September 30, 2024
Attack on Titan | Worldbuilding | From Paradis Island to Marley
Attack on Titan features a dystopian world with medieval elements. Here we explore class divides, Titans, and the contrast between Paradis and Marley.
Buy: Attack On Titan Merchandise & Gifts
Buy: Attack On Titan Merchandise & Gifts
Table of Contents +
Attack on Titan is a dystopian anime taking place in a unique medieval world with a touch of modern twist. While it’s not a high-fantasy series, Attack on Titan’s world has everything a fan might ask for. From beautiful landscapes and fascinating cities to interesting technology and fearsome antagonists.
Hajime Isayama wrote one of the best critically acclaimed fiction stories of all time and set it in a truly beautiful and charming world. A world that effortlessly pulls the fans in and doesn’t let go until the very end.
The Walls on Paradis Island
Attack on Titan begins with the introduction of the colossal walls and the enclosed area within them. Walls that serve as a protection against humanity’s biggest threat - the Titans.
The origin of these mysterious tall structures dates back to the Great Titan War when the Eldia’s long world domination had finally stopped. Defeated, the king was forced to lead his nation on a remote island to preserve the Eldian nation and keep the Founding Titan in their possession.
Harnessing the power of the Founding Titan, the king used thousands of Colossal Titans to build the three iconic walls - Maria, Rose, and Sina. Apart from being part of the walls’ structure, these Titans were Eldia’s best defensive option. By the king’s vow, if anyone ever attacked Paradis, he would then use the Founder and unleash the wrath of the wall Titans into the world.
The Class Structure Within the Walls
The class structure within the walls beautifully highlights real-world inequalities. From the outer to the inner parts behind each wall, the society is divided into multiple districts each with conditions varying on their location. The central area is reserved for royalty, the middle part for the average population, and the periphery for the poor villagers.
Regarding architecture, the world within the walls offers a diverse range of styles, from medieval-looking houses reminiscent of old German towns to a luxurious castle built for the king.
Since the initial minutes of the series, this way people lived behind the first wall granted a sense of a dystopian and enigmatic world, hinting at some huge, plot-altering secrets. It was evident that these buildings wouldn’t provide shelter for a long time. The ultimate reveal of what was beyond the walls was only a matter of time.
And it all happened very quickly. In the first Attack on Titan episode, the Armored and the Colossal Titan attacked and destroyed Wall Maria, compromising humanity’s safety. Shiganshina District, along with other outer districts, fell to the wrath of these monsters, forcing everyone to retreat to the inner walls and uniting all classes in a battle for freedom.
The Underground City
Upon reaching Paradis Island, the king altered the memories of all inhabitants, with the exception of certain clans like the Ackerman Clan. Being immune to the Founder’s powers, these people were considered a threat to the Eldian race and were forced to live as far away from civilization as possible. Seeking refuge, they relocated underground, building a city that has served as their home ever since.
The Underground City is the home of Levi and Kenny Ackerman, both extremely strong soldiers who grew up in hardship like nowhere else. This concealed city is a dark place, characterized by narrow passageways, miserable living conditions, and a widespread atmosphere of lawlessness. It is within this environment that individuals like the Ackermans didn’t have a choice but to thrive and develop their resilience in the face of hardship.
The Survey Corps’ Role in the Worldbuilding of Attack on Titan
Led by some of the best soldiers in the world, the Survey Corps is the only hope for freedom. They are a military branch specialized in exploring the world beyond the walls and killing the Titans, tasks making them a crucial part of Attack on Titan’s worldbuilding. By focusing on their lives, the story expands into the vast area beyond the walls, revealing all of its beautiful and scary mysteries.
To ensure smooth exploration of the world and give the soldiers an advantage over the enormous Titans, Eldia’s engineers invented the ODM gear. This gadget was the peak of technological advancement at that time and allowed the scouts to effortlessly swing around the dark world of Attack on Titan.
With their missions, the Scouts take the fans on a trip throughout the lands outside the walls. It’s a huge area with nothing except forests and big lands surrounded by the sea. While not being especially unique, some of these places serve as important battlegrounds where humans ultimately attain freedom.
Following the triumph of liberating Paradis, the Scouts continue their expedition to finally reach the sea and possibly explore the world beyond that.
Marley and the World Beyond the Sea
In their fight for freedom and reaching the end of the island, the Survey Corps come across many new facts about the world. Eren and his squadmates learn of a new country on the other side of the sea, a revelation that continues the worldbuilding, promising new places, people, and technology unlike anything seen before.
With the start of the fourth season, the world expands into a new place called Marley. Compared to the old towns with limited resources in Paradis Island, this is a highly developed country using cars, tanks, flying vehicles, and advanced weapons like machine guns.
Marley’s class structure and politics are also different. It’s a country with ideals that convey the bitter aspects of power and oppression. It’s a place where the people who are not pure Marleyans live as second-class citizens, getting degraded treatment. And most importantly, it’s the country responsible for the creation of all the Titans that attacked Paradis in the past.
Final Thoughts on the Worldbuilding in Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan starts as a series with a small world where townsfolk live in fear behind three colossal walls, terrified of the threat imposed by the Titans. However big or small, this confined area manages to successfully showcase a lot of unique and beautiful places while simultaneously capturing different real-world themes, offering an amazing and immersive experience.
The feeling of fear and mystery adds an intriguing layer to the story, making fans curious to learn more about the world of Attack on Titan. As the seasons progress, the show delivers a multitude of revelations, gradually uncovering the hidden beauties of Paradis Island. An island occupied by the Titans.
Later, contrary to everyone’s belief that these Titans are the ultimate antagonists, a new threat emerges and introduces the unfamiliar country called Marley. The Scouts’ trip to this country elevates the worldbuilding to another level, giving the fans a new complex experience that explores themes going way beyond a simple fight between humans and monsters.
Buy: Attack On Titan - Action Figures & Statues
Buy:Attack On Titan - Action Figures & Statues
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Attack on Titan have good worldbuilding?
+Attack on Titan creates a unique world where humanity lives in fear of huge creatures called Titans. The story takes place in a kind of medieval world but with some modern twists.
Why are the Attack on Titan walls so strong?
+The three walls are very strong because they're not just made of regular materials. They're built with the help of the Colossal Titans. King Fritz utilized the Founder's powers and used these Titans to create the walls.
Is Attack on Titan set in Europe?
+Attack on Titan takes place in a fictional world, but still draws inspiration from the real world. That's why there are many parallels to Europe, its architecture, landscapes, and some aspects of its society.
How big is the world in Attack on Titan?
+The exact size of the world in Attack on Titan is not specified in the series. Until the end of the third season, knowledge about the whole world was very limited as the series only took place on Paradis Island.
What is the significance of the Underground City in Attack on Titan?
+The Underground City is important because it's the home of Levi Ackerman and his uncle, Kenny. It's a hidden aspect of the larger world within the series, highlighting the hidden places and stories beyond the walls.
What part of Germany is Attack on Titan based on?
+While it's not directly based on a certain town, Attack on Titan is heavily influenced by one place in Germany called Nördlingen. It's a small medieval town surrounded by walls that became a tourist attraction as Attack on Titan manga and anime popularity grew.
What are the nations of Attack on Titan?
+The world of Attack on Titan features two main nations. The Marleyans live in Liberio while the Eldians, also known as Subjects of Ymir, live both on Paradis Island and the internment zone of Liberio. Apart from these two nations, there is also the Hizoru clan in the mid-east.
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