Utgard Castle (Chapter)

Utogarudo-jō (ウトガルド城) is the 4th and final chapter of the 9th volume and the 38th chapter overall of the Attack on Titan manga, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Overview
Connie is seen standing outside of his house in his home village. There is a Titan laying in his now crushed house staring at him while he grieves. They begin to leave for Castle Utgard with his Survey Corps squad when he hears the Titan in his house speak to him, saying "Welcome back" but before he can draw attention to it Reiner urges him to hurry up. At Wall Rose, Kitz Weilman's squad is shooting Titans with cannons while Rico Brzenska kills them. Nanaba and Gelgar's squads have not found any breaches in the wall and after the search they take shelter in Castle Utgard. As the soldiers rest, Krista begins to speculate the nature of the Titans and when Connie speaks of the Titan in his house resembling his mother he is loudly dismissed by Ymir. Later, Ymir is seen searching for food when Reiner finds her and asks her what she is doing. As their conversation goes on, it is interrupted when Lynne tells the troops that Titans are swarming the castle. The Beast Titan is seen in the distance climbing the wall and as the only equipped soldiers, Nanaba, Gelgar, Henning, and Lynne engage them. Hange's squad is seen elsewhere as Hange states that they are going to head toward Castle Utgard, unknowing of the attack.

Summary
Connie Springer and the remainder of the Survey Corps stop at Connie's home village on their way to Castle Utgard. There are no corpses, but the horses are still in the stables and the village is full of odd immobile Titans. One of them speaks as the group leaves, and Connie mentions that it somehow reminds him of his mother but Reiner strongly dismisses what he says and urges him to continue on with the group.

Back at Wall Rose, Kitz Weilman and his squad, which included Rico Brzenska, defend against the Titans inside the wall. However, troops led by Nanaba and Gelgar find no breach in the wall to explain the sudden appearance of the Titans. After searching along opposite sides of the wall, they meet in the middle at Castle Utgard, where both units take shelter for the night.

As the night drags on, Krista begins to speculate on the true nature of the Titans' appearance within the wall. Gelgar orders everyone to get some rest instead of worrying, saying that they will investigate more in the morning. The topic of conversation shifts to Connie's home village. He uneasily repeats his connection between the immobile Titan and his mother, but Reiner Braun quickly dismisses the theory. Ymir immediately begins to mock Connie for his height, and the serious tone of the discussion dissipates.

Later in the night, Reiner comes across Ymir searching for something to eat. He commends her for making Connie drop the subject and requests that she continue so that he doesn't worry about his family. Ymir complains about finding a can of herring and hands the can to Reiner. He examines the can, commenting aloud on Ymir's ability to read the seemingly indecipherable characters on the label.

Just as Ymir turns to confront him, Lynne orders everyone up to the roof. The clouds have cleared and the castle is overrun with Titans. The Beast Titan passes nearby, heading for the wall, but the troops are forced to focus on the imminent attack on the castle.

Nanaba takes charge and leaps from the tower to fight the Titans, accompanied by Gelgar, Henning, and Lynne (the only other soldiers who have their Vertical Equipment). Unbeknownst to them, Hange Zoë's squad heads towards Castle Utgard just as the battle begins.

Navigation
Chapitre 38