Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season - Episode 61 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season, episode 61

Alternative names: Attack on Titan Final Season, Shingeki no Kyojin Season 4

Rate this episode here.

Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

---

Streams

• Crunchyroll

• Funimation

Show information

• MyAnimeList

• AniList

• AniDB

• Kitsu

• Anime-Planet

• Official Website

• /r/ShingekiNoKyojin

---

All discussions

Episode	Link	Score	Episode	Link	Score
60	Link	4.65	73	Link	4.67
61	Link	4.57	74	Link	-
62	Link	4.71
63	Link	4.77
64	Link	4.9
65	Link	4.73
66	Link	4.92
67	Link	4.81
68	Link	4.67
69	Link	4.53
70	Link	4.64
71	Link	4.52
72	Link	4.79

---

This post was created by a bot. Message the mod team for feedback and comments. The original source code can be found on GitHub.

[u/AutoModerator]

Source Material Corner

Reply to this comment for any source-related discussion, future spoilers (including future characters, events and general hype about future content), comparison of the anime adaptation to the original, or just general talk about the source material. You are still required to tag all spoilers. Discussions about the source outside of this comment tree will be removed, and replying with spoilers outside of the source corner will lead to bans.

The spoiler syntax is:
[Spoiler source](/s "Spoiler goes here")

All untagged spoilers and hints in this thread will receive immediate 8-day bans (minimum).

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/HighSchoolThrowAw4y]

What's good about having the armored titan if it can't protect you from being sad

[u/-BubbaGumpShrimp- → u/HighSchoolThrowAw4y]

Everyone always asks "who will inherit the armored titan?", never "how is the armored titan?"

[u/Silent_Shadow05 → u/HighSchoolThrowAw4y]

Sadly Armor protects your body but not your heart

[u/Yaggamy]

Gabi: I bet you have a lot of bad memories from Paradise Island.

Reiner: There was this girl that said "I would give up half the potatoes".

But it wasn't even half!! That potatoes she offered were less than half!

Gabi: They truly are monsters!!

[u/thecomicguybook → u/Yaggamy]

Sasha's gluttony is so bad it is used for actual propaganda abroad.

[u/The_New_Overlord → u/Yaggamy]

I think that may have been Reiner subtly (or even unconsciously) trying to tell his family the Paridisians weren't that bad, and were the same as them

[u/unlizw]

Damn, those stories Reiner was telling during the dinner about the potato. How could one go through something like that and remain psychologically healthy?

[u/safinhh → u/unlizw]

reiner doesnt know either

[u/bombdropperxx]

That dinner table scene is really reminiscent of "All Quiet on the Western Front", where someone returning from the warzone's emotions just can't be understood by those outside of it. The suffering that Reiner seems to be going through. God I love the writing.

[u/spacedude997 → u/bombdropperxx]

I absolutely love the clash between serious and comedic tones coexisting without ever clashing into each other. The camera work really did help.

[u/Garlicbread10]

4 years later and Levi still got Zeke shook

[u/DadAsFuck → u/Garlicbread10]

that ackerman asswhooping has a lasting effect

[u/realrimurutempest → u/Garlicbread10]

You know you’re a GOAT when you instilled life long trauma into your enemy lol

[u/Yaggamy]

Viewers: I hope we'll see Ymir again soon!

Galliard: She died off screen. I'm her now. Deal with it...

[u/Yaggamy]

*Pieck says anything obvious*

Zeke: Exactly!! As expected from Pieck. It's perfectly as you say.

[u/mohamez → u/Yaggamy]

Substitute Zeke with the fandom and nothing will change.

[u/eepicprimee]

Damn, so Marcel was Galliard's brother. Don't blame him for having a grudge against Reiner for what happened.

[u/MilkToastKing]

I like how Gabi stumbles when she retells her story about disabling the armored train and getting shot at by the machine gun. She totally remembered that Falco was the first one to jump into the fray and try to help her, but she skipped ahead and gave all the credit to Galliard because she refuses to talk up the actions of the other armor titan candidates.

[u/realrimurutempest]

Bruh, the guy jumping off the roof was sad

[u/ten-of-wands → u/realrimurutempest]

I love what MAPPA and AoT are doing.

A random, nameless soldier jumps to his death. Probably one of the poor souls who was suffering from shell shock earlier. The shot is quick and you might miss it if you’re not paying attention. Later, there is a crowd around his body, but this is merely a background event as Reiner and Gabi are waking toward their destination.

And just like that, it’s over and we move on with the main story.

A random, entirely missable suicide in a ghetto for those considered less-than. The anime is bathed in golden colors this episode but the horrors of the story are real and stark.

[u/ricardowastaken]

Zook be like

REJECC HUMANITY RETURN TO PARADIS

[u/safinhh]

anyone catch zofia casually saying “an old neighbour told me that the ocean is salty because he pees in it all the time”

[u/Ageha_Bot → u/safinhh]

Imagine Jean hearing that after tasting it back on S3

[u/Xenosys83]

Thought this episode was actually better than episode 1, despite it being very dialogue heavy. VA's were spot on, the animation and direction was very good, and the OST fit the tone of the episode. Pacing was also great.

You really get the impression that by focusing on "the other side" the author is really trying to show the audience that despite them being the enemy in the eyes of the audience, they have their motivations for fighting and doing the things they do, and things not may seem as clear cut as they are. When the shit inevitably hits the fan as it tends to do in Attack on Titan, it'll hit harder because of it.

[u/arafatnabi]

That scene when Reiner was seeing his old dead friends in Gabi and co as the ship blocked the sun rays and then saying wait in terror was 10/10. It signifies how the kids are the only bright thing in Reiner's life and without them he is in dark.

[u/Yaggamy]

Viewers: I bet they can't make Reiner's character anymore tragic than this.

Episode 61: Let me just introduce his parents...

[u/PikachusAnalCavity]

Really dug the cinematic feel of this episode. I like that MAPPA isn’t just trying to get by and just be the backfill for WIT, but adding their own flavor to it.

Some cut stuff from the perspective of a manga reader, but I don’t think any of that would bother anime onlies. If anything, I thought some of the cuts just gave the episode a more ominous feel.

9/10 episode for me, AoT is the only anime where I’ve read the manga but still feel on the edge of my seat.

[u/[deleted]]

What is the safest way to get into a coma for 1 week? Anyone noticed the weird body language? And I fucking died when reiner mentioned sasha’s potato story. Who are the other people who he mentioned?

[u/rusticks → u/[deleted]]

Guy who forgets why he went to the bathroom is Connie.

Irresponsible jerk who only thinks of himself is Jean.

Overly responsible jerk who only thinks of others is Marco.

Guy who only thinks of revenge, and the two that follow him, are Eren, Armin, and Mikasa.

[u/Aileos]

Probably one of the most well-animated dialogue episode of the series. Overall, the direction was great. The episode has a very surprising amount of character acting and interesting camera work for a lot of things.

[u/Sane-Ni-Wa-To-Ri]

End card for this episode!

