Even though I am sad to see it go, Attack on Titan will always be a favorite series of mine & I am glad to experience it every single month for the last 12 years.
And when you think about it, it ties into the tenure of the Nine Titans: after receiving the power of the Titans, Ymir lived for a full 13 years before dying and no one can outlive the Founder. While I wish it could have lasted for the full 13 years, I still applaud Isayama for slipping that in (whether it was intentional or not.)
After learning that the Attack Titan is capable of receiving memories from future inheritors, I was getting a bit curious as to why Eren wasn't receiving any memories from his successor(s), like Grisha and Kruger both did. Well now it appears we know why: because Eren is the end of the line.
But in all seriousness, that was such a gut punch regarding Annie and her father. Right as they were reunited, Mr. Leonhart gets turned and begins tearing at his own daughter.
Wow, it is all finally coming to a head (badum-tsh)
I was not too certain why it looked like only the Titans we recognized were rebelling against the 'Ancient' ones but it still looked pretty cool seeing the Titans fighting; it was interesting to see that War Hammers could also generate bladed weapons such as sickles. I'm curious what other kinds of weapons could be generated from them, but we probably won't see anything more due to how close the ending is.
While I still think Zeke was unredeemable (he essentially said so himself), it was nice to see him commenting on the simple things in life that are to be enjoyed, such as playing catch with Ksaver or just commenting on how a nice day it was. I knew he was likely going to die before the end; I'm sad to see him go but it was a good run for the elder Yeager brother.
There are just two issues left; it is still not settling in that this series is almost over.
(notices Annie is not one the options)
This list is incomplete
I think this was overall a decent chapter; can't believe there are only a handful of chapters left before the end.
I had almost forgotten that the War Hammer is capable of flexible & projectile hardening; it was such a cool shot seeing a group of them fire arrows at Falco and the others. Speaking of which, holy hell was this a spotlight chapter for Pieck! We had only seen her in action primarily with her gun squad or with another Titan, but she was cleaning house against the Ancient Titans by herself! Harking back to Eren's experiment days within the Corps, Hange noted the Attack Titan abilities dwindle over repeated transformations in a short period; it makes sense that a holder who can stay in their Titan form for at least a few months can have the stamina and endurance can tear apart various Ancient Titans repeatedly with no strain to themselves.
I was glad to see Zeke is still a factor in the story instead of just disappearing. I have a hunch that Armin is going to enable Zeke's release from crafting the Titans & escaping from both Ymir & Eren. I was curious as to what the significance regarding the bull headed Titan; was that just merely the one who consumed Armin or does it have another meaning that I did not catch?
Either way, Annie is going to go through all the Ancients to get Armin back no matter what #Armannie
First off, Falco's a falcon now (Heh heh). Getting back to it, I thought it was super cool seeing the Resistance fighting among the ribs/legs of Eren's Founding Titan (along with Pieck reminding them she still views Eren as a threat). So many cool action shots were here! If he manages to survive, Levi's going to be a lot worse for wear. Armin seeing the tears rolling down Bertolt's face may imply that the former Nine Titan holders ARE somehow brought back as well & aware of their Titans being used to protect Eren, but they are unable to control themselves due to his & Ymir's influence. Again, the problem for me here is Mikasa: when will she learn that Eren is past the point of rescue & NEEDS to die in order to save the world? He's essentially said that multiple times, yet she is unable to come to terms with that outcome. Yes, there is the whole sibling thing but Eren has chosen this path on his own & she needs to accept that.
The revelation about the Nine adopting traits from their successors is fascinating; this opens so many possibilities and avenues to explore. It does explain why Falco's Jaw Titan took on some bird and animal characteristics because it's the only instance of this happening (with the others only taking fluid from their own predecessors). It's kind of a minor version of what Eren and his father did by mixing the Founder and War Hammer in with the Attack Titan. I am so hoping we can see an actual FLYING Titan before the end of the series. I'm curious what other abilities were forced onto Annie due to her mentioning that she was essentially a guinea pig due to the Female being able to handle them over the other Marley Titans.
It was interesting that Eren decided to allow the SC & Warriors to keep their free will. Whether or not this is a ploy or like Armin said is to help them kill him and end the cycle is something we'll have to wait and see (it was really cool to see Levi address Armin as 'Commander'). Mikasa will have to accept at some point that the younger adoptive brother she knew is no longer there; even with Jean, Connie and Reiner speaking to Eren, it certainly does appear that he has left them any other choice but to kill him.
