Every anime is either striving to be the next massively popularDragon Ball Zor the critically acclaimedNeon Genesis Evangelion, andAttack on Titanfirmly falls into the latter category.LikeEvangelion,AoTgoes beyond action-packed battlesto explore deeper themes of war, trauma, and the burden placed on younger generations. Its story isn’t just about defeating monstrous foes but questioning the systems that create them. The Titans, much like Evangelion’s Angels, serve as catalysts for a greater philosophical conflict, forcing characters to confront their own humanity, morality, and the cycles of violence that shape their world.
Despite its lack of traditional mechs,AoTembodies the essence of mecha anime, where pilots wield overwhelming power while struggling with the weight of their responsibility. The series shares tropes with classics likeGundamandCode Geass—young protagonists thrust into war, societies shaped by towering humanoids used for war, and existential questions about control and destiny.At its core,Attack on Titanisn’t just about survival, but about understanding and breaking free from cycles of inherited conflict,and it may be one of the best mecha anime to do it.
How Attack on Titan Is A Secretly A Mecha Anime
It Follows The Same Set-Up As Some Of The Genre’s Best Series
Titans inAttack on Titanfunction much like mechas, with pilots controlling humanoid avatars for battle. Traditionally, mechas are metal constructs, butAoTtakes a humanoid approach, similar toNeon Genesis Evangelion. UnlikeEvangelion, however, Titans lack man-made armor plating, though the concept does emerge later in the series. This organic twist on the trope cloaks its identification as a mecha anime itself. But despite their flesh-and-bone nature, it follows the same core principles of piloted warfare, reinforcingAoT’s place among one of the greatest mecha anime so far.
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At first glance,Attack on Titanseems like a story about giant people devouring little humans. However, as its themes of war and societal impact emerge, it becomes clear the series is about humanity itself. Over time, the focus shifts from seeking revenge on Titans to confronting the injustices of society. Like mecha anime, where battles between machines are thrilling but secondary,AoTprioritizes the shape-shifters—their struggles, emotions, and the toll of war on them and their world. The true depth of the series lies in how conflict shapes individuals and the society they fight to protect or destroy.
Attack on Titan Even Has Mecha Tropes
From Instant Armor To The Female Titans’ Fem Bot Design
The deeper one explores the idea ofAttack on Titanas a mecha anime, the more its tropes stand out. A teenager, rather than an adult, is given an immense power they must shoulder—a common theme in series fromGundamtoCode Geass. Society’s reverence for these giants is evident inAoT’s first season, mirroring the idolization of mechs in other franchises. While Titans are not man-made, the series eventually introduces ways for them to gain armor, reinforcing their mecha-like nature.
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The ability to instantly transform into a Titan mirrors the “instant armor” trope popularized byMazinger Z. This concept showcases characters summoning immense power at will, much like donning a mech suit. Additionally, while there are two female Titan shifters inAttack on Titan, only one—the Female Titan—features a distinctly “fem bot” design. Even its name closely aligns with the trope, reinforcing the series' subtle nods to classic mecha themes. These easily overlooked elements further cementAoT’s place within the broader mecha anime genre, despite its unconventional approach.
Mecha Anime Aren’t About Big Robots, They’re About Humanity
And The People Controlling Them
LikeAttack on Titan, mecha anime such asGundam,Macross,Evangelion,andEureka Sevenaren’t just about giant machines—they explore the toll war takes on society and its fighters.AoTemphasizes how past generations pass down hatred, forcing their children to bear the consequences, a theme echoed inEvangelion. Both series ultimately offer a moral perspective on breaking cycles of conflict, suggesting a path toward hope despite immense suffering.
Ultimately, whileAttack on Titanlacks traditional mechs,its core themes of warfare, societal impact, and personal burdenalign seamlessly with the mecha genre. Upon closer examination, the series even adopts some of the genre’s most popular tropes. The true essence of mecha anime isn’t just about towering machines—it’s about the humans struggling within them.AoTcaptures this spirit through its shifters, their battles, and their lasting scars of war, proving that even without metal and circuits, it belongs among the greats of the genre.
