Nördlingen’s medieval cityscape served as the inspiration for the manga sensation Attack on Titan. The parallels to the fictional world are unmistakable.
The manga Attack on Titan is an international phenomenon, evident in the sales of over 120 million copies and the immense popularity of the anime adaptation. While fans flock to various locations in Japan to experience the real-life settings, a German small town also benefits from the Attack on Titan hype: Nördlingen in Bavaria, Germany.
The reason is that Nördlingen served as the muse for Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama in crafting his fantastical manga world. Upon closer inspection, one can discern several parallels, which we would like to delve into further.
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Nördlingen’s medieval city wall
Attack on Titan unfolds in a world where the majority of humanity was annihilated by humanoid monsters known as Titans. Only a few people managed to survive and built a city behind formidable walls. Similarly, Nördlingen is enclosed by a wall, although it is nowhere near as towering as those in Attack on Titan.
The medieval Nördlingen city wall stretches about 2.6 kilometers or 1.6 miles and is one of the best-preserved in Germany. Its walkway is entirely accessible, allowing one to circumnavigate the entire city in this way. In doing so, fans of Attack on Titan are likely to discover further similarities with the manga series.
Additional parallels to Attack on Titan
The red roofs of the buildings, which complete Nördlingen’s medieval cityscape, are particularly noticeable. Furthermore, the city gates, numerous towers, and the St. George’s Church in the center of the town also evoke the homeland of the heroes in Attack on Titan.
It comes as no surprise that manga fans have left their mark in the Bavarian small town. Characters from Hajime Isayama’s comic book series are painted on many walls, and cosplay enthusiasts visit the city daily. The fact that the local bookstore also stocks Attack on Titan volumes is self-evident.