Attack on Titan's anime and manga have a few distinct differences that stand out more than other anime adaptations. Creator Hajime Isayama was involved with the anime adaptation of his popular manga. During production, Isayama made a lot of key changes to give the anime a different tone that he felt audiences would enjoy more. The most notable of these changes are found towards the end of the series, but there are plenty found throughout.

While there aren't any monumental changes between the two, the tone is much lighter in the anime and Isayama's choices reflect that. He got a lot of criticism from fans towards the end of the anime and wanted to deliver the project they were looking forward to. The end result is just as good as the manga, with a few key changes that give it a much more hopeful tone.

10 Annie's Reveal as the Female Titan

The Anime Adds a Maniacal Laugh

Annie Leonhart is a complicated character in Attack on Titan. She's usually left to herself, and when she's around her fellow Survey Corps , her sharp wit comes out on full display. Her reveal as Attack on Titan's Female Titan is a notable change between the manga and anime. In the manga, when she's finally caught by Eren and the rest of the Survey Corps, she quietly accepts her fate and transforms into the Female Titan.

Isayama wanted to give Annie a more villainous feel in the anime. When her identity as a Titan is revealed, she laughs maniacally before trying to transform, looking excited to take on the Survey Corps in battle. Isayama's goal worked as Annie looks and is perceived to be insane by her former comrades until she finally wakes up several years later.

9 Mikasa Recognizes Eren First

Armin Recognized Him in the Manga

Eren's first time transforming into a Titan was an overwhelming experience. He and the rest of the Scout Regiment were within the Walls fighting Titans. Armin was about to be eaten when Eren swapped places with his best friend, heading straight down a Titan's throat. Before he was digested in the stomach, he transformed into his Titan form for the first time. He pummeled several Titans before finally falling to exhaustion. While his Titan was on the ground, Mikasa recognized it was him.

She rushes over to Eren before anyone else. In the manga, Armin is the person to recognize Eren. Studio WIT might have made this change to create a stronger connection between Eren and Mikasa early in the series. It could have been done to balance out their relationships as well, as Eren had just saved Armin earlier and Mikasa needed to be involved somehow.

8 Anime Censors Violence

The Manga Is Even More Brutal

While the Attack on Titan anime is brutal, the manga is even more violent. It might be hard to believe in a series with Titans eating people whole, but the manga features its death and destruction in much more detail. One notable change is Eren's mother's death. In the anime, Carla Yeager was eaten by the Smiling Titan mostly off-screen. In the manga, each part of her death is given its own , highlighting just how weak humans are to the Titans.

The anime was made to reach a much wider audience than the manga, so it's not surprising that it wouldn't go into so much graphic detail. Even without detail, the Attack on Titan anime is more graphic than most. It's not afraid to show Eren use the Jaw Titan as a nutcracker to kill the War Hammer Titan, and it even animated Ramzi's death horrifically well too.

7 Introducing Connie, Jean, and Annie

The Side Characters Get More Time in the Anime

The side characters in Attack on Titan are so unique and interesting they their own Attack on titan spin-off series. Armin and Mikasa are introduced early to the series because they're Eren's closest friends, but it isn't until the trio s the military that the series introduces fan favorites like Sasha, Connie, and Jean. In the anime, each of the side characters gets their moment to shine. In the manga, their introduction is shown in flashbacks later in the series.

Isayama Studio WIT understood how popular the side characters in the series grew to become, so they decided to give a few important heroes a better introduction. It's a great decision that paid off in the end, as nobody complains about Connie getting more screen time. Jean and Sasha grow to become deeply connected to the series, so getting a chance to meet them earlier on was more than welcome.

6 Erwin's Love Interest

The 13th Scout Leader Could Have Had a Love Life

Commander Erwin wasn't in the series for long, but he made a huge impact while he was in it. His speech to the Scouts before they charge into certain death is one of the most inspirational moments in anime. In both the Attack on Titan anime and manga, Erwin is a gruff, no-nonsense leader who wants the best for his Scouts. In the manga, he had a love interest named Marie.

