Close Combat

Close Combat (打・投・極) is the 7th episode of the 2nd season and the 32nd episode overall of the Attack on Titan anime, produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G.

Overview
Bitterly remembering his days in the 104th Cadet Corps with Reiner and Bertholdt, Eren transforms into his Titan form and battles the Armored Titan while Mikasa regrets being unable to kill the traitors. Atop Wall Rose, Hange leads an attack on the Colossal Titan, but their assault is cut short when Bertholdt unleashes a massive blast of steam, preventing the Scouts from coming near him. On the ground below, Eren is knocked out and Mikasa discovers that all conventional attacks are useless against Reiner's armor. Filled with rage towards Reiner and his traitorous nature, Eren gets back on his feet for another attack, but he is quickly knocked over again.

Falling to the ground, Eren recalls a time in the Cadet Corps when he learned a new fighting technique from Annie. At the time, Mikasa and Annie were about to spar, but Eren does not recall the outcome. The other Scouts call for Eren to retreat, but Eren succeeds in throwing and dismembering the Armored Titan using Annie's technique. Atop the Wall, Captain Hannes regroups with the other recruits and watches the fight from above. Eren retreats to the Wall where Hange advises taking out Reiner's legs first to make the fight easier. Suddenly, Reiner charges Eren with alarming speed, and Hange notes that he must have removed the armor behind his knee to gain such speed. Eren allows himself to get tackled, choosing instead to hold Reiner in a lock while Mikasa cuts the flesh behind the Armored Titan's knees. With Reiner immobilized, Eren begins to tighten his lock on the Armored Titan to break the nape open. Reiner pushes them both forward a short distance and cries out, and the other Scouts watch as Bertholdt's Colossal Titan tips over the edge of the Wall, plummeting down on top of Eren and Reiner.