(from official twitter)

MAPPA illustration:

Falco

(from MAPPA twitter)

[u/_alua_]

Man this episode was so great! I honestly think this is the first time AoT had that much of character animation. Yeah, it did look a little bit jarry at times, but most of the time it was so beautiful! Characters felt actually alive; the camera angles, backgrounds and animation - everything was so well-directed, it didn’t feel like I was watching anime at all.

[u/mohamez]

Reiner's sarcasm when he was describing how devilish the people on the island was top-notch.

[u/DadAsFuck]

me and the boys when it’s ‘attack on titan’ sunday

[u/AHatedChild]

Some powerful propaganda and brainwashing in this episode.

[u/cppn02]

Gabi, Gabi, Gabi.

[u/DogmaErgosphere]

So, uhhhh, Falco loooooves Gabi huh.

[u/Dracoscale]

This episode was just amazing, the direction and the amount of character movements was just so great to watch, I don't think AoT has ever had this level of character movements before. They're really using the shift from manga to anime to improve on the source material as much as they can.

[u/XoNtheHAWK]

Who is this Raven haired woman and why does she look like Best Girl?

[u/drago2000plus]

Simping for Pieck.

[u/vjeats]

What an amazing episode. The team at MAPPA is really making this a cinematic experience. I hope we have this level of quality for the rest of the show!

[u/ricardowastaken]

New waifu spotted

[u/tehsigzorz]

Top 10 questions science cant answer: what is zook's secret ass wiping technique

[u/[deleted]]

Alot of Reiner suffering this episode, he had like 3 flashbacks just this episode.

PTSD a bitch

[u/rusticks]

Anyone else surprised by how animated this episode is? It's weird to see actual character animation in Attack on Titan that isn't just Levi sakuga. A few bits looked jank, particularly when Gabi was describing her victory at dinner, but I'm shocked the team went through the effort to (maybe?) rotoscope it at all.

But just to remind us what we're watching, it wouldn't be an Attack on Titan episode without some good ol' Reiner suffering. His time on Paradis really fucked him up mentally. And from the look of the preview, we'll get more Reiner suffering next week.

[u/foxfoxal]

Manga readers are not being very subtle...

[u/onetrickponySona → u/foxfoxal]

believe me, other manga readers are also annoyed by people hinting... want anime onlys to experience everything with a fresh mind not knowing anything.

[u/myrmonden]

I love how it feels like Gabi is explaining like a video game to her parents, I WAS LIKE PLAYING FORTNITE AND I GOT EVERYONE DAD !!! I got like 99 kills and got first place it was amazing so much explosions and her dad is like YES HONEY kill more people !!! we are proud of you.

Gabi is the perfect eldian, willing to slay everyone for approval. gotta love best girl Gabi

Anyway, I really like the scene of Reiner being conflicted and trying to protect Falco by being like U GOTTA PRETEND AT LEAST BOY. Clearly Reiner struggles with massive ptsd and guilt as he was for the wars and now hes like maybe I killed my friends etc, after all he was to deep undercover earlier.

[u/xchus77]

Attack on Titan makes me feel alive, I cant express how fucking good i feel watching AoT....

[u/Silverkira]

i need to know whats the special technique zook use to wipe his ass.

[u/JoeSantoasty]

Anime-only here, this episode was even better than the first. So much more context is being given to the other side of the sea and I am absolutely loving it.

My favorite part had to be the way Reiner rationalized all the time he spent on Paradis Island. When a person's behavior conflicts with their ideals, they rationalize with themselves and change their behavior or emotions to avoid discomfort within the self. While Reiner was on Paradis we saw his identity crisis. He struggled with the fact that he grew close to these soldiers, so he ended up struggling between being a soldier and a warrior. Here we see the reverse happen. Now that he's back in Marley, Reiner is attempting to rationalize all his memories with the 104th. We laugh at how he describes everyone, because we know that's not really bad things he's describing. However, the important part is that Reiner believes it. He fully believes everyone on the other side of the sea is scum at this moment when in reality they were nothing but kind people defending themselves against the attacks of titans caused by his nation. Fascinating stuff.

I did not expect Pieck to be a woman, I assume that because the Cart Titan is not doing a lot of direct attacking (rather simply moving and having guns attached) she is able to maintain form for two months. We also learned Galliard was brothers with Marcel, the original Jaw Titan holder. Clearly his and Reiner's relationship will be very strained.

The way Reiner saw his group of warriors in the new group was great. It makes watching Gabi, Falco, etc. so much more interesting because it's as if we're watching a young Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie.

I'm excited to see what this new Eldian family has to offer. Clearly since the Warhammer Titanw as responsible for winning the original titan war, this family has had the luxury of not being persecuted. It seems that in taking back Paradis, they have the most to lose.

I love this show, so much,

[u/hollowXvictory]

The OP isn't an immediate banger like the first one or a fun singalong like Sasageyo but it's pretty catchy in its own way. It's gonna grow on me in the coming weeks.

[u/ezorethyk2]

So let's take a look into a comparation between geopolitics and history of aot world vs ours:

We know that people on Paradis island(our main cast) entered their isolation aprox. 100 years past the present

We know from Grisha's memories that Marley already had cars(1886) and zepelins(1900) somewhere around 30-40 years past the present.In paranthesis you can see when they were developed in our world.

We know that in the present (S4 ep1) the world has modern artilery(1897 first modern piece, although developments for modern artilery started in 1858), machine guns(1884 first modern one, developments started in 1861) and armored trains(1861-American civil war).

A hint is we didn't saw any airplane or tank in the battle, which were both used first time in ww1. From this we can conclude they either dont exist yet in this world or are in some form of early design.

From this we can conclude that humanity , outside Paradis island, are as technologically advanced as we were in the late 19th-very early 20th century. Which coincides with the period Japan came out of isolation and started to modernize.

Important: although many people point to tech to be close to our ww1, it's more likely to be somewhere at a level of few years to few decades before our ww1.

Let's now take a look at Paradis island. Many would assume that they are 100 years behind and just call it a day. But the interesting part is that during such a long time of isolation the technology of a country tends to REVERSE rather than just freeze.We have Japan's isolation in our world as an example for this.

So what we know is that tech on Paradis island is somewhere pre industrial revolution levels, well outside of the 3D manouvering system which is probably impossible to produce.

There are so many hints here that point to events that follow our own history , from Japan's isolation to industrial revolution and follow the flow of events so exactly , it's just impresive. God damn impresive. If Isayama did this on purpose he went through A LOT of work.

Disclaimer 1: All this is my personal research as an independent history nerd, which i've mostly used info i found on wikipedia.

Disclaimer 2: I posted this comment before watching episode 2. I will update it after i finish it.

Disclaimer 3: I am an anime only watcher. Most of the assumptions i've made are based entirely on what we saw in previous seasons of aot. If i'm right or wrong based on manga, don't tell anything. Let's keep this discussion out of spoilers.

