Can't wait to see this train wreck.
Upd.
It wasn't a train wreck. It was a decent solid one-shot series. Especially comparatively to the original series. There was one pretty big forced "meet up" in order to connect two shows let just put it this way. But other than that the longer it went the more Dexter and an idea of him would clash with realistic reactions from normal human beings around him.
I always hoped that OG series would one day go there. It never actually did. This one delivered.
p.s. Do not click on replies unless you saw the show.
Anime-onlys, are you alright guys?) We been there it's confusing, but kinda awesome.
Just in case, if anybody actually confused with how exactly Grisha saw Zeke. Grisha simultaneously saw the scene in the basement through Eren's eyes and his own. That's why he saw only Zeke and not Eren. He couldn't see Eren in the person. He could see himself through Eren's eyes. That's why Eren was always behind Grisha, in the moments when Grisha did looked at Zeke. Like with Frieda in the mirror back in season 3 or ch. 53
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0053-020.png
And yes, incredibly enough in the 1st episode of season 1 or in ch.1 Grisha wasn't looking at young Eren when he talked about the basement. This small detail was already there all this years ago, back in 2009!!!
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-040.png
So, neither Zeke nor Eren were physically* there.
They couldn't change the past either. It's more like self-fulfilling prophecy. Like Terminator's plot (first one) if you will. They couldn't say or do anything that would have gave them a different outcome. Or else they wouldn't be there in the first place. Or alternatively they only were there, because this specific plotline happened and that specific plotline happened this way, because they were there at the time. Chicken or the egg - type of situation.
*Nobody freaking knows how the hell hug worked... I guess they both hugged air or old excuse of "paths working in the mysterious ways". Hell, maybe anime would give us a more concrete answer... in the future? :wink:
Well, Canon was definitely delivered. Damn.
Edge of Tomorrow surprisingly worked. The Tomorrow War unsurprisingly didn't.
Well... what an ending.
The Talk scene was nearly perfect and also hurt me in all the right ways. Could have being even more mean-spirited if Mappa left in the meanest jabs at Armin - "You weren't soft like this before. Your judgment always led us to an answer... But now, all you can say is, "let's talk"... You're absolutely useless." and Mikasa - "What I'm saying is that the REAL Mikasa disappeared in that mountain cabin, at 9-years old. Leaving only you behind, ever faithful <..> slave:
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0112-021.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0112-025.png
Thank god Mappa cut the host talk, through. It was confusing as hell and naturally fans blow it out of proportions even more. It was a mess. I didn't know one could make the scene where Mikasa holds Armin down even more heartbreaking than it was in the manga, but they managed it somehow.
Levi vs Zeke part alot 3
The good. Well, the good parts were great actually. Voice acting, it was as emotional as the Talk, I enjoyed some creative shots of the fight, hell even funny parts from the manga were left in hooray!
The bad. Good god who the hell choose this song?! No, a song with lyrics in general and it was playing so loud... ugh. Music didn't add anything to the moment. WIT did amazing job animating Levi's fight scenes and Mappa is no match in that regard. Some shots that looked creative tried to hide lack of powerful moments, but ultimately heavy burden was put on the voice actors to carry the scene (but they did a great job anyway). Also feels like Levi had more expression during all of it in the manga. Regardless, it was the first fight in season 4 that didn't meet my personal expectations which is kinda worrisome for the part 2 of Season 4... well, we will see I guess.
Btw, the "censorship steam" is back baby! WIT couldn't be more proud looking at the scene of Zeke's injuries ;)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/3878ebbce9edae43086b41970bb28a59/8ef9c787a82d5ce8-96/s640x960/ce935da92612a7dfe58884698c71fcbc93472322.jpg
Not yet shown ending
Who knows. If they switched back to a different storyline after the fight like it happened in the manga overall impression of the episode would dip, imho. BUT if they didn't and ended it where I think they would... oh boy, I think a lot of flaws could be forgotten just for this bold move.
As a giant sidenote.
It does feels like Ackerman's lore is retconned somewhat in anime.
I assumed that the previously cutted info would be used in The Talk scene by Eren. But not only nothing was added to it, some info from the Talk scene was cut short on the lore, too.
It started back in season 3 with unimportant hints getting cut. Like Zeke calling Levi a monster:
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0083-014.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0083-015.png
Before the attack on Marley we had Zeke explaining why they should be extra careful with the future attack on Paradise island. And he mentions Ackerman clan as byproduct of titan science:
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0093-019.png
Which also sort of explains why Porco specifically called Levi "Ackerman" in that moment.
In The Talk we get even more detailed and over explained to be honest description of their power:
"A bloodline that could partly manifest the strength of a titan while in human form."