It's a small change that focuses the story a little more, but it's interesting to see that Erwin might've had a different path. In a conversation with Nile Dok, it's revealed that they once had their eyes on the same girl. Nile chose to work in the Police Brigade so he could be close to her, while Erwin chose to fight in the Scout Regiment. Erwin's dedication to his Scouts is seen even deeper in the manga, as he's willing to sacrifice love in order to gain humanity some ground.

5 Eren's Rage Form

Eren's Rage Was Given Form in the Anime

Eren's Rage Form against Annie was a quick addition to the anime. Eren's fight against Annie early in Attack on Titan is one of Eren's best, showcasing the new skills he's picked up as a Titan Shifter. When he's fighting the Female Titan in the anime, he gets so upset that his body sort of lights on fire. Titans normally emit a lot of steam while they're regenerating, and the Rage Form is similar to that heating and healing process. Eren is so angry that it's visible on his skin.

There isn't a rage form in the Attack on Titan manga. Eren's just as angry in his fight against his former comrade, but it isn't expressed visually. It's possible the anime wanted to highlight Eren's feelings while he was fighting someone he considered a friend not too long ago. It's a cool change that unfortunately doesn't come back again.

4 Mikasa Only Says "Eren"

She Has More Character in the Manga

Most of the changes between the Attack on Titan manga and anime are small or inconsequential enough to not be impactful to the series. One of the few disappointing changes is in Mikasa's character. In the manga, she's smart, clever, and always willing to help out. While she's still a good friend and a strong soldier in the anime, she never says more than one word: "Eren". She says it when she's concerned, when she's happy, and even when she's in the middle of a fight.

In the manga, she uses far more complete sentences to convey her feelings. The anime reduces her character to a lovable puppy that doesn't do much more than follow Eren around. It's an underwhelming change that doesn't give Mikasa the screen time she deserves. At least the manga lets her express herself with more than a single word.

3 Historia's Speech

Isayama Wanted a More Hopeful Ending

One of the biggest and most important changes between the Attack on Titan anime and manga is the theme and tone of the ending. The ending itself is the same, with Eren completing the Rumbling and killing 80% of the world's population, forcing his friends to kill him. In the manga, Historia is less than optimistic that peace is close. She tells her people that "This fight will not end until either Eldia or the world disappears. That is what Eren said, and perhaps he was right."

It's a dark speech that doesn't leave much room for hope. Isayama changes this in the anime by having Historia say that "This isn't the life he'd want for us!", referring to Eren's wishes. It's a much more hopeful ending that makes Historia look kinder and portrays Eren in a much better light at the same time.

2 "See You Later... Eren"

The Very First in the Manga

Attack on Titan and time are deeply interconnected. It's a series where time travel and knowledge floating through time are key concepts from the beginning. The very first of the Attack on Titan manga was also the last. It featured Mikasa saying goodbye to her long-time friend and love Eren as she finally killed him and put him to rest. In the beginning of the series, the only showed Mikasa saying "See you later... Eren" before he woke up, realizing it was a dream.

The anime doesn't include this scene until much later. The anime probably didn't want to confuse anime watchers with this moment, but it did include Eren having dreams of future events in the beginning of the series, foreshadowing his time-related abilities. It's a disappointing change as it would make for an excellent moment during a re-watch.

1 Eren and Armin's Talk in the Paths

A Cathartic Conversation To Conclude the Series

Eren's decision to kill 80% of the world's population is a controversial one to say the least. Sure, he's more likely than not going to stop all invaders from attacking his home, but he's killing an absurd number of innocent people to do so. When Armin finally meets him in the Paths at the end of the series, they're able to have a cathartic heart-to-heart one last time. Fans weren't happy that Armin so quickly accepted Eren's decision to kill so many innocent people, so Isayama made a change to the finale of the anime.

In the anime, Armin is much more thorough with his language when he expresses his anger towards Eren. Armin acknowledged that Eren sacrificed himself for them, but he didn't agree with his methods. It's an important change that reframes Eren and the rest of the Scouts in a more somber manner.