Introduction:

Looking at Attack on Titan through the lenses of history, humanities, natural and applied

sciences, and social science shows how popular culture can reflect real issues in society. This

paper argues that the anime Attack on Titan, as a global example of popular culture,

demonstrates how power, historical conflict, trauma, and social structures shape human behavior

and perception when analyzed through the social science lens, particularly in how audiences

interpret conflict, identity, and authority.

Topic Description: Attack on Titan and Popular Culture

Popular culture includes the forms of media and entertainment that large groups of people

engage with and discuss in everyday life. One area of popular culture that has grown

significantly in recent decades is Japanese anime. Anime has expanded beyond Japan and has

become a global entertainment industry supported by streaming platforms, fan communities, and

online discussion spaces. A specific example within this area of popular culture is the anime and

manga series Attack on Titan, created by Hajime Isayama. Since the manga debuted in 2009 and

the anime adaptation began airing in 2013, the series has become one of the most recognizable

anime franchises worldwide. Its popularity has led to widespread discussion among fans about

the story’s deeper themes related to war, nationalism, and human conflict.

Anime exists within global media culture and is consumed through television, streaming

platforms, conventions, and online communities where fans analyze storylines and characters.

According to Ferreira et al. (2023), anime attracts large international audiences who actively

engage with the content through online forums, fan discussions, and media databases. Attack on

Titan represents this area of popular culture because it demonstrates how anime can reach global

audiences while encouraging deeper discussions about political and social themes. The

population that engages with anime includes viewers from many cultural backgrounds, although

it is particularly popular among younger audiences and online fandom communities. These

audiences often interpret the story’s themes through their own cultural perspectives, which can

influence how they understand the narrative and its meaning.

Society has also played an important role in shaping both the anime industry and the

themes explored in Attack on Titan. As anime has spread internationally, it has become part of a

transnational media environment where stories are interpreted differently depending on the

audience’s cultural background. Montgomery and Itoh (2023) explain that global audiences often

reinterpret anime narratives through their own historical and cultural experiences. In the case of

Attack on Titan, the story’s themes of nationalism, propaganda, and cycles of violence resonate

with real-world political discussions. Scholars have also noted that the series reflects historical

tensions related to war and collective memory, which can influence how viewers interpret the

conflicts portrayed in the story (Brinkhof, 2021). This demonstrates how popular culture both

reflects and responds to broader societal issues.

Critical Analysis: Social Science Lens

Attack on Titan can be analyzed through the social science lens by looking at how power,

social structures, and group identity shape the way societies function. Throughout the series,

institutions like the government and military play a major role in controlling information and

influencing how people think. Inside the walls, people are taught a very specific version of

reality that protects those in power, which reflects how propaganda can be used in real-world

societies to shape public perception (Brinkhof, 2021). This shows how institutions can influence

not only behavior, but also how people understand their place in the world.

The series also highlights how social and political systems create division between

groups. In Attack on Titan, entire populations are raised to fear and distrust others based on

limited or manipulated information. This connects to real-world examples of nationalism and

conflict, where group identity and shared beliefs shape how people see outsiders (Montgomery &

Itoh, 2023). These divisions often lead to ongoing cycles of violence, especially when each side

believes they are justified. The show does a good job of showing how these systems are built and

maintained over time, rather than just presenting conflict at the surface level.

Another important aspect is how history and society shape the way audiences interpret

the series. The themes of war, inherited conflict, and generational trauma reflect patterns seen

throughout history, where past events continue to influence present-day relationships. According

to Montgomery and Itoh (2023), global audiences often interpret anime differently based on their

own cultural and historical backgrounds. This means that viewers may take away different

meanings depending on their own experiences. In that way, Attack on Titan is not just telling a

story, but also creating space for different perspectives and interpretations.

