Attack on Titan The Finale Season (Episode 60 onwards) - Anime Episode Discussion

[Jan-Poo]

I don't particularly blame Zeke for killing an armed force (although it was a massacre), he can't be blamed any more than Sasha sniping the Marleyan soldiers during the assault at Liberio for that. But turning all the civilians in the Rakago village into to monsters is definitely something in the war crime territory. You can't even justify that as a collateral damage. He could have at least shown a bit of remorse or compassion, at least he could have shown that it was conflicting for him to do so but he had no other choice, but as Levi pointed out, he couldn't care less about those people. And that's what in my opinion gives Levi every rights to show zero mercy and compassion for Zeke.

[Guido]

If Levi's an a*****e, then other characters would be more or less like him.

Back when I watched season one eight years ago, I withheld passing judgement on Annie for all the lives she took away at both the 58th Expedition and the Stohess District arcs because she was just following the mission along with Reiner and Bertholdt. And, her character arc had not been fully explored and fleshed out at its full potential.

However, I do agree that Zeke crossed the line for what he did at Ragako Village claiming false pity for the inhabitants to justify for the cause to save the Eldian race. Yet, Levi made it clear without buying such speech that the former had little to no interest at being concerned for the lives he wastes away if it can be justified for a grandiose cause that Zeke truly believes.

My point is that both audiences and readers shouldn't pass judgement on the characters until their respective arcs are fully explored or fleshed out in order to properly understand their previous actions and what drives them to keep moving into that set path that either they chose for themselves or were thrown into against their will.
However, if said character, through his or her deeds, crosses certain moral threshold event horizon of no return then the audience either immediately or eventually will sooner or later lose all sympathy for said character.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Jan-Poo

I don't particularly blame Zeke for killing an armed force (although it was a massacre), he can't be blamed any more than Sasha sniping the Marleyan soldiers during the assault at Liberio for that. But turning all the civilians in the Rakago village into to monsters is definitely something in the war crime territory. You can't even justify that as a collateral damage. He could have at least shown a bit of remorse or compassion, at least he could have shown that it was conflicting for him to do so but he had no other choice, but as Levi pointed out, he couldn't care less about those people. And that's what in my opinion gives Levi every rights to show zero mercy and compassion for Zeke.

It should also be noted that Levi isn't blinded by revenge, or he would have just killed him on the spot. He cares about his comrades, and he cares about the future of his people. He acts like an asshole, but he isn't one deep down.

[Shinji103]

Originally Posted by Kanon

It should also be noted that Levi isn't blinded by revenge, or he would have just killed him on the spot. He cares about his comrades, and he cares about the future of his people. He acts like an asshole, but he isn't one deep down.

It’s not even deep down; he talks like an @$$hole, but he wears his caring for his friends and comrades on his sleeve. He’s foul-mouthed with a bad personality, obviously due to his childhood and upbringing, but his heart is 100% with his people.

[Guido]

Regardless of the ocassional blemishes, IMHO, MAPPA did a satisfactory job carry on from Wit Studio and delivering the Marley arc in full animation.

War permeated this year's season after Eren found himself lost with the truth that the Survey Corps unraveled at the end of season three.

This time Paradis brought the fight into the heart of the Marleyan continent rather than waiting for death knocking at their doors, and we got the full account on what Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt went through growing up in Marley as warriors in order to get all the pieces on their respective character arcs.

I do not intend to miss and slack off for the rest of the finale season coming on next week, since it will be not only the decisive outcome but also the event that will conclude a 9-years cycle since the first one got released way back in 2013.

[LKK]

Several posts regarding the manga's ending have been removed. Don't use your manga knowledge to discuss the events-yet-to-come in this anime thread.

[Anh_Minh]

So... The only ones with a modicum of interest in discussing the anime are manga readers who want to post spoilers? That's not fun.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

So... The only ones with a modicum of interest in discussing the anime are manga readers who want to post spoilers? That's not fun.

I'm among the two or three people whose post got deleted. I'm not interested in discussing the anime either, actually. Neither were the others.

Meanwhile, every other place on the internet is going crazy over this show. And no, it's not just because of the lack of users that there is no discussion here.

[Guido]

Welcome all to the beginning of the end.

We may discuss whatever the anime right now is revealing from the content of both the opening and ending to the actual events transpiring within the show itself, however, no manga spoilers, as the mods have already warned against.

Originally Posted by Kanon

I'm among the two or three people whose post got deleted. I'm not interested in discussing the anime either, actually. Neither were the others.

Meanwhile, every other place on the internet is going crazy over this show. And no, it's not just because of the lack of users that there is no discussion here.

Inevitable, since the manga ended 6 to 8 months before the conclusion to the anime's final season started; the long wait killed off the momentum, as I predicted it back then that it would.

Nevertheless, I believe fans at other places in the internet are raging over the anime more due that the final season's new OP and ED are packed with tons of spoilers that will eventually come to pass in the final episodes to the anime. (Again, no manga spoilers discussion in this thread).

Anyways, Marley has once again invaded Paradis to return the insult that (mostly) Eren and the Survey Corps dealt at Liberio, and this time they're going full assault to do whatever it takes to stop Eren and Zeke from activating the Founding Titan's power.

Spoiler:

Moreover, there's the mysterious girl whom Zeke saw treating his wounds in the otherwordly plane he calls "The Paths".

Once again foreshadowing events for a future episode in the anime without spoiling the fun.

