpose or another. Granted, the show isn't over yet, so it could still disappoint, but it doesn't seem particularly more likely to than any other show.

 

[BarkBarker]

Hm, a kid talks shit throughout his entire childhood about how he is gonna kill all the titans, talks shit for YEARS and when faces one he gets wrecked, has a moment to reassure himself then gets limbs munched....I pissed myself laughing I swear to god.

And then what does he do? essentially kill himself saving the shitlord friend and I am dead on the floor in a pool of my own piss, I laughed so goddamn hard....then plot decided he has a special power that makes up for him being all smack no action....what a stupid plot!

I find much of the show really meh, the music was good but I find that hard to say about fucking rock/ choir epics, its not really a genre that goes BAD really. Characters were really uninteresting and the plot had holes in it...like why would anyone spend 100 years behind a wall with the apocalypse outside and do absolutely nothing to better their offences when shit hits the fan, which logic dictates it will EVENTUALLY......oh yeah! The best fighter they had god all moody when MC was thought to die and she was about to kick the bucket as well, which if not for magical plot powers would have ENDED the whole damn show cos humanity has nothing else but her really.

 

[bauke67]

Personally I really enjoyed watching it because the plot was pretty good, the premise original and I like the music.
One thing I especially liked about it was that the titans are actually gruesome to look at, which is something I haven't encountered often.
So yeah in my opinion definitely not overrated and can't wait for the next season.

 

[laggyteabag]

Considering that I cannot stand subbed anime, I have only watched the first 14 episodes, and the dub is really good if that is what you are into. I was initially pushed away by the amount of hype that surrounded it, and the name sounds pretty stupid too, but I found it to be a really good anime. The titans are a real threat and I found the action to be really good too, but if you are looking for a solely Titan vs Human experience, that is not what you are going to get (at least from what I have seen), so I was pretty irritated by that. The second half of the dub comes out in September, so I am definitely going to watch that.

 

[TheRookie8]

I've recently watched the English dubbed version, and it is quite good...or rather, it is decent and there hasn't been much else that has piqued my interest.

It has a nice art style, quirky characters, and interesting premise, and despite the monsters being a tad odd-looking, the threat comes across well-enough.

I can't say that I'm a fan of the main male leads, but I do enjoy the characters of Mikasa, Levi, and Jean.

...but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the Abridged Version more.

 

[gagagaga]

It's pretty decent. It has less overt anime trappings, so it can draw in a broader audience than most shows out there. Still very much an anime under the surface.

Also, "overrated" should be annihilated from everyone's vocabulary. It's not meaningful criticism, just "people like this more than I think they should, AND THAT MAKES ME ANGRY!".

 

[sneakypenguin]

I have a trial of hulu plus so i've been watching it and sword art online. AOT I want everyone to die cause they are all hella overdramatic and the bad guys make no sense to me. They have a giant ass weak spot screaming "hit me with a ranged weapon!" That and the animation to me sucks, I'm no expert but why are some scenes just a static page with a camera scrolling over it with voice overs, then hyper realistic bell ringing followed by muddy looking static images with minimal movement.

I've never been one to watch anime but if its one of the "highlights" of the genre consider me not entertained.

Nonsense characters check, plot holes check, EMOTIONS(seriously everyone is on the verge of tears90% of the time) check, random convenient NEXT LEVEL POWERUPS check.

Also 3d movement device.... In a 100 years thats your best way to take out a titan an overly complex device that is pretty ineffectual and deadly to its user...

EDIT: forgot the massive pacing issues with it. The first 5 minutes are recaps and sometimes it takes half an episode an you realize nothing has actually progressed and when things finally start to move its all "to be continued" only to not really go anywhere or be glossed over.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

I have a trial of hulu plus so i've been watching it and sword art online. AOT I want everyone to die cause they are all hella overdramatic and the bad guys make no sense to me. They have a giant ass weak spot screaming "hit me with a ranged weapon!" That and the animation to me sucks, I'm no expert but why are some scenes just a static page with a camera scrolling over it with voice overs, then hyper realistic bell ringing followed by muddy looking static images with minimal movement.

I've never been one to watch anime but if its one of the "highlights" of the genre consider me not entertained.

Since you've raised the question, I'll answer it. No, most other anime don't run smack into unfinished scenes like Attack on Titan does. The only other anime I can think of that does this is Kill la Kill which, coincidentally, also came out in 2013.

These shows look this way for a combination of reasons. First, anime is very cheaply. Second, anime is made on an extremely rushed production schedule. People who are sensitive to these kinds of things (I'm not) can see the shortcuts in even the most lavish show. Second, both Attack on Titan were made by newly minted studios with little to no prior production experience, directed by people with experience at studios with high budgets and experienced teams. And it's worth pointing out that both, particularly AoT, have some absolutely fantastic animation sequences.

If you're curious about TV anime at its technical height, you should take a look at this season's Aldnoah.Zero. That show just shines.

Incidentally, how are you liking Sword Art Online?

P.S. The Attack on Titan universe has cannons which are used for fighting Titans, their firearms technology just isn't very advanced. They have a grapeshot which slows down Titans and a powerful but inaccurate cannonball, so they're secondary to soldiers armed with maneuver gear.

 

[Valkrex]

Also, one thing. Saying that no one important dies in this show is just dumb.

Spoiler

I mean come on. Squad Levi, which contains the best of the best of the best, and has very likable characters that stick around for a significant amount of time, gets wiped off the map in the span of ten minutes. We meet Petra Ral, Oluo Bozado, Eld Jinn and Gunther Schultz, all characters that kick ass and that I really liked, and then BOOM. Gone.

Go ahead and have your criticisms, just don't lie about things.

There's a difference between "important" characters and "main" characters. Important characters have some not insignificant impact on the plot, while main characters are the ones we're following as the plot unfolds. And, as far as I know, no one has said that no important characters have died in AoT, because a good amount of them have, some in the very first episode.

Spoiler

Levi Squad, while important to the plot and the overall theme of the show, aren't main characters. They exist pretty much to have an effect on the real main characters, to show how much of a threat the Female Titan is, and to subvert typical anime tropes like believing in others. Their likeability and limited development existed for the emotional impact of seeing such characters brutally slaughtered.

It's a great and powerful scene, but it's not the same as killing off one of the Trainees or Levi himself.

Okay that makes more sense, I guess I just misunderstood the argument. For whatever reason my brain registered it as "only faceless people died in this show" when that wasn't what was being said.

In other words: derp

 

[Gatx]

Its weird. The anime finishes part way into the story but from that point on it's still about fighting giant monsters. After that it turns into this weird political conspiracy thriller where they haven't fought a single titan for like over half a year.

 

[Avalanche91]

People who claim 'anyone can die' must have failed to notice the part where Eren turned out to be totally fine ánd get new spiffy powers. Yeah characters die, but the victims rarely get time to be established outside of their name and a dominant character trait. Most of the time they don't even get that.

Regardless, I think AoT is alright but incredibly overrated. Sure, I like to nitpick and bash it over its head with the dumber decisions but I hurt stories because I love them. It has created a very intriguing mystery (that probably wont have a satisfying pay-off) and it has some great scenes when the show focusses on the Titans and how to fight them. Unfortunately, it's been a while since we've seen a titan in the manga..... Wonder when that'll pick up the pace again.