When Hajime Isayama first began crafting Attack on Titan, his artwork was often criticized for being rough and unpolished. The early manga covers, while striking in concept, lacked the refined detailing that later volumes would showcase. However, as the series progressed, Isayama’s art style evolved dramatically, with sharper linework, more dynamic compositions, and an overall improvement in anatomical accuracy. The covers went from simple depictions of Titans and soldiers to cinematic, emotionally charged pieces, capturing the raw desperation and brutal beauty of his world. By the time the final volumes rolled around, Attack on Titan had some of the most hauntingly powerful covers in manga history—a testament to Isayama’s growth as an artist.
Now, let’s count down the 10 best Attack on Titan manga covers, showcasing the evolution of Hajime Isayama’s art and storytelling. From the raw intensity of the early volumes to the hauntingly symbolic imagery of the final chapters, these covers capture the chaos, tragedy, and sheer brutality of humanity’s fight for survival.
10. Volume 16 – A Dark Reflection, A Shattered Fate
The cover of Attack on Titan Volume 16 presents a haunting image of Ymir, poised with a needle her expression one of quiet resolve and worry. Behind her looms a titan skeleton, a stark reminder of the monstrous origins and brutal fate that has been intertwined with humanity’s history. Ymir, a figure whose own tragic past is marred by loss and manipulation, is the center of this unsettling visual. Her gaze fixed on the needle as if it holds the key to her destiny.
The titan skeleton in the background serves as a chilling symbol of the inescapable cycle of violence and the curse that binds all the characters to their fate. The pale colors of the cover contrast with the darker, more grotesque elements, underscoring the tension between hope and despair. Ymir’s presence on this cover feels like a reflection of her inner conflict. The need to make choices that will echo through the generations, even if it means embracing a fate she never wanted. The needle, poised to pierce the skin, represents not only her struggle but the overarching themes of sacrifice and inevitability that run through the story.
While it’s a simple cover, it works really well to tell a story. It’s eye-catching and memorable as well. Thus, I’d say it’s one of the best Attack on Titan manga covers.
9. Volume 30 – A Haunting Descent Into Fate
The Attack on Titan Volume 30 cover is beautiful yet deeply unsettling. It pulls you into its eerie void before you even turn the first page. Eren Yeager stands tense, he’s shocked and afraid. Behind him, Ymir Fritz emerges from a blinding abyss, her small frame glowing ominously. The cosmic purples and stark white light create an almost celestial yet suffocating atmosphere, reflecting the inescapable pull of fate. In a way, it’s like a horror movie cover, and I like it!
There’s a disturbing stillness to this image, as if time itself is unraveling. Eren looks lost, despite his resolve, while Ymir’s ghostly presence looms like an eternal force beyond human comprehension. The emptiness around them is suffocating, a silent warning—this is not just a cover, but an omen. There is no salvation here, only the descent into the inevitable.
8. Volume 13 – The Squad Walks Like Legends
The Attack on Titan Volume 10 cover is pure, unfiltered swagger. Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Levi, and the rest of the squad stride forward like an unstoppable force, exuding confidence, unity, and just the right amount of defiance. The way they walk—like rockstars stepping onto the stage—makes this one of the most effortlessly cool covers in history. There’s no immediate battle, no looming terror, just a squad that knows they’re about to make history.
The warm, golden hues of the background contrast with the steely determination on their faces, adding a sense of grandeur to their march. And this isn’t just a team; this is humanity’s last hope, moving as one, unshaken by the chaos ahead. While it’s simplistic, the cover oozes style and attitude, making it a standout piece that screams “legends in the making.”
7. Volume 20 – A Warrior’s Struggle Against the Inevitable
The Attack on Titan Volume 20 cover is a portrait of resilience and dread, capturing a moment that feels both frozen in time and heavy with consequence. Levi Ackerman, bloodied and battered, his blade still clenched, his spirit unbroken. But behind him, the Beast Titan looms like a harbinger of destruction, its piercing gaze filled with cold calculation. The contrast between Levi’s raw determination and the Beast Titan’s eerie stillness makes for an unsettling, almost suffocating composition.
The muted, dust-choked color palette adds to the sense of exhaustion, as if the very air is thick with defeat. Levi may be alive, but for how much longer? The towering shadow of the Beast Titan feels oppressive, a constant reminder of the overwhelming forces at play. This cover doesn’t just depict a battle—it foreshadows the brutal, merciless nature of war, where even the strongest warriors must bleed. Therefore, it perfectly fits the Attack on Titan narrative, which in turn makes this one of the best manga covers.
6. Volume 34 – A Sorrowful Goodbye, A Peaceful Memory
The Attack on Titan Volume 34 cover is a heartbreaking farewell, wrapped in the illusion of peace. Eren, Armin, and Mikasa—just children, untouched by fate—sit together in a world that no longer exists. It’s a cruel contrast, knowing everything they endured, yet here they are, frozen in time, sharing a moment that feels so pure, so distant. It’s beautiful, yet sad. Warm, but cold. It feels good, and yet bad.