Edit: We have heard the aircraft being mentioned in episode 2 at the begining, by the generals watching a collapsed ceiling. This mean one of two things:

1. The collapsed ceiling scene had nothing to do with aircrafts being mentioned, meaning aircrafts exist but they are not yet usable in this world. This would put the world technology somewhere between 1905-1914 in our world, meaning right before ww1.

2. The collapsed ceiling was resulted from an aerial bombing. This mean the world is already at ww1 levels. Perhaps mid ww1 since we haven't yet saw tanks or more advanced aircrafts models.

[u/Crisisofland]

The Cart, one of the most bizarre Titans , with a Titan Shifter that's without a doubt my girl crush. Ironic

[u/bombdropperxx]

Reiner and Suffering, name a better duo

[u/[deleted]]

Was it just me or did many scenes feel rotoscoped?

[u/flyingelephante]

Low action, dialogue heavy episodes like this one are really exciting to me because of how much can be unpacked from the weight carried in every character line and interaction. Especially with the necessary condensing the anime needs to do, from here on almost every moment adds something that's valuable to the story's intensified emphasis on the broader ideas that it's interested in.

My favourite moment from this episode is the scene of the guard's taunting "boom!" to startle the traumatized soldiers, how it transitions into the following scene immediately opening with Gabi excitedly yelling "Boom!" when she's telling her family what she did on the battlefield.

Putting those two mimicking "booms" side by side sets the stark contrast between the reality of the soldiers' trauma and Gabi's romanticized, propagandistic retelling of the battle. It's a fitting reminder that every glorified, nationalistic narrative of war victories and war heroes comes at a terrible cost.

It also highlights how deeply disturbing it is for Gabi, as an indoctrinated child soldier, to be so desensitized to that cost as to ignore it entirely in her pursuit of earning glory/recognition for herself, her family, and above all her war machine of a nation.

[u/CallMeGhaul]

I am shocked at how quickly they made me care about all the new characters

[u/Kance10]

Such a good character development and exposition episode, it really makes you accept and like the warriors as the new pov away from Eren & co and makes them endearing through their family-like bond

[u/Pixels256]

...This show, man. There’s a lot to say, but specifically Reiner having to live in a society that demonizes the people he knows aren’t evil. The self-perception of Eldians is so tragic. God, isn’t it exciting to be watching this live! We were here!

[u/LikeAnAssistant]

This is the ideal best girl body. You may not like it, but this is what Pieck performance looks like.

[u/[deleted]]

stupid sexy reiner

[u/harisaashraf7]

That ymir's lifeless face before she got eaten was truly a pain to watch, this was such a good episode although there were some scene like udo walking, galliard seating colt and reiner ptsd talk that were a little off but that dont even matter this was an overall solid ep 10/10.

[u/Zipstream7]

Reiner describing Sasha's potato moment as proof of evil was absolutely hilarious

[u/[deleted]]

Before this season started, I thought if Eren and the gang won (even with casualties) it would be a happy ending, but now even if they do, I'm convinced there's no way we get a happy ending out of this

[u/KK-Hunter]

So it's confirmed that turning Eldians into Titans is unique to Zeke, not the Beast Titan. They don't even know that it's because he has royal blood though, that's crazy. And also means Marley is gonna lose a major asset once Zeke is gone in addition to having to deal with advancing technology.

Fucking lol.

This was pretty hype. Paradis is fucking Marley up. Just scout ships, but still. This does tell Marley that Paradis is now fully aware of and prepared for them now though.

Zeke joins the Ackerman PTSD club lmao.

BIGGEST TWIST THIS EPISODE. PLATYPUS TITAN IS IN FACT A CUTE ANIME WAIFU? NANI???

Platypus Titan reveal >>>>> Basement reveal, just putting that out there. Piek fiction fr.

Armin didn't like that.

Gabi being Gabi. This scene was cute as fuck though.

This shit fucked me up. Any Eldians that don't buy into the indoctrination are coerced into following Marley's bullshit anyway, or used as mindless Titan weapons. Reiner's emotions here are complex as fuck to unpick. He's obviously got pain in his eyes and definitely went through something similar to this when he was a kid, and I think his harsh reaction is him reflexively following Marley's indoctrination for how he should respond here?

Marleyans continue to be the paragon of empathy and kindness.

So Reiner and Gabi are cousins, neat. That explains even moreso why she looks up to him so much, and possibly why she specifically wants the Armoured Titan. Though that may also just be because it's the soonest available other than the Beast Titan, which seems pretty much agreed on to be going to Colt.

Absolute monsters.

Reiner can't see the Paradisians as "devils" anymore and though he tries to pretend otherwise, he slips up here by letting his true thoughts out. Pain.

You can tell that other than some of the kids, the Eldians don't really believe that the Paradisians are devils. But they follow that story completely because they're terrified of the consequences otherwise.

Another 10/10 episode. Fucking hell, this show.

[u/Momo--Sama]

I’ve seen arcs that focus entirely on side characters for the sake of setting the table for the mains to do something big before, but I’ve never seen one with such depth in its characterization and world building, and complexity in their interactions, to the point that everything that has come before feels like set up to tell this story with these characters, not the other way around.

[u/c_stall5]

As an anime only I didn’t think it was possible for Isayama to up his writing, but my god the dialogue here was so good. Reiner is such and interesting character. Also MAPPA’s approach and directing was fantastic

[u/Crisisofland]

She's like a cat <3

[u/camthegodoflol]

Wait when Reiner had ptsd with his old titan crew is the brown haired guy the one who got eaten by Ymir from the flashback we saw all the way back in season 2?

[u/cronus999]

Marley’s best girl finally showing everyone else the Piecking order.

[u/thismise4u]

Do I like Reiner now? what is this feeling? He seems conflicted as fuck. I think he realizes that the people from Paradis aren't evil and he might even like them, but he HAS TO tow the line in public at all times. He has to make even the most ridiculous sounding things sound like acts of evil even Sasha and the potato because nobody around him will ever understand and him and his entire family would be killed if it got out.

Megath? feels a lot more like a character after him allowing the Eldians to celebrate the victory on the train. Even if it was just for one night. I think it shows some heart?

For some reason, the scene where someone jumps off the roof...I thought was Reiner for some reason, but I guess it was just some random guy? (is this going to be a major plot point?)

Reiner/Zeke's Ackerman-PTSD is great. I love it.

10/10 one hell of an episode by MAPPA. I didn't think I could actually feel for these people but shit I'm really starting to like these Eldians.

[u/H-K_47]

Nearly every comment is obsessed with Piek. Every other girl should just call it quits. Now that Piek has been animated, the Best Girl competition is over.

[u/erased59]

Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

Everyone in the thread:I am gonna pretend I didn't see that.

[u/[deleted]]

This episode revealed so much! Anime only here, so no spoilers please.

Zeke is doing exactly what Grisha and Dina have asked of him as a child and is looking to restore Eldia and free Eldians from Marley. He is not the wonderboy honorary Marleyan brainwashed to do their bidding. I theorize that he and maybe Reiner and some others of the warrior crew (not the candidates) have a similar Restore Eldia-type rebellion going on in the deep shadows, just like this parents did.

