Japanese Culture: Shingeki no Kyojin
[:it]
SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN – Il manga rivelazione degli ultimi anni
Questa volta parliano di Shingeki no Kyojin (進撃の巨人), meglio conosciuto in italia come “L’attacco dei giganti”, vera e propria rivelazione di questi ultimi anni.
Per gli appassionati di anime e manga è diventata una serie shōnen action horror di culto. Ai meno appassionati basti sapere che ha in breve tempo sbaragliato tutte le classifiche giapponesi e mondiali, diventando uno degli anime più visti al mondo. Il manga è secondo per numero di vedite solo a One piece.
Per dare qualche cifra, parliamo di circa 2 milioni di copie vendute per volume, contro i circa 3 milioni di copie di One Piece (vendite giapponesi). La cifra è ancora più sbalorditiva se consideriamo che mentre One piece ha alle spalle anni di pubblicazioni (il primo volume uscì nel lontano agosto 1997). Il primo volume dell’Attacco dei giganti è uscito solo nel settembre 2009. Numeri da far girare la testa insomma che gli sono valsi, tra le altre cose, anche il prestigioso premio Kodansha come miglior manga shōnen, nel 2011.
La trama
Il manga è pubblicato da una delle maggiori case editrici giapponesi, la Kodansha. Al suo attivo ha 21 volumi fino ad ora e nasce dalla penna di Hajime Isayama, che ha ambientato la sua storia in una sorta di Medioevo alternativo.
Tutto ruota attorno al personaggio di Eren Jaegar che vive in un mondo in cui secoli prima l’umanità aveva rischiato lo sterminio totale. I pochi uomini rimasti sopravvivono in un complesso urbano organizzato all’interno di tre mura concentriche alte 50 metri. L’unica difesa tra l’uomo e il mondo esterno popolato da misteriose creature sono appunto i giganti. Queste creature, incredibilmente simili agli esseri umani ma di altezza compresa tra i 3 e i 15 metri, sembrano privi di intelligenza e di uno scopo reale, se non quello di divorare carne umana.
Ma presto un evento porrà fine alla tranquillità durata solo un secolo. Un gigante, alto al punto da superare le mura stesse, appare dal nulla aprendo una breccia nel muro di protezione più esterno. Questo permetterà ai giganti di penetrare e fare strage di vite umane. Eren, vinto il terrore iniziale e il dolore per la perdita della madre, si riprometterà di eliminare ogni singolo gigante esistente, e in questa sua lotta contro l’ignoto non sarà solo.
La serie animata e la fama internazionale
La vera fama di questo manga la si deve proprio alla serie anime uscita nel 2013. Prodotto da Wit Studio in collaborazione con la più famosa Production I.G.
La differenza dal punto di vista visivo rispetto alle tavole originali di Isayama è sorprendente. Curati fin nel più piccolo dettaglio e animati da animazione estremamente realistica, i personaggi si muovono su uno sfondo anch’esso curatissimo e realistico. I realizzatori della serie hanno quindi colmato le lacune stilistiche del mangaka. Tuttavia Isayama ha seguito in prima persona l’intera produzione dando indicazioni su quale fosse il modo migliore per dare corpo alle sue idee.
La colonna sonora altrettanto curata accompagna tutta la narrazione. Non tace mai, non lascia punti vuoti, ma sottolinea invece ogni istante della storia e contribuisce a coinvolgere lo spettatore in un action anime pieno di colpi di scena.
Azione, horror, intrighi politi, fanatismo religioso e lotta per la sopravvivenza fanno da trama. Qui si muovono personaggi ben delineati che, in un crescendo di azione e suspance, ci mostrano tanto la forza quando la fragilità degli esseri umani.
Niente viene lasciato al caso, e anche i personaggi che in apparenza potrebbero sembrare insignificanti svolgeranno invece un ruolo fondamentale. E proprio l’elemento horror sapientemente dosato senza mai scadere nella violenza nuda e cruda alla ricerca del dettaglio più scabroso, rende l’adattamento anime ancora più pregevole e adatto anche a chi non ama particolarmente questo genere.
