First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1

First Battle (初陣) is the fifth episode of the Attack on Titan anime. It was produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G.

Overview
After 5 years, the Colossus Titan appears once again. Eren, intending to face it on his own, quickly realizes that his opponent is sentient, noticing the cannons on the Wall being purposefully destroyed. Before he can strike a fatal blow, the Colossus Titan disappears in a sudden burst of steam. The soldiers, along with the new recruits then ready themselves to deal with the threat. While they are being assigned to squads, Dot Pixis hears of the news and quickly decides to head to the front lines, much to the dissatisfaction of Wald. Meanwhile, the recruits despair, having to go face the Titans. Mikasa is forced to leave Eren, being assigned to the rear squad. Once given orders to advance, Eren's squad is attacked by a Deviant Type Titan, who then devours Thomas. In a fit of rage, Eren tries to avenge him but is also attacked by a Titan while in mid-air and the rest of his squad quickly falls. Armin is about to be eaten but Eren stands up and manages to get Armin out of the Titan's mouth. Although he swears not to die there, the Titan shuts its mouth with Eren inside, biting off his arm, much to Armin's horror.

Summary
While Eren is running on top of the wall, the Colossus Titan charges at him, destroying the upper portion of it. Eren sees that the Titan aimed for the cannons, realizing that the gate being destroyed isn't a coincidence either - the Colossus Titan is intelligent. With his Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, Eren rushes towards his opponent, while dodging the Titan's slow attack. However, just as Eren is about to strike a fatal blow, the Colossus Titan releases a huge amount hot steam, slowing Eren down. Eren attempts to approach his target one more time, but as he tries to slash with his blades, he realizes there's no contact - the Colossus Titan has disappeared.

The soldiers quickly begin their attempts at dealing with the Titans, not wanting to repeat the hell from five years ago. While the civilians continue their evacuation, the new recruits are preparing to head into action. Armin panics, claiming that the Titans can annihilate them at any time. Meanwhile, Dot Pixis is seen playing chess with Wald at his residence. Wald complains that in spite of playing him every month, Pixis still fails to improve. At that moment, a soldier barges into the room, announcing that the Colossus Titan destroyed the gate at Trost District. Pixis stands up, taking Wald's bottle of booze. Revealing that he intends to go to Trost, Wald tries to stop him, claiming that his duty is to protect him and his property. However, that has no effect as Pixis immediately leaves.

At Trost, Weilman gives orders to the trainees, dividing them into individual groups. After telling them the objective - to protect the evacuating civilians - he dismisses them. Most of the soldiers are in a state of panic or despair just as Jean walks through the area, annoyed, knowing that he was supposed to go to the interior next day. He bumps into Eren, which enrages him even more. However, Eren makes him remember how they survived their training, claiming that they'll come out of this alive as well. As Jean leaves, Eren is approached by Mikasa who tells him to look for her in case of trouble. However, they are interrupted by Ian Dietrich who tells Mikasa that she's been specially assigned to the rear squad. Mikasa tries to argue, however, Eren snaps at her, saying that nobody cares about what she wants as it's mankind that's in danger right now. As they are about to part, Mikasa begs Eren not to die.

Some time later, Eren recalls his time as a member of the 104th Trainees Squad. In a class, an instructor is reading a book about Titans, revealing information about them. Eren is seen shocked to hear about their regeneration, them not needing to eat or their unknown means of reproduction. When the instructor is questioned whether the Titans are invulnerable, he reveals their weak spot - the nape of their neck and the two blades used to slice through it. Back in the present, Eren and Armin are standing by, waiting for orders. Eren claims that this is their chance as doing well in the operation before even joining the Survey Corps will surely lead into their promotion. The rest of his squad is also eager to prove themselves. At that moment, they are ordered to assist the front guards. Running through the city, they find out that the Titans are already inside. Suddenly, they are targeted by an Abnormal Titan who jumps at them. Thinking they have evaded it, the group realizes that it's Thomas being held in the Titan's mouth. Before he can react, the Titan devours him, much to the horror of his teammates.

An enraged Eren then rushes forward with his Vertical Maneuvering Equipment in order to slay that Titan, but is intercepted by another Titan who bites off his leg, causing him to fall down. His teammates are in shock just as more Titans appear, killing them one after another, much to the horror of Armin, who starts exhibiting the thousand-yard stare. He is then approached by another Titan who puts him into his mouth. As half-conscious Eren sees all of this, he recalls part of his childhood living in Shiganshina District. At that time, Armin comes looking for him, carrying a book containing the information about the outside world with himself. Eren's interest grows as Armin reveals many secrets of the outside world. Just as Armin wishes to go outside one day like his parents will soon, Eren, now in present, stands up and instantly grabs Armin's hand, throwing him out of the Titan's mouth. Using a blade as a way to keep the Titan's mouth open, Eren states that he will go to the outside world. Armin urges him to hurry, but it's too late, as the Titan shuts its mouth, bitting Eren's arm off while devouring the rest of the body. Elsewhere, Mikasa looks towards Eren's direction, sensing that something is off.

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