“On that day, humanity received a grim reminder.” These words uttered in the first episode of the “Attack on Titan” series immediately give a strong impression of what the series would be about. 

“Attack on Titan” has had a massive impact on popular culture. To even confine author Hajime Isayama’s masterpiece to one particular genre would be a disservice. The anime, which initially premiered in 2013, presents itself as a horror story and while straying from that still manages to be good all at the same time, and it’s good at doing all of them. 

The first thing that hits the viewer is its unique setting, a world where titans, who are giant humanoid creatures, hunt and kill humans, but are kept out by giant walls. One day they were breached out of nowhere and chaos ensues. This setup is seemingly standard and predictable  for a dystopian world. Over time the things you thought you knew in the show get revealed to be something else entirely, while still managing to keep the viewer engaged with the story. 

The characters make this show worth watching. Characters in this show have agency and logical motivations, but they still feel realistically connected to the politics and expansive lore of the series. The show puts particular focus on the main trio, Eren, Armin and Mikasa, as they maneuver through the dark world of “Attack on Titan.” 

Eren in particular is notable for his ferocity and desire for freedom that borders on insanity. The audience can feel the weight of the decisions that the characters make throughout, which makes them feel realistic.

The series always ponders the question, who is the true enemy? As the series progresses, alliances change, and the lines that previously delineated good and evil become so muddled that they aren’t even recognizable anymore.  

Despite the show’s setup, “Attack on Titan” is not just a show about the conflict between man and monster, but also about the brutality humans inflict on each other. With three-and-a-half seasons, “Attack On Titan” is available for streaming on services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.