Like many major anime, Attack on Titan has spawned a selection of side stories outside of the acclaimed TV series. If you haven’t got weeks to spare, we’ve put together the best Attack on Titan watch order that ensures you don’t miss a thing.
If you're considering starting the series, make sure you check out our Attack on Titan review specifically for new viewers!
If you're a huge fan of the series already, you might be surprised at just how much Attack on Titan anime has been produced outside of the TV series.
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All Attack on Titan Anime Content: Series, OVAs & Movies
Before we dive in, here is a list of all the notable anime content created for Attack on Titan since it first aired in 2013:
Title | Format | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
Attack on Titan Season 1 | TV Series | 2013 |
Ilse's Notebook | OVA | 2013 |
The Sudden Visitor | OVA | 2014 |
Distress | OVA | 2014 |
Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow | Movie | 2014 |
Attack on Titan: No Regrets | OVA | 2014-15 |
Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom | Movie | 2015 |
Attack on Titan: Junior High | TV Series | 2015 |
Attack on Titan Season 2 | TV Series | 2017 |
Attack on Titan: Lost Girls (Wall Sina, Goodbye & Lost in the Cruel World) | OVA | 2017-18 |
You may be pleased to hear that you don’t need to watch all of this content for the full Attack on Titan experience.
For example, Attack on Titan: Junior High is a chibi-style spin-off that parodies the main story in a high-school comedy.
The reception for Junior High is generally positive and it can be a fun watch for Attack on Titan fans but it’s definitely not canon and can be skipped if you want to focus on the action.
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Are the Attack on Titan Movies Canon?
The Attack on Titan anime movies are all recaps of events in the TV series. So, while they may technically be canon, they're not a must-watch, nor generally recommended.
Crimson Bow and Arrow and The Wings of Freedom recap the first and second halves of season 1. The other two movies recap seasons 2 and 3 respectively
The recap movies are produced using footage from the series to help new fans catch up quickly before the next season airs. The movies are largely criticised by those who watched the series beforehand as they inevitably skip certain details.
There is also a live-action Attack on Titan movie released in 2015. This Japanese movie deviates significantly from the source material and isn’t considered part of the manga or anime’s canon.
Attack on Titan's OVAs: Skip or Watch?
If you have time (and access), you should definitely watch the Attack on Titan Original Video Animations (OVAs).
The Attack on Titan OVAs were all produced as extras to accompany sales of the series DVDs or limited-edition manga. Some are based on existing stories not covered in the anime or are original stories created to accompany the main series.
The first three OVAs – Ilse's Notebook, The Sudden Visitor, and Distress – are sometimes referred to collectively as "the OVAs", even though more have since been released.
The first two take place during the gap between episodes 3 and 4 of the anime. However, given their content, it’s recommended to watch all three after finishing season 1. By then, you’ll understand the secrets that are crucial to the events that unfold.
Attack on Titan: No Regrets covers Levi’s backstory and is based on a visual novel of the same name. It provides some more context to the much-loved side character and also the world as a whole.
Attack on Titan: Lost Girls is based on a spin-off novel and follows Annie and Mikasa in two largely separate stories.
Mikasa’s story in episode 3 (Lost in the Cruel World) contains some minor spoilers for the first half of season 3, but Annie’s story (Wall Sina, Goodbye) can be watched before the third season.
Each Attack on Titan OVA has been well-received by fans of the series. While they are not crucial parts of the story, they offer insight into lesser-explored characters or world details that make the story richer.
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The Best Attack on Titan Watch Order
With all the above in mind, here is the best Attack on Titan watch order that ensures you don’t miss a moment:
- Attack on Titan Season 1 (TV Series)
- Ilse's Notebook (OVA)
- The Sudden Visitor (OVA)
- Distress (OVA)
- Attack on Titan: No Regrets (OVA)
- Attack on Titan Season 2 (TV Series)
- Attack on Titan: Lost Girls (Wall Sina, Goodbye) (OVA)
- Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 1 (TV Series)
- Attack on Titan: Lost Girls (Lost in the Cruel World) (OVA)
- Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 (TV Series)
- Attack on Titan The Final Season Parts 1, 2 & 3 (TV Series)
The best way to watch the Attack on Titan TV series is the order of release, with a few exceptions concerning the OVAs.
There’s nothing that should be skipped in the TV series – Attack on Titan’s foreshadowing is such a strong part of the show's appeal that you’ll want to make sure you take it all in on the way to the end.
The OVAs provide a bit of extra context to characters and events. While you can thoroughly enjoy Attack on Titan without ever watching the OVAs, they do help to shine a light on some of the story’s cast and side plots.
No matter what you choose, we hope this Attack on Titan watch order guide will help you get the absolute most out of your time with the series!
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