From a social science perspective, the series also connects to ideas about group behavior

and social identity. People in the show strongly identify with their group, which affects how they

justify their actions and view others. This reflects how group identity can lead to bias and

conflict, especially when people are taught to see others as a threat. Over time, violence becomes

normalized, which shows how repeated exposure to conflict can shape what societies consider

acceptable behavior. These patterns are not unique to the show but are reflected in real-world

social dynamics as well.

Attack on Titan can help people better understand the world by showing how complex

issues like war, power, and morality are not always clear. Instead of presenting a simple good-

versus-evil story, the series shows multiple perspectives and motivations, which encourages

viewers to think more critically about real-world conflicts. It also highlights how easily people

can be influenced by authority, fear, and the information they are given. This is especially

relevant in today’s world, where media plays a major role in shaping opinions. Overall, the series

offers insight into how social structures, history, and group identity all influence how people

understand the world around them (Denison, 2015).

Cultural Understanding

The anime series Attack on Titan can broaden an outsider’s understanding of different

cultures and societies by showing how power, history, and group identity influence the way

people think and act. While it may seem like a story about humans fighting monsters at first, it

develops into a more complex narrative about political conflict, propaganda, and inherited

beliefs. This shift helps viewers, especially those unfamiliar with anime, see how perspectives

are shaped over time rather than simply accepted as truth.

One of the most important ways the series builds understanding is through its portrayal of

propaganda and controlled information. In the story, entire populations are raised to believe a

version of history that supports those in power. This shows how institutions can shape what

people believe and how they see other groups (Brinkhof, 2021). Instead of presenting one side as

entirely right or wrong, the series shows that both groups are influenced by the information they

are given. This can help outsiders understand that real-world conflicts are often shaped by

perspective and social conditioning.

The series also highlights how group identity creates division. Characters are raised to

fear and distrust others, which leads to cycles of violence and justification of harmful actions.

This reflects real-world examples of nationalism and conflict, where group identity shapes how

people view outsiders (Montgomery & Itoh, 2023). By showing multiple perspectives, the series

encourages viewers to question assumptions and think more critically about conflict.

Another way the series contributes to cultural understanding is through its global

audience. Anime is consumed across cultures, and viewers interpret it differently based on their

own experiences. According to Denison (2015), meaning in anime is shaped by the audience

rather than fixed. This shows how popular culture can create space for different perspectives and

discussions about topics like war and identity. This example also connects to my field of study,

marketing. In Attack on Titan, institutions use messaging to influence how people think about

others. Similarly, brands use positioning and communication strategies to shape how consumers

perceive products and companies. Understanding how messaging influences perception is an

important skill in both contexts.

Critical analysis helps develop these skills. One strategy is questioning the source and

intent behind information. In the series, characters who question what they have been told gain a

clearer understanding of the conflict. Another strategy is considering multiple perspectives,

which leads to a more complete understanding of complex situations. These skills can support

both personal and professional goals. In marketing, they help improve communication and

audience understanding. On a personal level, they encourage more thoughtful media

consumption and reduce bias when forming opinions. Overall, analyzing Attack on Titan shows

how popular culture can help people better understand complex issues while also building useful

critical thinking skills.

Reflection

Critically analyzing popular culture through Attack on Titan has changed the way I

understand both the world and the people in it. Before engaging with the show at a deeper level, I

tended to see global conflict and political division in a more straightforward way. However,

analyzing the series forced me to confront how complex these issues actually are. The show

demonstrates how fear, environment, and upbringing shape people’s beliefs, often in ways they

do not question. This connects to the idea that pop culture is not something we passively

consume, but something we actively interpret based on our own experiences and assumptions

(Idea Channel, 2017). Because of this, I now find myself thinking more critically about how

narratives are created and how entire groups of people can be influenced by them.

One of the biggest shifts in my perspective is recognizing that people often struggle to

see beyond what they were taught or the environment they were raised in. Attack on Titan shows

how entire societies can be conditioned to fear others, justify violence, and believe they are

morally right. When I compare this to real-world conflicts and political division, I see similar

patterns. It has made me more aware of how fear-based messaging and deeply rooted beliefs can

shape opinions and actions. At the same time, it has pushed me to reflect on my own

assumptions. Ellis (2005) explains that media plays a role in shaping what we accept as truth,

even when those representations are constructed or incomplete. That idea made me realize that I

am not immune to bias either. Even when I feel confident in my beliefs, I try to question where

they come from and whether I am considering other perspectives.

