Attack on Titan, Vol. 1 by Hajime Isayama and Sheldon Drzka

In this post-apocalytpic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what's left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 50-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything.

Story
I knew I'd enjoy the story coming into it, because I watched this anime already. I decided to check out the manga because the series ended in a terrible place and there is currently no plans for another series/second season.

There wasn't really anything I didn't know from this book. The first two stories or line up with the first few episodes of the show. The manga skips over most/all of the training however. I'm not sure if the people who did the show added all that in to give the characters more backstory, or if they pulled that stuff in from flashbacks in later volumes of the manga.

As someone who watched the show first, I might be filling in blanks and details in my head that someone who hasn't watched won't have. In a way it's almost like a re-read for me, even though I haven't done the manga before.

This volume ends in a terrible spot, and I'd be dying for the next book if I didn't already know what happens next.

Despite no real surprises I enjoyed the manga almost as much as I did the anime and plan to continue reading it as I can get copies from my library.

Artwork
I haven't read much manga, and what I did was back in college. It's hard for me to give a real good opinion on the art as someone who is better read in the stuff. I thought it was pretty good until the action sequences.

Those just appear to be a blur of lines that make it difficult to know what's going on. Coming from the anime which I think has absolutely fantastic animation, seeing the action in this way was hard to follow and not very impressive. You don't get a feel for how cool the 3d maneuvering gear really is from.

The titans themselves look good when captured in a pose, but again not so much when he's trying portray them in rapid motion.

I thought the artwork for the dialogue parts was fine though, making it rather uneven.

Was not a fan of the manga but I'm excited to try out the anime.

Well, that was horrific to read. I mean, I've watched some clips of the anime on YouTube. You know, like those Watch Mojo Top 10 Anime Deaths videos? I watched when I was new to anime and didn't used to read manga, so there was no skin in the game. It was disturbing back then; however, I found reading it worse. I'm in for a world of hurt going forward right?

4.6

Wow just woooooooow! I have no words for this manga. I started reading this while watching the anime and the similarities are very on point. It's a new take on the usual mangas that are being released out there. Hands down for this one!