Attack on Titan has four seasons, but the final season is split into three parts, making a total of seven distinct broadcast chunks. The series aired from 2013 to 2023, with a total of 87 episodes across the main series plus two recap films and two compilation movies.
Season 1 (2013)
The first season, produced by Wit Studio, aired from April to September 2013. It covers the first 8 volumes of Hajime Isayama’s manga, introducing the walled city of Paradis, the Colossal Titan’s breach of Wall Maria, and the formation of the 104th Training Corps. Key events include the fall of Shiganshina, Eren Yeager’s first transformation, and the Battle of Trost. The season ends with the female titan arc, where Eren, Mikasa, and Armin face a mysterious enemy within their own ranks.
Season 2 (2017)
After a four-year gap, Season 2 aired from April to June 2017, also by Wit Studio. It adapts volumes 9-13, covering the 104th’s reunion after the fall of Wall Rose, the reveal of the Beast Titan, and the return to Eren’s childhood home. The season focuses on the identity of the Armored and Colossal Titans, and ends with the revelation that Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover are the traitors. It is the shortest season at only 12 episodes.
Season 3 (2018-2019)
Season 3 was split into two parts. Part 1 aired from July to October 2018 (12 episodes), covering the Uprising arc, where the Survey Corps confronts the corrupt military police and the true history of the walls. Part 2 aired from April to July 2019 (10 episodes), adapting the Return to Shiganshina arc, including the battle against the Beast Titan and the reveal of the basement’s secrets. This season marks the transition from a survival horror series to a political and historical drama.
Season 4: The Final Season (2020-2023)
The final season moved to MAPPA studio and was split into three parts. Part 1 aired from December 2020 to March 2021 (16 episodes), adapting the Marley arc, shifting perspective to the enemy nation and introducing the warriors’ childhood. Part 2 aired from January to April 2022 (12 episodes), covering the War for Paradis arc, including the Declaration of War and the start of the global conflict. Part 3 was split into two specials: the first aired in March 2023 (60 minutes) and the second in November 2023 (85 minutes), covering the final chapters of the manga. The final part concluded the series with Eren’s rumbling and the ultimate fate of Paradis.
Watch Order: Original vs. Recaps
For a first-time viewer, the correct order is simply Season 1, 2, 3, then Season 4 Part 1, Part 2, and the two final specials. However, there are also compilation movies that condense the series: Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow (Season 1), Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom (Season 2), and the two-part Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters specials. These are not replacements for the full series, as they cut significant character development and subplots. Some fans also recommend watching the OVA episodes (such as Ilse’s Notebook and No Regrets) after Season 2, but they are optional and not essential to the main plot.
Episode Count and Runtime
The entire series totals 87 episodes: 25 (Season 1) + 12 (Season 2) + 22 (Season 3) + 28 (Season 4, including the two specials). Each episode is approximately 24 minutes, except the final two specials which are feature-length. The series also has 8 OVA episodes and 2 live-action films (2015) that are not part of the main canon. The total runtime of the main series is about 35 hours.
Production Changes and Impact
The shift from Wit Studio to MAPPA after Season 3 was a major change for the series. Wit Studio had produced the first three seasons with a distinctive hand-drawn look, while MAPPA used more CGI for the Titan models, which divided fan opinion. The final season also saw a change in tone, adapting the manga’s later chapters that focus on moral ambiguity and the cycle of hatred. The series ended in November 2023, matching the manga’s conclusion, which had ended in April 2021. The anime’s ending was slightly expanded from the manga, adding a scene that hints at the distant future of Paradis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seasons of Attack on Titan are there?
There are four seasons, but the fourth is split into three parts. In total, there are seven broadcast chunks: Season 1, Season 2, Season 3 (two parts), and Season 4 (three parts). The final part aired as two long specials rather than a traditional weekly series.
Is Season 4 the last season?
Yes, Season 4 is the final season. It covers the rest of the manga after Season 3, and its final special (aired November 2023) brings the story to a definitive conclusion. There is no Season 5.
Do I need to watch the OVAs to understand the story?
No, the OVAs are optional. They provide backstory for side characters like Levi and Ilse, but they are not essential to the main plot. You can skip them without losing any crucial information, though they do add depth to the world.
What is the difference between the anime and manga ending?
The anime’s ending is essentially the same as the manga, but it adds a short post-credits scene that shows a distant future after the events of the final chapter. This scene implies that Paradis may eventually be destroyed, but it is left ambiguous. The manga’s ending is more abrupt, without this extra scene.
Can I watch Attack on Titan on streaming services?
Yes, the series is available on Crunchyroll, Funimation (now merged with Crunchyroll), and Hulu (in the US). The final specials are also on Crunchyroll. Availability may vary by region, so check your local streaming platforms.
Why did the animation studio change after Season 3?
The production committee decided to switch from Wit Studio to MAPPA for the final season. Wit Studio had a heavy workload and the production committee wanted a studio that could handle the demanding schedule. MAPPA produced the entire final season, including the specials.
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