For this weeks blog post I’m writing about something completely out of my comfort zone. When I was in middle school I hung out with a group of friends who were all pretty big fans of the Japanese manga, or anime, series Attack on Titan. I never shared the same love for anime they had, but they did manage to get me hooked on this TV series. At the time the show was available on Netflix in Japanese and with English subtitles. I recently learned that the show is available on other streaming sites dubbed in English, but even after learning this I think I’d still prefer to watch the subtitled version. Watching this was my first experience branching out and watching media pertaining to cultural experience completely parallel to me.
To briefly describe the plot- Humanity lives inside enormous walls that protect them from Titans, massive human-like creatures that devour humans on sight. The story revolves around the main character, Eren, his family and friends, and the devastation they endure when the Titans invade their community. The show allows the viewer to see from each character’s perspective which enhances the story so much more. Each character is unique in their own way and plays a different role. For example, Eren enlists in the military following the dramatic incident. This plot decision allows the viewers to see the scenario from a political point of view as they utilize military tactics to defeat Titans. The visual experience this show is portrayed through Anime, which is the Japanese term for animation. This animation style is usually characterized by colorful graphics, vibrant characters, and fantasy-based themes. The visual experience this show provides is another universe in comparison to what I’d regularly watch on a day to day basis.
