A Complete Guide to Attack on Titan’s Watch Order and Filler

Few anime series have captured global attention like Attack on Titan. Spanning a full decade from 2013 to 2023, the story combines intense action, emotional depth, and shocking twists that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With almost 90 episodes, newcomers often ask: in what order should they watch it, and do they need to worry about filler episodes?

Fortunately, Attack on Titan is pretty straightforward compared to other long-running anime. Its adaptation closely follows the manga by Hajime Isayama, meaning there is very little filler. This guide breaks down the best way to watch the series, explains the role of OVAs and side stories, and highlights episodes that contain minor filler content.

Attack on Titan Release Order Watch Guide

The simplest and most recommended way to watch Attack on Titan is by release order. This approach preserves the pacing, plot reveals, and character development exactly as intended. The series is divided into four seasons, with the final season split into multiple parts, concluding with two “Final Chapter” specials.

Season	Episodes	Air Dates	Notes
Season 1	1–25	Apr 2013 – Sep 2013	Introduces Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the fall of Shiganshina.
Season 2	26–37	Apr 2017 – Jun 2017	Focuses on Reiner and Bertholdt’s secrets and the Beast Titan reveal.
Season 3 Part 1	38–49	Jul 2018 – Oct 2018	Political intrigue, Historia’s rise, and the Female Titan arc concludes.
Season 3 Part 2	50–59	Apr 2019 – Jun 2019	Retakes Shiganshina, uncovers basement secrets, and intensifies Titan lore.
Season 4 Part 1	60–75	Dec 2020 – Mar 2021	Introduces Marley, War Hammer Titan, and expands global conflict.
Season 4 Part 2	76–87	Jan 2022 – Apr 2022	Climactic battles, Eren’s transformation, and ideological conflicts.
Final Chapter Special 1	88	Mar 2023	Concludes Final Season Part 2 storyline.
Final Chapter Special 2	89	Nov 2023	Wraps up series; also available as part of the movie “The Last Attack.“

Watching the series this way ensures all major reveals, such as the basement secrets, the history of Titans, and Eren’s transformation, are experienced in the intended narrative sequence.

The Role of Attack on Titan’s OADs, OVAs, and Side Stories

Although the main series avoids filler, Attack on Titan does include several OADs (Original Animation DVDs) and OVAs. These episodes enrich the story and are amazing watches for fans, but are not required to follow the main plot.

OAD / OVA	Episodes	Suggested Placement	Synopsis
No Regrets	1–2	After Season 1	Levi’s backstory; his relationship with Erwin and rise in the Survey Corps.
Ilse’s Notebook	1	Between Ep. 3–4	Levi and Hange encounter a Titan while investigating a missing scout.
A Sudden Visitor	1	After Ilse’s Notebook	Lighthearted side story with Jean and Sasha; minor comedic relief.
Distress	1	After A Sudden Visitor	Scout Regiment adventure showing early Eren and comrades in training.
Lost Girls: Wall Sina, Goodbye	1–2	Between Ep. 16–17	Annie-focused story exploring her perspective during the main timeline.
Lost in the Cruel World	1	After Season 3 Part 1	Mikasa-centric, alternate reality-style flashback.

While these OVAs are technically non-essential, they go in character depth. For example, “No Regrets” provides emotional context and backstory to Levi’s stoic personality and his bond with Erwin, which becomes crucial in later seasons. “Ilse’s Notebook” expands on the Survey Corps’ lore and Titan encounters, enriching the main story.

Is There Filler in Attack on Titan?

Attack on Titan anime featured image - Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlet sitting next to each other

One of Attack on Titan’s strongest points is that it almost entirely avoids filler. Out of 89 episodes, there are no fully filler installments. Every major episode moves the story forward, from the initial breach of Wall Maria to the climactic confrontations in Marley.

However, a few mixed canon episodes introduce minor additions:

Episode 22 – Extra character interactions during the 57th scouting mission.
Episode 33 – Contains side scenes with the Survey Corps not directly in the manga.
Episodes 38–41 – Adds some filler dialogues and small plot embellishments in Season 3 Part 1.

