Review of Attack on Titan Season 3
This season is, by far, my favourite. It gave me everything I dreamed of and served it on a golden platter with Levi’s face engraved on it. I wasn’t expecting AOT to develop in this way, but I am so glad it’s taken the route of exploring characters, politics, backstories,... I couldn’t ask for more. Don’t worry, it still features some of the classics: -Misaka’s only emotion and vocabulary being “Eren” -Levi being Levi but better -Eren kidnapped and literally not being around for ¾ of the anime -Sasha’s ears being a gift from God -Scout regiment releasing titans like mixtapesBut, we're also introduced to some new things:
-KENNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
-baby skeleton Levi
-Levi’s smile (I shit you not. I cried. It’s the most beautiful thing ever. RIP moi)
-Eren not hollering
-Eren’s back muscles (thank me later)
-The return of Pyxis, Zachary and the government (all of which slayed life itself)
-Historia/Christa’s woke-ness
Yes, yes, I know, there’s not as much Titan-fighting as season 1 and 2, in fact, there’s only one real titan fight, but shut up and let me shed some light on how this is the best season so far.
Season 3 is much slower than the previous two and that’s what makes it perfect. The pacing allows for so much world-building, character development and for the plot to progress well without it becoming boring. As much as I love season 1 and 2, they’re both primarily focused on fighting and just getting on with the action, which is nice and all, but it couldn’t go on forever, without the anime becoming a mess. In a story like this one, the politics and character developments are what makes it have that substance that sets AOT apart from other shounen.
It’s really this season that’ll get you thinking, really connect you to the characters and tie a lot of loose ends. So, all the talking that happens in this season is important! Without it, you wouldn’t be able to learn about the Reiss Family, Grisha Yaeger, Levi’s background and much, much more.
That said, I don’t see why people have a problem with the fight scenes, this season. I thought they were amazing! The way in which they’re planned out and executed is just *chef's kiss*.
The talent of the scout regiment has never shone through any better. Whether it was rescuing Eren or rescuing Eren, Armin and Hange are geniuses who have to power to destroy the world and I can’t believe I had to wait this long to see their plans in action because It’s phenomenal.
I’ve seen some comments going around, complaining about how much of an annoying child Eren has become. He went from being this “yell at all” to “cry at all” in what seemed like one episode and that’s apparently triggering. I agree, but I also disagree. Yes he does act like a child, but that's becuase he is a child! 16 is not old. Yes, he does get real whiny, but that’s nothing new. What’s new, though, is Eren’s self- awareness. Character development. Finally. In the early seasons, Eren is portrayed as the typical shounen protagonist: driven, strong, screams a lot. Now, however, he’s beginning to be fleshed out, characterised as more than just a defeater- of- titans.
And he’s not the only one. Historia, as well as a couple of other characters, have minor but very impactful character development and it’s honestly the highlight of the anime.
On another note, I swear to god Eren’s eyes have changed colour. They used to be green and now they’re this blue, but sometimes kind of green?! Explanations, please?
There’s only one thing. One thing that disappointed me. Out of the entire anime, they had to get this one thing wrong: that opening song. It was so underwhelming. At the beginning of episode one, I was ready to stand up, do the salute and cry my eyeballs out, but all I got was this pretty song that still made me cry my eyeballs out. Don’t get me wrong, the theme itself is still amazing, but the song’s just ugh-meh.
The ending song’s dope, though! Still, they better step it up next season because this opening theme’s not up to their usual standards.
Now, a couple of notes on the ending. [SPOILERS START HERE]
That last episode had me excited and terrified, at the same time. Excited because ohmylord they’re going to get wall Maria back. But terrified because ohmylord they’re either going to fail miserably or succeed with only one-third of the scout regiment.
It’s absolute genius what the producers did with the final ending theme: I mean, I didn’t understand shit of what was going on, but I think we all know who's going to die….dammit Erwin, I was actually starting to like him.
Until episode 4, I had completely forgotten about Annie’s existence. I know that she’s trapped in a cave somewhere, but is she still there? It’s interesting that they chose to mention her…
Grisha Yaeger and Kenny Ackerman both confuse the hell out of me. I don’t know what to think of Kenny. Was he really that Bad? And Grisha... I’m starting to doubt that he’s dead.
Episode 10’s my favourite episode of the entire anime, so far. It made my soul happy.