Review of Attack on Titan

I watched Attack on Titan somewhere around 2014-15, and lost interest in it as the hype died down between the first and second seasons. Now, in part because what seems like the last season is airing, I was skeptical but wanted to at least give this another shot. And man was it something. I think I can basically get everything I want to say during this review out by going through what I like about three episodes: episode 1, episode 19, and episode 25. The series takes place over a few years but most of the episodes are dedicated to these long days of activity, beingthe major conflicts that the main characters are engaged in. Some of these moments can drag a bit, but it's impressive and a great testament to the writing and animation that I was never lost or bored. They show interesting fights, but still, the danger and tension was always palpable.

Speaking of danger, the first episode is paced well with an idyllic life that is completely ruined by the end with the titans invading and Eren's mother horrifically eaten alive with blood splattering everywhere. It's still shocking and one of the most gruesome deaths of the series and that's saying a lot. Even before that, there were some civilians running away who are crushed by a falling rock that makes the blood splatter on it with limbs sticking out from under it that made me think to myself, "yeah, this is Attack on Titan alright." But the fear and horrific nature of the titans and the bushido code-like ethos that the anime mentions often. You either fight and win and live or you die an honorable death. That's the basics of how the righteous should conduct themselves, and without fear, no matter how much it arrests your actions.

Episode 19 is a favorite as just a really good episode of the show. From the previous episode it starts from a bit of a weird cliffhanger that doesn't really go anywhere, but as Eren is about to take matters into his won hands and turn himself into a titan, Levi remarks that it's not great that he's disobeying orders, but when it comes to obedience and trusting friends or pragmatic action, he's done both and neither have lead to clearly positive results, but just don't do something you'll regret later. And Petra (rip ;_;) asks if he believes in them. Flashback to earlier where they work out how Eren can transform and build some comradery from there. Then cut back to the present where he'll trust the corps and turns out that leads them right to the trap to capture the female titan in a hype moment featuring Commander Erwin, of course. It's good storytelling, etc., but it just shows how AoT can do some shonen-like stuff in ways that just work better than other shows. And the clear explanation of behavior between Eren, Levi, Zoe, and Levi's Squad just makes it all come together well.

Finally, the last episode has the great action, wonderful score, and beautiful animation that the series has, but the main conclusions it goes through to sum itself up for the season are just nice. Honest Erwin can only really say that they stopped a spy and are more experienced to retake Wall Maria, Annie was captured but is now frozen and isn't of use, and the wall is made out of titan bodies that somehow don't evaporate. We're basically right where we started, and shows the hard reality of fighting a war like this, but also has plenty of interesting things to think about and consider for the next season. A journey more than a destination, or not being able to really find where you think you want to go, but it's been fun to watch.

My favorite characters so far are Armin, Levi, and Erwin, but everyone is enjoyable. No one makes me groan or want to check the time. Even the corrupt Military Police and (not-really-Christian?) Wallists seem like good reflections of the problematic ways people act in the world. The Military Police's corruption is spot on in every way from their intake and elitism to their police-like corruption and how not easy it is to stop it.

Also is it was fun to see this in light of watching Legend of the Galactic Heroes, given that they're anime that has a significant portion of the population in the world be Germans/Germanic with a more sweeping, operatic story. That's the only real comparison but I like it nevertheless.