Wondering is attack on titan based on WWII? If you’re curious about the history of Attack on Titan, read on to learn more about the manga and anime series that has captured the hearts of many. You might be surprised at how similar it is to World War II.
Attack on Titan is a Japanese supernatural action anime series that was released in April 2013. It is an adaptation of the manga series with the same name that was written and curated by Hajime Isayama.
It is a dystopian tale that follows the story of humans backed by a wall that protects them from Titans who can wreak havoc upon their world.
Is Attack on Titan Based on WWII?
WWII Influence on ‘Attack on Titan’
Since it is an adaptation, even before the show began, there was speculation about the savagery of Titans being compared with the Germanic imposition and loss of sovereignty.
The treatment of Eldians in the series could be alluded to the plight of Jews. The people belonging to the same lineage as the main characters were subjected to discriminatory treatment and sent to concentration camps.
The equation between the monstrous members and the Eldians is a representation of the oppressor and the oppressed.
The imagery of the holocaust made these claims even stronger. Even the soldiers in Marleyan military gesture their salute in a way that holds a striking resemblance to the Nazi salute.
The creator is trying to tread on a slippery path where on one hand he does not intend to be explicit about his political motives behind the series, but on the other, he also wants the audience to think about it from a certain perspective by providing necessary hints.
The fascism within the text has been boldly pointed out by fans on various social media platforms.
Historical Connections in Attck On Titan
Since its debut back in 2013, Attack on Titan has taken the global anime community by storm. Followers of the popular anime are constantly speculating and theorizing about the events featured in its story – with some claiming that it is based on a certain period of history.
This article will explore the historical roots of Attack on Titan, as well as its connections to WWII.
Attack on Titan is set in a world where a majority of humanity barricades itself from giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. The story follows Eren Yeager and his companions, as they fight to reclaim their freedom from the Titans.
While the show is fantasy in its genre, fans believe that it may be based on actual events that occurred throughout WWII.
For one, the walls of Attack on Titan are similar to the Maginot Line, which was a formidable barrier built in France to protect against German invasion during WWII.
This could be an intentional reference to the Maginot Line by the creators of the show. In addition, the storyline of Attack on Titan follows a similar pattern to the events of WWII – with an advancing enemy and a nation attempting to battle against an irrational aggressor that’s determined to take over their home.
The characters of Attack on Titan also display various traits that could be derived from those found in WWII.
For example, Erwin Smith and Zeke Yeager, two protagonists of the show, could be based on German commanders such as Erwin Rommel and Hermann Goering.
Similarly, there is a character named Mikasa Ackermann, who is an Ackermann tribal woman from South Africa, making her an analog for Nazi sympathizer, Hendrik Verwoerd.
The advances that the Survey Corps make in Attack on Titan, such as the use of 3D maneuver gear and airships, can also be seen in WW II, as the Germans advanced their air force with very similar tactics.
The similarities in events, characters and even devices, lead many to believe that Attack on Titan has direct links and is based on the events of World War II.
Overall, Attack on Titan has made many historical references and nods to WWII. Through the characters and the events in the show, it is clear to see that the anime was strongly inspired by the war, with most of its elements being very similar to those found in WWII.
From this, it is clear that Attack on Titan is far more than just an anime – it is a homage to the struggles of a generation and a representation of the power of a people’s will to succeed even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Eren’s Background
Eren Jaeger is the protagonist of the show and his backstory adds value to the premise of the first season and informs the audiences of the brutalities of Titans. He lived towards the southern side of Wall Maria in the Shiganshina District.
When he was young, the Armoured and Colossal titans managed to crack open a portion of the wall and a number of Titans were tempted to invade the world and destroy mankind that resided on the other side.
During the same time, Eren had to witness the traumatic event of his mother Carla Jaeger being killed and eaten by a smiling Titan. Eren was enraged by that incident and was driven to wage a war against them.
On the other hand, he was also driven by the ambition of being a part of the scout regiment. Carla was not in favour of his dreams because it was a dangerous choice for a profession.