Zeke and the warriors are simply using Marley and the warrior powers for their own purposes.

Here's my evidence:

• Reiner and Falco have the conversation about rescuing Gabi from a horrible future as a Titan. Falco seems to also think similarly and may join Zeke's cause.

• Galliard mentions that none of this would have happened if he was the Armored. He doesn't mean just this war with Mid-East Alliance or his brother's death. He means that they would be free of fighting wars for Marley and have their own country.

• Bert, Reiner, and Zeke had the conversation up on the walls in S3P2 about "ending it all". It's not to end the mission. It's to end the oppression and bring back Eldia as an independent state and save all Eldians.

• He wants to rescue Eren. He mentions that in S3P2E18. He just wants to free them from the king and from Marley.

• Reiner mentions that Eren is the worst person to get the Founding Titan power. Why? Because he wants to kill all the Titans. Those that are all just Reiner's comrades/patriots. Eren unknowingly wishes to destroy Marley and likely Eldians in his view due to his rage. Reiner doesn't know anything about Grisha's story yet, from what I can tell. He is working to save everyone yet Eren's unknowingly doing the opposite.

• Zeke mentions "Not in this room." when talking to the warrior group in his room. Marley's suspicious of that, of course. Zeke must have secret conversations with them somehow when they know they are not being listened in on.

• Biggest evidence: Zeke has not told anyone (not in the warrior group and not even the candidates until they have seen memories) that he is of royal blood. What does this mean?

  • He gave up his parents in order to leave no doubt about his loyalty and infiltrated the military to get the powers.

  • He is being the model soldier: He's wonderboy, he has amazing capabilities (enhanced by his royal blood that can fully manifest Titan powers), loyal and even gives advice to generals. Exactly like Grisha and Dina told him to.

  • He is the one that is pushing to go back to the Founding Titan. But there is no evidence that we as the audience have that Marley even knows about the Will of the First King nor or that it even requires a royal to manifest. To them, Eren seems to be wielding the power, so they may not think it's needed.

  • Why wouldn't he have told anyone about it? If he was a true model soldier, he would be producing offspring for Marley to fully grasp the powers of the Titans.

I might be horribly wrong but Zeke is leading another rebellion under Marley within the military itself. I can see it happening. Or this might just be another dud theory.

[u/cppn02]

Great episode!

We delve deeper into the characters we met for the first time last week and we get a first look at the humans behind the Jaw and the Cart. We even get to see everyone's families as they return to the ghetto.

That dinner scene was quite something. Harrowing and funny at the same time with the way Reiner was describing the members of the training corps.

Next we apparently have a big festival with represantitives and journalists from all over the world. What could possibly go wrong?

I do wanna mention that while they aren't quite there yet and it looks quite janky here and there I do like Mappa trying to find their style with the CG, the camera movement and even some rotoscoping. It just need some refinement.

[u/krfz41]

MRW I see AoT discussion thread up.

[u/tramquangpho]

Anybody catch the name drop “Warhammer Titan”

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Who's Magath's seiyuu? He sounds familiar. And also he had a super quick "sore demo" which of course makes me happy~

"It's not like you have royal blood in you" hah.

Pieck looks perfect, yo.

Gabi's seiyuu did fantastic on how desperately happy she was to see Reiner. And Udo's is doing good worrying about how they're all going to be treated following the events of the war.

Mmmmmmm, this was amazing.

Another eyecatch info! Yay!

Oh, I just noticed the arm bands are all different colors. Are the red ones for shifters and their family members, yellow for the warrior candidates and their families, and grey for the others, maybe?

Potato!

Look at Pieck just being perfect.

Also MAPPA went ham on the camera panning-effects and character animation this episode too, I'm not complaining it just caught me off-guard for a second.

[u/Redmon425]

Omg... was that Reiner actually talking about memories that were happy for him? I still hate this dude, but hearing him tell the potato story put a smile on my face.

The ED has already grown on me, I like the visuals and song a lot. But man, the OP just feels like to much is happening during it. I still don’t love it.

Still bet Gabi doesn’t get the armored Titan, as that other kid who protects her already had visions of being a Titan.

And can someone remind me, are Eldians the same as the Eren and all those other people inside the walls? We’re they just captured? I forgot exactly why the Marleians hate the Eldians and have them basically living in concentration camps it feels like.

[u/greyviewing]

Highlights for me:

Pieck is amazing. She's a great vector for displaying how terribly the Eldian warriors are are treated, because presumably they force her to stay in titan form for months on end just because they need to lug shit around. This makes her basically permanently disabled outside of the form because she literally forgets how to walk and stand up.

Gabi subtly picking up on the fact that Reiner views the wall eldians as people and not demons while the rest of the family is just terrified that they're being mentioned at all was great

Reiner going full indoctrination mode on Falco is weirdly uncomfortable, since we're not used to seeing him like this. I'm really interested to see where Falco goes from here, as he seems like he's just putting on a facade of being brainwashed by Marley. I'm predicting something like Reiner dying and Falco having to take over the Armour in a bad situation, which will obviously piss off Gabi.

I really want the young warriors to meet our old main cast, because it'll totally rock both of their worldviews.

[u/xPlasma10]

Animation, soundtracks, and camera angles were amazing. Another great episode

[u/HighSchoolThrowAw4y]

Man the rain shadows during the table scene and the slow zoom on Reiners face as it gets worse. And it's only on the people in the frame not the background. Its just a little effect but it made it seem so much more eerie.

[u/Niqqa_cat]

All the animation has been done vv well! And the pacing has been top notch till now, makes me somewhat doubt the 16 episode listing.

[u/BadBehaviour613]

The Reiner monologue is less a sarcastic rebuttal to Marlian propaganda, and more Reiner reminiscing about his time in the boot camp. He is obviously still very confused about his loyalty at this point.

[u/pepperminthippos]

holy shit, reiner is slowly becoming my favorite character. the way that hes trying to convince himself that the eldians are devils when deep down they're not really reminds me of trauma/disassociative identity disorders, and i won't be surprised if reiner won't be as marley-sided as we think.

[u/dunnoman6400]

Damn that girl Reiner was talking about who at the potato sounds like an absolute monster

[u/LeonKevlar]

The most important detail about this episode. We need to know how Zeke wipes his ass!

A lot of people here would be happy to see Mikasa in their dreams, not for our poor traumatized Reiner though.

RIP Ymir. We didn't even get to see how Porco ate her.

ELDIA'S ASS PIECK IS FINALLY HERE! We finally get to see what our Cart Titan looks like in her human form. <3

As a fan of rotoscoping techniques, I feel like they kinda overdid it with Udo's rant scene. Maybe tone it down a bit next time? The rotoscoping for the rest of the episode was fine though.

She might not be able to legally drink yet but it's hilarious how drunk with everyone's praise Gabi is xD

Reiner talking about Sasha's Potato Story in the most serious tone possible as if that's the root of all his PTSD was just absolutely hilarious! Sasha is truly a Devil for giving less than half when she offered half of the potato.

