Anime Vs Manga – Which Is Better?

Attack on Titan is considered one of the best anime and manga series of all time. With the first season standing up there with the likes of Tokyo Ghoul and Sword Art Online’s first seasons, it’s the anime that got countless fans into the genre.

Like most other anime, AoT adapts the manga created by Hajime Isayama. Although the anime generally does an excellent job sticking to the source material laid out for it, there are some things it does worse or better than the manga. So, what’s the best way to experience Attack on Titan between the two? Let’s find out.

9

Artwork

Anime

The AoT manga’s artwork is decent enough for just words and images, but the anime takes it a step further. The visuals are more compelling, and the animations make the story more engaging. You can immerse yourself in the story and get emotionally attached to the characters, making each arc more impactful.

Wit Studio and MAPPA both worked on the anime version and are credited for sticking true to the source material adaptation. Many fans claim Wit Studio’s version is superior to the manga, and MAPPA stuck closer to keeping things in check and sticking to Hajime Isayama’s work. While the first three seasons by Wit are excellent, MAPPA’s art style is perfect for the final season’s more somber theme.

8

Character Development

Anime

Regardless of how much you prefer the Attack on Titan anime, it’s tough to claim it’s superior when it comes to character development when compared to the manga. The manga delves in-depth and explains the backgrounds of the characters. It helps you get emotionally attached and feel part of the journey. The exceptions to this case are the graduates of the 104th Cadet Corps, as the anime gives them much more time to shine at the start of the series.

The anime is time-restrained, which makes it rush through some of the details that would otherwise be helpful in making the characters more immersive. Some things that were thought to be unimportant were also removed. This isn’t exactly something that can be helped, as the anime adaptations have to make do with the time they have allotted to tell the story. The one advantage the anime has is that it also has filler episodes and original video animations. Levi’s OVA, in particular, helps you learn more about arguably the most beloved character in the series.

7

Characters

Tie

Characters are given importance in both versions of the story, and which is better depends on which medium you prefer. The manga offers more detailed reactions of the characters that may be more impactful for you. But if you don’t feel that the words and pictures are engaging, then you may prefer the anime.

The anime makes the characters more dynamic, and their personalities bring them to life. Pair that with the voice of the characters, and you will feel the anime is naturally superior, as the audio aid gives it a massive edge.

6

Story

Tie

The manga is the source, so without it, there would be no anime. This is why the manga is the standard that the anime strives to meet. There is no limit to the number of words the manga can contain, which makes it the perfect choice if you prefer to immerse yourself into the work of Isayama.

The anime, on the other hand, has a particular ease of telling the story, and the pace is at a level that keeps you engaged and waiting for more. If you prefer to see the events in the sequence in which they occurred, then you’ll prefer anime as it tells the story in chronological order.

5

Villians

Manga

The anime and manga both attempt to keep the villains compelling, but the manga brings their challenges to life. The manga explains their choices and how they are made because of their backgrounds. For instance, Reiner’s soldier past makes him a tragic villain and helps you relate to him.

The anime, on the other hand, focuses on making the visuals and scenes more compelling at the cost of more backstories of the villains. If you just watch AoT, you won’t find the villains to be as complex as they are in the manga version, even if the story makes it so the topic of who the actual villains are is divisive.

4

Censorship

Manga

The Attack on Titan anime is known for its gore and no-holds-barred approach, so if you haven’t read the manga, you’re in for a surprise. The manga’s depiction of gore and brutality is on another level. If you’re into extremely brutal experiences, you will likely prefer the manga.

This isn’t exactly a dig at the anime, as it does provide a visually gory experience, but the source material is just superior in this aspect. Just be sure to have the stomach to read such scenes, as they can make even the best uncomfortable.

3

Immersion

Anime

This is something that the manga can’t add, as it’s a medium that uses words and images to convey the story. The anime has a soundtrack, which is a thing of beauty and makes the story and scenes all the more immersive.

Many fans prefer to hear audio while the scenes change or to signify the importance of something, so if you’re one of them, you’ll prefer the anime. The opening Guren no Yumiya is definitely something even manga fans need to listen to in order to feel the impact.

2

Action Scenes

Anime

The manga does an impressive job of depicting the action scenes, but the static images are no match for the fluid animation of the anime. The anime takes the action scenes of AoT a step further, and the camera angles make the fights more dynamic. The manga is better when it comes to titan transformations, but the rest is better in the visual adaptation.

The anime showcases the character’s grief in a better way as well. For example, Levi’s pain when he loses his friends at the hands of Annie, the Female Titan. However, he ignores his emotions to protect Eren and Mikasa. Additionally, Levi’s fight against the Beast Titan is heralded as one of the best anime fight scenes of all time, so that’s saying something.

1

The Verdict

Anime

Attack on Titan’s manga is something that you should try to read to get a better feel for the story and detailed explanations of things that the anime couldn’t fit. However, other than these things, the visual adaptation is ahead in every aspect.

The anime does the action scenes better, and the soundtracks add an element that’s impossible to experience in the manga. Additionally, the fluid animations make the characters more dynamic and bring them to life. It’s also worth noting that the anime wraps up the story through regular episodes and an excellent movie, beautifully concluding the iconic series.