Historia (Episode)

"Ymir... My real name... is Historia"

- Christa Lenz, Historia

Historia (ヒストリア) is the 5th episode of the 2nd season and the 30th episode overall of the Attack on Titan anime, produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G.

Overview
In their training days in the 104th Cadet Corps, the cadets notice that Christa, Ymir, and Daz have gone missing during a winter training run. They debate starting a search for her, but the instructors refuse to allow the cadets to risk their lives in the storm. Elsewhere in the blizzard, Christa attempts to save Daz as she and Ymir head for the Cadet Corps base at the foot of the mountain. Ymir realizes that Christa is attempting to die a heroic death in order to escape from her past, which she reveals she is aware of. Ymir explains that before her training days, she overheard how Christa was an illegitimate child of a nobleman and was given a new name to spare her life. Ymir scolds Christa for trying to escape her past, saying that she did not give up her old name when she took a new life unlike her. Coming to the edge of a cliff, Ymir proposes throwing Daz off so that they can survive, but Christa does not allow it. Ymir takes Christa and throws her aside, disappearing with Daz in a flash of light. At the foot of the mountain, the cadets prepare to search for the others until Ymir is spotted with Daz. Christa arrives later and wonders how Ymir was able to descend the cliff, and Ymir decides that she will reveal her secret to Christa as long as she promises to return to her old name when her secret becomes known to the others.

Years later at Utgard, Ymir transforms into her Titan and begins slaughtering the Titans around the castle. The other recruits watch on in shock, and Reiner and Bertholdt recognize Ymir's Titan as the one that ate their friend five years ago. The recruits wonder where Ymir's allegiances lie, and Christa notices that Ymir is being overpowered by the Titan horde, seemingly holding back. She calls out to her, scolding her for putting her life at risk and insisting that if destroying the castle is what it takes to survive, she should do it. Ymir begins using the bricks of the castle against the Titans and climbs to the top, rescuing the other recruits as the tower collapses on top of the Titan horde. When the dust settles, Titans begin emerging from the rubble and Ymir continues to fight. She is soon overpowered and the Titans begin eating away at her body, and Christa rushes to Ymir's side until a Titan spots her. As the Titan's hand approaches, a scout suddenly appears and slices its nape. The scout, Mikasa, tells her fellow recruits to stand back as the scouts from the assault on Stohess finally arrive at Utgard, clearing out the remaining Titans.

Once all the Titans are dead, Christa comes to a heavily wounded Ymir's side. Before Ymir slips into unconsciousness, Christa reveals her true name: Historia.