The Attack on Titan anime, released in 2013, revolutionized the shonen genre with its dark themes and intense violence. Creator Hajime Isayama intended to convey an anti-war message, highlighting the futility of battle. The series depicts a society living in constant fear of man-eating Titans. The show's brutal and bloody battles, along with the lack of humor, set it apart from other shonen series at the time. Attack on Titan's success in Japan and the West paved the way for darker shonen anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. The show's impact helped bring anime into the mainstream in Western society, attracting new fans and increasing demand for the medium. The series follows protagonist Eren Yeager as he seeks vengeance against the Titans who killed his mother.