During her death, Eren also came to terms with the fact that he lacked the strength and ability to defeat them and he had to work on himself for the same.
Things changed when Eren’s father Grisha gave him a key to the basement and instructed him to retake Wall Maria.
It was a ruse to inject him with a potion that turned him into a real Titan. The effect led him to eat his father turned him into a pure Titan and gave him the ultimate power.
It was revealed in the later seasons that Eren was originally responsible for his mother’s death. It was a sensitive decision that he was forced to take to protect Bertholdt.
He played a crucial role in turning the war against Titans in their favour and hence losing him would have changed the outcome. Therefore, Eren tricked the Smiling Titan i.e. Dina Yeager to eat his mother.
Grisha’s Mission
Grisha was an Eldian and was against feeling discriminated against because of the same. He believed that submission to this identity was the reason they were ill-treated. He became a doctor and built a life for himself.
Grisha was subjected to torture by the Marley government and taken to the Paradis island. He was turned into a giant and was left to wander across the landscape.
He survived that phase as he was backed by a mole in their organisation, referred to as ‘The Owl’, and received the powers of the Attack Titan. Then he pretended to have amnesia and was transferred from the city walls to the world inside.
There he met Carla and gave birth to Eren. The story began from this point, and it was already established that it is a tale of vengeance.
Function of Titans
Titans have similar appearance as humans, only differentiating in terms of their abnormal proportion of sizes of particular body parts.
They do not eat humans with any satiating intention, it is just an instinctual force that drives them to do it. They do not hunt animals or other forms of life.
They are mindless creatures who can be deceived strategically and show no signs of emotion. They can be considered as guards who assert power with their physical dominance. There is no particular way through which they communicate.
Since their activities and the reason behind it cannot be traced, they can be considered as unpredictable. They did not die when the walls went up, so their source of power may be attributed to things other than human flesh.
Does Attack on Titan’s relevance Amidst Political Turmoil?
The anime Attack On Titan has become an international phenomenon since its debut, captivating viewers around the globe with its dramatic story and art style.
Despite its seemingly distant, mythical narrative, its relevance to the political atmosphere of the world is uncanny. For many, it has served as an analog for pressing sociopolitical issues that have arisen in recent times.
But does Attack on Titan really draw its inspiration from modern-day issues, or does it relate to something more distant, such as World War Two?
There are certainly many comparisons to be made between Attack On Titan and WWII. The series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been decimated by the emergence of the monstrous Titans.
It’s easy to draw parallels to the horror of Nazi Germany and the catastrophic war it caused.
The grim, oppressive atmosphere of titan-infested walls and the totalitarian government of the stoic yet nasty King Karl Fritz can be seen as a comparison to the oppressive militaristic regime of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.
The fight of the Armed Forces against the Titans and the brutal deaths dealt by the humanoid monsters suggest a sense of fear and terror that was abundantly present during WWII.
However, recent events in the real world have proven that the events of this fictional world have more relevance to current sociopolitical affairs than to WWII.
Attack on Titan follows a group of characters as they fight not only the Titans, but against their own government and its oppressive class system.
With the rise of populism and nationalistic governments, the relevance of such themes in Attack on Titan have only become more apparent.
Questions of loyalty arise, as characters are forced to choose between their conscience and their duty to their superiors, and a sense of patriotism pervades when characters realize the importance of the freedom of their nation.
The relevance of Attack On Titan also extends beyond the political notions it explores, to that of human rights and endurance.
As characters face a never-ending onslaught of death and destruction, the importance of life and perseverance is explored in a way that has become even more pertinent in recent times.
The idea of standing up for what is right, even against all odds, is a seemingly lost concept at times, but can be seen manifesting itself in the continued existence of the human race and in the courage of characters within the series.
Overall, while Attack on Titan may at first glance appear to be a fantasy series, it’s unmistakable relevance to our own world is undeniable.
The series may not be based on WWII, but on more recent and pressing political happenings. The characters, story and atmosphere all serve as a powerful reflection of the world we live in and the issues of human rights and freedom that we still face today.
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