Attack on Titan is written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, a Japanese manga artist. The manga series began as the first of Kodansha’s first-ever monthly publication, Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, released on September 9, 2009. The manga was finished after an eleven-year publication run with the release of Chapter 139 on April 9, 2021. Attack on Titan is recognized for the complicated storyline, compelling characters, and the theme of the story, which revolves around survival, freedom, and humanity in a world of great suffering world. It’s a dark fantasy anime and manga series in which humanity is on the brink of extinction, surrounded by giant humanoid monsters known as Titans. Humans were forced to live within three concentric walls for a century to protect themselves from the Titans, giant humanoid creatures that devour humans. However, the peace was destroyed once the Colossal and Armored Titans ambushed the wall, causing a blood bath and loss of territory. ‘Attack on Titan’ became one of the best-selling manga series of all time, with 140 million copies in circulation as of November 2023, according to Shonen magazine’s official Twitter account.  

Inside the ‘Attack on Titan’ World 

The story follows the main character, Eren Yeager, who watches his mother get eaten by a Titan and vows to exterminate the Titans after his hometown is destroyed, with Titans invading the area, eating any human in sight. With his desire for vengeance and freedom, Eren and his friends, Mikasa and Armin, join the Survey Corps, an elite military group, to fight the Titans and reclaim the world. Throughout the story’s progression, the story delves into the complex history of the Titans, the world’s political landscape, and the true nature of the conflict. Eren’s father, Grisha, later reveals Eren’s destiny to inherit the Attack on Titan and the founding of Titan. Later, Eren is devoured by a Titan, yet unexpectedly transforms into a Titan himself. This revelation marks a significant turning point, providing Eren with immense power and solidifying his role in humanity’s fight for survival, further complicating his journey, and adding a layer of responsibility and future consequences. After Eren went through his father’s basement, he learns about the world beyond the walls, the existence of Marley, and the true nature of the Titans, challenging his initial understanding of the conflict.

Eren Yeager: Hero to Villain of the Story 

Eren’s journey in Attack on Titan is a tragic descent from hero to a figure who embodies both heroism and villainy. His actions were driven to protect his world, eventually leading to widespread destruction and suffering, making him one of the most compelling and controversial characters in anime. Eren’s heroic phase was motivated by the loss of his mother, who was eaten alive by a smiling Titan, fueling his strong desire to eliminate all Titans. Driven by freedom for himself and his people, protectiveness towards his friends and the people of Paradise Island, he puts himself in harm’s way to defeat them.