#does he name his second kid after zeke 1 as a way to torture himself with what he’s done to zeke 1 and dina? yes

[joogios]

@persephozee listen up, i have an aot au idea.

To really solidify the “Grisha within the Walls used Eren as a start-over Take 2 from Zeke” idea.

Grisha goes down the hatchet and names his second son Zeke instead of Eren.

[sparda3g]

Attack on Titan Chapter 103 Review

Wow. I mean wow. Now that’s what I call an explosive chapter. It’s not just an action-packed one; it’s a hell of an adrenaline rush that had me on the edge of my seat. It’s not an expression, I really was. With many cards place on the table and few surprises, it was as intense as it can get, and it’s not over yet. 

First of all, the good news is that Falco and Reiner are alive with a really good save. Reiner just saved him in a nick of time before Eren transforms. Armored Titan’s hands were displayed like a flower shape, which is disturbingly nice. It’s as if the one who was protected is too gentle for this world. Long behold, he’s now in a midst of a total warfare. I absolutely love that shot of Falco overwhelmed by the chaos. After rising back up, he happened to see an all-out war with titans and humans. It’s a massacre.

One of the effectiveness of long buildup is the deep foundation created within these characters. Falco was practically the underdog of the group and he was trying to make things better for himself after pressurized by Reiner and others. Krueger was his only shining light that motivated him to keep it up. Now, he’s watching his once-beloved friend terrorizing his hometown. Not only that, but can’t fathom on the sight of warfare. Everything is happening too fast for his mind to comprehend.

The saddest part to me is how Falco finds out about Reiner’s true feelings. Reiner did well to disguise his problems in front of the kids, but you can’t hide it when you’re in Titan’s stage. Reiner has a heart to care for the future generation, but nothing for himself. When he wasn’t responding, Falco picks up and gets a clear understanding about him. He has no will to live. 

He’s so broken apart. It’s painful to even think about it. Isayama cleverly use his downhill spiral as a tool to prevent himself to get involved with the battle. It’s relevant to the character and the ongoing battle. Although the aftermath may be a disaster, but what difference would that make? He meant what he said. He meant to put an end to his misery.

From there on, it’s a thrilling ride with so many chaotic moments that keeps rising the tension. The teamwork from both fronts is well coordinated and damn impressive in their own ways. Ape Titan is still devastating as ever with his long arms swing demolishing buildings like nothing. That said the strengths of the current Survey Corps clearly have evolved significantly from the last bout with its new gadgets and experiences.

They’re going all maneuvers against him, but the cooperation from other titans like Cart Titan won’t allow anyone to get close. It’s rather cool for Cart to be a carrier for armed men, like a tank; truly fits the name perfectly. Right before it was about to get thunder spear, Jaw Titan comes out of nowhere and smack the hell out of him. Ouch! Even though they overcame that small skirmish, Porco insist that they’re at disadvantage with Ackerman lurking around. So who is the underdog again? Seriously, it showcase that everyone is in the same length and that’s what makes it engaging.

This chapter has plenty of great suspenseful moments that had me gasping. To begin with, Eren actually tries to eat War Hammer Titan user, even when she is crystallized. He will do anything to win, so chow down and everyone froze. The problem is the crystal is absolutely amazing that it cannot break at all. It freaking breaks his mouth like someone slashed his upper lip off. Even the thunder spear didn’t penetrate. Lady Tybur can glare all day and nothing would change.

I would assume that it would mean that Annie hasn’t broken free yet or perhaps Eren is unaware of the status. I’m not saying to give up your hope on her but it is a suggestive idea that could translate to that. Eren has improved wonderfully by leaving and entering Titan after three times and not a moment of slowing down. It’s amazing when the anime resume, we’re going to see his novice days of struggling; in the manga, he’s professional and clever. I don’t know what his plan is but he got to make it quick.

The difference between Porco and Pieck in terms of handling the warfare is clear as day. Porco comes off as a pure rookie and can’t control his temper or emotional distress. Pieck however is thoughtful; if it wasn’t for her, Porco would probably have a panic attack in midst of combat. He already feared of the Survey Corps taking him on like a normal soldier, so her thought-provoking statement does help out. I can see why she is fans’ favorite, though I do like her as well. It’s a necessary moment for us to believe that Marley has the upper hand; it’s only a matter of when they will come out. On the other hand, it is Isayama’s ploy to believe otherwise when “that” moment happens.

