Attack on Titan's Writing Demands Attention
Discover the Key Elements of Attack on Titan's Inciting Event and Learn How to Captivate Your Readers with Irresistible Writing
In storytelling, an inciting event is the event or situation that sets the story in motion. It is the event that disrupts the status quo of the story's protagonist and creates a conflict that drives the narrative forward. It sets the stage for the protagonist's journey, establishes the stakes, introduces the main characters, and sets the story's themes.
The inciting event is often the first major event in the story and as a result of it’s introduction, sets the rest of the plot to unfold. It can be an external event, such as an accident, a murder, or a natural disaster, or it can be an internal event, such as a decision or realization that the protagonist makes.
It creates a sense of urgency and tension in the story, and it provides the reader or audience with a reason to care about the protagonist and the outcome of the story. Without an inciting event, the story would lack direction and purpose, and the protagonist would have no reason to take action or face the challenges that lie ahead.
An analogy to explain the difference between a hook and an inciting event in storytelling could be a fishing metaphor.
The hook is like the bait on a fishing line, designed to grab the reader's attention and lure them into the story. It's the initial element that makes the reader interested in reading further, and it sets the tone for what's to come. Just like how a fisherman carefully chooses their bait to attract the right fish, a writer chooses their hook to attract the right audience.
On the other hand, the inciting event is like the moment when the fish takes the bait and the fishing line suddenly pulls tight. It's the event that sets the story into motion, and it propels the characters forward into the conflict and action of the plot. Just like how a fisherman needs to be ready to reel in the fish once they've taken the bait, a writer needs to be ready to dive into the heart of the story once the inciting event occurs.
"Attack on Titan" takes place in a dystopian world where humanity resides inside a city surrounded by three enormous walls that shield them from giant humanoid creatures called Titans. Titans devour humans without any apparent cause. The story tracks a young boy named Eren Yeager and his friends who enlist in the military to fight the Titans and unravel the mysteries surrounding their existence.
The manga's first chapter and the first episode of the adapted anime series introduce Attack on Titan's inciting event. The peaceful atmosphere and serenity are suddenly disrupted by the Colossal Titan's sudden and unexpected appearance, which demolishes the outermost wall, Wall Maria, and permits Titans to invade the city. The Colossal Titan, as indicated by the name, is enormous, towering over any other Titan seen previously.
The story starts slowly enough to establish the world and the characters, and creating a sense of normality and safety. The sudden appearance of the Colossal Titan is all the more shocking as a result. Hints of impending doom throughout the initial chapters create unease in the reader, and the Titans are established as a looming danger, heightening the impact of their abrupt appearance. The inciting event is symbolic of the Titans' overwhelming strength and the futility of human resistance, strengthening the story's themes and having a deeper emotional effect on the reader. The Titans are portrayed as grotesque and terrifying creatures, and creator Isayama's vivid and gruesome imagery provokes a visceral reaction, emphasizing the horror and tragedy of the event.
The Colossal Titan's initial appearance sets the story's primary conflict, the battle between humanity and the Titans. The event establishes a clear objective for the protagonist and introduces the story's themes, such as the struggle for survival, the cost of war, and the significance of human connection. The inciting event subverts the typical genre expectations by serving as a moment of defeat for humanity, creating a sense of despair and hopelessness, distinguishing Attack on Titan from other stories.
The Colossal Titan's appearance and the following tragedies strike a balance between action and character development, providing an action-packed opening sequence that draws the reader into the story while also establishing the characters and their relationships. The reader is introduced to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, childhood friends who have grown up together. The event compels them to confront their fears and weaknesses, adding depth and complexity to their personalities. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin must confront the harsh realities of the world they live in, relying on each other to survive. The aftermath of the event is meticulously examined, illustrating the consequences of the Titan invasion and the toll it takes on the characters, serving as a turning point in the story.
