Attack on Titan: The Manga vs. Anime - What Changed?

Fans of Attack on Titan have two incredible forms of entertainment available!

It’s a world where humanity lives within massive walls to keep themselves safe! There’s only one problem: giant human-like beings known as Titans are trying to break into those walls! The series takes on the struggles, victories and tragic loss as Eren Yeager tries to discover all of the secrets around his world!

The Differences Between Manga and Anime

But it gets even more interesting for the biggest fans. You see, there were several key choices that Hajime Isayama (the series’ creator) made that changed a great deal about the show’s narrative!

Isayama had a great opportunity when the manga was turned into an Anime! He had a lot to say about the look, direction, and even the big events! This is just one of many shows where the original artist was given creative control and got to work with the animation team to create a totally new kind of show!

Even though both the anime and manga are well known for giving fans the most satisfying, heart-wrenching and tragic elements. Some big moments were a little bit lighter, or maybe even better depending on which side of the story you stand! Isayama seemed to be aiming for an emotional, yet still satisfying story. He even went on record saying, he wanted to satisfy the audience. He might have felt like fans would have a slightly more emotional experience through Anime and gave a new twist and some subtle changes in his anime! That meant there were going to be quite a few changes and new events in this epic show!

Also Read: Attack on Titan Cosplay: Eren Yeager's Epic Transformation

Annie-The Female Titan, A Twist On Things

Armin Ymir and Mikasa from Attack on Titan Image

Fans who have watched the show or have read the manga, may know that Annie Leonhart, has this amazing and somewhat secretive side that makes her even more interesting. If you're unsure who this character is, well, you might have seen the series and it didn't entirely add up until a few episodes into the show! The real twist? Annie was the "Female Titan!", a force of power! This ability to transform into a Titan had lots of hidden potential that made the story even more suspenseful!

To get back to those changes, Isayama thought this would make her a more sinister character, with a darker and more mysterious touch. There's an element of madness as Annie is able to bring these insane powers. Her transformation became a really great moment, especially for those watching the show as Annie had been acting calm and friendly but really she's had a huge evil under her belt all this time!

Also Read: Attack on Titan: More Than Just Titans - A Realistic Portrayal of War

Who Re-cognized Eren First- A Major Change In Attack on Titan

Eren Yeager, Reiner Braun, and Annie Leonhart in a collage style image Attack on Titan Image

Fans were all super invested, and they have been hooked as Eren became a "Titan Shifter!" The character has made it a true action movie. This also caused a lot of big moments of mayhem and destruction!

What's amazing is how those powers get turned on, and then a heroic move comes as Eren takes his body inside a Titan. But then he gets his powers activated and this wild display begins.

Mikasa rushed in to get to him first, while in the manga, Armin is the one who does!

Why? Well, this was done on purpose to really bring attention to the great, close connection that Mikasa and Eren shared! Armin was also close! It might have just been to create an even stronger bond between Eren and Mikasa. We've seen a similar situation when Eren saved Armin earlier.

Also Read: Is This 'Female Titan' Cosplay the Perfect 'Attack on Titan' Live-Action?

Attack on Titan’s Violence, A Different Feel

Attack on Titan Eren putting Reiner in an arm bar in their titan forms Image

As fans, we’re all pretty well accustomed to how brutal and heart wrenching the Attack on Titan series can be. When those Titans come out it's a total tragedy, causing chaos, and loss, not only in the story. But it’s one that you often get lost in emotionally and feel like it's affecting those watching as well! For fans of the manga and anime, they got a completely different, dark and grim take!

Even more shocking is the scene that comes right in the beginning where Carla Yeager is eaten by "Smiling Titan!" It seems, the anime toned this down!

In the anime, Carla was eaten with very little attention! While in the manga, she's devoured in more gory detail, truly showing how powerful, scary, and overwhelming the Titans really were.

Why was it done like this?

The anime needed to reach a wider audience! While the manga was intended for a much smaller audience.

So if you think there is violence, it's truly remarkable!

Also Read: Attack on Titan Female Titan Cosplay is So Realistic, It's Scary!

New Characters:

Ymir Fritz, Mikasa Ackerman, and Annie Leonhart from Attack on Titan Image

Attack on Titan has this awesome ability, that just makes fans super invested in these compelling stories and characters.

Armin
Mikasa

Those who follow Eren Yeager as he travels through this incredible World are some of the best characters, with a fascinating arc that has everyone invested.

Sasha,
Connie,
Jean!

Their appearance was altered in the anime!