It’s amazing how the shift of emotional focus goes to Falco and other Marley soldiers; as if we followed the villains since chapter 1, now finally shifting to the heroes. I do have a bad feeling about the way how the reunion of these soldiers came together at a bad time. Falco is asking for anyone to help Reiner and Gabi arrives in time to hear the news. It would only add fuel for her anger that may come in play in the next chapter. It’s crushing to see them in an ongoing process of changing persona with Falco looking tore and Gabi seeking vengeance.

Recall on what I just said about Pieck mentioning that they have soldiers all prepared and can take out Paradis Island men. I believe Isayama lured the fans to believe that, only for a response come in play. Finally, we got to see Armin, but no Colossal Titan. It’s just a tease for another day to see the debut design.

It’s kind of distressing to see him transforming on the boat along with battleship, mainly due to his reaction. It’s a look of not wanting to do it but it has to be done; polar opposite from Eren who does it and go with it. It could create a new character arc of which a user doesn’t want to use a Titan but because he’s chosen to wield it, he is left with no choice. The wrong man gets the destructive power. It’s on Isayama’s call in the end.

I really adored the atmosphere and the bone-chilling vibe of the destruction. The Colossal Titan’s transformation has proven to be an incredible explosive, almost like a nuke size, so it happened here again. From afar, it creates a massive shock wave that practically caused a powerful wind gust. After they feel like they may start getting some advantage over the Survey Corps, this happens. From here on, it begins a new chapter of the battlefield: the Fall of Marley.

If you look back before finishing the chapter, you would notice that the first half is like a false hope for Marley to win. While the War Hammer Titan is safe for now, it won’t be long before Eren does something insane to claim the power. Porco was held back from doing anything irrational; however, the Colossal Titan reminds him of his old friend, Bertholdt and that what it takes to cause him to rage. I am glad that someone remembers an old friend being killed by the “devils” and this does takes the cake. The problem is his action is going to cost his team severely. How bad? Ape Titan gets taken out. That bad.

The silent holy shit moment is so good. It’s pretty surreal to see the Ape Titan to be taken out in a matter of a second. The expressions from everyone made this moment extraordinary. You can grasp the tension of a massive shock. Hell, I was even shocked with my jaws open. Levi is a real monster out of the two in that one great double page shot. It’s also telling that Isayama creates the sensation of Marley being the victim. We know they are the enemy, no doubt, but it doesn’t force you to react the same way I did. If you think, “Good riddance,” then that’s good. If you think, “Oh this is torture,” then that’s good as well. Levi goes for good measure by dropping a grenade inside and Zeke is now dead.

Right?

Honestly, I believe something is strange with Zeke ever since the festival began, or even earlier. After calming my mind, the one moment I skipped here is how he told Eren that he is not his enemy today, but someone or something else. The most questionable moment is when he told Levi that time is running out and he holds a clock for something. I would assume it has to do with what Jean mentioned here as well, but I am not so sure.

The execution is convincing to be a ploy from him since it did come out of nowhere and he took his time to let everything happened in Survey Corps’ advantage. If he and Levi are working together somehow, why? What would convince them to work together, especially how much damage they caused towards each other? In short, I don’t think Zeke is dead, but part of a ploy that we may be on to something or just our imagination. Either way, it didn’t take away the breathtaking moment. It was fantastic. What’s not fantastic is what happens next to Pieck.

As much as I like the action here, the part that happens to Pieck is pretty damn brutal, I mean Good God almighty. Just when I was talking about her being a fan favorite. It becomes a slaughterhouse or more like a slaughter-cart (I’ll stop now…) when Sasha aims for a headshot and bang, right between the eyes. Sasha got even sharper at her shots; how many potatoes was she offered. Jean was getting his payback on Cart Titan and he wasn’t going to let any second missed. The call to attack it leads to some brutality display of wreckage.

It’s like watching a mobile suit series, seeing the men inside getting blown up as the carrier inside slowly breaks apart. Pieck may not have died instantly but those brute forces of thunder spears have to be deadly enough for her to spill massive blood while as a titan. It’s pretty much overkill; she has to be out of combat for a long time. That said damn, who am I rooting for again?

The cliffhanger leaves a great suspense that is going to give you a headache from many possibilities. It stops right when Jean is about to shoot Pieck to secure the kill, but Falco gets in the way to prevent him from firing. This could go to many ends, including an outcome that has someone to die. Will Jean die by say Gabi (if she still holds the rifle)? I hope not. Will Falco gets killed here? Will everything go normally as in no one dies and just let Pieck live? I don’t know but I’m really worried for the next chapter, which is oddly a good thing.