As a manga reader I have not much else to comment. I just really enjoyed seeing everyone animated after so long! I can't wait for r/anime to be all caught up with the memes :D

[u/fayezabdd]

So I'm assuming this pieck person is the cart titan.

Also I really don't want to feel sad for these people while they're calling our main cast demons and devils goddammit isayama..

Also holy shit mappa are really over preforming, jeez the motions on this episode really looked smooth af, I think this is the first time we've seen these kind of motions in aot in I wrong? And also mappa did re-animate the Gabi jumping of the train scene I'm wrong?

Another 10/10 episode. I hope mappa can keep this up, but man I'm still worried

[u/Hochseeflotte]

Well, I am finally here. This is my first time watching an anime as it comes out and first time in an episode discussion. After a bunch of my friends recommended AOT and seeing the hype for last week’s episode and how it got 20k upvotes, I decided to start AOT. And what a ride it’s been. I watched all three season in the last week to be able to be here for the series finale. Oblivious, I adored the first three seasons and being able to watch them mostly spoiler free was fantastic. I feel a lot of my enjoyment would have been lost if I knew the twists and turns. Finally, I want to give a shout-out to all the people who were involved in the AOT Rewatch earlier this year. I read through each of those posts after finishing an episode and it gave me the feeling of watching the show like I wasn’t multiple years late to the party. They also gave me warnings that kept me spoiler free, so thank you guys so much!

Now after giving you guys my whole life story on to the actual episode. I think I slightly prefer episode 1 but that’s almost entirely because of my love of WW1. There was some good development this episode for all our new characters and returning ones. We are introduced to Galliard, the new jaw titan, and Pieck, who everyone seems to be in love with. I don’t know if she can top Mikasa and Historia for best girl but I guess we will see. Reiner seems to have PTSD from his time in Paradis, which I mean can you blame him? Having to fight Mikasa and Levi would leave even the strongest people traumatized for life. I’m glad the season is at least starting by showing us our old and new enemies for when the main cast comes back. Speaking of them, I think we see both Connie and Mikasa in this episode. When Reiner and the Warrior trainees are working away in the city, we have a shot from behind a women’s back who looks a lot like Mikasa. Then after Reiner talks about his time on the island and his grandmother I think closes the window, we see a silhouette jump of the roof.My guess is it was Connie as he didn’t have any or much hair. Definitely not Connie. It was a Eldian soldier with PTSD committing suicide. If I had one complaint it would be the motion capture or rotoscoping was a little uncanny valley at parts but overall it wasn’t to bad.

A solid second episode. I don’t know how you guys deal with the wait times. After binging the previous seasons I am going to have to adjust to the week’s long wait.

[u/Mochachiiino]

you guys seeing these camera pans for when zeke walked up the stairs and when reiner woke up from his dream?

they arent perfect, but definitely very interesting. i feel like these camera angles and direction is trying to portray the essence of a wwii film you would see in the early 2000s. I think this was a great decision given their uniforms and the overall dusk/dawn lighting.

im sure with some more time and practice this kind of experience may be common for anime.

this is not the first time mappa has flexed 180degree camera pans this season. pls look back to when sukuna fought gojo for the first time. and when jogo kicked gojo after being dragged across the ground

someone at mappa has a camera turning fetish. and im all fucking for it

[u/mapoztofu]

Ngl, Reiner looks hella good with this design

[u/lucifer666768]

I love how Levi and mikasa are considered titan level threats too.

[u/TittySuckBootyFuck]

I can’t get over how well directed this episode was

[u/Saucy_Totchie]

Reiners mom: I'm sorry to hear about you going to hell with those island devils.

Reiner: Yeah that one girl who ate a potato was the worst.

[u/FakeDaVinci]

I like how Isayama has been blending WWI and WWII ideas in the same era, due to the unique aspect of the Eldians in this world. For instance, this episode touches on the topics of propaganda and of "good jew", the idea that some jews, the ones that were obedient and law abiding, were in some way superior to the other jews. This actually happend during the inquisition in Spain and Portugal aswell. Some jews would rat out on other jews in hiding or support the oppressors, just so they wouldn't "be like them", for they were the good jews.

I really love the themes explored thus far. Reiner's character is also receiving a healthy dose of characterization that makes him really stand out from the rest. He knows that the enemy aren't the devils Marley tries to portray them as. If anything I think he still misses their friendships, even if the "soldier" Reiner is gone.

It also seems that Eldians are not aware Paradis's people had no idea of the outside world. They seem to believe they are greedy, wanting the good life for themselves on the island, while the other Eldians have to endure oppression and war for their standing in the world.

[u/Aozora_KN]

I do love how the voice actor for Falco went from all angsty and angry to being scared shitless when Reiner suddenly went serious on him.lol Hanae Natsuki's range is just so wide, dude is pretty awesome.

[u/dhun_mohan]

i love how mappa added in that soldier committing suicide, really adds to the tone of this arc. pretty happy with this adaptation rn can’t wait to see how they adapt future chapters

[u/ButtholePasta]

Damn, AoT. I think you might've already done it. I'm invested in the "enemy" side of the war now.

[u/Yoeblue]

One of the best talking episodes I've seen

[u/[deleted]]

OH SHIT Reiner wants Falco to inhereit his Titan because he doesn't want Gabi to see his memories! He knows that she's obsessed with him and very gung-ho about the whole Marley thing, he would be ashamed of himself if she saw what he was like in Paradis. But Falco is a kind and understanding person who wouldn't react the same way- but at the same time, he would just be passing on his misery and confusion to that sweet little guy. That's why he said that he wanted to save Gabi, he doesn't want her to experience that same trauma and confusion or to think less of him for his own.

[u/Phantomreaper2]

Mappa doesn't disappoint

[u/daandedodl]

Pieck cute ngl

[u/tomato_blitz]

I hope this first impression holds, cause I'm enjoying the hell out of this season. Actually kind of amazed by the direction.

It shows that Mappa really understand the source material and respect it. The shift in tone was done so utterly well. There's this eerie feeling constantly in the background, brought in full by the directing. The dinner scene begins with Gabi telling the tale of how she took down the armored train, and we saw with our own eyes she led to the death of at least a couple of people.

The way she pauses for just a millisecond at the middle of her telling the story, right as she supposedly thinks of how she could've gotten a bullet. It's just so uncomfortable and tense. Everything is just so tense and I'm loving it.

So far, Mappa have only improved on the source material, it feels like they have a very solid vision, and I'm now starting to get convinced that a fitting vision is what this season needed. After S03 arguably dropping the ball in so many aspects (while maintaining respect for WIT), this feels like a return to form.

I can't wait to see what's next. Nearly every scene gets me giddy.

P.S: Though overly animated rotoscoping looks a bit janky, it didn't quite pull me out of the episodes, and messed around with just a few shots. One that was particularly off putting was Udo going on his rant, since his body moved very oddly and honestly seemed like it didn't belong to him. Apart from this scene which was admittedly off, the move to rotoscoped 3d scene composition and character movement allowed so much smooth camera movement and character animations, it allowed the hastened pacing to feel bearable, since we were never watching a slideshow. I'm a bit afraid Mappa are even setting the bar too high with this level of effort.