The Colossal Titan's appearance is also successful in establishing the story's world-building, creating a clear and concise picture of the world the characters inhabit and the dangers they face. The walls that safeguard humanity were erected after the Titans appeared, adding mystery and intrigue to their origin. The event also introduces the military system of the story, where soldiers fight against the Titans, and the political system, where corrupt officials manipulate the people for their benefit, adding depth and complexity to the story's world-building.
One of Attack on Titan's inciting event's essential aspects is that it is complex and multifaceted, with its consequences unfolding over the entire series. The story progresses by developing the world-building, revealing new information about the Titans, the world's history, and the political landscape. However, the inciting event is the foundation for the world-building, establishing the stakes and dangers that the characters face.
Another notable aspect of the inciting event of Attack on Titan is how it elicits an emotional response from the reader. The sudden and unexpected appearance of the Colossal Titan creates a sense of shock and horror, while The event sets the tone for the entire story, establishing the stakes and the conflict while also introducing the characters and the world-building. It subverts the reader's expectations and creates a sense of emotional investment, making them care about what happens next. The use of vivid imagery and symbolism creates a visceral reaction in the reader, emphasizing the horror and tragedy of the event while also reinforcing the story's themes.
In conclusion, Attack on Titan's inciting event is a masterclass in storytelling, using a slow buildup, foreshadowing, and vivid imagery to create a sense of tension and unease in the reader. The sudden appearance of the Colossal Titan subverts the reader's expectations and creates a moment of shock and horror, establishing the conflict and the stakes of the story while also introducing the characters and the world-building. The event elicits an emotional response from the reader, making them care about the characters and their struggles while also reinforcing the story's themes. Overall, Attack on Titan is a standout in the genre, and its inciting event is a significant reason for its success.
There are several key elements of Attack on Titan's hook and inciting incident that can be incorporated into your own writing, even if it is in a non-visual medium. Here are some ways you can do so:
Foreshadowing: One of the most effective techniques used in Attack on Titan's hook is foreshadowing. By hinting at the danger that lurks beyond the walls, the story creates a sense of unease and tension that draws readers in. To incorporate this technique into your own writing, you can drop hints about the challenges that your characters will face later in the story. These hints can be subtle, such as a character's offhand comment that seems innocuous at first but takes on greater significance later on. Foreshadowing creates anticipation in the reader and can make them more invested in the story.
A sense of mystery: Attack on Titan's hook is also effective because it creates a sense of mystery. Readers are intrigued by the unknown danger that lurks beyond the walls and want to know more. To incorporate this technique into your own writing, consider withholding information from the reader in the early parts of the story. You can reveal details gradually, building suspense and keeping the reader engaged.
Strong character motivations: In Attack on Titan, the inciting incident is driven by the characters' strong motivations. Eren's desire to see the world beyond the walls and protect his loved ones is what propels the story forward. To improve your own writing, consider the motivations of your own characters. What do they want? What are they willing to do to achieve their goals? Strong character motivations can make a story more engaging and keep readers invested in the outcome.
High stakes: Another important element of Attack on Titan's inciting incident is the high stakes involved. The Titans pose a threat to the very existence of humanity, creating a sense of urgency and desperation that drives the story. To incorporate this into your own writing, consider the stakes involved in your own story. What is at risk if the characters fail? What are the consequences of their actions? By raising the stakes, you can create tension and keep readers invested in the outcome.
By incorporating these key elements of Attack on Titan's hook and inciting incident into your own writing, you can improve the effectiveness of your storytelling and engage readers from the very beginning.
We learnt about how to hook the reader, and how authors like Stephen King manages to deliver the perfect opening scenario and punchy opening line to intrigue his readers in The #1 Mistake New Writers Make!
We examined how R.L. Stine caters to his intended audience by perfectly crafting his storytelling experience from the ground up.
NOW I feel as though those previous lessons have come together in a way that has begun to create a blueprint. Brandon Sanderson has a wonderful lecture series on Youtube, but what always put me off of his philosophy, was how he approached writing as a science. BUT, as I continue to better myself as a writer and to organize these thoughts, it’s becoming more apparent to me that even “spontaneous writers” develop good habits either by sheer luck, or trial and error.
Thanks,
Cole