Though it finished in 2023, many anime fans still consider Attack on Titan one of the best series of recent years. Its decade-long run featured complex characters, rich backstories, and a shocking mystery that has left a lasting impact on anime culture. However, like any great story, it wasn’t without its imperfections.
Now that fans have had time to process the entirety of Attack on Titan, rewatching certain parts can be difficult. This list highlights eight major problems viewers have pointed out, and explains why, despite its popularity, the series might not be the best choice for first-time anime watchers.
Many Character Choices in Attack on Titan Were Controversial
I’ve noticed that while characters like Levi Ackerman are hugely popular with fans – people really love his tough exterior and hidden kindness – not everyone gets that same enthusiastic reception. Sometimes, characters end up disliked through no fault of their own, simply because of the story choices made for them, and those choices have sparked controversy. A good example is Gabi Braun. She was introduced, and almost immediately, a very beloved character was killed off, which understandably upset a lot of people.
Eren Yeager’s choice to initiate the Rumbling sparked intense debate among viewers. Some saw it as a terrible but unavoidable act, while others felt it completely betrayed everything he stood for. Similarly, Erwin Smith’s risky decision to lead his troops into a likely fatal battle against the Beast Titan was highly divisive, ultimately failing to capture Zeke Yeager.
Attack on Titan’s World-Building Outside The Walls Missed Its Mark
In the beginning of Attack on Titan‘s first season, Eren, Armin Arlert, and Mikasa Ackerman were fascinated by the world beyond the walls. Armin’s book was full of information about what lay outside, creating a sense of excitement for viewers eager to see them explore it. But when they finally ventured beyond the walls, it turned out to be just a way to move the story toward its ultimate conclusion.
The series underwent a major change in focus, prioritizing Eren’s survival and his Titan abilities. The world beyond the walls became more of a war zone than a place to discover, and one conflict quickly followed another, creating a sense of confinement instead of expansion. Although the plot progressed and key story elements moved forward, the vast world outside the walls felt underutilized and lost much of its initial promise.
Attack on Titan’s Female Characters Felt One-Dimensional
Characters like Mikasa, Annie Leonhart, Hange Zoë, and Sasha Braus all played important parts in the story and had memorable moments. Annie’s reveal as the Female Titan and Sasha’s heroic rescue of a child are just two examples of the female characters’ impactful scenes. However, some viewers feel these characters often lack depth and complexity in their writing.
Mikasa, though a skilled and powerful fighter, is deeply affected by her devotion to Eren. Annie is a talented spy with the Female Titan ability, but spends much of the story limited in her actions, eventually focusing on her relationship with her father. Historia is thrust into the difficult role of royal heir, but becomes less central to the plot as the story progresses. Overall, the female characters felt underdeveloped compared to the male characters.
Attack on Titan’s Over-Reliance on Shock Value
Although Attack on Titan is known for its giant, man-eating creatures, the creator, Isayama, quickly realized the importance of focusing on the characters’ feelings. The story often followed a pattern: a major event would occur, the characters would respond and make plans, and then the quiet moments afterward would highlight the impact of the event on their lives. However, as the series went on, it relied more and more on shocking twists, which ultimately didn’t resonate as well with viewers.
A relentless series of disasters numbs the audience, lessening the impact of each individual event. The story dwells on disturbing imagery – from a child’s traumatic experience with dogs to frequent scenes of violence and dismemberment – all used to drive the plot forward. Rare moments of calm offer little respite, leaving viewers overwhelmed and unable to fully process the constant stream of shocking events.
Attack on Titan’s Slow Pacing Forced Several Key Points to Be Rushed
It’s common for anime series to start slowly, but the first season of Attack on Titan had a particularly slow stretch. While this slower pace was needed to establish the story and set up future events, many viewers found the shift from fast-paced action to a much slower tempo frustrating.
As a huge fan, I have to admit that sometimes, especially in later seasons, Attack on Titan felt like it was dragging. There’s so much amazing story and action packed into the manga, and with a limited number of episodes, it was frustrating waiting for things to really move forward. When the anime finally reached the ending, it felt rushed – important details and character moments were skimmed over just to wrap things up. It was a bit disappointing to see such a great story feel so hurried at the finish line.
Some Deaths in Attack on Titan Felt Forced
From the beginning, Attack on Titan suggested many characters would die – the first episode immediately killed Eren’s mother, and a later fake-out death emphasized that no one was safe. However, as the series progressed, the main characters seemed surprisingly well-protected, creating a feeling that they wouldn’t actually be in danger. While the show featured plenty of deaths to build suspense, viewers eventually noticed that some felt more meaningful than others.
Miche Zacharias was a capable leader, but his death mainly served to emphasize the terrifying power of the Beast Titan. Ymir’s death happened off-screen, though her final actions and a letter to Historia strongly suggested what occurred. Many viewers felt Sasha’s death – a single gunshot wound delivered by Gabi – was particularly contrived. And while moving and selfless, Hange’s death seemed primarily intended to create a moment for Armin to step up as a leader.
Attack on Titan’s Art Change Following the Move From Wit Studio to MAPPA Was Controversial
The first three seasons of the series were remarkable for their attention to detail, even with a simple art style. Every line was carefully crafted, and small touches – like expressive eyes and shocked reactions – powerfully conveyed the characters’ despair. Sadly, the studio wasn’t able to finish the series, as the final season of Attack on Titan was given to MAPPA.
Season 4 took a much darker turn visually, which suited MAPPA’s style, but the sudden shift was surprising for many viewers. Some felt the character designs were simpler, the Titans didn’t look as impressive, and the season felt faster-paced and less detailed. However, it’s important to remember MAPPA had a very tight deadline – only months to finish the entire season and the accompanying movie. Considering Wit Studio had years to create the first three seasons, it’s perhaps unfair to judge MAPPA too harshly.
Hajime Isayama Regretted The Ending of Attack on Titan
The most significant and widely discussed issue with the story is Eren’s plan. It unfolded with the Rumbling, unleashing a massive wave of Colossal Titans that destroyed everything in their path. While it was disheartening to see Eren shift from wanting to eliminate Titans to using them to destroy humanity, his actions felt understandable given his goals. Ultimately, Eren was getting closer to achieving his idea of freedom, no matter the price.
Towards the end of the series, Eren and Armin have a revealing conversation where Eren explains his reasons for starting the Rumbling. During this conversation, Eren admits to Armin that his motivation is, in part, to ensure Mikasa will always remember him and that he wants to be the only person she ever loves. This confession felt out of place given the gravity of the Rumbling and is considered one of the biggest writing flaws in the story.
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2026-05-06 18:41