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0112-022.png
End of my essay)
Well... PTSD is a bitch.
Some people do love their happy ending)
Ending made perfect sense. First of all, the old guy was right. Second of all, our main character is a bit selfish if he cared about his mother first thing that would actually came to his mind would be medical treatment, not buying her a shop. If he would actually cared about his daughter, he would have met with her during that first year. If he would actually cared about fulfillment of his promise he would have helped her brother in the first year and also wouldn't just push his responsibilities on Sangwoo's mother.
And to top it all off, he is lying to himself about the reasons why he is coming back. He is coming back for himself, for his pride and for the feel of being alive. Not to topple old aholes club.
It was an ok series. Acting was over the top in too many scenes. I mean it was a decent allegory for capitalism I will give creators that.
Such a weird combination. Not scary or disgusting enough to be a horror; Not original enough to be interesting sci-fi. Not clever enough to be considered social commentary. And doesn't care enough about it's own characters to be good personal drama.
That damn soundtrack choice at the end. Ooh boy.
No such thing exist as a noble goal for war. Just pointless deaths and crimes.
1st half and 2nd half of episode worked really well on it's own. Second one was better drawn for sure. Anime made Rumbling ten times more horrifying with their movements and vaporizing heat.
But I'm still kinda in favor of leaving ch. 123 where it was in timeline. Lightheartedness of it worked better when future atrocities at the end of the chapter were implied, but not yet committed by Eren.
Won't probably see how Mappa will end it all in 2023...
I'm happy for people of freeworld that going to see this antiwar masterpiece of a saga coming to an end. Хуй войне!
For those who don't know about hilarious censorship that happened to the scene between Batman and Catwoman.
Speaking on the creative freedom that comes with writing villains rather than heroes, Halpern gave the example of a moment in the upcoming third season of the animated series where Batman was originally meant to be "going down" on Catwoman. Unfortunately, the higher ups at DC were having none of it.
"They're like, 'Heroes don't do that,'" said Halpern. "So we said, 'Are you saying heroes are just selfish lovers?' They were like, 'No, it's that we sell consumer toys for heroes. It's hard to sell a toy if Batman is also going down on someone.'"
Thank you, Mappa! So many great shots. That was amazing! Brought back memories of simple days of AoT for a second there.
"Someone tries to talk to me
And signpost the righteous road
My animal inside
Can now be tamed to go
Over the wall
We're gonna let it
Get back, get back
But is it worth the price of our soul?
You know you had to
Kill her, kill her!
And if we get out, get out
We've got to learn to live free, live free
We'll live a life without barricades"
Oh, that damn song, with those damn lyrics. Still so good!
Lovely parallels between Gabi and Eren with that mirror scene. One particular titan's cameo were more noticeable in manga, through lol
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0124-015.png
I can't believe that half of my crackship just realised that hardening no longer the main issue :smirk:
After this episode, end credits of season 2 (!) are finally spoiler free!
It only took us 43 episodes to get here.
Worldbuilding in AoT is insane.
Perfect set up for the next episode.
"That's all you ever talk about, huh? Kill, kill, kill... You remind me of a certain someone..."
Hell yeah! Can't wait for "the talk" scene.
I was surprised where they chose to cut Levi's storyline. But oh well, I can wait a week)
For any manga readers out here:
No spoilers, just... Doesn't it often feels like anime mocking us? Like when episode with Ymir safely running away came out in the manga we got chapter with the Letter. And now this? Damn.
So many deaths. Connie and Jean killing people they know is somehow especially hard to watch. Annie breakdown at the end. She doesn't want to kill Eren. Even after knowing what he started.
SnK always excelled at showing cost of taking human life from a different perspective. Flipping heroes and enemies once again. Allowing Yeagerists to take a role of horrified soldiers that fight "for what is right and their families" against ruthless enemies. I love reference to Opening of season 2, with Mikasa instead of Armin, for that reason specifically. But also Armin simultaneously has the highest killcount as a titan and lowest as a human, huh.
There are a couple of plotpoints that feel better like Shadis's sacrifice and the whole plan weirdly enough. Falco's form not so much... I never got used to it in the manga and it still looking freaking weird. Mappa almost made me sympathetic towards Floch's demise in a body of bloody water. Almost. Rot in hell, Floch!
I keep forgetting how often perception of the most innocent scenes can quickly change in SnK. Oh boy!
The pace felt just right. Voice-acting added alot to the familiar scenes. Marvelous work all around
p.s. if only they would stop cutting small lore details for attentive viewers
This is getting harder and harder to watch.
"I thought I was better than this. Dramatic voice over while stranded in space? I-I guess when you're dying, the first thing to go is your creativity."
