Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin

SIND WIR DAS ESSEN? NEIN, WIR SIND DIE JÄGER!

(usual apologies for not updating more regularly, so on and so forth)

You may have heard of this anime. It has been HUGE on the internet. My friends told me for months I should watch it, and I eventually decided to give it a try.

My first impressions... THE OPENING. WOW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMXgHfHxKVM

So I kept watching.

Background: humanity has been driven to near extinction by giant, man eating humanoids known as titans. They live behind three giant 50m high walls for safety, with only a brave few venturing out to explore (and almost certainly get massacred in) the world beyond. After 100 years of peace, a 60m tall titan appears, breaks down the walls and breaches humanity's safety. Many are killed and eaten. This includes the main protagonist Eren's mother, causing him to vow to wipe out the titans in revenge.

WARNING

After the first episode I spent around 10mins staring at my computer screen with my mind in shock. One scene in the first episode was so shocking and horrific it left me shaken up and deciding the anime wasn't at all for me.

I mean, I had heard it was gruesome, but I wasn't quite expecting that...

This resolve to not watch it again barely lasted any time at all, mainly due to the opening music, which I couldn't stop listening to.

So I became addicted. I love the complex plot. I love the characters (Hanji Zoe is basically me, but for titans instead of bats). I love the soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGjwsowDDhI). I love the amazing action scenes.

Yes, it IS gruesome. But I found it (mostly) bearable, and if you can deal with that kind of thing then I very highly recommend it. Be warned, however, in true George R R Martin style, nobody is safe and characters you love will sometimes be killed suddenly and without warning.

If you're not sure (fair enough), this trailer is reasonably safe to watch (and has music by Audiomachine, which is always a bonus)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3LHE5U8iOw

I shall leave you with the comment of one youtube reviewer:
"who wouldn't want to see an army of medieval spider men flying around buildings slicing up giant man-eating zombies??"