Examining my own bias has changed the way I engage with popular culture. Instead of

just watching something for entertainment, I now pay more attention to the underlying messages,

character motivations, and the larger themes being presented. For example, I found myself

relating to Eren, a character who believes he has no choice but to take extreme action to protect

his people. That realization was uncomfortable, but it was also important. It forced me to think

more critically about morality and how easily people can justify harmful actions when they feel

threatened or believe they are right. This reflects the idea that media can challenge our thinking

and push us to reconsider our assumptions (Idea Channel, 2017). Being aware of that reaction

helped me better understand how people, both in fiction and in real life, can rationalize behavior

that might otherwise seem wrong.

This awareness of bias has also influenced how I interpret current events and interact

with others. I try to approach conversations with more openness, recognizing that people on

different sides of an issue often believe they are right based on their own experiences and

influences. While I still have strong personal values, especially around fairness and allowing

people to live freely without harming others, I am more aware of how complex these issues are.

Critically analyzing media has helped me move away from seeing things as completely black and

white, even though that can feel overwhelming at times. It has also reinforced the importance of

questioning information instead of accepting it at face value.

Critically analyzing popular culture is also valuable for my academic and professional

development in marketing. Marketing is built on understanding how people think, what

influences them, and how messages shape perception. Studying a show like Attack on Titan

reinforces how powerful storytelling can be in shaping beliefs and emotions. It also highlights

the responsibility that comes with influencing an audience. As Ellis (2005) suggests, media has

the ability to shape how people understand reality, which directly connects to how marketing

messages can influence consumer behavior. This perspective will help me be more thoughtful in

how I communicate messages and consider their impact on different audiences.

Overall, this process has made me more reflective, more aware of bias, and more open to

complexity. It has also been challenging, because it forces me to sit with the idea that many

issues are not clearly right or wrong. However, that discomfort is part of developing critical

thinking skills. Instead of avoiding it, I am learning to engage with it more thoughtfully and use

it to better understand both media and the world around me.

Conclusion

Overall, analyzing Attack on Titan through the social science lens shows how popular

culture reflects complex social and political issues, including power, identity, and conflict. Using

interdisciplinary perspectives also highlights how different lenses can change the way we

interpret media. This reinforces that popular culture is not just entertainment, but a meaningful

way to better understand society and improve critical thinking in both personal and professional

contexts. In addition to its themes, the global popularity of Attack on Titan also highlights the

broader influence of popular culture in shaping conversations across different societies. As

audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds engage with the series, they bring their own

perspectives and interpretations, which can lead to more nuanced discussions about conflict,

identity, and morality. This reinforces the idea that popular culture is not only reflective of

society, but also plays an active role in shaping how people understand complex issues. By

encouraging critical thinking and open discussion, media like Attack on Titan contributes to a

more informed and thoughtful audience.

References

Ellis, J. (2005). Documentary: Witness and self-revelation. Routledge.

Idea Channel. (2017). A defense of overthinking pop culture [Video]. PBS Digital Studios.

Widom, C. S. (1989). The cycle of violence. Science, 244(4901), 160–166.

Brinkhof, T. (2021). Revisiting the fascist subtext of Attack on Titan. Film & History, 51(2), 21–29.

Denison, R. (2015). Anime: A critical introduction. Bloomsbury Academic.

Ferreira, J. C. V., et al. (2023). Anime clustering for automatic classification and configuration of

demographics. Cuadernos.info, 54, 1–15.

Montgomery, F., & Itoh, M. (2023). Understanding transnational decontextualization–

recontextualization through Shingeki no Kyojin. Critical Studies in Media Communication.