So much happened in this one.
It feels right having Hange go out doing what she loved and fighting the Wall Titans (even though I am disappointed she didn't get her request fulfilled by Pieck). I think she easily filled the big shoes left behind by Erwin and the other soldiers who went before her. Also, Annie had so much more growth here; although her dialogue with Reiner and Pieck was good, the interaction between herself and Mikasa was the highlight of the entire chapter for me. It led to the two actually understanding the other more clearly instead of Mikasa still trying to fight her; I am still curious who won their fight long ago back in the Training Corps. Plus, that (final?) lingering look Annie and Armin gave each other showed that there certainly is something forming between them both.
Speaking of Armin, it's going to be weird seeing him taking control of the Survey Corps; I was certainly surprised by him being chosen, but I think Hange saw that Armin's mind was more valuable as a leader as opposed to Levi's fighting abilities. I imagine Armin will either let Levi have free reign or simply cede control to him once the crisis has been resolved or dealt with (just like what he did with Jean during the Battle of Shiganshina).
And last, but certainly not least, Floch is FINALLY dead. It's time to sing!
(in key of 'Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead') "Ding-dong, the fascist's dead! Which fascist? The fascist Floch Ding-dong, the effing fascist Floch is dead."
I found this to be such an immensly satisfying chapter (especially with the unexpected extra suspense building over the last month). We now see Falco as a member of the Nine/Seven Titans and it was worth the wait! I noticed distinct similarities between Eren and Falco during their initial transformations into thier respective Titans, losing control and attacking their friends/comrades after transforming; I was always curious if this was a common thing for all the Titan Shifters or if Eren was just inexperienced.
The interaction we got with Keith Shadis and Theo Magath was I think one of my favorite parts from this chapter; it certainly was an unexpected (and welcome) scene. Two world-weary soldiers from different sides have recognized both countries have altered history for their own agendas. To atone for their parts of it, they go out on their own terms to accomplish a common goal.
The definition of a Mary Sue is "an idealized and seemingly perfect fictional character" who can "usually perform better at tasks than should be possible given the amount of training or experience, and usually are able through some means to upstage the main protagonist of an established fictional setting, such as by saving the hero."
Gabi is so incredibly inept that it's almost comical. Her entire character arc during this final arc revolves around being completely humbled by the fact that she can't do anything right, and keeps getting the ideology that she grew up with (all Eldians are evil) proved wrong the all of the good Eldians living on Paradis.
While I applaud you laying this out once again Neetaku, I have to agree with Razzylada: despite all the evidence you presented, it will STILL not be enough to quell those who hate Gabi with a fiery passion and label her as such (probably through and past the end of the series).
- Daz/Samuel vs Armin/Connie. Firstly, is was a big surprize to see Samuel and Daz in this chapter. The most interesting part is the confrontation between the two sides.... However, the scene would have been more powerfull if we were more familiar with Daz and Samuel. They've been absent from the story since chapters 4 and 12. They should have been introduced again earlier to get us to sympathetize with them. But I totally get that from Armin and Connie's perspective, it's horrible to be forced to end up killing them, and now, they totally understand Bertolt.
I agree with you regarding Daz and Samuel; to be honest, I don't even remember them from back in the Training Corps. It would have been nice for us to see them interact with 'The A-Team' before now instead of just being unseen background characters this whole time.
The first half of this issue seemed to really drag on for me, but the ending more than made up for it. For a second, I forgot that Armin was one of the Nine so I was concerned he may die due to his actions here. I can't be the only one who wants to see Falco transform into the Jaw Titan; I know he's untrained but the wait is just killing me.
I was surprised about Magath's "face" turn here. I think it was a little abrupt but it's good to see that he is now willing to acknowledge that both Marley and Paradis are the same; seeing him actively working with both Jean and Hange was pretty cool to see.
Finally, with all that talk about wiping away Hizuru's culture and repeating how Kiyomi and the others 'need to know your place', Floch has essentially become like Marley: a supremacist. You can't convince me otherwise.
I think it's the life Jean invisioned as a recruit in the Training Corps back when he first saw Mikasa; he would become a high ranked member of either the MP or Survey Corps and enjoy a life with her in the capital. Now it's a life that will never come to pass.