[u/Kureimi]

Being Reiner is indeed suffering

[u/Starpower14]

Still waiting on the reveal of how Zeke wipes his ass

[u/TheDeadPenguin]

Season 3: Cart Titan best girl LOL

Season 4: This but unironically

[u/Neverx_13]

Great episode, pacing seems good, loved the scene with Reiner and the kids. Also best girl arrives, as expected of Pieck

[u/[deleted]]

It feels so weird to finally start to feel bad for Reiner, we spent three seasons hating him and now I just kinda feel bad for him

[u/MainPattern]

I love the detail about Pieck not being able to walk on two legs well. Makes total sense but not something I would have considered!

[u/mapoztofu]

I like that they are not showing Eren and Co.

Feels like they are about to be shown with a BANG Even armin should know the truth by now right?

[u/Dinoswarleaf]

Rewatched the episode a ton of times now. Yeah the Udo and Gabi shots were a fair bit awkward and a little bit the walk-up with Zeke and Colt, but holy moly looking at all the animation they squeezed into this episode is really cool. I'm used to (beautiful but) pretty static shots from WIT, so noticing all the characters moving pretty dynamically around the entire episode is really great. I don't expect it to last since I imagine the season quality will decline a bit as with most shows, but I really appreciate just all the details MAPPA fit into this adaption so far. Great stuff.

[u/lanoxparadox]

I love how the first thing that Reiner said about the people of Paradis Island is about someone eating potato in the entrance ceremony LMAO.

The camera movements this episode is superb. It is a new experience.

Is that Tanjiro I hear on Falco?

Sad that we didn't get to see Pieck's ass (Don't judge me).

[u/darkmatterx89]

This OP slaps!

[u/[deleted]]

The faces of some of the Marleyans, specifically the shellshocked soldiers and Reiner's aunt, have the same creepy fake happiness that made the titans initially so terrifying. It makes those from the first season even more creepy in retrospect.

[u/Emi_Ibarazakiii]

By far the most evil act in the entire story!

Well, the warriors are definitely up to something; I mean, Gabi picked up on it, Marley picked up on it...

The question is "what"? But I think the theme of the episode might give us an answer; They kept showing cases of PTSD and suicides, to show how horribly they're treated... And Reiner talking about how bad the Eldians are, but only come up with jokes/anecdotes. So he doesn't really think Eldians are bad.

So, I think they're fed up with this shit. They want to put an end to this, but not the way Marley has in mind.

They all know the Titans will soon be obsolete, so they could try&give Marley a good empire, make them ready for when this happens. But why would they do it? Marley treats them as worse than slaves. At least slaves are kept alive... But Marley use Eldians as cannon fodder, they don't care about them other than for the wars, etc.

So I think they're going to try&get all the titans together, and overthrow Marley instead. Why fight your last war for the country that oppresses you? If you're going to go with a blast, might as well make it count. And Marley's enemies shouldn't mean shit to Eldians. Marley themselves are the true enemy.

Now, they would of course have to explain this to all Eldians... Or they could get the Founding Titan.

So that's my guess; They're scheming to get all Titans (and all Eldians) together to destroy Marley. Not sure what would come after that ("retire" the titans?), but I they just want to take Marley out.

The other question would be: Who's on board, and how will they deal with those who aren't? I mean there seems to be a lot of Marley Loyalists among them... Some of them are likely faking it, for the scheme, but not all, right? What if one of the Titan is against it, and wants to keep faith with Marley? Or one of the young ones, like Gabi...

They might have some tough decisions to make. Or some convincing to do, unless/until they get the Founding Titan, of course.

But damn, even if that's what they're doing: How will the main crew react to this? I mean, they're not exactly in good terms anymore, and for good reason. Will they really be able to make peace just like that, for a greater purpose?

Well, that's a conversation I'd like to see!

[u/cornpenguin01]

It’s kind of crazy how many upvotes this episode got despite it being entirely dialogue. And despite how high it is, it might actually be the lowest for the rest of the season

[u/dumbasrocksthrowaway]

I don't get how this show is so popular with people who can't seem to be able to follow the plot.

The main reason I held off on watching until this year was that I figured it must be really dumb.

[u/_Ozilus_]

Mappa is doing wonders with everything, but specially the pacing!

[u/[deleted]]

Man I'd just like to say from the bottom of my heart, #FuckMarley

[u/Pamander]

A very unnecessary detail that I loved was in the dinner scene the shadows being cast across the characters/scene from the raindrops rolling down the windows that aren't even remotely in view. I know it's a dumb thing to care about but I love that they cared that much to add that when no one would have ever cared or noticed that it was missing.

That aside I want to go back to when I was binging AOT to catch up for this season because waiting a week between episodes is fucking killer, I forgot how much it blows. I need more! I really loved the potato discussion as well, that observation had me dying.

[u/Dyvius]

Reiner's discussion at dinner really drove home to me how impactful the moral narrative of this final season is going to be.

The Paradisans want to live in peace, just like the Marleyan Eldians. They have been terrorized for generations and I think the narrative of the mainland Eldians reconciling with the Paradisans is a bigger story to me than the Paradisans potentially defeating Marley.

I am an anime-only, I know no spoilers. Just commenting on what I'm seeing in front of me.

[u/DogmaErgosphere]

I like how much emphasis this episode makes on the fact that Gabi and Falco, despite dodging bullets last episode, are in fact children. They think and act like children and have the kind of relationship with adults children do. Gabi clearly looks up a lot to Reiner and hearing Falco call him "Mr. Braun" made me tear up for some reason.

[u/Yogurtgamer]

Sup with the guy falling from the roof?

[u/Tsubasa_sama]

10k ezpz even with the usual episode 2 drop. AoT is gonna make 10k look like small fry by the end of this season

[u/[deleted]]

It’s crazy how good of a concept AoT has matured into. Titans marching in battle alongside man made military expansion era technology. But the real thing is how the story deals with themes of imperialism and systemic racism that comes a long with the rapid expansion the world saw in the early 20th century.

[u/thisperson345]

Sasha was the scariest thing about the island to Reiner

[u/Zer0323]

I think the most striking thing about this episode is that the soldiers returning through the gates of their wall were greeted by loving families with open arms and even though there were some soldiers that were traumatized by it there wasn't a mother being handed their son's hand with fresh teeth marks. These marleyans are in a peace that is rife with corruption/racism but their world is much less brutal and hopeless than the paradians who couldn't fight back against the titans outside of their own walls even after sending 1/3rd of their population at them.

[u/0taKun]

Compare the scene where the soldiers come back mostly alive to meat their loved ones, with the scene from the first episode where the survey corpes come back absoluty destroyed and that mother reseaves her dead kids arm.

[u/lanoxparadox]

I liked this episode more than the previous episode. Not saying that episode 1 is bad or anything because it is a great start for the season. But because this episode has lots of dialogue in it (I love dialogue-heavy anime).

