Shingeki no Kyojin OVA

Ilse no Techou: Aru Chousa Heidanin no Shuki
During the Survey Corps' 49th recon mission, Hange Zoë is determined to capture a titan specimen. Despite not receiving clearance from Commander Erwin Smith, when a titan is spotted in nearby forestland, Hange rides out alone to meet it. Recklessly luring it out, she asks the titan numerous questions and puts her life on the line for the sake of her research. However, the behavior of this particular titan is far from normal. It quickly turns back and enters the wood once again, leading Hange to somewhere specific. What Hange finds is the legacy of former scout Ilse Langnar. In spite of her death, she provides a valuable piece of information that may serve to turn the tide for titan research—a diary documenting her last moments.

Totsuzen no Raihousha: Sainamareru Seishun no Noroi
Jean Kirstein would do anything to escape his boring home life and overbearing mother. After enlisting in the military, it became his ultimate goal to join the Military Police regiment and live out in peace and luxury. However, during his time with the 104th Training Corps, things never really go the way Jean wants them to. Eventually, the stolen glory and condescending banter of his comrades become too much—and Jean challenges fellow cadet Sasha Blouse to a battle, in order to determine which of them is strongest—but who will come out on top?

Konnan
The 104th Training Corps' most recent mission is a trek on horseback into the forest. Although a test of their ability to stay alert even in non-threatening situations, the task is boring and can lead to in-fighting. This is especially true for one of the groups, lead by Marco Bott. Some want to stay true to the mission they have been tasked with, and the rest would rather slack off, occupying themselves with more exciting activities. But when trouble strikes, they are completely unprepared.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Yeager, Eren Main

Kaji, Yuuki Japanese

Zoë, Hange Main

Park, Romi Japanese

Kirstein, Jean Main

Taniyama, Kishou Japanese

Langnar, Ilse Main

Kokuryu, Sachi Japanese

Levi Supporting

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Ackerman, Mikasa Supporting

Ishikawa, Yui Japanese

Smith, Erwin Supporting

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Arlert, Armin Supporting

Inoue, Marina Japanese

Blouse, Sasha Supporting

Kobayashi, Yuu Japanese

Braun, Reiner Supporting

Hosoya, Yoshimasa Japanese

Wada, George Producer

Nakatake, Tetsuya Producer

Kinoshita, Tetsuya Producer

Hariu, Masayuki Producer, Planning

Reviews

Dec 11, 2013

Stark700

Recommended

In a land ravaged by Titans - monstrosity that have desolated humanity and left them on the brink of constant fear at every day, every hour, every minute exists warriors that fights for what they believe in. It is freedom and to liberate themselves from fear and destruction of this apocalyptic land at the dawn of the hour, these warriors have vowed to bring the war against Titans. But just exactly who are these mysterious Titans that suddenly popped out of from the earth? Why do they eat humans when they suffer no hunger themselves? Exactly what is a ‘Titan’?

These are questions you might have ... in mind if you decide to give this OVA a shot. Shingeki no Kyojin: llse no Techou is an OVA based off popular manga, Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) written by Hajime Isayama. The anime series that debuted in the Spring of 2013 have been an international hit and achieved numerous praise and attention. As a standalone OVA, this little of piece of work composed of a mere 23 minutes takes us back to a time where we visit another character and the journey that she went through. It’s a tough life though with blood spilled everywhere, bones mangled, and atmosphere shrouded with fear.

The OVA itself takes place in the same setting that revolves around the Titans, man-beasts and the primary antagonists of the franchise. In such a time, there are no moments of serendipity but humanity is bestowed with fear. One such character among humanity is named Ilse Langnar, a young woman from the 34th Expedition of the Scouting Legion. Being a member of the Scouting Legion means putting your life constantly at risk as they are on the front lines against the Titans. For Ilse however, she discovers more than just fear. From a startling event, Ilse discovers an astonishing factor that may have changed her life forever. There’s a clear certainty of confusion with what she found and in this OVA will reveal something you might have missed from its parent series.

However, discoveries aren’t just the only phenomenon that plays a role in this OVA.

For a certain character with the style of a scientist, she hopes to capture one alive and really dissect the knowledge from the Titans. Returning to this OVA is Hanji, a squad leader from the survey corps. Unlike most people who lives in fear of the Titans, she embraces its identity and wishes to discover more than what she can. Throughout the OVA, her ebullient personality and irrational behavior almost puts her own life as well as others at risk. Thankfully, we have others like Levi and his corps to save the day.

The OVA itself doesn’t focus much on characters but rather more on discoveries, or rather the mysteries relating to the Titans. There are so many questions that needs answers yet no one really knows the truth. Ilse’s journal details part of what she learned although it seemed to be obscured. In one sense, the OVA present itself to viewers as a way to open up our minds to what we may think relates to the Titans. Thoughts, theories, and ideas might be evoked as we try to pierce the puzzle together similar to what Hanji is doing. It also helps that the OVA recollects some of the events from the past with a short recap to refresh viewers what they remembered before. One thing, it’s definitely not pretty and Titans are detestable towards the human race.