What a chapter this was. It was explosive from start to finish. There are plenty of moments that will you get amped up like Levi taking out Ape Titan, despite the mystery behind it, or emotional with Reiner letting his life to dust metaphorically speaking. The action is tensed and brutal with a lot of clashes and destruction. The artwork is solid with great panel shots of the landscape and dark tone atmosphere. There are plenty of suspenseful moments that the chapter even ends with a suspense that could result a horrible outcome. I am seriously scared to read the next chapter.

[perfectackeracy]

Shingeki no Kyojin chapter 97 review (+ theories)

What a chapter!

This one packs several points of view and not just Reiner’s. In fact, Reiner’s occupied a good half of the chapter and even then, it was divided into several segments. This one is so content heavy it’s going to be hard to make a brief post. But at least the quality was overall better than last month.

This chapter closed the flashbacks of Reiner, Bertolt and Annie infiltrating the walls till Trost’s attack and introduced the main actor of the Liberio festival: the head of the Tybur clan, Willy Tybur. In the meantime, Falco met that strange amputee who revealed himself to be Eren under a fake name, further leading to the possibility of a scenario where the world declaration is going to get sabotaged, making it the most explosive moment of Marley arc. With chapter 98 being the last chapter of volume 24, either something big ought to happen or mark the beginning of a new sub-arc.

While I’m having an idea of what might happen in the future, the picture isn’t exactly clear in my mind, knowing there’s new plot holes that need to be resolved: the ones I addressed in the past and the new ones opening themselves in this chapter.

Follow me under the cut!

Before Wall Rose gets breached

Reiner’s suicide attempt

Eren and Falco

Willy Tybur

What next?

Starting with a short WTF CR: all those grammar mistakes. Looks like they’re rushing their translation as always. Good think Kodansha checks the panels.

Before Wall Rose gets breached

The plan aiming to breach Wall Rose - Ch. 97

The chapter starts with Annie, at 16, gathering intel from her nights in the capital. Despite joining the training ground, she never stopped collecting information. That explains the slacker attitude she put up during training and furthermore her annoyance over Reiner, since she’s the one collecting what Marley needs while Reiner and Bertolt do buddy-buddy with the trainees. Combined to the military training, Annie does the double of the work.

Last chapter showed she was the only one to enter the capital. @plain-dude’s correction here clarified it was because she could enter it as the Female Titan, implying she didn’t take the classical route. This chapter confirms she goes through sewers to find a path. That must be tiresome when it goes on 5 years, while smashing the gates only takes a couple of minutes.

Annie also experienced her second Ackerterror. Despite escaping Kenny, she still fears what he might do to her in the future. She further adds it’s because of Kenny she’d rather keep her distances within the MP. Even when Eren was revealed to be their target, she still picked the MP as her branch. Probably because she couldn’t stand Reiner’s warrior motto anymore, and she was getting used to the interior, her element. This chapter nails Annie as this character who keep pushing everything away so she can retreat herself in a safer position, from Reiner’s direction against Marley’s trial, the interior against the training grounds and the SL, to the crystal against death and torture by Paradis’ forces.  

Annie and Reiner’s relationship - Ch. 97

Annie and Reiner’s relationship is still as sour as ever. I wonder if Reiner being harsh with his words doesn’t come as a payback for how Annie almost broke his face and spirit. One thing is sure, she only told him to keep his distances. Not even cooperation brought them close, but Reiner did apologize for his behavior and Annie warned him about his new friends dying under the assault, just in case.

P.S.: No matter how much you look at it, their interaction was golden:

Annie’s terrible sense of humor - Ch. 97

You also have Bertolt looking at them in the background, probably wanting the two of them to stop fighting but not knowing what to do. The conflict between the two of them makes him uneasy and was powerless from the start to stop them.

“The Hanged Man“ - Ch. 97

And Bertolt is the one with seer superpowers considering the pose he made the morning Annie came back was nothing else but “The Hanged Man”.

I’m perplexed about the meaning of this card, or anything related to tarot and astrology, so I’ll try to see what I can flesh out according to external sources. I think it’s best to dedicate a whole post apart for Bertolt and that card, but there’s definitely some similarities between the meaning of The Hanged Man and Bertolt’s character arc; particularly in the terms of letting go (his defeatist attitude), suspension (his abilities as a marksman, a living nuclear bomb, his blowing but late development, him telling Reiner and Annie his recurring dream in this chapter…) and sacrifice (Reiner against the mission). We also don’t know if it’s a message meant for the general population, because description says, “We “win” by surrending”, which would end Paradis’ history for good if they just handled the Funding Titan, ensuring (mainland) Eldians’ future.

