Retrospective (Chapter)

Retrospective (懐古) is the 3rd chapter of the 32nd volume and the 129th chapter overall of the Attack on Titan manga, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Overview
Magath and Hange try to figure out a plan to reach Marley, despite knowing that Liberio and many other parts of the country have most likely already been destroyed by the Wall Titans. As Reiner and Annie are rendered unable to fight, Falco assists them by transforming into the Jaws Titan; and Gabi shoots down Floch Forster after the latter tries to blow up a ship used for escape. Magath sets off to destroy a different ship that could be used to catch up with them, receiving some help from an arriving Keith Shadis.

Summary
Annie and Reiner continue to fight off the Yeagerists while Connie reflects upon how he killed both Daz and Samuel. Inside the building, Hange is taken aback upon hearing that it could require half a day to prepare the ship for travel; she theorizes that even if everything went smoothly, by the time they finish, portions of Marley (including Liberio) will already be destroyed. Jean thinks back to the refugees the Survey Corps met, and Theo Magath laments how they still would have no idea where Eren would be hidden. Kiyomi suggests they begin the prep work while sailing out to a Marley city called Odiha. Magath orders them to get the ship ready in fifteen minutes, while Jean and Hange set out to gather Levi and the others.

Mikasa flies to Annie and notifies her of the plan to cover the service workers while they prepare the ship for launch. Floch orders the Yeagerists with him to shoot the workers, only for the Yaegerists to be killed by Hange and Mikasa. After realizing their plan, Floch frantically orders all the Thunder Spears available to be fired upon the ship.

Observing from afar, Falco decides to join Annie and Reiner in fighting the Yeagerists; Pieck advises him against it and suggests that she will do it instead. Falco ignores this and, believing Galliard would do the same, charges towards the fighting. Pieck informs Magath of this while bringing Armin and Connie aboard. While Mikasa and Hange debate what to do with the oncoming train, they see it suddenly derail and crash.

Eventually, the Yeagerists damage both Reiner and Annie enough to render them unable to move. Even with the Survey Corps defending them, along with Pieck and Magath at the ship, the Yeagerists close in. Suddenly, a flash of light occurs; Falco emerges from the bay as the Jaw Titan and tears through the Yeagerists, causing them to scatter. As Floch flies up and aims a Thunder Spear at the ship, Gabi shoots it; the spear explodes, wounding Floch and causing him to fall into the bay. When the Survey Corps regroup to head to the ship, Falco emerges behind them and begins to attack them; he eventually bites the Cart Titan and starts to tear through the nape, but both Pieck and Magath are able to get Falco to come to his senses in time.

Magath gets them on board and is saved by Keith Shadis, who kills a few of the Yeagerist survivors. The two spot a Marley cruiser and both agree to sabotage it so it can't be used to chase the Survey Corps and Warriors. As they barricade themselves in an artillery room, Magath prepares to ignite a trail of gunpowder and advises Keith to leave the ship while he still can; Keith declines and resolves to stay, commenting how he has been looking for a way to die for some time. He muses on how much his former students had changed, revealing himself to have been the one who stalled the Yeagerists and gave the group time to reach the docks. Magath and Keith share a few moments of reflection and introduce themselves, commenting how they will both be known as heroes in the future; Magath then loads a rifle and shoots at the gun powder and igniting the artillery shells. The survivors aboard the ship cry and watch in silence as the Marleyan cruiser explodes, killing Magath and Keith along with the Yeagerists trying to take over the ship.

Trivia

 * This chapter was originally scheduled to be released on May 9th, 2020, but it was postponed to the next month due to the, becoming the first chapter to be delayed since the manga began serialization.

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Chapitre 129