Le interpretazioni
L’opera si presta a numerose interpretazioni. Qualcuno ci ha voluto vedere anche una sorta di propaganda politica. Ma è l’autore stesso ha darci qualche piccola chiave di lettura svelandoci la genesi dell’opera.
Ad esempio, le 3 mura entro le quali gli esseri umani vivono, sono viste sia come una barriera protettiva che come una prigione soffocante. Questa è stessa sensazione che l’autore ha raccontato di aver provato nascendo in una piccola città della prefettura di Ōita circondata dalle montagne. Non sfugge qui il parallelismo con la società giapponese, da sempre isolazionista e protezionista. O ancora, i giganti stessi rappresentano la paura dello sconosciuto, uno sconosciuto che non solo temiamo ma con il quale è impossibile comunicare.
E’ una storia che a tratti si fa angosciante, quella stessa angoscia e paura così comune anche nella società moderna. Niente è come sembra, ma non per questo i personaggi si fermeranno nella loro ricerca della verità e della libertà.
深い闇を俺は抜け出した。疾風(はやて)みたいに逃げ出した。
Fukai yami wo ore wo nukedashita. Hayate mitai ni nigedashita.
Siamo fuggiti da una spessa oscurità. Siamo sopravvissuti a quello sembrava un uragano.
生きた屍みたいだった俺達は、壁の外へ。
Ikita shikabane mitai datta oretachi wa, kabe no soto e.
Noi, che non sembriamo altro che zombie, andremo oltre queste mura.
また会おうぜ、地図にない場所で。
Mata aou ze, chizu ni nai basho de.
Ci incontreremo di nuovo, in un mondo che non esiste su mappa alcuna.The grate escape dei Cinema staff – Seconda ending
La storia continua
La storia nasconde un segreto che tutt’ora non è stato svelato. Tuttavia, vi interesserà sapere che il manga è entrato ormai nel suo arco finale quindi presto potrebbero venire svelate molte verità interessanti.
In un momento che alcuni definirebbero di stagniazione per l’animazione giapponese, Shingeki no Kyojin ha saputo distinguersi come opera originale e senza precedenti. Isayama ha saputo imporre il suo tratto distintivo e perfettamente riconoscibile. Originalità premiata dal grande successo di pubblico che ha avuto e sta avendo tutt’ora.
Inoltre, un’altra buona notizia per tutti i fan che attendono ormai dal 2013. Dopo numerose smentite, 3 ova, e tanta pazienza, qualche settimana fa è stato confermato che la seconda serie sarà finalmente in onda a partire dal 1 aprile. L’attesa è dunque finita.
[:en]
SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN – The revelation of the past few years
This time we will talk about Shingeki no Kyoujin (進撃の巨人), translated in English as Attack on Titans, the revelation of this past few years.
It’s an action horror shōnen manga series already recognised as a cult among anime and manga fans. For those who don’t know it, it is enough to know that in just a short period of time it was able to climb up all charts, Japanese ones and worldwide too. It became one of the most viewed anime around the world, and its original manga ranks second in numbers of sold copies, second only to One Piece.
To give you some numbers, we talk about around 2 million copies per volume (Japanese sales), while One Piece sales are around 3 million copies.
This results are even more incredible if we consider that One Piece has many years of releases already (the first volume was released back in August 1997). On the contrary, the first volume of Shingeki no Kyojin was release only in September 2009. This numbers are enough to make your head spin, and contributed to let this manga gain the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2011, to say the least.
Plot
The original manga is published by one of the largest publishing companies in Japan, the Kodansha Publishing. It counts 21 volumes up to today. It was created by Hajime Isayama and the story, and it takes place in an alternative Midldle Age era. The plot revolves around the character of Eren Jaegar. He lives in a world that many centuries before had been on the verge of destruction. The few humans that survived now live in a urban complex built inside three concentric walls, 50 meters each. The only protection between mankind and the outside world overrun by mysterious creatures are the titans.
This titans resemble human beings but they can be from 3 to 15 meters tall, apparently thoughtless and with the sole objective of devouring human flesh. However, an unexpected event will bring this period of peace to an end. A titan so tall that he could even surpass the walls, appears from nowhere opening a hole in the most external wall. This allowed other titans to break into the city and leading to the massacre of many human lives.
