A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Positive Messages
a little
There are clear demonstrations of courage and teamwork, but much of the content is violent and disturbing enough that it nearly drowns out these more positive themes. Self-reliance and fortitude are important to this tale of Davids fighting scary Goliaths. While the lead characters are fighting for the greater good, their motivations are frequently revenge-based.
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Positive Role Models
a little
The main characters are a mixed bag of positive and negative qualities. Eren is hotheaded and impulsive, but he does exhibit positive qualities, such as loyalty to his friends and family and bravery in his quest to fight for freedom. Mikasa is an incredibly capable warrior, compartmentalizing her emotions effectively and resorting to violence only when necessary. Her presence can be somewhat menacing to other characters. Initially cowardly, Armin evolves in the series to become an important figure in the battle against the Titans, using his intelligence to bolster their offensive strategy.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
In the first episode, Eren's mother is gleefully bitten in two by one of the titular "Titans." Grisly scenes of death and dismemberment are present: brutal beatings, flying teeth, and lots of blood. Though the consequences of violence (both from the Titans and the human military offense) are shown, this does little to mitigate the way the series revels in the shock value of its gore.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
The show is far from sexual, with little to no innuendo, flirting, or kissing. Nonsexual nudity is present, however, as the male and female Titans are naked. The creatures are unable to reproduce, as they lack reproductive organs, and their bodies resemble undressed Barbie dolls.
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Language
a lot
Some occasional instances of "f--k" and "s--t" are present in the subtitles, but more often language such as "ass" and insults such as "idiot" are employed.
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Products & Purchases
very little
Attack on Titan has a relatively small number of products associated with it, including a live-action movie, several video games, and a few books, which include the manga (Japanese comics) series the show was based on.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Attack on Titan is a violent and brutal entry in the anime genre not suited for children, tweens, or some younger teenagers. The scenes of battle are particularly intense: People lose limbs and heads and are swallowed by naked giants known as "Titans." Even off the battlefield, savage beatings and murder take place. Ethically the story is challenging, and even the more redeeming characters engage in extreme violence and threats. The storyline contains some surprises and even political intrigue, but make no mistake: The real draw is graphically violent, if well-animated, fight scenes.
What's the Story?
ATTACK ON TITAN is set in a city surrounded by a series of circular walls. These offer protection from the Titans, murderous giants who nearly consumed the human race 100 years ago. "Consumed" should be taken literally here; these Titans get their kicks from eating people, either whole or in pieces. When the protective walls are breached, military corps spring into action to contain the threat. Three young friends, would-be heroes of varying abilities, are motivated to enlist to fight against the Titans after witnessing their brutality firsthand. Their contributions will be vital in the battle to save humanity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence and plot. What would this show be like without fighting? How would its characters deal with conflict?
Main character Mikasa quickly becomes an important figure in the Survey Corps. Which qualities, aside from her skill as a fighter, make her such a successful soldier? How do those same qualities affect her personal friendships?
Armin may think himself a coward, but his loyalty to his friends trumps his perceived inferiority and pushes him to enlist. How can loyalty to friends both help and hinder our personal development?
