The right watch order
Four seasons, two specials, eight OVAs and four films — this is the order that shows the story off to its best advantage.
The short version
| # | Instalment | Episodes | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Season 1 | 25 | 2013 |
| 2 | Season 2 | 12 | 2017 |
| 3 | Season 3 Part 1 | 12 | 2018 |
| 4 | Season 3 Part 2 | 10 | 2019 |
| 5 | Season 4 Part 1 | 16 | 2020–2021 |
| 6 | Season 4 Part 2 | 12 | 2022 |
| 7 | The Final Chapters Special 1 | 1 long episode | 2023 |
| 8 | The Final Chapters Special 2 | 1 long episode | 2023 |
That is all you need
These eight steps give you the complete story, from the first crack in the Wall to the very last image.
Where do the OVAs fit?
The OVAs are short extra episodes that originally came with special manga editions. They are not essential, but two of them are genuinely worth your time.
| OVA | Watch it after | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Ilse’s Notebook | Season 1 | Yes — it rounds out a mystery nicely |
| The Sudden Visitor | Season 1 | Only if you want more of the cadets |
| Distress | Season 1 | Optional |
| No Regrets, parts 1 and 2 | Season 1 or later | Absolutely — Levi’s backstory |
| Lost Girls (three parts) | After season 3 | Yes — about Annie and Mikasa |
And the films?
The compilation films (Crimson Bow and Arrow, Wings of Freedom, The Roar of Awakening) recap existing seasons with a little new material. Useful as a refresher, superfluous if you are watching everything anyway.
The Last Attack (2024) is a different matter: it is the cinema version of the two closing specials, edited together with improved sound. A fine way to see the ending, but identical in content to the specials.
An order for rewatchers
Anyone who already knows the series can watch it a second time through an entirely different lens. Some fans watch the flashback episodes in the chronological order of events rather than in broadcast order. That works surprisingly well for the Marley storyline.
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