Bertolt’s dream - Ch. 97

Furthermore, it could mean Bertolt simply has trouble letting go of the past, considering he keeps dreaming about the hanged man, or Marco when their deaths have been left aside for a very long time. I wrote more about the hanged man here  and here, but there’s a chance that Reiner and Annie have hanged this man themselves, so Reiner could absolve Bertolt from the guilt of achieving somebody already under mercy.

Reiner waking Bertolt up - Ch. 97

Do I need to mention how sweet Reiner is when he wakes Bertolt up? He really puts Bertolt on another level compared to Annie: praising him when he breaks the wall, never looking at him right in the eyes when he’s reproaching him something, never gets tasked with “the dirty work”…

As expected, Reiner had no choice but to go on with his plans to break each wall till the Founder shows itself. Even with a good panel of data, he still wants to accomplish the main goal. Little does he know the following events at Trost is settling him on a path of regrets over the mistakes on the trainee days…

Reiner’s suicide attempt

Reiner trying to kill himself - Ch. 97

This is without question, the most disturbing panel of the chapter, and the moment where we return to the present, cut between moments where Reiner remembers the most disturbing moments of his chronology and that scene where he helps Eren.

First, we all know Reiner’s mind deteriorated since he came back from Paradis alone: he lost weight (12 kg), became distant, risks his life in battles and stays close to the kids when he can. Hell, it may not even be his first tentative, but hearing him going back in Paradis triggered something within him: a long story of failures and deceptions. That’s how we’re seeing Reiner’s life scrolling as he realized he should’ve stayed distant with those cadets.

The comparison between Eren and Reiner and Bertolt and Reiner - Ch. 97 & 94

The conversation between him and Eren is oddly reminiscent of him and Bertolt in the past. The moment where Eren kneels complaining about how he’ll die unaccomplished makes Reiner click with him. That scene also shows the advice Reiner could’ve given to his younger self, now that he’s older. Despite being dragged into the mud, Reiner never gave up and kept moving forward at the expense of his own sanity. The advice he’s giving to Eren underlines their common point: moving forward. That adds even more fuel to the fire when Reiner happens to be the Armored Titan, because everything Reiner told him turned out to be sour. In return, Reiner wished he never told him those words.

Unlike Reiner however, Bertolt tried to make Reiner think about his choices, arguing how short his life would become, whereas Reiner believed in Eren’s capacity to kill all the titans.

Reiner and Bertolt’s last goodbye - Ch. 97

It’s not a coincidence the last panels of Reiner’s life are about him seeing Bertolt for the last time, while giving Eren a push to kill all the titans to fulfill his desire of revenge. Eren became fueled up because of it, and he accomplished it by taking down the person dearest to him in the warrior unit. He kept having flashbacks of Eren extracting Bertolt away from his titan and for a good reason. At that point, he’s expecting the worst to happen to Bertolt and tortured himself for four years because of it. He misses him a lot and feels responsible for his fate, yet unknown to Reiner.

Dead inside - Ch. 97

Reiner showed no hesitation: his sparkle of life was gone during the second where he pulled the trigger, till Falco banged to the wall, defeated again by Gabi.

Reiner still must hold on for their sake. They’re probably the ones fishing him away from his depression after Paradis.

Eren and Falco

Eren and Falco at the hospital - Ch. 97

Falco meets an Eren in a strange shape. Their first meeting was Falco helping him as Koslow made fun of Eldian amputees and fixed his armband -even though Eren already spotted Reiner and the kids back in Fort Slava-. During their second meeting, Eren stays vague about the details but reveals he’s here for something.

First, he claims he doesn’t want to go back home and it was too hard to face his family. Of course, Falco understands his family living in Liberio, but his home is in Paradis, which leads us to think he can’t face Mikasa, Armin and the others. He chose a specific way to infiltrate Marley, something that not everybody in the SC can, further implying he came alone (hacking a regenerable leg and eye, being alone in that hospital). With those two elements, you can safely assume the EMA separation already occurred.

Mikasa telling Eren goodbye - Ch. 1

So maybe that panel was meant for Eren departing to Marley after all.

Of course, the double implication could be he has trouble facing his brother, Zeke, since he’s technically family.

Eren is glad Falco can’t become a warrior. I guess his first impressions were indeed good: a kid related to the person helping his father join the revolutionaries and who is willing to cover for him. Not only that, but upon hearing his reasons to become a warrior, two things resonated within him: Gabi getting the Armor instead of him, like how Eren envied Mikasa who could perform everything on the first try, and his words, like what Eren told Reiner.