[u/neontheo]

A detail that really stood out to me (among many other things) is how when Gabi was describing what happened in battle there was a moment that her enthusiasm faltered. It was when she realized that if the Jaw Titan hadn’t intervened, she would have probably died. Also I freaking loved the animation and cinematography this episode * chef’s kiss *

[u/Devilo94]

The soldier that jumped off the roof... I think this is something added in the anime right? Guess thats PTSD...

Being Reiner is suffering.

[u/realkattt]

how dare she not even cut half of the potato, truly a devil

[u/Kyubeu]

So we're staying with the new crew, as kinda expected after episode 1. Jesus, the amount of propaganda and the officer seriously saying about the joke you don't have personal space is something truly terrifying, especially if you consider real-life totalitarianism and segregation (and, you know, the people in a particular time period Eldians are kinda based on). That's the most scary thing in fiction based around such things: they did happen, they didn't come out of author's mind. BTW one of the new characters is named Zofia. The way it's spelled pleasures my onion heart.

Zeke is truly a badass, manoeuvring around the propaganda and spies but Reiner... all kinds of people. Truth hurts. Very, very much so. Falco and Gabi are starting to live up to my expectations from last week and that's great. Sorry to say that, but they seem more promising and interesting that some of the original cast members were (and in one-two examples still are)

Two questions from this episode: 1. Who died and why? And the bigger one: what Paradis inhabitants (Eren and others) are up to? 3 years with only (from what we've been told) obliterating every military unit sent there. Waiting for next episodes impatiently

[u/monsieurvampy]

How is this episode over already!? The Eldians just want to maintain the status quo with Marley. Wouldn't it be better to flee to Paradis Island?

Edit: Why is no one answering the first question? While I did ask a question about fleeing to Paradis Island, I already knew the answers that many have already responded.

[u/[deleted]]

A detail some might have missed, the body of the soldier that committed suicide was found the next morning.

[u/Flush535]

Man, this is my first time watching Attack on Titan as it airs. The wait between episodes is killing me lol. I'm listening to the OST now to fill the Attack on Titan shaped hole in my heart until next Sunday, lol...

...maybe I should rewatch seasons 1 - 3...

[u/bhupeshpr25]

I was saving my free award for this post lol

[u/justsome__guy_]

When I learned the chantings part of the OP were gibbereish ...I... was disappointed.

[u/justsome__guy_]

I don't think it is a spoiler but in the manga Zeke also says: "I would never like to meet them(Ackermans i.e. Mikasa and Levi) again" While talking to Magath.

[u/TommmG]

Did anyone else notice the slight hesitation and tone shift in Gabi's voice when she's telling her war story, like she struggles to recall what happens for a moment in recalling the moment where she's saved by Galliard because in that moment she probably thought she would die, so reliving that moment in telling the story makes her think about if it was worth it but she dismisses it and continues the story anyway because of her peers expectations. My interpretation anyway

[u/[deleted]]

I appreciate these characters a lot more than the beginning of the season where we were just thrown into a random action scene with some random kids. It's nice to learn more about Maryn and their people. Also, seeing the repercussions this war has over the soldiers.

This feels a lot like how Nazis made kids into soldiers and the psychological trauma associated with it. Truly I'm enjoying this a lot more than the Eren faction (at times).

The direction of the episode was exceptional, and though the retoscope scenes were a bit awkward, I appreciate the effort behind animating most characters present in a particular scene.

[u/[deleted]]

Am I the only one who was laughing out loud when Reiner was talking about Sasha and her potato to his family?

[u/VeryNiceKapusta]

I BELIEVE IN PIECK SUPREMACY!

[u/SpaceMarine_CR]

I almost feel bad for Reiner....... ALMOST

[u/MCSenss]

I've said it once and I will say it again.

Everyone that is not watching this season right now is missing out while anime history is being written. it is incredible, absolutely incredible

[u/hvmanmonster]

That has to be the best ending song to ever exist for me. Absolutely mind blown by the music and the visuals.

oh-my-god

[u/BigBoiBuklau]

Apologies if I’m missing something here, or if it’ll be discussed in future episodes, but if titan shifters gain memories of the past titan shifter, then wouldn’t Armin know about how Bert was essentially brainwashed into thinking that the Paradis Eldians are devils? Specifically, Armin should know that the Marley Eldians aren’t to be blamed for their actions but the Marleyeans themselves?

[u/Feli999D]

Gabi questioning the veridity of there existing bad eldians and Reiner's mom stepping in was just great, really shows you the brain washing

[u/Beingreborn]

I thought Zeke knew his mother was from the Royal family or maybe that's his secret.

[u/Yamireddit]

This is sub is on fire and Eren has not even appeared. Imagine when his first scene is due, this sub will fucking explode, I'm already questioning my sexuality seeing him in the trailer.

[u/[deleted]]

i kid you not, this girl up n ate the potato where she stood, most demonic shit ive ever seen

[u/Cersei505]

Whoever directed and animated the Reiner-reminiscing-about-his-past-comrades-scene needs to receive an award or something. The way the music just abruptlys cuts and everything becomes silent as the sunlight is covered, with kid Reiner just saying ''wait'' as a kid...heartbreaking stuff man.

[u/Jawlex]

I loved the episode overall. From the music to the conversations. The only thing that looked a little weird to me were animations of their movements. Like when Udo was ranting and when Gabi told her story at the table. I don´t necessarily dislike it though

[u/randomness7345]

MAPPA did great with this one wow

[u/Boogiepop_Homunculus]

I swear I could watch this side of the story for many more episodes. I find Reiner, Falco, and Gabi to be in such a interesting place with their internal conflict. The worldbuilding is just so cool: the bombed out building, Liberia feeling like a lived in place. Even a little name drop of Eren Jeager gets me so hyped.

[u/chellybeanery]

So I'm not sure if I understood this correctly but did they say they'd lost 32 scout ships to Paradis in the past 3 years? Thats a fuck ton of scout ships if so. At what point do they say "maybe we stop sending these"?

Also don't Marley have planes and airships? Why would they literally send a Navy's worth of free ships to an enemy island they know has at least 2 (technically 3) enemy Titans when they could do a flyby?

[u/[deleted]]

So Reiner is definitely gonna flip by the end of the series and help out the Paradis crew right?

Poor guy has to deal with dying and the choice of betraying his country or slaughtering his friends.

[u/ramshey21]

"There's one soldier I should be wary of?"

- And the rest as they say was history

[u/gabyyyyu]

I'm starting to love peak-chan

[u/SirVicke]

For some reason people are complaining about the animation? The animation this episode was almost film quality. The amount of frames in the most mundane thing is exceptionaly nice.

[u/Eesti_pwner]

A few thoughts (anime only watcher)

1. I expected a slower episode after the madness of the first ep and that is what we got.

2. I'm suprised as to how quickly I am starting to like many of these new characters.

3. The focus on Reiner is so fun

4. I can definitely feel the difference in studios this ep. Mappa definitely has a different style. They seemed to try a lot a virtual camera moves or sth but these were very hit or miss (and when they missed, they missed HARD). But some of these moments were actually quite dynamic and interesting.