Even these episodes are tightly tied to the main plotlines. Unlike other anime, these “mixed” episodes never detract from the story and often deepen character understanding.

Attack on Titan’s Chronological Watch Order: Optional for Hardcore Fans

Attack on Titan Eren Yeager transformation comeback — Eren Yeager transforming into the Attack Titan in Attack on Titan

For viewers looking for a more chronological timeline, OADs can be interspersed within the main series. This method places events based on in-universe timing rather than release dates, but it carries spoiler risks, especially for first-time viewers.

Chronological Step	Episode / OAD	Notes
1	No Regrets Parts 1–2 (OAD)	Levi’s backstory and rise in the Survey Corps; set before Season 1.
2	Season 1: Episodes 1–3	Fall of Shiganshina, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin introduced.
3	Distress (OAD)	Scout Regiment adventure showing early teamwork; fits after Ep. 3.
4	A Sudden Visitor (OAD)	Light-hearted Jean-Sasha story; chronologically after Distress.
5	Ilse’s Notebook (OAD)	Levi and Hange encounter a mysterious Titan; after A Sudden Visitor.
6	Season 1: Episodes 4–16	Trost arc, training, first full-scale Titan battles.
7	Lost Girls: Wall Sina, Goodbye Parts 1–2 (OAD)	Annie-focused side story; set between Ep. 16–17.
8	Season 1: Episodes 17–25	Eve of the Counterattack and Female Titan arc.
9	Season 2: Episodes 26–37	Reiner and Bertholdt revealed; Beast Titan appears.
10	Season 3 Part 1: Episodes 38–49	Historia’s rise, political intrigue, the conclusion of Female Titan story.
11	Lost in the Cruel World (OAD)	Mikasa-centric flashback/alternate perspective; after Ep. 49.
12	Season 3 Part 2: Episodes 50–59	Retaking Shiganshina, basement secrets revealed. Episodes 56–57 partially set decades before Episode 1.
13	Season 4 Part 1: Episodes 60–75	Marley arcs, War Hammer Titan, global perspective of Titan conflict.
14	Season 4 Part 2: Episodes 76–87	Eren’s final transformation, ideological and moral conflicts.
15	Final Chapter Special 1: Episode 88	Wraps up Final Season; can be watched standalone or with next special.
16	Final Chapter Special 2: Episode 89	Series conclusion; also included in the movie The Last Attack.

This chronological approach can be interesting for repeat viewers who want to see how events align internally, but first-timers should stick to release order to have the most suspense possible and understand the plot easily.

Should You Watch the Movie “The Last Attack”?

The two Final Chapter specials were later bundled into Attack on Titan: The Movie – The Last Attack. This cinematic release combines episodes 88–89 with slightly enhanced visuals and a bonus post-credits scene.

The main reasons why fans watch The Last Attack are for a more streamlined ending, the films improved pacing, and the immersive cinematic quality. Some reasons why other fans may want to skip The Last Attack are some minor content changes and the bonus post-credits scene is non-canon. But for most viewers, watching the movie instead of the separate specials is the recommended approach, especially for those who want a smooth, uninterrupted finale.

Naruto crouching and doing a hand sign with, Shikamaru, and Sakura on both sides of him.

Naruto Shippuden Filler List: Every Episode You Can Skip

Like any long-running anime Naruto: Shippuden has many filler episodes. Here’s which episodes can be skipped without missing anything vital.

Attack on Titan is still one of the most tightly plotted and intense anime series of the decade. Its near-complete absence of filler and strong adherence to the source material makes it ideal for both casual and hardcore fans. The OADs and OVAs, while technically non-canon, provide extra depth and context that enrich the viewing experience.

Whether you choose the straightforward Attack on Titan release order, explore the OADs, or experiment with chronological viewing, you’re in for a story that blends emotional weight, thrilling action, and profound themes. By the end, the journey from Shiganshina to Marley delivers an unforgettable narrative with compelling characters that leave a lasting impact.