Similar to its parent franchise, the OVA performs with action in the typical shounen style. There’s the quick movements from various squad members including the prominent clean freak, Levi. Hanji herself rides into danger although her combat phases are limited because of her ambition to capture titans rather than obliterating them. But realistically, the SnK franchise plays more on the dark fantasy genre. It focuses on portraying the desolation of humanity and presents it in a gruesome way with graphic violence. In a way, it works but sometimes lacks new features. And speaking of features, main characters from the original series such as Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are absent. The trio aren’t interested in discoveries especially with Eren being the hothead so the path of knowledge falls upon more to other characters.

Artistic wise, the OVA maintains its posture well in terms of presentation. The setting reflects on a sense of hopelessness for humanity. The Titans are designed in a way that consists of human features but possesses the brutality of an animal. Most of the characters in this OVA doesn't go any significant change. Ilse on the other hand is designed to look frailer, as in a fragile woman struggling to stay alive. We don’t find out much about her combat abilities either so it’s unknown her true capabilities as a soldier.

The soundtrack deserves praise similar to its predecessor. Even as a standalone OVA, the soundtrack focuses on intense choreography coordinated to desired scenes. Whether these might be brutal, sarcastic, or calm, the music department once again does its job. Ilse’s voice shows her as a woman of concern but also frustration once she comes head to head with questions. The tone of her voice during one specific scene reveals the unsettling nature of how humanity is suffering mentally because of the Titans.

Overall, this OVA is definitely worth the try especially if you’re curious to see what goes on with other characters. Ilse might not be a prominent character from the main series but her discovery might be an important key to unlock the mystery of the Titans. As far as mysteries go though, the OVA doesn’t give much answers so you’ll have to dig answers elsewhere. The way the episode does handles itself though is to flourish out the grim reality of the SnK world. It’s living every day in fear in such a land realizing you’re not at the top of the food chain.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Mar 24, 2023

dakuchonekobing

Mixed Feelings

These are 3 eps with completely independent content, so I will comment on each ep, of course, the art is of the same high quality as season 1, so I will not judge the art or the music.
Ep 1: The content is a new and interesting story, I think this ep is better than most of the eps in season 1. It arouses curiosity and has a strong connection with the story of titan. The survey corps characters also shine. Get A+
Ep 2: The content is half-hearted, the humor is not good and the drama is not there. Maybe it's just a relaxing ep, weirdness, ... and that's it. Jean is ruined because of this ep. I expect an opponent of Eren, also in terms of psychological value. Get an F
Episode 3: The content is quite simple. A tribute Marco. Behind the scenes story. And especially: the characters are nothing new, nothing interesting. Simply seeing them become friends again, yes Annie... generally a fan service ep. Get a D

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Apr 29, 2015

literaturenerd

Not Recommended

Overview:

"Seid ihr das Essen? Ja, wir sind die Jägerschnitzel!"

What happens when you have a HUGELY popular series, but you can only make a new season every 3 years and people are all begging for more? Obviously, you HAVE to give them something, otherwise too many people will abandon ship. Especially since most fans of the anime don't actually read the manga. To solve this dilemma, Attack on Titan created this OVA. However, they really didn't want to create filler material that might accidentally contradict something later on in the manga. The only way to ASSURE that this contradiction doesn't happen, is to make an ... OVA where absolutely NOTHING of any importance or substance happens.
I appreciate the massive handicap that the director of this OVA faced! However, there was a much better approach the OVA could have taken. The OVA should have focused on actual character building and interesting conversations between the characters to perhaps flesh out some of the minor characters or let us look deeper into the minds and motivations of our leads. What did we get instead? I'll explain.

I can't really "spoil" anything because nothing happens!

OVA 1: The OVA starts strong by making the correct marketing decision and choosing fan favorite Levi as the main character. He and his team must capture a Titan alive in order to study it. They discover the lost diary of a deceased scout. The diary gives us a name and basically just acts as a teaser for people who have already read the manga. If you haven't read ahead in the manga, you don't actually learn jack shit. Yeah, they capture a Titan, but we don't learn ANYTHING new about the Titans! Where they came from, why they eat humans, etc. I DO know all of those answers as of 4/29/2015 because I've read the manga, but watching this OVA won't get you any closer to that knowledge. Do we learn anything new about Levi? Nope. Do we get to see how his team dynamics work in a much clearer picture? nope. Did this episode have a freaking point besides saying "go read the manga?" Nope

Ova 2: We get a cooking contest between "Potato Girl" and Jean. Seriously. That's what happens! We also get a sexy training montage of Mikasa practicing boxing for some reason in a white push-up bra. Is she trying to be Tifa Lockhart? Obvious fanservice is obvious

OVA 3: They travel to what looks like the "old West" AKA Southwest United States and end up fighting outlaws. Wait...didn't this series take place in Germany? How the fuck did they get to the Southwest US? DAMN IT OVA, YOU HAD ONE JOB!!!

Overall:

If you aren't a huge fan of Attack on Titan, this OVA is a colossal, titanic waste of time! If you ARE a huge Attack on Titan fan...ditto. Basically, this OVA sucks. That's it folks. I don't have positive things to say here. Besides keeping the same high quality music and good animation, it freaking sucks!

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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