Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by giants. Giants are typically several stories tall, seem to have no intelligence and who devour human beings. A small percentage of humanity survied barricading themselves in a city protected by walls even taller than the biggest of giants.

What's left of mankind has hidden in a giant, three-walled city, trapped in fear of these bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming humankind, but the sudden appearance of an enormous Titan is about to change everything... 

Flash forward to the present and the city has not seen a giant in over 100 years - before teenager Eren and his foster sister Mikasa witness something horrific as the city walls are destroyed by a super-giant that appears from nowhere.