Can I watch AOT without movies?
Do You Need to Watch the Attack on Titan Movies? A Super Fan‘s Perspective
As an ardent Attack on Titan (AOT) super fan who has pored through all the available content – anime, OVAs, compilation films, and even the live action movie – I receive this question a lot:
Can I watch AOT without seeing the movies?
The short answer is – absolutely! Let me repeat it clearly:
You do NOT need to watch any of the AOT movies in order to enjoy the story from the anime.
The AOT movies are optional additional content, not critical viewing. Here‘s a breakdown of what purpose they serve:
AOT Compilation Movies
These two recap films basically summarize the events from Season 1 of the anime. If you‘ve already watched Season 1, then the compilation movies would be quite redundant. They don‘t contain any new story content.
The only reason to potentially watch them would be as a refresher if, say, you were preparing for Season 2 after a long gap. But frankly, the abridged rehash won‘t have the same impact as revisiting pivotal moments firsthand through the anime.
AOT Live Action Movie
Oh boy…as a diehard fan, I was sorely disappointed with the liberties this film took in altering integral plot points and character details. Many fellow fans agree it is non-canon and frankly underwhelming.
In the live action version, pivotal antagonists like the Female Titan and Colossal Titan do not even appear! Not to mention the absence of beloved badass Captain Levi.
While the special effects and production value are reasonably good, with a runtime barely over 90 minutes, the pacing feels too rushed and many context-driving scenes from the anime are missing.
The changes may make sense for a standalone live action adaptation, but undoubtedly diminish the viewing experience for existing fans. This film was never intended to supplement the main anime continuity.
AOT OVAs
The OVA episodes are the only "optional" content I would actually recommend to fans. While not critical to follow the central plot, they provide interesting additional glimpses into the pasts of favorite characters.
These side stories enrich the watching experience and make you love the characters even more!
They can be enjoyed after catching up fully with Season 1, or in between seasons.
The Ultimate AOT Viewing Timeline to Follow
So for anyone looking to dive into the enthralling, twisted world of Attack on Titan, here is how I‘d recommend experiencing it in all its dramatic glory:
- Attack on Titan: Season 1
- Attack on Titan: Ilse‘s Journal (OVA)
- Attack on Titan: No Regrets (OVA)
- Attack on Titan Season 2
- Attack on Titan: Lost Girls (OVA) – can be viewed after Season 2 or anytime later
- Attack on Titan Season 3
- Attack on Titan Season 4
That‘s it – no filler, no fluff! Follow this sequence for the complete canon experience that creator Hajime Isayama intended.
While I‘m always happy to talk in-depth about this incredible series, I hope the above breakdown clears up any confusion around whether the compilation films or live action movie need to be part of your watchlist.
They absolutely do not – stick to the magical animated world that has captivated the hearts (and sometimes broken them!) of fans worldwide.
Let the epic spectacle unfold before your eyes the way it was meant to! If you have any other AOT-related questions, hit me up. I could talk about this masterpiece forever…