The soft colors and gentle scenery whisper a sense of tranquility, but the weight of the story makes it almost unbearable. Is this the world Eren wished for? Or just a dream that never came true? Either way, it’s a powerful, poetic image—one last moment of innocence before the final curtain falls.
5. Volume 22 – A Glimpse of Freedom, A Moment of Peace
The cover of Attack on Titan Volume 22 offers a rare moment of tranquility, showing Eren, Mikasa, and Armin standing in the ocean beneath a vast, blue sky. The scene is strikingly beautiful, symbolizing a fleeting glimpse of freedom amidst their chaotic world. The calm water and clear sky contrast sharply with the turmoil they’ve faced, offering a rare sense of peace. It feels like we’ve achieved something, and yet it doesn’t feel fulfilling. It’s a glimpse of hope, maybe? Anyways, there are various ways to view this image, and we all surely have our own understanding of it.
The striking use of bright blue colors that create a sense of calm and beauty, starkly contrasting with the darker themes of the story. The vibrant blue sky and serene ocean beneath Eren, Mikasa, and Armin evoke a feeling of freedom and possibility, making this cover one of the most visually uplifting in the series. The composition expertly balances the tranquility of the environment with the emotional weight of the characters’ journey, capturing a rare moment of peace before the storm. It’s a breathtaking representation of the tension between hope and despair that runs throughout the series.
4. Volume 29 – A Clash of Ideals, A Defining Confrontation
The cover of Attack on Titan Volume 29 captures the intense moment where two groups face off, each representing conflicting ideals and destinies. The composition is striking, with the characters arranged in a way that tells a powerful story of tension and clashing beliefs. The image perfectly conveys the weight of the confrontation, as both sides prepare for a battle that will shape the future. It’s truly a face-off for the ages, and this manga cover depicts it so well, with every characters facial expressions worth remembering.
This cover is deep and well-composed, showcasing the emotional stakes and the intricate relationships between the characters. Every detail on this page adds to the sense of inevitable conflict, making it one of the most narrative-driven and visually impactful Attack on Titan manga covers in the series.
3. Volume 28 – A Haunting Struggle, A Battle for Survival
The cover of Attack on Titan Volume 28 presents a haunting scene in the forest, featuring a bloodied Levi and a wounded Zeke locked in a brutal struggle. The intensity of the moment is palpable, with every detail of their pain and determination captured with stunning precision. The dark, oppressive atmosphere surrounding them amplifies the sense of despair and urgency. It’s a manga cover that features a specific moment in time, at does it splendidly.
This cover stands out as one of the most detailed and well-crafted in the series, showcasing the raw emotion of the characters and the brutal world they inhabit. The contrast between Levi’s fierce resolve and Zeke’s vulnerable state adds to the powerful tension, making it an unforgettable image. It’s one of the best moments, and manga covers, in Attack on Titan history.
2. Volume 31 – A Sea of Titans, A Monstrous Fate
The cover of Attack on Titan Volume 31 presents a breathtaking scene where Mikasa flies through a sea of hundreds of towering titans. Their presence overwhelming and relentless. In the distance, Eren stands in his monstrous form. towering figure that casts an ominous shadow over the entire scene. The sheer scale of the titans and Eren’s transformation amplifies the intensity of the moment, highlighting the impossible odds Mikasa faces in her battle.
This cover is eye-catching and undoubtedly one of the most jaw-dropping pieces of manga art in the series. The dramatic contrast between Mikasa’s graceful flight and the monstrous titans surrounding her creates a visual tension that perfectly captures the climactic stakes of this moment. The level of detail and the emotionally charged composition make this cover an unforgettable symbol of the emotional and physical battles unfolding in Attack on Titan.
If there’s one cover that perfectly showcases what Attack on Titan is all about, it’s volume 31. The feeling of being oppressed, suppressed and suffocated. It features a single individual, facing hundreds, if not thousands, of titans. When you consider the story of Attack on Titan, you see why it captures the essence of the show. And it does it well.
1. Volume 33 – A Titan’s Tragedy, A Heartbreaking Fate
The cover of Attack on Titan Volume 33 presents Eren in his Doomsday Titan form, now the Founding Titan, looking up at his comrades and best friends. The haunting image captures a moment of sheer tragedy, as Eren’s monstrous form looms over those he once fought alongside. His gaze, filled with sorrow and determination, contrasts with the anguish in the eyes of his friends, who are now faced with the impossible decision of whether to stop him. It’s like a picture of what everything has culminated towards. And it’s downright mesmerizing.
This cover tells a story with every detail, evoking a deep sense of distraught emotion. It’s a horrific tragedy. But there’s an undeniable interest in the complexity of Eren’s transformation and the bonds that have been shattered. The emotional depth and visual intensity make it one of the most powerful manga covers of all time. It perfectly captures the core of Attack on Titan—the cost of freedom, the weight of choices, and the tragic unraveling of friendships. In my opinion, it is the best cover in the series, combining drama, horror, and beauty in a way that makes it impossible to look away.