Me: Nice reference to "Final Space"...
Them: Avengers: Endgame
Oh, well.
Red sky for the Rumbling - gift that keeps on given. It allowed flashback and Marley's part of the episode to standout in particular. I love how much they focused on destruction and casualties. I liked Armin's outburst, Annie spilling her guts and of course comeback of a Harmless man.
Boy, does Floch have a way with words. The moment he encourage someone to go in the direction they were already going, it always works out as final wake-up call.
Btw, Mappa adapted ch. 125 panel to panel. Only 5 episodes left. Damn, what a choice of a chapter for cliffhanger:bangbang:
I hope movie is already in the works. In the pandemic years are flying by anyway..
As for episode itself. It was amazing! All my expectations were blown away. Grisha's voice actor did a fantastic job.
Not slamming Eren and Zeke voice actors, I'm just used to them doing fenomenal job every single time. It's a given at this point.
Eren's character and his consistency
I don't know would it be as divisive as it was with the manga. But I feel like this episode reception would be hinge upon willingness to embrace a new titan's power and what this episode did to Eren's characterisation.
I started to actually like Eren back in the Chapel, when he realised what a horrible thing his father did. How he doomed them all. And Eren was ready to sacrifice himself for the good of everyone else. It changed his worldview. Before, Eren was fine with the sacrifice in his name, because he was a chosen one. He was Humanity's last hope.
Now, realising that he would be the one to push Grisha to do those horrible things. He still went through with that. Seemingly not having such a difficult time convincing Grisha and himself (if he need it at all) that this is the only way forward.
And I think the episode/chapter delivered a final blow to his past. Recontextualized his actions. Eren had a normal loving family, he wasn't brainwashed. He didn't grow up in the Underground. Neither he was raised by Kenny, mind you. And yet, his first reaction was not only to find and kill the kidnappers. But think how to go about it. He even prepared improvised weapons and didn't hesitated to use them. At 9-year-old! He didn't felt remorse at the action itself, he wasn't shaking by what happened. Grisha was more horrified that he ever was. And we knew that, we saw it, we didn't question it much. Because he is the main character and they were the monsters.
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-039.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-041.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-044.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0112-022.png
TL;DR And now Eren is back into believing that he is the chosen one and if he ever stops "Their Deaths" would be in vain. And he is the main character and the world does wants to annialate them. Situation didn't changed. And Eren sure as hell didn't. To me this character progression or deliberate stagnation felt earned. I know that, sadly, so many couldn't move past this development in the story. And felt like it was a badly executed drastic change that ruined his character. New titan's power worked as well as decision to give protagonist the power of hatred enemy, Coordinate power first use, basement reveal etc - I always thought that they were underwhelming and predictable. But the way they were excellent executed never failed to change my mind and see them as a better options for the story progression, overall.
Post credit scene was so good.
Wow. They actually ended it on the last panel of ch. 116!!! They basically didn't show you guys anything, yet. Damn, that's just brutal.
But also hilarious. I was sure that in order to put all the important info from 2 chapters they would have to cut some small stuff for good. But nope! Not even the smallest thing was cut from the manga... except for the panels revealing what happened to Levi and Zeke afterwards. Which I assume everyone wanted to see the most)
Brilliant move. Instead of 1 cliffhanger this way they got 3 cliffhangers for anime fans.
I freaking loved the Passing. And to be fair they archived it thanks to cutting two major plot points from the manga. They probably gonna start Part 2 with Levi and Zeke scenes. There is just no way around it. They have to show it eventually.. Oh and the dialogues this episode all hitted the right note except for infodump between Pixies and Yelena.
I can't believe that Porco was shown in the manga too before Jaw appears and I didn't notice him back then. Too be fair it wasn't as in your face as in the anime. But still https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0116-027.png
Eren vs Pieck - their whole interaction couldn't have been done better.
"Show us. Where's the enemy? There. - I was waiting for this scene. It was perfect.
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0116-034.png
Anime fans in week or two manga will officially end. So spoilers would be everywhere. Be careful. And goodluck!
To summarize part 1 of Season 4:
Blessing in disguise. Characters, their mindset and themes were handled right. Marley's arc in particular. Manga had more gradual reveal of some plot points, but I'm not sure that in the end Zeke's plan suffered from it for example. Cuts and rearrangements worked most of the times. Especially in episodes like Children of the Forest as well done set up. Hell, Gabi and Falco focused chapter was almost unbearable to read through. But with some small tweaks to timeline and pushed around storylines Gabi and Falco focused episode was actually enjoyable in the anime.
They managed to get passing under control and let scenes breath after 4 or so episode.
