God. 86 is such a fucking better show than AoT is, a better war story, with a better stakes and conflict, with actual tension. Its such a fucking shame this garbage gets all the attention when there's so much better out there. Its also better animated as well, especially after the final season.
Like, the main plot of 86 is comparable because you have an army of AI that was created as a deterrent that grew out of control and uses human brains to power them, so each has the personality and sentience of a human being. At the same time, you have the eponymous 86 who are used as disposable soldiers by an empire of who both want to get rid of them and think that the AI threat is on the verge of defeat (it isn't, they're just deluding themselves). The themes are extremely close to Attack on Titan, and even the plot, except everything is done infinitely fucking better.
Instead of being bitter about the fate they've been sent off to, they understand the dangers the autonomous army poses to all of humanity. Even when they find the creators of the autonomous army are still alive and fighting it, and are guilty that their enemies basically sent kids into battle and send them behind the lines to live out their lives in peace they refuse to do so because they understand the threat that they're facing, the responsibility to face it. That even though they've been wronged and persecuted, there is a bigger picture to consider. That if they don't fight, if they don't win, the sacrifices of everyone who came before them will be meaningless.
The main character even has the ability to hear the voices of the dead, through the AI (so he basically hears everyone's final death cries as they're trapped in these AI machines and their pleas for release). And he still takes on the burden of fighting and command and isn't a little whiny bitch like Eren. And even though the setting of 86 is even more dour than AoT humanity has basically been nearly wiped out by this autonomous army there's still this air of hope. Not to mention the setting itself takes inspiration from WWI and the sacrifices of the soldiers, sent to their deaths by uncaring commanders. Poppies are a motif found throughout the series.
Its smarter, better imagined, with a better message than this pleb fucking trash. Anime fans are a fucking embarrassment.