So far, first episode set up new characters. Now it seems we are going to explore them a bit further. The bit about some gathering in Liberio is now a ticking time bomb in the back of my head.

I predict that the next few episodes will culminate there but rather than Marley declaring war on Paradis, the people from Paradis are already there with their own plans.

Again: no spoilers from manga readers plz

[u/LustyLamprey]

Reiner's dialogue with Falco was some chef's kiss tension. The man is clearly having a quiet breakdown, looking back on his artificially shortened life spent hurting people he has to delude himself into thinking he doesn't care about. As his clock is ticking he is forced to come to terms with what he has made of himself and it's crushing.

Reiner might be one of the best characters of not just anime but modern fiction. Even going back to season 2 and seeing his reaction to Ymir shifting for the first time demonstrate all the layers that have been applied to his story. I suspect either Zeke, Reiner or both will attempt a revolt against Marley.

[u/Ratziboi]

This is probably the best looking weekly anime I've ever watched and it's not even a competition. The art, lighting, direction and effects are all so breathtakingly fantastic. MAPPA really pulled out all the stops I'm so excited for this season. Feel so bad for Reiner rn, my boy's going through major PTSD and he's just suppressing all his conflict. It's really well shown just on his face and emotions how much he's going through, fantastic episode.

[u/toutoune134]

Another good episode! Best girl Pieck is here! Some scenes had shorter or rearranged dialogues, but nothing major was lost. The episode was probably the best of the franchise in term of character animation (not that the bar was high lol). Some scenes were rotoscoped, which can give an impression of bizarre fluidity and uncanny valley. There were also some pretty good rotations which gave a 3D impression to some scenes. I'm really digging the new OST too so far.

[u/Vikkio92]

So it looks like this entire season will be about an oppressed minority being forced by anime nazis under threat of violence to effectively commit genocide against their own ethnic group so that they can benefit the nation that oppresses them.

I can’t wait!

[u/[deleted]]

The directing in this episode was incredible. So many fantastic scenes like the tension building when Reiner was speaking at dinner, the opening of the gates, the bird shadows when they talk about the skies.

[u/TheAlmightyLoaf]

Yes, please keep injecting Reiner character development into my veins.

[u/GhostOfLight]

Lots more thoughts this episode, but glad it's a breather episode. Surprised Reiner wasn't in the line of soldiers with emotional trauma. That shot of him seeing the prospects as his old friends was heartbreaking. Hearing him talk about Sasha and her potato eating like it was some kind of war crime was hilarious though. Is that Kenny I see in the episode preview? Also I'm intrigued to see how them going to Paradis works out when it seems Eren and co. are already across the sea.

And it's interesting to see the Marleyan commander cast a little suspicion on Zeke. It seemed to me Zeke was the one on Paradis who was most dedicated to the mission, so it would be interesting to see some kind of betrayal by him. If I had to guess, his desire for revenge against Eren/Levi might now outweigh his loyalty to the Marleyans which is why he suggests the journey back to Paradis. (Manga readers pls don't respond with ominous hints)

[u/are-me]

why is no one talking about when someone jumped of the roof? that was some depressing stuff right there

[u/ErBaut]

Hear me out guys, since i saw her in the manga this idea came to my mind:

PIECK BEST WAIFU

[u/_polarity]

I can't stop listening to the ED!

[u/StarmanRiver]

I never thought that hearing Koyasu voicing "Sasuga Pieck-chan da. Sono toori dayo." would make me so happy.

[u/mike_2797]

The cinematography for this episode was so good that close up Reiner scene Mappa's gonna rock this I have full faith.

[u/The_Great_Creator]

Another very solid episode from MAPPA! They're really flexing their character animation with this one. There are only little scenes where it looks overly animated but overall very great. This episode got me hyped for the war hammer titan.

[u/sKyBlazer08]

"Sasuga, Pieck-chan!"

Fantastic episode, a look in the life of Marley gang and more of a build up episode. Well, there's going to be a lot of build up but, the payoff will be fucking fantastic. I am really looking forward to the next episode, give it to me n o w.

[u/ramshey21]

Nothing Armored just PTSD depression and vibes

[u/NiamhHA]

Everyone is scared of (and attracted to) the Ackermans: confirmed

[u/Xenosys83]

Would seem that the expected drop-off in karma from the first episode has happened.

I did predict prior to this week's episode that it would get around 14k, falling to 13k and 12k after 48 hours for each of the 2 episodes thereafter, because they are more dialogue-heavy.

[u/River_sounds]

Such a good episode! My trust in Mappa adapting this properly is rising.

[u/cornpenguin01]

I want to give Reiner a hug

[u/00pirateforever]

Pieck is awesome ❤️.

This episode feel like it's building for upcoming war. Looks like we are getting into some serious wars in upcoming episodes.

One thing stood out to me that Marley doesn't trust Zeke too. Also Zeke knows that he is royalty but didn't revealed that to Marley is suspicious to me like is he really working for Marley at all or does he have hidden agenda.

Finally biggest twist is that the New titan name war titan, that family rebelled against the king and now living in good condition while their fellow ppl are living in hell. Some serious political situation are going inside which haven't reveled yet it seems. Not to forget, looks like that family also betrayed the king means they might be real enemy imo. Something happened in the past that which I am not able to connect, looks like we have to wait for more details.

[u/Earth7412369]

Wow. I loved this episode's adaptation! The voice acting really changes how we perceive the characters and the standouts today are Gabi and Pieck. Gabi's voice actor is especially endearing and lovable even though she's a bit indoctrinated. Pieck's voice actress is so soft and gentle, such a clear difference from the ugly ass cart titan's voice in season 3 part 2.

Also new music! I loved it. It fit right into the mid 1900's ghetto type vibe. Loved the strings and piano, it made the scene so much more heartfelt than the manga!

I hope they go a couple episodes without either the op, the ed, or both. They cut out some content, which I understand, but I hope they can figure out how to keep most of it together. Of course I completely understand not cutting the op/ed since the animators are probably already overworked and tired with animating everything else, just a hope of mine.

I am most sad about them cutting the scene with Pieck's dumptruck ass from the anime. Now anime-onlies don't know about all that junk in her trunk! I can forgive MAPPA because the using CGI for those ass-physics would rival the cost of CGI-ing all the other titans combined.

[u/_Iroha]

that ED song is just divine

[u/KING_EXOTIC]

I feel so sorry for eldian children because they are brought up on the ideology to hate their blood and their ancestors. It is similar to how racist people hammer hate into their children head. I love that attack on titan have so many similarities with real world. STOP HATE👌

[u/thesagenibba]

Reiners mom needs to get stomped on. Hopefully they do something about her.

[u/horiami]

the whole discussion about aircraft and advanced weapons, the armbands, island nation, are we getting nuclear bomb vs titans ?

pls don't respond I haven't read the manga this is a joke

[u/someroastedbeef]

the animation's gorgeous, greatly paced episode

anime onlies ain't ready for the next few episodes