Eren, after regaining his senses because of the loss of his mother by the hands of a titan, swears to eliminate every single titan in the world, and he will not be alone in this fight against the unknown.
Anime adaptation and international recognition
This series gained its worldwide success thanks to its anime adaptation, produced by Wit Studio in collaboration with the famous Production I.G, that was release in 2013.
The difference with the original panels of Isayama in terms of visual impact is astonishing: with an incredible attention to even the smallest detail, and animated by an extremely realistic animation, all the characters take their actions on a background equally elaborated and realistic. The producers of the animated series filled the holes in terms of style left by the mangaka. He also followed the whole production, giving advice on which was the best way to give shape to his ideas.
The original soundtrack skillfully created follows the whole narration. It never fall silent, it never leaves open spots. Instead, it contributes to underline every instant of the story and envelopes the viewer in an action anime full of twists and turns.
Action, horror elements, political intrigues, religious fanaticism and the fight for survival create the background. Here well delineated characters take their action, in a crescendo of action and suspense, showing us both the strength and fragility of human beings.
Nothing has been left to chance. Even characters that apparently look not so important will be proven to have a fundamental role to play.
The horror element is skillfully balanced, it doesn’t exceed into pure violence, searching for the smallest gory detail. All this makes the animated version even more enjoyable and appropriate even for people who don’t really like this genre.
Interpretations
This series is open to many interpretations, someone even wanted to read into it a sort of political propaganda. However, the author himself gave us some keys to understanding the genesis of the story.
For examples, the 3 walls in which mankind survives, can be seen as both a protection and a suffocating prison. This is the exact same feeling that the Isayama experienced living in his hometown in Ōita prefecture surrounded by mountains. And it is clearly visible here a parallelism with Japanese society, generally known to be isolationist and enclosed.
Furthermore, the titans represent the fear of the unknown, an unknown that you can’t even communicate with.
At times the story makes you experience a feeling of overwhelming anguish and fear. The same feeling that is so common in our modern society where nothing is what it seems, but all the characters never stop fighting in their quest for truth and freedom.
深い闇を俺は抜け出した。疾風(はやて)みたいに逃げ出した。
Fukai yami wo ore wo nukedashita. Hayate mitai ni nigedashita.
We broke out of the thick darkness. We escaped from what seemed like a hurricane.
生きた屍みたいだった俺達は、壁の外へ。
Ikita shikabane mitai datta oretachi wa, kabe no soto e.
We, who look like living corpses, are going outside the walls.
また会おうぜ、地図にない場所で。
Mata aou ze, chizu ni nai basho de.
Let’s meet again, in the unmapped place.The grate escape by Cinema staff – Second ending
What’s next?
The plot hides a secret that is still unknown but you might want to know that the original manga has now entered the final arch so, important truths might be unveiled very soon.
In a moment that some would call of stagnation for the Japanese animation, Shingeki no Kyojin was able to impose its originality, and Isayama created a distinctive style of his own. And this originality was rewarded with the great success in terms of fans that it had and that are still increasing.
Moreover, another good news for all affectionate fans that were kept waiting since 2013: after many denial ad postponements, 3 ova, and a lot of patience of the fans, it was finally announced that the first episode of the second season of the anime will be aired on April 1st (April’s fool? Doesn’t seem to be the case). The wait is over.
[:ja]
SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN – The revelation of the past few years
This time we will talk about Shingeki no Kyoujin (進撃の巨人), translated in English as Attack on Titans, the revelation of this past few years.
It’s an action horror shōnen manga series already recognised as a cult among anime and manga fans. For those who don’t know it, it is enough to know that in just a short period of time it was able to climb up all charts, Japanese ones and worldwide too. It became one of the most viewed anime around the world, and its original manga ranks second in numbers of sold copies, second only to One Piece.
To give you some numbers, we talk about around 2 million copies per volume (Japanese sales), while One Piece sales are around 3 million copies.
This results are even more incredible if we consider that One Piece has many years of releases already (the first volume was released back in August 1997). On the contrary, the first volume of Shingeki no Kyojin was release only in September 2009. This numbers are enough to make your head spin, and contributed to let this manga gain the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2011, to say the least.
