Review of Attack on Titan Season 3
Another amazing season (or half a season) that did pretty much everything it needed to do and provided one heck of a cliffhanger for the last half. I think I enjoyed this more than the second season, though I can't say it was perfect. Spoilers ahead. This season starts off with a bang and is able to continue to build the momentum even during episodes that are more focused on exposition. The first two episodes absolutely blew me away with their animation and electric storytelling. Levi pops off in those episodes providing some astonishing sequences with the ODM gear, but the show also retains the gravityand horror that pervades this show, not hesitating to kill scouts left and right. I love how these episodes show Levi's squad come to terms with having to kill fellow humans.
Following the explosion of an opening, the show segues into a section largely focused on political intrigue, yet not one episodes is boring. I also really liked how the show dropped the threat of titans for a small portion to allow all the attention to be focused on the conflict between the two factions of humans fighting for control. All the mystery and intrigue is handled very well for the most part, giving the audience just enough so that it doesn't fell like we aren't being told anything. Also, the increase in Historia's role in the show was handled really well and it was able to make her an interesting character.
There are multiple episodes throughout this season where a part or a majority of it is a flashback, providing an explanation about an event or a character. The show does an amazing job at making those flashbacks feel natural and tying them into the current moment that the show is in. The flashbacks give explanations, but also expand upon the character the flashback is about, establishing one main compelling factor in their lives that is brought to the forefront in the current scene making their following actions so much more weighty and impactful.
The final episode was very much the calm before the storm, providing just a little respite before everything falls apart as is hinted at the very end of the episode. That interruption of the ED scared me though. The static and frames cutting in and out surprised me in conjunction with the eery music and dialogue, and the scene of Levi, Eren, and Mikasa looks absolutely devastating.
As much as I liked this season, there was one main problem I had with this season that kept it from being perfect for me. Every episode worked together to create a near perfect season, except for episode 46. The conclusion to the whole Reiss family arc (if you can call it that) felt very rushed, as did Eren's development in that episode. I felt like the way they defeated Rod's titan came too easily, almost like a Saturday morning cartoon where a new villain is defeated within one episode. Of course, this isn't exactly alike, but the ending just felt a little too convenient. Also, the jump from Eren punching himself to being all gung-ho and ready to execute the mission was very abrupt with no transition, unless I missed an important scene. Also, this isn't really a gripe, but I was expecting Kenny to be a bit more dangerous and important than he ended up being in the end. I still really liked his conclusion with Levi which just about made up for my let down expectations, but I was a little disappointed he went out so quickly.
For some side notes, I liked seeing Marlo and Hitch again and it was pretty cool to see Marlo join the Scouts. Mikasa's relationship with Eren, and more specifically the way she deals with him, is so funny to me. The way she responds to him at times, and for a more specific example, the way she got mad when Eren was talking alone with Historia, are hilarious. Honestly, I didn't really care for the semi-reveal that the Ackermans are a special family that have special abilities. I was completely fine with accepting that Mikasa and Levi were both more gifted than the rest of the scouts without some sort of special explanation. Can't wait to understand more about the humans/titans outside the wall.
Overall, a near perfect season with only one slightly off episode. I'm really loving this show and I can't wait to finish season 3 and for season 4 to come out.