What Needs to be Done Now: Eve of the Counterattack, Part 3

Ima, Nani o Subeki ka -Hangeki Zen'ya (3)- (今、何をすべきか ―反撃前夜③―) is the 16th episode of the 1st season and the 16th episode overall of the Attack on Titan anime, produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G.

Overview
The investigation of the testing subjects' murder continues, however, the culprit is not found despite every soldier's Vertical Maneuvering Equipment being checked for misuse. Meanwhile, the time for 104th Training Corps to choose their division is nearing and Connie ponders about his decision, remembering the time when Jean finally chooses his future. Later that day, the trainees stand before Erwin Smith as he reveals the grim future of a Survey Corps soldier, causing most of them to leave. Erwin praises those who decide to stay and with that, they begin their training as Survey Corps soldiers. During this time, the former trainees meet up with Eren, who is shocked to see Jean's decision, but not as much as when he finds out about Marco's fate. Jean questions the uncertainty of Eren's powers, however, in the end, he decides to count on him. And with that, the 57th Expedition outside the Walls begins.

Summary
With the two test subjects killed, the soldiers are being investigated for an unauthorized use of Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. A soldier cannot believe that one can get punished for killing Titans, but another one says that they were valuable for them after all. Armin says that in reality, this was a blow to mankind. Connie states that he kind of understands the motives of the culprit, stating that he never wants to see a Titan again despite initially wanting to join Survey Corps. He then remembers the night of the battle when Eren decided that he was going to join Survey Corps as well.

Connie then asks Annie for her opinion, but she just tells him to decide on his own. Further discussing the matter, Annie praises Armin for his bravery, with Armin telling her that she is nice after all. At the Survey Corps HQ, Eld and Gunther mention that the culprit hasn't been found and then wonder whether there are any trainees that want to join their division. They question Eren about this, however, he just replies that there were some who wanted to join, but he is not sure about now. Levi then arrives and all four head on a patrol.

Elsewhere, the soldiers are waiting while Jean, Connie, Armin and Sasha further ponder about their decision. A soldier then tells them to line up. Later, Erwin Smith stands before them in order to have the soldiers join his branch. He explains about the future mission of the legion and even reveals the information about the basement of Eren's old house, much to Armin's surprise who wonders if Erwin has some hidden motive. However, Erwin also tells him about the grim future of a Survey Corps soldier - in the last 4 years, 60% have died. He ends his speech and then dismisses those who want to join other divisions and as many people begin leaving, Jean, Sasha and Connie state that they already saw how Titans eat people, but in the end, they stay and along with Mikasa, Armin, Reiner, Bertolt, Ymir, Krista and other soldiers salute, as Erwin praises them for overcoming their fears.

The new members then begin their training, however, it consists mostly of remembering Erwin's long-range scouting formation. Eren also learns of this strategy and him and the rest of Levi's squad then wonder if Erwin has any other plans that he hasn't revealed to the soldiers. Later, as Eren finishes cleaning, he notices Armin and Mikasa and heads to them to greet them, with Mikasa questioning whether Eren was tortured and then stating that she will take revenge on Levi. Eren then meets up with the rest of his friends and is shocked to see that Jean is among the scouts, but not as much as when he finds out that Marco is dead. The former trainees then don their new uniforms, with Eren watching them in awe as he thinks about Marco.

Eren then questions if they are joining the operation as well, with Mikasa confirming it. Jean then begins asking Eren about his Titan powers, wanting to know if it's true that he tried to kill Mikasa. Despite Mikasa's reluctance, Eren confirms this and also the fact that he cannot fully control his powers. Seeing how bleak the situation is, Jean states that he wants to know what he is dying for, but in the end, he decides to count on Eren. Some time later, the bell starts ringing as a sign of the gate opening and the beginning of the 57th expedition, as Erwin leads the soldiers outside the wall.

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Épisode 16