Took them a year since Trost and six since Bertholdt and Reiner blew that hole in the wall, along with the heaviest road anyone could walk down, to get those answers. This season has some incredible moments. The Return to Shinganshina arc is pretty much pure hype. So many emotional moments in that battle. Erwin going out like the boss he is, your soldiers absolutely rage and fight commander. His speech about the living carrying on the will of the dead and trusting those we leave behind to fulfill our dreams is iconic. The man knew how to inspire. Armin sacrificing himself, only to come right back but still, his stand against Bertholdt is godly. Holding on for them, so they could see the ocean. Levi with his slice and dice of Zeke then having to make that hard call between the two. Levi gone through so much to have to sit there and choose like that. Then to just get ridiculed by Flosch of all people. Spinless bastard.
The basements secrets were the real treat of course. Humanity did not perish. Reading those words as I said before opens that door to a much bigger world. There's so much out there they don't know about. Eren finally tapping into his fathers memories opens even more. The plight of the Eldian people is a tragic one. Heavy symbolism to German Jews but used in a way that's sensitive to that pain too. Grisha's story rivals the main characters own in terms of just getting fucked over and over again. The man went through so much himself. Trying to use the Restorationists and Zeke ultimately blowing up in their face in such a cruel way. Zeke with his mother's lineage then connecting to Eren too. Grisha started this like Kruger said. His own speech on the wall deserving praise. You have to fight you have to get up and keep moving. Otherwise all the sacrifices people made for you would be for nothing. The actions we take have a cost, and they will get paid. It's our job to make sure they don't continue in the cycle of pain and suffering. It has to end.
Speaking about the production for a second the beginning did look rough. Eren vs Reiner and through the first three or four episodes was iffy ngl. Some moments were like wha. But, that being said all the later big moments to me looked incredible. The visual imagery and the action scenes, especially the slice and dice, were jaw dropping in some cases. Simply outstanding stretch for the second half. They soundtrack of course soared. Sawano knows how to inject that stuff into you and its one I now listen to often.
Overall this season was one as a manga reared I'd waited a while to see come to the screen and for a high majority I was not let down. So much has been answered and so many new questions raised. What Isayama did with this arc was completely flip Titan on its head. Took everything we've seen thus far and put it into it's true context. The venir has been lifted. They've reached the sea. The world is their enemy. Time to see what's beyond that sea.
Final Season hype!!! It's gonna be a sight to behold. The last two arcs ramp up the reveals and the insanity and the spectacle of it while keeping those engaging questions and character moments. Going to be a long wait but once we get there, be ready.
Despite and misgivings I may have this season is still the best to me. Titan has always been engaging narrative about humanity and survival but this arc brings to light the hidden meaning of it all. It's a true achievement in writing to be able to do something like this. 10/10.
