REVIEW: Relive the Greatest Moments of THE BEST OF ATTACK ON TITAN: IN COLOR VOL. 1

Manga Attack on Titan (AoT) fans already know the fate of Eren Yeager and company and the world; while the anime counterparts are still grappling in suspense whether the main protagonist’s end game plan will be successful at all. Whatever the outcome, Kodansha, AoT’s publisher, finally releases some of the manga series greatest “Episodes” (or parts/chapters) in a beautifully hardcover compilation entitled THE BEST OF ATTACK ON TITAN: IN COLOR VOL. 1.
This tome contains the first five best “episodes”, the first full original previously unreleased “episode one” draft, the final fan poll result of AoT characters, and the crown jewel of all, the colorization of these greatest “episodes” (except for the original “episode one” draft). The selection of the best was chosen by the Kodansha editor of the series (“Opening”), the AoT creator himself, Hajime Isayama (“Friends” and “Bystander”), and by the fans themselves (“Promise” and “Pride”). Long-time AoT readers/fans would have no problem reading this for they are already aware the episodes’ content, the plot, and the overall significance of the AoT narrative. The coloring scheme greatly enhances the ambiance and even makes some scenes in those parts clearer and brighter to an already excellent AoT “episodes”. The epic first engagement of Levi Ackerman and the Beast Titan, the Rumbling execution of Eren, the Ackerman’s background and its “curse”, the total victory of the Survey Corp and the coronation of Historia among others are further elevated to top tiering level reading experience due to the colorization. However, it is an honest and humble assessment that the animation counterpart is still superior to the manga, a very rare case in the manga versus anime comparative version. But nonetheless, many manga AoT fans still watch the anime version and I reckon they would highly appreciate (or even amaze) on the coloring treatment in this first tome.

One could pinpoint the lack of either foreword or introduction (or even so an afterword). I daresay this, that thing is unnecessary. This volume goes straight to the point, showing the first five best “episodes” or parts without much rhetorical brouhaha. The one thing I think worth nitpicking is the constant application of bright colors instead of utilizing shades or lighter ones to signify flashbacks or thoughts/scenarios. Perhaps again, this book targets more on the longtime AoT fans/readers, less on newbies.
Nevertheless, this volume is an excellent read, the selections are well justified, and the overall color scheme is equally magnificent to view, but a less short of comparing to the anime version. Can’t wait for the second volume!