[Sheba]

I want to have a little thought to those who were anime-only and watched AoT back in 2013. But never made it to the end of this journey because they passed away before. I have had a highschool friend and a cousin from Portland (Oregon) who were hyped by AoT. The former got into a accident (bicycle vs car = not a chance) in 2015, he never get to see the Beast Titan debut in its terrifying glory. My cousin left us in nov2021. So I want to watch the journey to its end on their behalf and visit them to tell them how it was.

If you have friends and family who are anime-only and found their flame with AoT, please cherish the time with them. We dont know how many anime-only fell to Covid or something else, and will never get to see the end.

[Estzero1]

Even though the pacing is really terrible, at least it resulted in a possible new meme template. It's better than nothing, I would say.

[Guido]

IMHO to me the highlight of the 77th episode was the imagery and symbology employed when epiphany finally dawns upon Gabi realizing what Reiner truly experienced in his 5-year stay in Paradis.

Spoiler:

Her mind and spirit were shackled and trapped in a birdcage truly believing both naive and passionately that eventually the world would come to terms with the existence of good and peaceful Eldians (outside the Walls) once the Paradis devils (the Eldians inside the Walls) were to be wiped out.

However, both her (shocking) experiences interacting with the Blaus family as well as Falco getting into a tight predicament out of protecting her for love, finally, slapped common sense in Gabi that the Paradisians were and are just regular Eldians like them who never did or intend to house wicked intentions against the rest of the world.

The same issue that deeply scarred Reiner 9-years-ago when the Warriors crushed Wall Maria, and the incessant guilt he felt once he truly began interacting and making true friends among the 104th Trainee Cadets in the likes of Eren.

Gabi's realization is emphasized to the audience at the scene where Colt, Falco, and her took hiding inside a storehouse that houses birdcages.

This is very telling at how her state of mind and spirit prior paid allegiance and loyalty to Marley from the propaganda she was brainwashed with at Liberio since her early childhood.
But, just like in the current ending she's slowly breaking free from the birdcage, although experiencing severe guilt, fear, and trauma for her past actions particularly when she overheards Kaya holding her accountable for Sasha's death.

Lastly, the doomsday flags raised all over the episode instilled within me a sense of foreboding and tragedy, as we learned that Nile Dawk might never ever see his family again from his conversation with Falco.
A parallel for a last good deed when Nile conspicuously released Falco back to Gabi and Colt in the battlefield claiming that children should run home and not being in the battlefield.
And, Falco, in return, gets to see his brother for what could seem to be a last time along with mustering the courage to proclaim to Gabi that he loves her.

All due that both drank from Zeke's spinal fluid, and their has finally ticked down now that Zeke entered the fray in a tight predicament for everybody.

[Blaat]

For those who haven't read the manga, in episode 78 we briefly see variations of the main characters these are based on characters from the bonus manga chapters at the end of each volume. Just in case you were confused by a goth Mikasa or Armin wearing glasses.

[Kanon]

That was a really good episode. I was afraid they'd drag things out to end it on Eren getting his head blown off (which was an end of chapter cliffhanger in the manga), but thankfully they didn't. The whole part in the Paths is one of my favorite of the entire manga. The wild ride is only starting.

[Router25]

The episode after the next would totally have a cold open of a plot point.

[Wandering Soul]

Originally Posted by Kanon

That was a really good episode. I was afraid they'd drag things out to end it on Eren getting his head blown off (which was an end of chapter cliffhanger in the manga), but thankfully they didn't. The whole part in the Paths is one of my favorite of the entire manga. The wild ride is only starting.

I honestly expected that. I can't say I would have completely blamed them as it would have been a pretty effective cliffhanger.

[Guido]

The highlight for this episode that made me weep to my heart...

Spoiler:

Porco experiencing the truth on his late brothers' last moments from Reiners' memories as the latter was affected by the Coordinate.

And, the former came to learn it moments before he got wasted eaten by Titan Falco.

It surely left a bitter taste not only for me as an spectator both for Reiner, Gaby, and Pieck, as well.

And, more disheartening witnessing Gaby encountering Colt's corpse that prompted her to resolute shoot Eren at the base of the nape; the latter action literally decapitating him.

Originally Posted by Kanon

That was a really good episode. I was afraid they'd drag things out to end it on Eren getting his head blown off (which was an end of chapter cliffhanger in the manga), but thankfully they didn't. The whole part in the Paths is one of my favorite of the entire manga. The wild ride is only starting.

Fortunately, they didn't.

The story has at last reached deep into the climax bowels, and Eren is having none of Zeke's euthanasia plan. He merely went along the ploy in order to literally arrive into the realm of the Path to get at Ymir, the Founder.
Nevertheless, Zeke anticipated that much to counter Eren, and the elder brother nullify the vow to renounce war, literally chaining Eren in order to attempt to "save" his little brother.

In the next episode, Zeke will find out a big mistake.

[Kanon]

This episode was amazing. It was hinted before with Kruger knowing Armin and Mikasa's name that the Attack Titan could see the future, and we got confirmation of it in the worst/best possible way. The irony of Eren having been the one manipulating his father into killing Historia's family is just... wow. Same with Zeke being the one getting healed by this journey down memory lane, when he intended for it to open Eren's eyes.

[Shinji103]

Been waiting for this episode for literally years.




IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.




I always thought Zeke’s shocked Pikachu face in the manga was a bit dull and underwhelming. But here, his face had every inch of shock and horror that I had ever dreamed we’d see in the animated version.

[Wandering Soul]

Got to love the irony of how Zeke was trying to save Eren from their father only to see that in the end it was actually Eren that pushed and influenced Grisha instead.