Board Thread:Manga/@comment-27321453-20191208140701/@comment-35822279-20191208192529

Another dud of a chapter would be the simplest way to describe this one.

Pros:

- The action was fine I guess and will translate well into the anime. Definitely lacked stakes or energy though despite the excellent drawing.

- The confirmed deaths of Nile & Pixis was good & raised the stakes of the finale a little bit. Glad Isayama didn't chicken out here.

- I guess Connie has booked with Falco & I dig it as a development for the character. I think I would have preferred him attacking Zeke in the last battle if Isayama wanted to kick the can down the road a bit but at least Connie is getting more deserved attention considering how he's been ignored throughout much of the series.

Cons:

- honestly the Gabi scenes were really bad and reminded me of a specific type of Oscar movie I've grown to dislike with age, the cheesy out of touch race parable. This type of movie has shown a shockingly low amount of variation or refinement since Driving Miss Daisy (a exceptionally OK movie at best) and seeing AOT go this route is immensely disappointing as it feels unearned & hacky (Ex. no a KKK member is not going to instantly stop being racist after being saved by a black guy). Cringe is never a good feeling to have when this material is played entirely straight and honestly this section would get a straight up F from me as I unintentionally laughed with Gabi's hero moment & the return of that derpy forest metaphor.

- I'm really starting to get nervous that the ending is going devolve into another unrealistic peace, love, and understanding ending and that is just a let down on so many levels. I'm crossing my fingers that Yams does something more complex than Eren being talked down via the power of friendship and Marley turning good for reasons.

Neutral:

- Annie is back which is nice but it also feels random at this point & I can't say this is going to have much impact on the plot at this point since she is in Stohess. I think that she should have been broken out by Porco prior to the last battle just to make sure every one is in position for the finale.