AlexanderHD said:For the very first time ever, I noticed some obvious CGI that didn't look so good. Some cutting corners. I've been praising this anime's animation, but this is the first time that something jarred out at me.
Anyway, regardless. Another fantastic episode. SO much happened. Like last episode with the Gabi/Sasha reveal, this episode was filled with significant moments.
The beginning. Fuck. Maybe in SOME way Eren is still capable of being a good way? MAYBE he'll be redeemed? But what a sick bastard, every episode he's digging himself into a deeper hole of putridness. This show makes out the characters' motives to be convincing, so I really have to assume that Eren has somehow always had a hatred for Mikasa. Which I can kind of believe. Throughout this entire franchise, Eren has been shown to give close to zero shits for Mikasa. Somehow, it was clear that she made him uncomfortable, and that he intentionally shied away from her. I somehow always noticed this, but couldn't bring myself to believe it since he was technically the MC.
But yeah, again, every episode Eren seems to become less sympathetic toward others. In fact, now that I think about it, didn't Eren become the main antagonist? Did AOT just take the protagonist/MC of season one and turn him into the final season's antagonist? I'm sure anime have turned protagonists into villains before, but if AOT is doing that with Eren, then this has gotta be the first time they're villainizing a protagonist in such a way. I mean, this is historical for manga/anime, right? Eren has been the series' (annoying) protagonist and hero for years, and now they're risking it all to turn him into an emotionless brute who sacrifices the lives of the innocent to get, what, revenge? It's kind of impressive on AOT's behalf. It's a ballsy move on their part, but I think they're taking the right courses of action in bringing this potential vision alive.
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Liiike I said, soo much happened. The scene where the bald drill sergeant dude was deemed "antiquated" was pretty heavy. Floch is right, he truly does symbolize older times, which is really sad.
The "regular titan" threat is mostly gone, but now the enemy is the human race. Nations are at war with each other, and now Paradise Island is facing another civil war.
Like another forum post pointed out, Floch turned out to be rather 'creepy.' During the episode, I actually briefly looked up Floch's character again. I always knew he was somewhat rebellious in nature, and often clashed with other characters' ideologies, making him somewhat of an antagonist. But I swear Floch was depicted with more humanity when he was younger. I can't believe he, like Eren, evolved into an antagonist. ... I mean, I guess I can. But it's just sad, getting to know him as a teen and then seeing him grow up as a somewhat ruthless figure who would play a leading role in overthrowing the (good characters within the) government.
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And of course, the Levi/Zeke scenes was beautiful. I had to watch the scene with Zeke tied up a few times.
The way he screamed as his limbs were being hacked off was brutally realistic. I was fascinated with how well the VA pulled it off, mixed with his facial expressions. Of course, I was disgusted, because... ouch.
And why did I kind of feel bad for Zeke? Levi was right, Zeke just toyed with the lives of 20 men by turning them into titans. Levi also mentioned that Zeke didn't sympathize with the people he "gassed" in that one village. Whatever agony Zeke was feeling, it's probably appropriate/proportional to the pain he himself inflected onto others, intentionally or not. ... and then again, "where's my glasses," that almost drew out more sympathy. But it was also satisfying seeing the Beast titan finally bested, and its user facing proper punishment.
Other good lines included, "you're the boss, boss" and the one about reading the book for a seventh time.
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Unlike the fabulous war/battle episode earlier on in the series, per se -- which was just one giant fight scene -- this episode seemed to be divided into segments featuring different characters in different places.
Furthermore, IMO, both episodes rank above the best of this season. I think this episode ranks similrly because of all the interesting things happening in different places.
TL;DR, 1. second best episode in the series IMO. 2. FUCK Eren -- he was an annoying brat before but now he's truly detestable for his lack of empathy. 3. the Zeke scenes were a highlight
I think you got the episodes mixed up