Fans are able to meet them earlier in the story, so it gives an opportunity to see their characters. Their talents and skills are recognized and it brings so much joy to those who love this show!
Their storylines become even more exciting because the anime brings the side characters into play at a earlier stage, as the series starts to take off.

A Look at Erwin’s Romance

Attack on Titan (2013) anime poster Image

One of the characters, with this short but memorable journey, is Commander Erwin! You can't forget that awesome moment! A scene where Erwin gives one of the greatest inspiring speeches. For fans it's a classic.

"Erwin, a commanding character is super respected for his commitment to the cause.
In the anime, Erwin had this "Marie", a romance and some heart for the man!

One of the most amazing aspects! Erwin shows how passionate, dedicated, and strong he is. Even though his life on the front lines really puts everything in a harsh light!

What made this more compelling was how "Nile Dok, who's one of those awesome characters and one who gave Erwin this crazy life, said they actually fell in love with the same woman. A situation where love turned into duty and sacrifice.

Eren's Rage Form

One of the awesome powers for fans to be excited about is Eren and how this character unleashes a power in an amazing battle against "Annie." He has this wild ability to transform. Fans, are always invested in how "Eren" takes his powers further as well! Isayama gave Eren, something more!

A new type of power!
"Rage Form" as it looks to be a way for Eren to have a visual expression of his immense anger and power. The animation added a special touch of intensity.
It was not a part of the manga.

The Meaning Behind Mikasa’s One-Word Motto

Mikasa, as you might know has Eren's back and is loyal, powerful, strong and always willing to help.

While fans love her amazing personality in both the anime and the manga. Fans can't overlook the way Isayama really changed Mikasa. While in the anime she became very limited! And she didn’t speak a great deal in this series, but what was she trying to convey? That she was going to say just “Eren?” Fans who know the manga will recognize that there was a bit of a change to her personality.

Fans felt it really made Mikasa a little bit more simplistic. In the manga she is known for giving so much! To her relationships. But that never seemed to quite be the case for fans who watched the anime and felt her one-word response didn’t quite convey the type of woman Mikasa is! Even more, fans have been praising how incredible this series was able to bring together these strong, awesome, and compelling female characters.

Historia’s Heartbreaking Speech

The Attack on Titan story is going to really take those viewers on a emotional roller coaster ride.

It’s full of tension, conflict, and hope, making these shows that fans love so much, especially how the series ends! That’s what made it such a unique adventure.

"Eren" brought destruction and mayhem, giving fans this intense heart-wrenching reality to digest.

There's also this final confrontation, where it brings about a true sacrifice of the character, leaving all those fans stunned and shocked! This really sets this anime apart. Eren’s decision that caused all of the issues is controversial, too, since so many died but his aim was to protect everyone, and he did so!
One key scene where it all came down was during a talk between Armin and Eren!

You know that the anime isn’t afraid to leave a few surprises for viewers, and the "Isayama" added some key elements, adding more detail to Armin's emotional struggle when Eren revealed just how far he was going to take things. For the series’ fans, there are those memorable lines to savor. Fans weren't sure why Armin would go through so many painful struggles while not fully confronting Eren's dark decision, but the show brings about a unique, refreshing change and provides the viewers a more intense experience for sure!

Eren and Armin’s Final Talk

For Attack on Titan it’s a story that uses time in incredible ways!

Time is such an important part.
Fans of "Attack on Titan," can see how they made it possible and so meaningful through time travel and information that changes what happens in the past!
There was even an incredible moment as "Eren" got to have these memories from his past
That’s why the show made a choice with the manga. In the very first panel they introduced a major, intense moment when Mikasa made the decision to sacrifice her love to take down a titan.

Fans get to see the start of a big adventure. As the show comes to a close, the final scene brings those together

The Attack on Titan Anime and Manga, A Global Hit

Attack on Titan was created by Hajime Isayama. This has given those who love manga, a huge adventure!

There are some really great story elements that fans have been following from the beginning.

What’s the premise? It is all about humans, living in Walls and defending themselves from gigantic Humanoids.

Fans around the World are always super into this show because it features a complex adventure where they're trying to solve all these mysteries.

What's amazing is how the popularity has grown even beyond just the series.

There's also a spinoff, that keeps bringing back characters
This story also has incredible movies
They have developed amazing video games, a whole selection of novels that will be super thrilling, and even live action films.

There’s a special time for everything, too!

"Attack on Titan" is a force to be reckoned with! If you haven't watched or read this, you will be blown away with the amount of entertainment you get to enjoy!