Attack on Titan (Manga)

Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人) is a manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. It was first published in 2009, and is serialized in Bessatsu Shounen Magazine and is currently on its 19th volume.

Title
The original Japanese title "Shingeki no Kyojin" 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 series follows the story of Eren Yeager, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their friend Armin Arlert. After the outermost Wall is breached by Titans, including the 60-meter tall skinless Colossus Titan and the abnormally intelligent Armored Titan and his mother dying in the resulting destruction, Eren vows revenge against the Titans and later enlists in the military, accompanied by both Mikasa and Armin. Years later during his first battle against the Titans, Eren discovers that he has the ability to transform into a Titan at will. Seen as a threat to mankind by some and as a ray of hope by others, Eren joins his companions in a desperate fight to protect what remains of their society while looking for answers to the mysteries surrounding the Titans, the Walls and his own existence as well.

Prequel
A prequel to the series titled Attack on Titan: 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, Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. The second and third books chronicle the mysterious origins and life of a boy named Kuklo (meaning "one eyed giant" in greek - "Κύκλωπας") 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.

Kodansha USA has licensed the manga and the first volume is to be released in March 2014.

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 Attack on Titan: Titan Junior High. Two live-action films, Attack on Titan, The Movie: Part 1 and Attack on Titan, The Movie: Part 2, were released in 2015.

As of July 2015, the manga had 52.5 million copies in print, with 50 million copies in Japan and 2.5 million copies overseas since it was first released. It was the 11th best selling manga in of 2011 in Japan with 3,766,194 copies sold. It became the 15th best selling manga in 2012 with 2,682,504 copies sold. However it became the 2nd best selling manga in 2013 with 15,933,801 copies sold. It still remained the 2nd best selling manga of 2014 with 11,728,368 copies sold. It became the 3rd best selling manga of 2015 with 8,778,048 copies sold.