Attack on Titan (Manga)

Shingeki no Kyojin (進撃の巨人) is a manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. It started in 2009, it is serialized in Bessatsu Shounen Magazine and is currently in its eleventh volume

Title
The title has a dual meaning. The literal meaning is "Advancing Titan(s)" (or more literally"Advancing Giant(s)"). However in Japanese, it can also be taken as "Advance Toward the Titan(s)" which is what the localized title resembles: Attack on Titan.

Plot Summary
The setting is a fortified city with three walls built fifty meters high and arranged in large concentric circles. This is the last bastion for all that remains of humanity; more specifically Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlelt. As part of the military, they are charged with protecting the populace even if it costs them their lives.

Prequel
A prequel to the series titled Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall has been released in Japan in the form of a light novel. There are three books so far. The first is about a weaponsmith named Angel Altonen and his development of what would become mankind's best weapon against the titans, Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear. The second and third books chronicle the mysterious origins and life of a boy named Kyklo and his struggle to be accepted by the townspeople after being found as a baby in the remains of a titan.

These novels are also being adapted as a manga.

There is yet to be any news about a North American release date or an english translation.

Reception
Since its serialization, it has become a best seller in both Japan, and the United States. The popularity has also inspired a more comical spin-off called Shingeki! Kyojin Chūgakkō. A live action film is in the works, set for a release of fall 2013 but was pushed back to 2014 due to the director quiting the project in late December 2012