Shingeki no Kyojin (referred to as SnK from hereon out): you see it everywhere—conventions, online, the book store, etc. So, for those fortunate enough to have missed the hype train by a few years, here is a review to help you decide whether or not you want to get on. This may be a long review, so please, bear with me. There may be spoilers as well; they will be marked.
Story (70/100): What gets most interested is the story. In a world, set in what is presumed to be that of steampunk, is full of mysteries and horrors as the characters are caged in enormous walls that protect them from one enemy: the titans. Just a gist of what goes on mostly throughout the story. What I enjoy about the story is that it focuses on one enemy, unlike many other shows of the same genre, where they fight one enemy for three chapters, then move on into a power-up party.
However, the execution of this seemingly interesting plot is sadly, sub-par. Like many others, the first few episodes/chapters can be exciting, with the action and introduction of the world and characters. While I read reviews of people getting the shakes, crying, and covering their mouths in horror over the anime, I decided to read the manga—it seemed to be right up my alley. Sadly, it didn't deliver. My face was about as blank as a clean slate while reading, and it still is after over a half a hundred chapters.
SnK is an action-oriented, plot-driven story. A plot-driven story is as its name suggests: focusing on the plot moving forward, and toward the main goal. Characters can be given little light to shine in these kinds of stories. However, what this show does wrong is it tries to not only be plot-driven, but character-driven as well. Character-driven is when the story focuses more on the development of the characters in order to have you attached to them, you know, just in case something happens that will make you wish the author was dead. Isayama (the author) tries hard to focus on _both _ themes, and I applaud him for that. A good story has both, but it can also go wrong.
The story begins to go downhill after the "Clash of Titans" arc. It becomes very political-heavy—don't get me wrong—I love me some good Game of Thrones-style politics where humans are pitted against each other—but this just doesn't fit with this story. It is long, dragged out, and quite frankly, a bit boring. There are revelations, but some of them many fans may have already guessed in the the beginning.
Another thing I would like to finalize about the story is the mysteries—I love world-building mysteries. Where did the Titans come from? Are the natural? What are they? But when my then-7 year old brother could understand the mysteries you are putting on the table, something is off. Well, either that, or it may because he's gifted with intelligence and caught on early.
Character (60/100): The characters. Oh, the characters. I have been in so many arguments about the characters, its not even funny anymore. Cringe-worthy? Some. Archetypal? Some. Underdeveloped? Most of them.
The characters, without a doubt, are memorable. Not because of how good they are, but because of their names, and appearances.
The rest of the characters have been decently fleshed out, but more and more of them are becoming prominent, and are lacking in the development department big time.
Overall (60/100)Overall, it is decent story, but definitely doesn't deserve the hype its receiving. However, if you like a shounen that is a bit different in some areas, than this is the manga for you.
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