Now that seems familiar... - Ch. 97 & ch. 90

The last thing Eren told Falco is the whole classical freedom speech, sounding exactly like the one Kruger told Grisha, or what Grisha told Keith. Add a couple of lines from Eren’s speech to Armin as he tried to justify himself into having Levi inject the latter and that’s exactly how it sounds. Eren truly inherited the philosophy of the possessors of the Attack Titan.

What’s up with the bearers of the Attack Titan and their romantic speeches capable to charm people by just telling them to throw their heads into hell? That works perfectly on people: Grisha, the revolutionaries, Keith, the trainees… and now Falco. But at least he’s feeling better about it? He’s ought to have a breakdown about that “lovely” amputee, Eren “Kruger”, soon.

Doesn’t help that Reiner just noticed that Falco hides something, implying we’re up for a Eren and Reiner meeting soon. I fear for Reiner’s reaction considering his tentative of suicide.

Willy Tybur

The Tybur family - Ch. 97

At the right timing, the Tybur family comes inside Liberio to act for the future of Eldia, just after Zeke made a call in his room for the current warriors.

The Tybur family is a family of aristocrats who don’t need to wear the Eldian armband to show their affiliation, they have their own guard and the whole family is full of spoiled brats picking fights and stuffing themselves with too much cake. They also have housemaids, which is nice.

Magath meets Willy, the patriarch of the Tybur family and their whole game ended up on figuring he was the current holder of the Warhammer Titan. They mention Helos, the hero who defeated the Eldian devil, of Marlean origin. The snarky comment Magath made about the statue being hollow reflects the current role Marleans occupy in the warfare of their continent: only a few of them get to experience the bloodbath on the frontlines, making Marley unstable on the long term. Particularly in a time where you can no longer rely on titans for power.

Willy also confirms the Tybur clan rules Marley behind the shadows, just as the Reiss family ruled Paradis. Well… that just validates my theory of the 9th shifter ruling Marley. In other words, nobody hates Eldia much as Eldians themselves, to put it simply. That further confirms Marley needed help from descendants of Ymir to regain their independence. This act of atonement is exactly as Zeke describes it, after all. The memories granted by the Tybur line allows Willy to see how damaged the Eldians on the continent were as they did nothing except being spectators. So, was Zeke’s version of the history correct after all?

Willy and Magath passing an agreement - Ch. 97

This festival allows Willy to play his role as an actor against Paradis and the revolution stirring there after all. What could possibly occur on the island at that moment? Does Eren know something neither Paradis not Marley does?

What next?

I suppose we will go on with the festival and how Eren could possibly sabotage it by himself. He didn’t go on Liberio to rampage immediately around: he has specific targets in mind and even he knows he’s powerless against 5 experimented titan shifters. He still knows how to trigger the coordinate. All he should do is to invite Zeke over and touch him. And for some reason this is going to be more complicated for him than initially planned.

For starters, Falco goofed: Reiner saw Falco was trying to sneak up a letter for a stranger. That act alone could cause Falco trouble, but also Reiner to check the letter contents through some way or another (through vice-captain permission), cue him to become increasingly worried if he recognizes the handwriting. Eren must not reach Zeke.

I feel like Eren would also target the Tybur clan due to their status: the ones responsible for sending warriors on Paradis while being Eldians themselves. People have sensed the parallels between the Tyburs and the Reisses and thus would expect Eren, the current holder of the Attack Titan, to exterminate them in the same fashion Grisha did.

Eren also holds a grudge against Reiner because of the events from Shiganshina and because he personally deceived him. He holds nothing except but disgust for him and would feel satisfied into watching him die.

Flashbacks-wise, I don’t think this is over: we still have a part on Paradis to cover, and it’s the whole part about Zeke’s arrival and that 2-month hiatus. I need confirmation about Reiner and Bertolt making it back to Paradis with Ymir or not. Besides, it would be a good time to switch perspective about these: not making them about Reiner alone any longer, but alternating with Zeke. I still need to know about these “Strongest” and “Armor” serums Rod got and how Zeke mass-administrated his spine fluid to the village inhabitants.

Concerning the state of the SC, it’s hard to tell. Maybe they rebranded, but something happened, aside from Eren fleeing them. After all, Eren had a reason to escape them, didn’t he? Supposing the EMA separation already happened, Armin, Jean, Floch and the others stayed in their respective positions and Mikasa quit the SC in the meantime. Isayama specified the three of them would go into different directions after all, and Mikasa leaving a life as a civilian is appropriate: no longer bound to Eren, and no longer bound to military duty either. Armin and Eren had diverging opinions and Armin’s current role forbids him to flee.