Review by Frank Plowright

After the initial attack by giant Titans in Omnibus 1, Hajime Isayama jumped the narrative forward five years. However, Isayama loves a flashback, and he devotes many pages in this collection to the training undertaken by Eren and Mikasa. We already know she graduated top of the class, and the instructor notes her mastery of every discipline is historically unprecedented.

The greater purpose, though, is to give some form and personality to the other trainees. So far Eren and Mikasa have carried the story, and going forward greater diversity is required. It means we come to know not only the other eight of the top ten graduates, but officers as well. Isayama’s characterisation runs the gamut from the young man constantly festering in aggression to the timid, but determined personality, while also having room for a wild card whose eccentricity supplies left field moments. While running through the training, Isayama also underlines the tremendous odds of humanity ever being able to stop the threat of the Titans.

Eren’s already taken quite the strange journey, and that continues here, with ongoing mistrust about his ability to turn into a Titan himself. He opens this collection under attack, undergoes a trial, and ends up accompanying a survey party on a mission that encounters something very dangerous and previously unknown. However, while the entry point into Attack on Titan, Eren has dropped down to being just one member of an ensemble cast.

As is the case throughout, there’s little decorative about the art. Isayama’s concern is telling the story, and while the expressions are strong and detail is present, the only real step into something memorable and unusual are the goofy looking Titans themselves. With an ever-increasing cast and no colour to help, Isayama ensures the various people can be distinguished via hair colour, accessories and very different eyes. Eren’s are wide and staring, while the uncertain Armin has a haunted look.

The final third of this collection, Attack on Titan 6 in the smaller paperback format, occurs over a comparatively brief time and is the release of an action rush after a fair amount of background material. It’s not exactly a cliffhanger ending to pull readers into Omnibus 3, but unusual enough to arouse curiosity as to the appearance of an anomaly.

So far Attack on Titan isn’t a compelling series, but it consistently supplies better than average action thrills, and the overall premise remains intriguing.