Call me skeptical, but I'm not convinced about Mikasa's resolve to kill Eren if needed; all the time she stuck with him through thick and thin is evident that she will refuse to go through with it. If Eren shows a sliver of regret (and everyone else can plainly see it's a lie), I would not be surprised if Mikasa immediately sides with him against the others in the group. I think Annie noticed that is a very likely possability and calls her out over it, more so than Armin and the other Survey Corps.
I was surprised about the revelation about Yelena, but at the same time she became a means to just deliver exposition. Also, it feels her character arc has finally run its course and can die in the next issue or two; the same could be said for Reiner. Admitting responsibility for Marco's death was the final crime he had to answer for and his acceptance of Jean beating the sh!t out of him was, in his eyes, a suitable death for someone like him.
Finally, can someone finally kill that little sh!thead Floch?
While Connie's arc got a conclusion and was a driving force in the chapter, the main focus was easily on Hange and Levi, which is not unexpected due to their time on the run. Even though she still (I believe) is the commander of the Survey Corps, I like the tears we saw Hange shed as she had no choice but to shoot several of her former subordinates. In regards to Levi, him and Magath possibly joining forces to kill Zeke is a frighteningly powerful duo; however, I still anticipate one or both dying by the end of the series.
Finally, it's so nice to see most of the remaining members of the '107th Training Corps' back together again; if only Jean was there with them! I don't know if it was intentional or not, but I noticed with Gabi and Falco's addition, they have the power of four Titans once again among their ranks: Colossal, Armored, Female and Jaw.
Hitch and Annie reuniting was nice, though it was a little too on the nose when their dialogue specifically calls out that Annie is info-dumping her personal backstory to Hitch.
It was nice finally seeing Hange and Levi at the end, after them being gone for so long, but like most of this chapter, it felt like it was mostly setup for things to come.
I agree regarding the scene with Shadis. This was almost a retelling of when we last saw him; beaten up, but still alive with his usual gruff attitude.
I think the "scattershot" approach was needed just because there are so many plot points that were dangling out and needed to be reeled in (especially with Annie, Hange and Levi.) While Annie did go into exposition overdrive, she had a lot of ground to cover since we had last seen her; while she was asleep, we saw the stories of Reiner, Bertolt and the other Warriors being told over the course of several flashbacks/chapters. Since we are presumably near the end of the series, there wasn't too many options available for Annie.
Due to the circumstances we last saw them in, I knew it was only a matter of time before we saw both Levi and Hange again. Consider me part of the minority, but I think it would be interesting if Magath kills one of them (just because of how protected they both have been.)
Once again, we got a good chapter that left me wanting more; I was glad to see a lot of favorites returning after such a long time (especially my waifu Annie.)
The exchange between Armin and Mikasa was definitely a highlight for me. Armin's continuing thoughts about his survival back in 'Return to Shiganshina' is understandable but I think he really has the potential to live up to Erwin's legacy (and possibly surpass it). Mikasa has been dependent on Eren for so long she's essentially unable to do anything without him and it was a decent wakeup call for her.
I hope Floch is dealt with on the sooner side; the power is really going to his head and he's even more devoted to Eren than Yelena was to Zeke (which is saying something). I honestly hope Jean is the one who kills him; the exchange between them both really seems to hint this could be what happens.
I only have two choices:
1. War for Paradis arc
2. Rebirth of Eldia arc
that look on Armin's face and the final two pages....... Annie is finally back and awake!
now after experiencing the joy of seeing one of my favorite AoT characters coming back into the fold, some thoughts:
I don't know what's going to happen regarding Connie and Falco. Yes, Connie should feel the way he is right now and Falco might even be willing to give up his life (as the Jaw Titan has been established as one of sacrifice seen with both Marcel and Ymir) but for me Connie feels like the weak link in the surviving 104th. That desire for vengeance and eagerness to save his mother could backfire on him and serve as a means to kill him; we'll have to see what happens.
Despite what people continue to say about her, I'm still not giving up on Gabi just yet.
Losing two collected leaders will be quite a blow for the survivors (if there are any) after this battle. If it was any indication, the rest of the MP leaders (like the regular MPs) were corrupt as all hell with Nile being the possible lone exception. While I don't know about the rest of the senior Garrison soldiers, Pixis was among the most respected and trusted leaders; his loss will definitely be felt in the governing body.
I agree; Zeke having a redemption arc would not fit into how his character has been written up to this point and I feel it would ruin him as a character. He is a vengeful man who is past the point of rescue; I see him acknowledging this just like what he did with Colt, but will still continue on with his plan now that he has control of Ymir.