A message from LofZOdyssey: The following review was written under the assumption that the reader is familiar with the Attack on Titan series, in particular, Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 1. Although spoilers for Season Three Part Two will be avoided, certain aspects of the overall story may be referenced to out of necessity. Please continue with this post at your own discretion.
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***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Attack on Titan Season 3 – Part 2. Reader discretion is advised.***
Series Synopsis
As kids, Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlet watched in horror as the fiendish creature known as the Colossal Titan blew a hole wide open in Wall Maria. This event resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, and humanity was forced to abandon the majority of its last remaining territory. The human race’s already small cage suddenly became drastically smaller.
Another loss like the one which occurred on that day would mean certain extinction. For some who witnessed the tragedy firsthand, all hope was lost. However, for others, like the once helpless trio, their resolve only hardened.
And now, they are children no longer.
Five years have passed, and Eren, Mikasa, and Armin have become veteran soldiers of the elite Survey Corps. The three friends have fought through blood, tragedy, and betrayal to finally have a chance at their next mission – sealing that hole and reclaiming Wall Maria.
On the horizon is the decisive battle that will determine the fate of humanity. This is also the long-awaited opportunity to learn the truth behind the titans. Unfortunately, this is a fight where few – if any – will come back alive.
Series Positives
Attack on Titan Season 3 – Part 2 (Attack on Titan 3-2) had a lot riding on it. This continuation needed to keep alive the momentum, tension, and strength of season 3-1. A tall order, given how 3-1 was pretty damn awesome. Let’s not forget, last time, there was a ton of forward progression and a seemingly endless supply of badassery.
There was a bar season 3-2 needed to meet, and, naturally, one can’t help worrying when expectations are on the line. As such, how did this continuation fair? Let me put it this way:
It was near the halfway point of episode one (episode fifty if you’re counting) when I said to myself, “Cool. It looks like I’m not going to bed tonight.”
This was really f@#$ing good.
It would seem 3-2’s goal was to serve as a set up for something huge. As in, end-of-the-story huge. Thank all which is everything that at the end of episode ten (episode fifty-nine) we got the beloved words “To Be Continued,” because having the reassurance of there is going to be more does helps contain everything this season did.
In 3-2, most, if not all, the remaining answers were presented. As you should expect, you will need to watch this show to find out what those answers are, but maybe take solace in knowing 3-2 was more narrative-driven than any other installment in the franchise thus far. This wasn’t a simple opportunity to have awesome action just for the sake of having awesome action; something the Attack on Titan series has proven time and time again it knows how to do. No, story and characterizations were the foundational pillars of this latest chapter.
The benefits of that prioritization paid off magnificently, and there were several scenes where 3-2 demonstrated this series still knew how to tug at the heartstrings. You’ve got to remember, by this point in the story, we have seen Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the rest of the Survey Corps grow to become these harden soldiers. Every single one of them has had at least a moment that was purely their own. Those instances – some bigger, some smaller – culminated into this mission to retake Wall Maria.
Now, with all that said, even though 3-2 didn’t make action its primary focus, oh my god, the action in this season was absolutely insane. I suppose “satisfying” is enough to fully express what this installment did, but just in case, here are some additional words which appear when you look “satisfying” up in a thesaurus:
- Contenting
- Pleasing
- Gratifying
- Mollifying
- Fulfilling
Yeah, all those work at getting across how great the action was in this season.
Maybe you’re thinking, did I have a favorite moment? Actually, yes, I did. I’m not going to tell you what happened, but I will tell you who was responsible. That credit goes to Levi (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya), and I’ll need to dwell on this a little bit more to be sure, but he might have pulled the coolest move(s) of the entire series, and that is saying something.
In a nutshell, you could not have asked for more out of this season. There was a lot it had to bring to the table, and it decided to go above and beyond.
Series Negatives
What to say here?
Season 3-2 was really quite excellent.
Length-wise, it was perfect. Substantially, it was marvelous. Adrenaline pumping, it was off the charts. A ton of pure fun, you bet your ass.
If there was one thing, and I mean one teeny, tiny thing I had to say against this installment, I suppose it was a bit jarring when the story went from action to dialogue.
The majority of this season took place during the Survey Corp’s mission to take back Wall Maria. Their secondary mission was to find out what secrets were in Eren’s father’s basement. That latter point had been a lingering question ever since season one. Therefore, a simple straight-to-the-matter reveal wasn’t going to be enough. This required a well-thought-out answer, as well as time to fully explore it.
Compare that to when the Corps members were fighting for their lives and every decision needed to be made fast to prevent a painful death.
Those two goals are inherently opposed to one another, but both can coexist within the same story so long as the transition between the two is as smooth as possible; something I think season 3-2 did. However, that transition was like turning off a highspeed motorway onto a residential street. The slow down is expected, but it does take a second for your mind to adjust to the change in speed.
As you can see, I am grasping at straws for this section. Season 3-2 was just that solid.
Final Thoughts
At the time of this post going live (July 5, 2019), all I know concerning the future of this series is:
2020 – Attack on Titan The Final Season
If that does come to pass, and if it is even half as good as this season was, then this story will be bowing out on top.
With a great narrative and brilliant action, this was the entire reason why I have been sticking with this franchise. I know this review was relatively sparse, but this is one of those anime where it is incredibly easy to give away something huge.
Don’t get spoiled. Just sit down and watch.
Attack on Titan Season 3 – Part 2 gets a massive recommendation.
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