Action did suffered. Well, Levi action scenes suffered alot in my opinion the rest was decent to good. Certainly not worst than Eren vs Reiner in season 3 I'm not a fan of soft retcon with the Ackermans. Purpose of it just seems unclear in regards to the future storyline changes. Oh and there is definitely moments where animation felt way off. Not even season 3 had this many derp faces)
Ok, so Part 1 covered 25 chapters in 16 episodes. Only 22 chapters left. Here's hoping that it would give us at least 14 episodes. That would be ideal passing. Apparently Part 2 would came out around January 2022.
p.s. I can't believe that final chapter will drop in like a week. Hope, it won't dissapoint.
Would have been perfect, if it wasn't for breakneck pacing. Bertholdt's dream and Annie's meeting suffered the most.
I don't understand why they skipped Annie's part in taking the Wall... Different viewpoint should have brought additional info on the table. I mean it's not important, they still show Colossal Titan exhausted and on it knees nice juxtaposition to the iconic moment and also explanation for weird footprints from season 1 and Dina walking by thanks Annie It just odd and felt more impactful in the manga.
If anyone interested in the panels with Annie's part in the plan:
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-016.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-017.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-018.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-019.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-020.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-021.png
Also kinda surprised that they didn't emphasized on trio first and changed focus to warriors here:
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0096-033.png
But oh well. At least Mappa didn't f**ed up anything important, yet. Unlike the whole Uprising Arc... so I'm happy as hell. Great episode.
Amazing finale episode! What a season for characters up and downs. It was great, hilarious and heartbroken. Funny at first I thought that her jokes crossed the line, especially in that day and age. And that they gonna hint at it in Shy's performance, but they didn't and I thought "oh well apparently I overthink it". Nevermind...
Reggie stand out character of the season for me, mannerisms, movement even. Casting, definitely, is the show best part.
We are finally here! I'm happy for anime-only watchers I hope they would stick around cause that just a tip of an iceberg for the real story of AoT: worldbuilding, plot, and character development it's all just started basically.
First half (The Rumbling) was perfect. Ramzi, hell everything manage to hit the right note and went beyond my expectation.
Second half (Sinners) was on par with the manga.
R.I.P. Hange.
How many spoilers do you want?
Mappa: Yes!
Hey, when "My war" opening came out I saw alot of people complaining that it showed "nothing" even through it did showed/mentioned a couple of key elements of the story, mostly from the current part for some reason now you guys saw... alot.
Poor Levi, that was rough to see, with the close up on the fingers and his face. And also Hi manga-spoiler Ymir it's being a minute I mean it's truely beautifully directed. There are so many stuff added in between the panels. I truly admire the way Mappa sets the scene and mood. I don't know what to say, it's pretty much perfect.
I will never understand how one country can spend the most out of all and yet be so inefficient with it comparably to half if not more of EU members. The punchline of the joke is all about how unachievable and naive it was. Where previously it focused on how ridiculous that this basic human right is not a thing. Weird angle.
Did they kill Плотву?! For real? Damn..
How the hell this show keeps it characters to behave in such a specific human way among completely batshit insane plotlines and props?! Why the hell is so believable?
Man, Garguax... I felt it. What a guy.
Part of me wonders was that a wink and a nod to Umbrella academy?
Damn, how much work went into building up ridiculous plot points and characters in order to make fun of "pro life" agenda in the end...
I love it. Could be less disgusting although I appreciate the restrain on the details unlike in dragon's episode
"You became a woman today" punchline that caught me off guard. So good.
Great episode. Although it's pretty much chapter 114 panel to panel except for Eren's part that's straight from chapter 115.... Dialogue heavy episode with characters retrospective that I was already familiar with.
Oh I enjoyed it plenty in the manga form - Grisha's parenting, how Zeke's viewpoint was shaped and finally reveal of Zeke's actual desperate plan. It just all those moments didn't hit strongly in anime version. Unlike for example depictions of warriors at the start of the season; Armin's gaze into abyss; Mikasa's reflexively overpowering Armin etc. The strong aspects of an episode comes to thanks to writing in the source material, imho.
So my focus was mostly on reliving the brutal ending of this episode. And that hit! That still hit, damn. Even the small things like sound of raindrops added to the scene. Especially on Zeke's voice actor part for some strange reason.
On that note, feels like there were more empathize on Levi's face right before - there was look of pure fear. Kinda interesting that they didn't bring attention to Levi instinctively using his sword as a shield at the last second.
I mean... I don't think that anyone would be confused when they see the aftermath of that choice... but still. In the manga it felt like Ackerman's speed backfired on him in particularly, not just Levi's desire to torture Zeke as revenge in general.
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0114-043.png
