Is Attack On Titan Based On A True Story 2023

Is attack on titan based on a true story? Are you a fan of Attack On Titan? Do you want to know if the story is based on a true event? This article will answer all your questions.

‘Attack On Titan’ is a series based on a manga of the same name, adapted by Hajime Isayama and premiered on the 7th of April, 2013.

It captures the zeitgeist of the second world war period. This Japanese dark anime is peak fantasy television in the way that it has garnered fans from across the world. 

The basic plot follows protagonist Eren Jaeger, who, in a post-apocalyptic world, lives behind a ‘wall’ that protects his kind from the blood-thirsty Titans.

What follows is his adventures and battles, along with his friends, when the wall falls apart- destroying the city and leading to the death of his mother.

Yearning for vengeance, Eren joins a group of soldiers called the ‘Survey Corps’ who fight against the Titans. Peppered with origin stories, history, fight sequences and drama, ‘Attack On Titan’ is one of the most recommended anime series. 

• Related: Is Attack On Titan Based On WWII?
• Related: Attack On Titan Defending Armin Arlert

Is Attack On Titan Based On A True Story?

How Were Titans Created In Attack Of Titan?

How were titans created in Attack On Titan? It’s a question that has lingered in fans’ minds since the very first episode, and that question has been answered—albeit in a round-about way—in the anime, light novels, and manga.

To truly comprehend the origin story of the titans in Attack On Titan, one must dive deep into the history of the world itself.

In Attack On Titan, the titans are Lovecraftian gigantic humanoid creatures with an insatiable appetite for human flesh.

These creatures are said to have been created by “the gods” to punish humanity for their sins. The deities in question, however, remain a mystery to this day—and the way the titans were brought into existence is still a hotly-debated topic.

According to the light novel, a mysterious figure known as the “God of the Titans” descended from the heavens and created them from the earth in order to carry out the divine will.

The titans were said to be made from a mass of mud, clay, and other substances which were imbued with an even stranger force—the “Titan’s Fluid”.

This mysterious power is what grants the titans their immense strength and colossal size, and it is also what makes them so devastatingly dangerous.

Despite the fact that the exact process of how the titans were created remains unknown, one thing is clear: they were crafted with a specific purpose in mind.

The titans were made to act as a punishment for mankind’s sins, and they are a dark reminder that even the gods have their limits.

The titans are also said to act as a test of mankind’s strength and endurance in the face of overwhelming odds.

The titans in Attack On Titan have terrorized humanity for centuries, and the creatures have been used as a tool for control and power by the likes of the monarchy and the cult-like anti-human faction, the Titans of Libery.

The horrific origins of the titans, however, have always been a closely guarded secret—until now.

Although Attack On Titan is not based on a true story, its titans are still the stuff of nightmares. The origin story of the titans is steeped in mystery and fantasy, and the creatures have come to represent the very darkest elements of humanity.

These creatures may have been created to punish mankind—but they have become an integral part of this popular anime.

Is The Story True: Attack On Titan 

If you want a straightforward answer, then ‘No’, Attack On Titan is not based on a true story. The manga series is an entirely fictional story. 

Now, that said, like most series, movies and books, the creators derive inspiration from real life and true events.

While their influence is not big enough to sway the story or make it predictable in any way, one can still spot a character, setting, or premise which is reminiscent of the real world. 

In the case of Attack On Titan, walled-in, medieval cities of Europe, especially Germany, appear to be clear sites of inspiration.

German influences can be seen in terms of context – through architecture, timeline, and Holocaust references. The story is most likely set between the 1920s and 1950s, but this is speculation as well, but the affirmative kind. 

Paradis Island, through visual and geographical cues, however, appears to be loosely based on Madagascar in Africa.

The map looks like an upside-down map of Madagascar. SO many of the ‘location’ of the story is somewhere in southeast Africa.

World War II

Attack On Titan has sequences that are specifically implicative of the Holocaust and World War II. The creator has used a range of imagery that heavily borrows from real-life historical events to show power and subjugation. 

