Summary

  • Isayama's subtle hints and foreshadowing in Attack on Titan redefine anime storytelling, encouraging fans to question every detail for deeper analysis.
  • The non-linear narrative enhances the foreshadowing, allowing for organically emerging elements and predestined revelations to deepen viewer engagement.
  • Small, overlooked scenes hint at larger plot developments, creating a multi-layered experience that sets a new standard for anime storytelling.

hinted at future plot twists and, finally, the conclusion. Millions of fans did not notice these hints the first time they watched, but in hindsight, they become strikingly clear. This realization sent fans from all over to go back and rewatch the series to see what they may have missed.

Through symbolic imagery, character interactions, or seemingly insignificant scenes, Isayama manages to weave hints into the very fabric of his story, demonstrating a level of narrative foresight that is rare in anime. The careful placement of these elements and the non-linear narrative allowed for a captivating watch for both new and returning fans. It encourages a deeper analysis and appreciation of the anime’s complexity, redefining the way story crafting can be done.

Related
Attack On Titan's Creator Just Revealed The First Character Created For The Series, & It's Not Eren

Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan's creator, revealed that he developed one integral character even before Eren Jaeger, the protagonist.

7

Isayama’s Masterful Foreshadowing in Attack on Titan

The Series Kept Fans on Their Toes With Subtle Hints and Clever Details

Attack on Titan Featuring Levi, Eren, and Others Posing with weapons in front of gray door

Attack on Titan redefined anime storytelling by encouraging fans to question every detail and anticipate connections between seemingly small moments.

From the very first scene, images from Eren’s cryptic dream, Attack on Titan revealed a frightening foreshadow that would come into play in both the first episode and later seasons. However, this was only the tip of the iceberg as many subtle hints went unrecognized by fans, such as Eren having smoke rise from his head in episode three of season one. Many viewed this as a comical visual representation of Eren’s reeling from his initial inability to use ODM gear. However, as the story unfolded, it became clear that it was hinting to his titan-shifting ability.

Small scenes like this are littered throughout the anime, making the rewatch an experience that allows viewers to uncover multiple layers of meaning that Isayama planted in advance. This approach in Attack on Titan redefined anime storytelling by encouraging fans to question every detail and anticipate connections between seemingly small moments. The subtlety of these clues not only builds suspense but also deepens character arcs as earlier overlooked moments reveal their true significance in shaping the story’s ultimate direction.

Attack on Titan’s Non-Linear Storytelling Enriched the Overall Impact

The Story Jumps Forward and Back in Time

The foreshadowing in the anime was amplified by the complex and disted storytelling that Isayama created`. By interlinking past and future events, Attack on Titan allowed elements that were foreshadowed to emerge organically, creating a narrative that felt intricate and cohesive, such as when it was revealed that Eren could access past and future memories, leading to the realization that everything was predestined. These revelations deepened the viewers’ engagement and pulled fans deeper into the plot as pieces slowly came together.

This non-linear approach was a central narrative technique that Isayama planned long in advance, allowing him to take more liberties and impressively weave hints throughout the anime’s run. The complexity and overall beauty of the narrative threw the series onto its own pedestal, becoming an icon for new possibilities. Through the use of foreshadowing and non-linear perspectives, Attack on Titan effectively created a new standard for how anime can craft stories that encourage fans to continuously reinterpret and reanalyze the plot.

Your Rating

Attack On Titan
Release Date
2013 - 2023
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Matthew Mercer
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Josh Grelle

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Based on the manga, Attack on Titan is a dark-action fantasy series set in a world where humanity has been corralled into walled cities from fear of monstrous human-eating Titans that exist outside of them. When protagonist Eren Yeager's mother is killed in front of his eyes at a young age, his thirst for vengeance leads him to an elite group of soldiers created to fight back against the Titan menace.

Seasons
4
Main Genre
Action
Franchise
Attack on Titan
Production Company
Wit Studio, MAPPA