Before the Fall - Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan: Before the Fall (進撃の巨人 Before the Fall Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall) is the first novel in the franchise of Attack on Titan and it was adapted into a manga series by Satoshi Shiki. The novels include three chapters written by Ryo Suzukaze and illustrated by Thores Shibamoto, while the manga version is comprised of 17 volumes published between 2013 and 2019. It is a prequel of the original story developed in the Attack on Titan series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Summary

The story starts 70 years before the storyline of the original Attack on Titan series. In the Shiganshina District, Angel Aaltonen admires the sight of Wall Maria before meeting Maria Carlstedt, a soldier belonging to the Garrison Regiment. They wait together for the return of the Survey Corps, who return from their recent expedition, along with Angel’s friend and Maria’s fiancé, Solm Hume. When the order to open the gates is given, the Corps rushes in and the sudden sound of cannonfire alerts them that Titans are following behind. In the chaos, Elena Mansell looks for her husband Heath among the soldiers, while Angel wonders whether his cannon has killed those Titans that were pursuing them.

Suddenly, the severed heads of several dead Survey Corps soldiers soar over Wall Maria, landing on the streets of Shiganshina causing residents nearby to start to panicking. Jorge Piquer, Commander of the Survey Corps, tries to gather the panicking troops within the district for an imminent battle with the Titans.

Before the Fall: Part 1

The first part of the light novel focuses on Angel Ahltonen, a blacksmith who works in a gear and protective weapons workshop for the Survey Corps (the story unfolds before the development of the Vertical maneuvering equipment). Angel was first assigned to make weapons as a craftsman, and therefore had direct access to the ongoings within the Survey Corps. In this prequel, people still did not know about the weak points of the Titans. So the narration is about Angel starting to work on the weapon that would aid in fighting the Titans. This part of the light novel reveals the origins of how the Vertical maneuvering equipment was originally created.

Before The Fall: Part 2

The second part of the novel tells the story of a baby who was found crying in a mass of Titan vomit. The boy is called “Titan’s son” and is specially hated and discriminated against by people inside the walls. Kuklo, the young boy’s real name is a mystery. A young boy that also grows abnormally abnormally fast.

Before The Fall: Part 3

The third part of the novel follows the growth of Kuklo. Despite coming from the outer wall he was a survivor. Growing older he joins the fight against the Titans. In order to defeat the Titans, he starts to use the Vertical maneuvering equipment. Although this tool remains imperfect and causes many issues for Kuklo, he decides to join the Survey Corps to fight against the Titans and his own past.

Light Novel Volume List

Volume 1

Japanese Release: December 2, 2011
English Release: September 16, 2014

Volume 2

Japanese Release: March 30, 2012
English Release: May 26, 2015

Volume 3

Japanese Release: June 29, 2012
English Release: SMay 26, 2015

Manga Adaptation

A manga adaptation of this series was first released in the Monthly Shōnen Sirius magazine published by Kodansha on August 26, 2013. It was written by Suzukase and illustrated by Satoshi Shiki. In June 2018 it was announced that the manga had entered its Final arc. Finally, on March 26, 2019, the last chapter of the series was published, which was compiled in a total of 17 volumes.

Manga Volume List

Volume 1 - Released December 9, 2013
Chapters:

1. The Titan’s Son
1. Her Determination
1. Moonlit Oath
1. Bonus: Trailer

Volume 2 - Released April 9, 2014
Chapters:

1. Stormy Night
1. Predawn Departure
1. Proof of Humanity
1. The Freshly Blood-Soaked Earth

Volume 3 - Released August 8, 2014
Chapters:

1. Predatory Cycle
1. The Crimson Tower
1. The Unicorn’s Plight
Bonus: Carlo Pikale’s Expedition Report

Volume 4 - Released December 9, 2014
Chapters:

1. Serendipity Behind Bars
1. The Killing Fields
1. Left for Dead
Bonus: Sharle’s Shiganshina Diary

Volume 5 - Released April 9, 2015
Chapters:

1. Visitors to the Industrial City
1. Visions of the Future
1. Thicket of Iron Bamboo
1. The Corps Collapses

Volume 6 - Released August 7, 2015
Chapters:

1. Bacchanalia of Greed
1. Oath in the Bamboo Thicket
1. The Quickening of Ambition
Bonus: The Recruit’s First Mission
Bonus 2: The Girl Waiting in the Workshop

Volume 7 - Released December 9, 2015
Chapters:

1. Den of Treachery
1. Abyss Below the Wall
1. Rondo of Darkness
1. Wail from the Shadows
Bonus: Swear upon Wall Maria

Volume 8 - Released April 8, 2016
Chapters:

1. Before the Storm
1. The Fries of Uheaval
1. The Rivalry’s Outcome
1. Dense Space
Bonus: Master of Vertical Maneuvering

Volume 9 - Released August 9, 2016
Chapters:

1. Disturbance in the City
1. Fallout of Rebellion
1. Blades of Karma
1. Caged Ball
Bonus: Budding Ambition

Volume 10 - Released December 9, 2016
Chapters:

1. The Imprisoned Princess Flees
1. Town of Eternal Night
1. Lone Shadow in the Town That Never Sleeps
1. Craftsmen of Yore
Bonus: Greater Intimacy Through Self-Defense

Volume 11 - Released April 7, 2017
Chapters:

1. Sacrificial Cage
1. Warrior of Vengeance
1. Succession of the Dream
1. Cottage Meeting

Volume 12 - Released August 9, 2017
Chapters:

1. Cornerstone of the Corps
1. Traveling Skies
1. Wellspring of the Restoration
1. Long-Awaited Weapon

Volume 13 - Released December 8, 2017
Chapters:

1. Wings of the Bulwark
1. Corps Crossroads
1. Harbinger of Upheaval
1. The Reason I Fight

Volume 14 - Released April 9, 2018
Chapters:

1. Beyond the Boundary
1. Labyrinth of the Demon’s Womb
1. Vast Silhouette’s Fetters
1. Genesis of the Wings of Hope

Volume 15 - Released August 9, 2018
Chapters:

1. Setback at the Initiation
1. In the Thick of Paranoia
1. Box of Delusions
1. Illumination in the Dead of Night

Volume 16 - Released December 7, 2018
Chapters:

1. Before the Expedition
1. Moment of Departure
1. Quagmire Underfoot
1. Tragedy in the Rain

Volume 17 - Released April 9, 2019
Chapters:

1. Fell Blade in the Royal Capital
1. The Cost of Victory
1. The Deadly Greenwood
1. Glimmer in the Umbral Dard
Bonus: To a New Age

Links

Kodansha Japan
Kodansha USA
Hajime Isayama Twitter