Attack on Titan is coming twice: an orchestra in November, a musical in April

Two ways to spend an evening with the Titans, and neither involves a cinema.

If someone in your house has opinions about the Survey Corps, there are dates to put in the calendar. In late November Esplanade hosts an orchestral concert of the anime's music; in April the Japanese stage musical takes over Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Both are for older fans only, which settles the question of bringing the nine-year-old.

The concert, Symphony from Paradis, is the one for people who came for the soundtrack. Its organisers bill it as the first officially licensed Attack on Titan orchestral concert: new arrangements by the series' composers Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto, played by the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra with a choir, more than 100 musicians in all, under footage from the TV series on a big screen. It runs 26 to 28 November and is rated NC16.

The musical is the bigger commitment and the stranger idea: the walls, the Titans and a great deal of dying, sung in Japanese with English surtitles, for about 2 hours without an interval. Marina Bay Sands warns of scenes of violence, injury and death, recommends it for 13 and up and won't admit anyone younger. It runs 15 April to 2 May 2027.

Our call: the concert is the safer night out if you love the music but not the idea of a cast singing about giants who eat people; the musical is for fans who want to see how anyone could put this on a stage. Sands Theatre uses dynamic pricing, so if you have a date in mind, book it rather than wait.

Good to know Attack on Titan – Symphony from Paradis: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive. Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 November 2026, 7.30pm. About 2 hours 20 minutes with a 20-minute interval. NC16 (16 and above). From S$99 (categories S$99–S$189). Attack on Titan: The Musical: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue. 15 April to 2 May 2027; Tue–Fri 8pm, Saturday 2pm and 8pm, Sunday 1.30pm and 6pm. About 120 minutes, no interval. In Japanese with English surtitles. Recommended for 13 and above; under-13s not admitted; rating to be advised. S$58–S$168 before booking fee (VIP and boxes cost more); dynamic pricing applies.

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Attack on Titan: Symphony from Paradis and Attack on Titan: The Musical | Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive (November); Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue (April)