Plot
The original manga is published by one of the largest publishing companies in Japan, the Kodansha Publishing. It counts 21 volumes up to today. It was created by Hajime Isayama and the story, and it takes place in an alternative Midldle Age era. The plot revolves around the character of Eren Jaegar. He lives in a world that many centuries before had been on the verge of destruction. The few humans that survived now live in a urban complex built inside three concentric walls, 50 meters each. The only protection between mankind and the outside world overrun by mysterious creatures are the titans.
This titans resemble human beings but they can be from 3 to 15 meters tall, apparently thoughtless and with the sole objective of devouring human flesh. However, an unexpected event will bring this period of peace to an end. A titan so tall that he could even surpass the walls, appears from nowhere opening a hole in the most external wall. This allowed other titans to break into the city and leading to the massacre of many human lives.
Eren, after regaining his senses because of the loss of his mother by the hands of a titan, swears to eliminate every single titan in the world, and he will not be alone in this fight against the unknown.
Anime adaptation and international recognition
This series gained its worldwide success thanks to its anime adaptation, produced by Wit Studio in collaboration with the famous Production I.G, that was release in 2013.
The difference with the original panels of Isayama in terms of visual impact is astonishing: with an incredible attention to even the smallest detail, and animated by an extremely realistic animation, all the characters take their actions on a background equally elaborated and realistic. The producers of the animated series filled the holes in terms of style left by the mangaka. He also followed the whole production, giving advice on which was the best way to give shape to his ideas.
The original soundtrack skillfully created follows the whole narration. It never fall silent, it never leaves open spots. Instead, it contributes to underline every instant of the story and envelopes the viewer in an action anime full of twists and turns.
Action, horror elements, political intrigues, religious fanaticism and the fight for survival create the background. Here well delineated characters take their action, in a crescendo of action and suspense, showing us both the strength and fragility of human beings.
Nothing has been left to chance. Even characters that apparently look not so important will be proven to have a fundamental role to play.
The horror element is skillfully balanced, it doesn’t exceed into pure violence, searching for the smallest gory detail. All this makes the animated version even more enjoyable and appropriate even for people who don’t really like this genre.
Interpretations
This series is open to many interpretations, someone even wanted to read into it a sort of political propaganda. However, the author himself gave us some keys to understanding the genesis of the story.
For examples, the 3 walls in which mankind survives, can be seen as both a protection and a suffocating prison. This is the exact same feeling that the Isayama experienced living in his hometown in Ōita prefecture surrounded by mountains. And it is clearly visible here a parallelism with Japanese society, generally known to be isolationist and enclosed.
Furthermore, the titans represent the fear of the unknown, an unknown that you can’t even communicate with.
At times the story makes you experience a feeling of overwhelming anguish and fear. The same feeling that is so common in our modern society where nothing is what it seems, but all the characters never stop fighting in their quest for truth and freedom.
深い闇を俺は抜け出した。疾風(はやて)みたいに逃げ出した。
Fukai yami wo ore wo nukedashita. Hayate mitai ni nigedashita.
We broke out of the thick darkness. We escaped from what seemed like a hurricane.
生きた屍みたいだった俺達は、壁の外へ。
Ikita shikabane mitai datta oretachi wa, kabe no soto e.
We, who look like living corpses, are going outside the walls.
また会おうぜ、地図にない場所で。
Mata aou ze, chizu ni nai basho de.
Let’s meet again, in the unmapped place.The grate escape by Cinema staff – Second ending
What’s next?
The plot hides a secret that is still unknown but you might want to know that the original manga has now entered the final arch so, important truths might be unveiled very soon.
In a moment that some would call of stagnation for the Japanese animation, Shingeki no Kyojin was able to impose its originality, and Isayama created a distinctive style of his own. And this originality was rewarded with the great success in terms of fans that it had and that are still increasing.
Moreover, another good news for all affectionate fans that were kept waiting since 2013: after many denial ad postponements, 3 ova, and a lot of patience of the fans, it was finally announced that the first episode of the second season of the anime will be aired on April 1st (April’s fool? Doesn’t seem to be the case). The wait is over.
[:]