As opposed to the last episode, which was almost exclusively exposition, this episode of Attack on Titan is exclusively action-packed. While Willy has declared war on Paradis Island, Eren has, in turn, declared war on Marley and the rest of the world. The episode starts out with a flashback, which confirms that Willy knows that he is going to his death, as was hinted at last episode. Willy sacrificed his life in order to declare war on the “devils” of Paradis Island, but in turn, it was Eren Yeager who truly declared war, with his comrades coming by his side to assist him. How do they feel about all of the innocent civilians Eren killed? We’ll have to find out in subsequent episodes. However. In Mikasa’s words, what Eren has done cannot be undone. He has become just like Reiner, yet he’s completely stoic; he shows no remorse, and that’s the scary thing. This is not the Eren we knew before he gained his father’s memories.
The very first thing Eren does is go for the Marley military officers. In fact, he pounces on them and obliterates them in one swift stroke. With rubble all over the place, women, children, and innocents crushed, the War Hammer Titan is revealed to be the sister of Willy Tybur. She transforms and an epic battle ensues between the Attack Titan and the War Hammer Titan. Marley isn’t unprepared though; they have anti-Titan rounds that seemingly slow Eren down, and the War Hammer’s abilities are able to create weapons through hardening out of nowhere. Eren is seemingly defeated and shows his face. At that point, he says, “Now or never, Mikasa.” Enter Mikasa Ackerman, who we haven’t seen in four years, and her entrance did not disappoint. She completely kicked ass and blew the War Hammer’s nape away, completely. Eren then quickly deduces the War Hammer Titan’s abilities quickly, and realizes it didn’t materialize from the nape. He quickly finds the source and is ready to devour the holder of the Titan, who is encased in crystal, much like Annie.
Mikasa then laments and tells Eren not only to come home, but asks him if he realizes what he has done. He’s killed children, innocents. Eren shows no emotion and merely says “it’s not over yet”, as the Warhammer Titan revitalizes, much to Mikasa’s shock. All during this, Gabi and Falco’s brother are trying to find safety. Gabi is enraged, as her fellow Warrior Candidate and friend, Zofia, was crushed to death by rubble. Trying to save her, her other Warrior Candidate friend, Udo, was trampled to death by those trying to escape. This ignites a fire in Gabi, much like Eren when he was younger, and she is determined more than ever to eradicate the “Island Devils.” After Mikasa shows up, the Survey Corps shows up in full force, obliterating Marley’s military, using 3D maneuver gear, yet a modified version of what Kenny used which specializes in killing humans. The story has shifted. Instead of fighting Titans, Eren, and by proxy the Survey Corp, are fighting the entire world for their freedom.
What’s interesting is that Floch, who was introduced at the end of Season 3, is actively targeting civilians. Jean tells him to stop, yet Floch states all these people want them dead, and that Eren is the “devil we need.” This is the same justification he used to want to save Erwin over Armin. The Survey Corps attacks are swift yet effective, and Marley is caught off guard by their 3D maneuver gear. Falco and Reiner are nowhere to be found, but no doubt, they are still alive. Gabi tries to entire the warzone but is stopped at the gate by her two security guard friends. They are promptly shot by Sasha. She eyes Sasha, and there is a burning in her eyes. It’s a direct parallel to Eren in season one. I’m sure this will play a significant part of the season moving forward, given the emphasis on both Gabi and Falco.
The Jaw Titan enters the fray, and is shocked to find that mere humans are willing to go up against him, a Titan. Little does he know that these are the same people who pushed Reiner and the rest of the Warriors back from Paradis Island in a humiliating defeat. And best of all, our favorite character makes a grand entrance.
It’s interesting that Levi is still wielding his traditional blades and not the new uniforms or gear of the Survey Corps. Never the less, the Jaw Titan is shocked that an Ackerman showed up and is quite literally trembling. The episode ends here, and there’s so much to say about it.
The musical choices were perfect. The mix of new and old themes were used very well, and Sawano’s themes were used in key places to maximize emotional impact. Some have complained about the CGI animation for the Titans, but quite honestly, there were some shots I couldn’t even tell were CGI; perhaps I have a bad eye, but the whole fight between the Attack Titan and the War Hammer Titan was perfect. Mikasa’s entrance, perfect. The fight between the Survey Corps and Marley, perfect. It followed the manga to a T.
The episode didn’t have the emotional impact as the last episode though. It’s simply a contrast in the episodes; this was an action-packed episode with very little exposition, where the last episode was character-driven with a lot of exposition. It’s not the fault of MAPPA; they’re simply following the manga. There are bound to be episodes that are better than others, and it is in the eye of the beholder. Some of the animation was a bit off, like Floch’s look (he’s gotten fat, which he isn’t in the manga), but those are nitpicks. It was a very good episode, but not an elite episode, like last week. It’s still one of the stronger episodes of Attack on Titan though.
It was a fantastic episode and we are in for a ride in the next two episodes. I can’t wait to see what MAPPA has in store for us.