Animecloud

Attack on Titan Small and tasty is never a good combination to be, but it’s exactly the position humanity finds itself in, living for a century of tenuous peace behind walls that protect them from the Titans. As their name implies, these horrific beasts tower over meagre humans, and their taste for flesh keeps them constantly knocking on the doorstep. One fateful day, they finally breach the kingdom walls and engage in a merciless snack attack, sending young Eren and his friends fleeing for their lives. They resolve to take back the last bastion of society that was stolen from them that day, and years later, they enlist in the military and begin their mission in earnest. Attack on Titan can be taken in a myriad of ways, whether you would prefer to just enjoy it for the literal interpretation — fightin’ some nasty monsters with excellent teeth — or if you read into it as an allegory for youths rising against oppression. Its subtext is definitely worth exploring, and the sense of hope in a dire world leaps from the screen, contrasting a muted colour scheme against lively, vibrant characters. Seriously, though, the Titans do have really good teeth and that’s probably the most troubling aspect of all.

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Seraph of the End If it isn’t a catastrophic mishap or enormous naked boogeymen destined to cause the downfall of humanity, a virus is surely just as likely. In this case, it’s a man-made virus that kills swiftly, infecting anyone over the age of thirteen. To compound matters, an army of vampires arrives on the scene to “rescue” the children that remain, effectively turning them into livestock as they live out a dreary existence. Orphans Yuichiro and Mikaela have grown up in this prison for four years and decide that it’s time to take matters into their own hands, gathering their siblings and making a break towards freedom. Little do they know, there’s an uprising brewing on the outside, and it could be their chance to reclaim the world. It’s time for the vampires to shed blood for a change! …They don’t actually say that, but they’re probably thinking something similar. This anime is frequently harrowing, and right from the start, it is incredibly bleak, but that’s what makes it so gripping. You’ll soon learn to hate the vampires just as much as the protagonists do, and your investment in this war compels you to keep on watching. It does have moments of levity, so it’s not all doom and gloom. Maybe have a few tissues handy anyway.

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