Story - 10
This is what makes SnK so hugely compelling, at least for me. The world is wonderfully conceived and it shows – we're given extra information on eyecatches about the history of the walls, the functioning of weaponry, the breeding of horses, the layout of towns, and anything else that might ever interest the viewer on top of and reinforcing anything contained in the actual episode. These factoids do wonders to establish a sense of place and of culture, to make the lands within the walls so much more real. Pains are taken to establish the antiquity of the walls and the history of the settlements within them. The three military groups that protect humanity are given more backstory than some of the characters, sometimes through little things like naming the main characters’ graduating class “the 104th Trainees Squad” or an exploratory mission “the 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls.” This establishes a history and lineage that make for an engrossing viewing experience. Overall, the world of SnK is among the most fleshed-out worlds I've encountered in all of fiction, and it sucked me in effortlessly.
As far as the actual story goes, suspense is certainly not hard to find, and in fact might be overused. I know others appreciate how fast-paced the show is, but I felt it to be a little too rapid, perhaps trying to cram too much story into its 25 episodes. The suspense is built quite well, with just enough foreshadowing to instill a mood (usually dread) in the viewer without beating him/her over the head with it (though the cliffhangers do get old after a while). Characters are brought in and out of the plot deftly, but only sometimes is the vast reserve of supporting characters juggled effectively (see below).
The setting and plot intersect perfectly in that the ultimate goal of the protagonists is to uncover the reason for the appearance and existence of the Titans, which drove humanity inside the walls and is the cause of all the other differences between their world and our own. That lofty goal often takes a back seat, however, to intervening events and restrictions -- some from outside the walls, some from within.
Characters - 6
This is the back of SnK's neck -- that is to say, its weak spot. As some other reviewers have pointed out, there is too much passage of time and too much bickering among characters for there not to be more development in them. In the moment, the characters are incredibly relatable, in that the Titans put intense fear in them, fear not only for their lives but also for their families, their hopes and dreams, and humanity itself. The development of the characters, however, leaves a lot to be desired.
Eren, nominally the main character, simply doesn't develop. He is known for his catchphrase "I'm going to kill all the Titans," which he utters at least a dozen times over the course of the series, nearly evenly dispersed from the first episode to the last. His character blew me away for the first 6-8 episodes, but after that the unyielding and indomitable determination that makes him so compelling a character began to wear thin, and his approaching every situation (fighting Titans, recovering from wounds, eating soup) with the same reckless intensity borders on the absurd by the time the series ends. About 2/3 of the way through the series, there is even an episode in which we are initially led to believe he had changed and began to trust his peers and superiors, but later he throws that out the window and decides to just try and kill things instead.
The characters introduced with the Survey Corps don’t really get backstories, and as such aren’t very compelling. We are supposed to see Levi as reticent and mysterious when he is first introduced, when really the viewers are just left in the dark because of receiving absolutely no information about him. That's forced mystery, which is a poor substitute for the real thing. Similarly, Erwin is cast as noble and brave, but comes off as imperious, because he commands absolute obedience and we never quite know why. We know Hanji’s research, but we have no idea how or why she ended up as the Corps’ token scientist.
Meanwhile there are two dozen other characters milling about, some of whose names you will forget until they get eaten or suddenly become relevant to the plot’s progression. Notable in this category for me is Jean, who is boring, plain-looking, and forgettable even as he interacts with the main characters on a regular basis.
The only character that genuinely grows is Armin, who is paralyzed with fear at the beginning of the series but who gradually develops confidence in his own physical prowess and especially his tactical brilliance. In doing so, however, he becomes a character on par with seasoned military commanders, which strains credibility. Late in the series Armin has virtually no flaws, like Eren's other sidekick, Mikasa. So we are left with our core trio – one character who keeps giving in to his main character flaw, one who overcame his, and one who never had one. Real compelling.
If you are watching SnK to be entertained, the characters are perfectly serviceable. But if you are watching to have a little think along with your entertainment, they are kind of a letdown. The plot loves to play head games with the viewers, but the biggest trick it's playing on us is making us think these stock characters are worth biting our nails over.
Art - 9
Sound - 9
I will leave better assessment of this to others, as I am of the "if I don't notice it, then it's good" school of art appreciation. It's a beautifully illustrated series, but I'm an uneducated buffoon who couldn't tell you why I think that. As I noted above, however, I think several of the minor characters don’t look distinctive enough and are therefore difficult to remember.
The sound is also good, but I can't speak much to it. Both OPs are in-your-face and inspiring at the same time. The second is just good but the first one is outstanding.
Enjoyment - 10
Overall - 9
This is a hugely entertaining series and probably my new personal favorite. I’m willing to overlook my misgivings about character development until I see the second series that it seems certain we'll get fairly soon (and read the manga). I think this is the kind of show that’s in it for the long haul, and I’m hopeful that what I perceive as a lack of development is actually just really slow development. But character problems or no, the engaging world of SnK is well worth your attention and the roller-coaster story will keep it until the very end.
