進撃の巨人// AoT Review:
Yes, took me awhile to finally dive into this cult fav. Finally did and I just have a lot to say so here’s a critical review that no one asked for.
“過去に囚われ、未来に誘導され”
ようこそ、残酷な希望なき世界へ。
Shingeki no Kyojin isn't afraid to get dark. It’s a brutal world where the lines between good and evil are constantly blurred. That's why I have to give credit to Hajime-sensei for tackling such mature themes. The exploration of the sins of the past and their impact on the present is undeniably powerful. The concept of self-punishment and generational burden in an enclosed world setting, while perhaps under-developed, draws a critical parallel to real-world historical cycles of violence.
But here's where the narrative falters for me: AoT focus on Eren narrows the scope of the story. We never truly see the world through other characters' eyes. The series elevates Titans to a near-mythological status solely based on bloodlines, neglecting the potential for a more nuanced exploration of political conflict. Imagine delving into the motivations and societal structures of Marley, or witnessing a more potent internal struggles for power within Paradis' government. It had potential but focusing on Eren essentially shuts this exploration.
What truly frustrates me is Eren's character development.
Eren Yeager's descent into villainy, while undeniably dramatic, felt like a missed opportunity. His motivations as an "angsty teen with future memories" lacked nuance, and his solution – the Rumbling – was a self-justified descent into violence. The world of AoT is meticulously crafted, rife with complex political machinations. Surely, with the power of the Founding Titan, Eren could have explored more strategic, (and to stick with dark fantasy theme) anti-heroic options. Negotiations, leveraging Paradis' hidden tech, or even the ethically dubious path of Zeke's euthanasia plan – all presented potentially more interesting narratives than the world-ending Rumbling. Perhaps, I was just… frustrated by the narrowness of everyone’s mind, each one a slave to their own problems.
Eren's journey, while tragic, felt like a downer ending to a series brimming with potential. The story does an excellent job of making you uncomfortable and angry, which is a testament to Isayama's storytelling. The setting, the world-making, and the themes are all incredible. But for me, the series falters by failing to break the cycle of violence through its protagonist. Letting the fans think is great, but with Eren's arc, there's a lingering sense of hopelessness that just doesn't resonate with me personally. Accepting the extreme choices that Eren made, that the Yaegerists fell into, and all the darkness and misery feels like a validation I refuse to give to real-life bad decisions made under the pressure of やむを得ない//“there’s no better way”.
Eren's character arc feels like a self-directed (自作自演) tragedy. His motivations are heavily influenced by his own premonitions, which limits his agency and makes him a pawn of his own fate. This deterministic approach to character development, while thought-provoking, ultimately feels unsatisfying.
Anyways, my opinion is my own and I admit that AoT successfully made me a critical fan and I appreciate the experience but as an avid, veteran anime-watcher, I just find it hard to fall in love with the series because I just can’t vibe with the characters 🥴🔫
