Survivability in Heavy Object and Attack on Titan

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Heavy Object is a light novel series that I had caught up on sometime ago, a series written by Kamachi Kazuma who is most famous with his works on To Aru Majutsu no Index. One wouldn’t normally compare a series like Heavy Object to one like Shingeki no Kyojin (aka Attack on Titan) – their very settings themselves are like opposing factions, as Heavy Object is set in a more sci-fi and futuristic environment while Shingeki no Kyojin’s more medieval.

However, I found some interesting parallels to Shingeki no Kyojin, predominantly on the survival aspects on both series.

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I love survival stories, and one thing I like about both Shingeki no Kyojin and Heavy Object is the settings and the design of their nemesis, both featuring men against gigantic monstrosities. In Shingeki no Kyojin, the characters fought against these gigantic humanoids called titans while in Heavy Object, the characters fought against “Objects”, giant 50 meters robots.

The survival aspect is definitely present in both the series, but how the characters managed to topple and defeat these gigantic monstrosities is an even more gripping sight to behold. It is here where the different settings of both series comes into play, both of them fought off their massive adversaries in very contrasting, yet interesting manners, befitting their respective settings.

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In Shingeki no Kyojin, the men devised various plans and tactics, and even employed the use of traps and projectiles. Using traps and projectiles at best, only slowed down the titans and even with strategies and formations, they are still required to be in direct combat with the titans. The deciding factor in these combat is incredibly physical. Equipped with 3D Maneuver Gears, they swing up and down in midair, using speed and mobility to bring down the titans – the titan’s weakness behind their neck being the main target. The 3D Maneuver Gears also helped in avoiding the titan’s wide attacks efficiently, a feat impossible to do so on foot unless using horses.

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In Heavy Object, the way of offense the characters utilized are more technical and intellectual. As opposed to the more organic titans, this time, the enemies are synthetic robots, massive 50 meters ones at that too. As the designs of these robots are partially based on animals, it makes their movements incredibly unpredictable and beastly. Their metal plates are supremely reinforced and furthermore, they are equipped with certain high-end weapons, in which some can even fire at mach speed. How do they defeat the impossibility? Using hacks, alternative resources as workarounds, finding weakness and loopholes in Object’s designs, taking advantage of a design flaw and the likes.

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The two series also suggested the efficiency of intelligence against all odds. In Heavy Objects, the characters don’t possess any supernatural powers, the only weapon they have is their guns and bombs. To makeup for the rest of their fighting power, they had to rely on their wits – applying whatever knowledge they had as designers, engineers and maintenance soldiers to destroy their massive foes. It is an engaging tale about a combat engineer and his friends, battling against these gigantic, feral robots known as Objects. Intelligence is also a consistent theme in Shingeki no Kyojin. The humans that fought against titans certainly make good use of this very ‘weapon’ – strategies, formations, traps are all used well. Of cause, more significantly is the invention of the 3D Maneuver Gear itself. Even for titans, you can clearly see the difference in strength and form by comparing the titans possessing intelligence, and those without. The former titans have very controlled mental state – they strike subconsciously, yet effectively, sometimes at the very core weakness of the humans, unlike the usual rampaging titans.

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Bottom line is, if you like Shingeki no Kyojin for it’s thrilling actions, psychological tensions, and survival aspects, you might like Heavy Object, so if you are looking for a light novel to read, Heavy Object might be a good choice. Although Heavy Object may be a bit fanservices-pandering.

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