Every Attack on Titan Season Ranked: Which One Comes Out on Top?

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Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan” has become an undeniable modern success, and any self-proclaimed anime enthusiast should be familiar with its narrative, irrespective of whether they are fans of Isayama’s series or not. With its upcoming end in sight, we are thrilled to discuss the widely acclaimed anime adaptation of this manga masterpiece, as the final part of the final season is set to premiere on November 4, 2023.

As the eager anticipation for the final episode of this season builds, let’s take a nostalgic journey through all four seasons of Attack on Titan, offering our own rankings based on quality and impact. We’ll present the seasons from least favorite to top pick, discussing the reasons behind each ranking so you can understand our thoughts. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the list!

4. Season 1

1) Back in December 2012, it was revealed that the anime version would be made by Wit Studio. The series started airing on April 7th, 2013, and wrapped up with its final episode on September 28th, 2013 at a special event held at Marunouchi Picadilly 1 in Tokyo. This was simulcasted to over fifteen Japanese cinemas. The worldwide release took place on the following day, September 29th, 2013.

The initial season of the show wasn’t exactly a stellar beginning, although it managed decent performance across various aspects. On our scale, we’d give it an 8 out of 10. However, when compared to subsequent seasons, this first season fell short in almost every category – plot development, visual appeal, and storyline coherence. Consequently, we find ourselves ranking it lower due to its lackluster quality compared to the rest of the series.

Initially, beware: The first season serves as an excellent starting point and will undoubtedly draw you into the show, but rest assured there are even more impressive offerings in the subsequent seasons. This improvement, viewed from a particular angle, is actually advantageous because it demonstrates that the series has evolved significantly over time.

3. Season 4

As a dedicated fan, I was thrilled when the final season of our beloved series was officially confirmed during the climactic finale of Season 3. Fast forward to May 2020, and a tantalizing teaser hinted at Wit Studio handing over the reins to MAPPA. The grand finale commenced on December 7, 2020, unfolding in two captivating parts. The first installment, consisting of 16 episodes encompassing chapters 91 to 116, aired until March 29, 2021. With bated breath, we eagerly await the second part, set for release during winter 2021-2022.

12 episodes long, it aired from January 10 to April 4, 2022. A concluding third segment was revealed soon after the final episode of the second part was broadcasted. The first special hour-long episode premiered on March 3, 2023, following the airing of a seven-episode anime recap. The second special episode followed on November 4, 2023.

The fourth season resembles Season 2 and currently earns a grade of 8.5/10. However, since the climactic ending is yet to be revealed, there’s a chance it could climb higher on our list once it airs. For now, we’re keeping an open mind to allow for potential improvements.

2. Season 2

Back in August 2014, Wit Studio’s president, George Wada, disclosed that the second season was being prepared for production. Later in November 2014, it was first announced that this season would air in 2016. However, it wasn’t until July 2016 that a definite broadcast date was set for spring 2017. The premiere episode was then shown on April 1, 2017, across 21 Japanese TV networks such as Tokyo MX and MBS. This season consists of twelve episodes and covers chapters 35 to 50 from the original source material.

Even though there were numerous obstacles and delays, the second season of “Attack on Titan” was exceptionally well-crafted, earning a solid 9/10 from us, making it our current runner-up for best season. The production team demonstrated significant growth over previous seasons, and the storyline became increasingly captivating with each new episode, which is why fans have been raving about it.

From our perspective, while this season may not be quite as strong as its third counterpart, there’s a possibility that it could even outshine the fourth season. Regardless, it remains an excellent season that promises to offer you an enjoyable experience in every conceivable aspect.

1. Season 3

The announcement for season three was made during the airing of the final episode from season two. Consisting of 22 episodes split into two segments, the first part aired between July and October in 2018, adapting the Royal Government Arc, which encompassed chapters 51 to 70 of the manga. The second half was broadcast between April and July of 2019, covering the Return to Shiganshina arc, corresponding to chapters 71 to 90 of the original work. For the first part, author Hajime Isayama rewrote the script due to dissatisfaction with his manga adaptations.

To me, the third season of “Attack on Titan” stands as an unparalleled triumph, scoring a flawless 10/10. It’s nothing short of a masterful piece of artistry that even Hajime Isayama, its creator, seemed to pour extra dedication into, enhancing the anime story above and beyond what was presented in the original.

In our view, the third series truly shone as a magnificent achievement across all fronts, offering unforgettable excitement as it brought to life one of the manga’s most outstanding story arcs. The animation quality was simply top-notch, and there’s hardly anything negative we can say about it; in fact, it’s mostly just high praise. That’s why we believe the third season outperforms the others in terms of excellence.

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2025-06-04 02:29