For instance, when Marleyan soldiers walk in, in the opening sequence, where the shot follows war zeppelins flying in the air and exploding bombs, it paints a very specific war-zone picture.

Moreover, Eldians wear armbands as an evocation of their identity, and they have a very specific style of saluting. Both these aspects remind one of the Nazi troop’s own salute. 

Intent and Inspiration 

While drawing inspiration from real life is something everyone does, the fans had a problem that was more moral in nature.

Concerns over normalization and justification of the Nazi idealogy was on top of the list. The creators were walking a tightrope in not clearly depicting if they were siding with the oppressor or the oppressed. 

However, with the advent of Season 4 of Attack On Titan, one thing became very very clear. While the creators unflinchingly used a war lexicon directly inspired by history, that was the extent of their association with it.

They sought to create a world that was familiar, so that the audience can relate to it, but also complex in ways that are extremely new to the viewers; the latter was masterfully achieved through fiction. 

The final season made this clear by demonizing the real enemy – a bigoted institution that discriminates against people based on race.

In this show, the show never condones or endorses that particular ideology or school of thought. It is empowering, in the way it announces a war – not against people – but against a system of beliefs that is fueled by hatred and idolatry. 

Other Cultural Markers 

Apart from World War 2, manga creator Hajime Isayama has other sources of inspiration too, which can be attributed to real-life cultural markers.

The creator explained that the wall for example, and the idea of being isolated within the wall, are reflective of Japanese culture. 

With the country being an island by itself, its physical borders have made sure Japan is comparatively cut off from the rest of the world.

And keeping in line with this, the Japanese people are believed to be a self-sustained, enclosed kind of crowd who mostly keep to themselves. So the wall represents a self-imposed as well as location-imposed isolation. 

So when the characters overcome this ‘Wall of Fear’, it becomes an aspect that is relatable to the viewers. It speaks to them, which increases the appeal of the show. 

There is also class politics within the wall, which is inspired by real life. In the plot, the last human settlement consists of 3 50-meter walls which differentiate and divide the population into their respective classes.

The rich and powerful have all 3 walls between themselves and the Titan; they have higher access to life and safety. The poor, on the other hand, are within eyeshot of the bloodthirsty Titan. 

What Is The Message Behind AOT?

The message behind Attack On Titan is one of resilience and hope. It is a story of oppressed people and their unstoppable drive to build a better future and end their suffering.

In the face of overwhelming odds, they commit to fighting for freedom and survival no matter what the cost. By standing together, banding together, and believing in each other, the humans in Attack On Titan are able to find strength in the face of adversity.

The story of Attack On Titan is a metaphor for the human experience and a reminder of the power of togetherness.

More than that, the characters face extreme amounts of pressure on a regular basis and must find the strength to go on, even when all hope seems lost.

This, in and of itself, is a strong message of courage and resilience, giving hope to all who seek to fight against injustice and create a better world.

The narrative of Attack On Titan echoes the struggle of those who are oppressed, and the bravery and determination of those who fight against systems of enslavement and prejudice.

Even though the world is frightening and unpredictable, the characters in Attack On Titan never lose sight of their hope.

This is a reminder to the viewer of the power of collective action and the importance of never giving up.

The story of Attack On Titan also focuses on the importance of altruism, kindness, and the power of compassion. Despite the harshness of the world, the characters in Attack On Titan exemplify the best in humanity, sacrificing themselves for one another, standing together, and supporting each other through their own journeys.

The message behind Attack on Titan is one of courage, resilience, and hope—qualities that can prevail even in the darkest of times.

The story of Attack on Titan is a reminder of what is possible when we stand together—channeling our collective strengths and hopes—and refusing to accept a future that looks dark and oppressive.

Ultimately, Attack on Titan is a story of the triumph of the human spirit, and it serves as an important reminder to us all to never give up, never stop fighting, and never stop having hope.