Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) - Final Season Part 1

 
For those who haven't seen it, this post will contain spoilers.

 Episodes: 16 episodes | Aired: 12.2020 | Adaptation: manga by Hajime Isayame
Official Website  

 

Story (important facts you (I) need to know)

• Eldians (on Parasdis Island) and the Marleys are at war. Eldian's are tired of being oppressed and abused by the Marleys for so long that Eren gives them the taste of their own medicine.
• Annie is still in her crystal cocoon (I don't blame her.)
  
• Yes, more of your favorite characters will die.
• Eren and Zeke (Eren's half brother) have this grand plan to exterminate or sterilize the whole Eldian race. This is the solution they've come up with to end all conflicts. This is just crazy!   
• Historia is supposed to inherit Zeke's Beast Titan power, but the plan has been delayed because she's pregnant. Is she part of some grand scheme?
• Where's Ymir?
• Falco accidentally had a drop of tainted wine, which has Zeke's spinal fluid. All part of Zeke's plan to take control, turn them into titans and do his bidding.
• Levi is the greatest character ever created and I'll always simp for him. 

Thoughts

I do hate how good Attack on Titan loves to tease you and dangles the bait in your face, while you wait patiently (8 long years!) for it to reveal any new information. Finally, in seasons 3 & 4, gave you answers to the some shocking titan secrets and finally puts a closure to this long journey.

 

The final season has put many things into perspective that there's always two sides to every story: who is good and who is evil? The Marley's treated the Eldians has second-class citizens and spreading propaganda about the Eldian people are the devils. On the other hand, the other Eldians, who live on Paradis Island, are just trying to survive. Once the Eldians learn about what the Marleys did to them in the past, Eren's team goes on a revenge campaign on Marley's town. So, there's a never-ending cycle of victim blaming and repenting for the sins of their ancestors. It's interesting to see how these groups are no different from one another. Like a character such as Gabi, she is the product of Marley's propaganda and she has pure hatred towards the Eldians. Similar to Eren, he must kill every enemy who are against his people. When will it stop? The hurt runs so deep, is there no room for forgiveness or to move forward and a find peaceful solution? You know...this is really scary, because this is no different from what's been going on in our real history and even today. Anyways, it's very thought-provoking, it hurts my brain. That's what makes this show so f**king good! 

 

Let's give a big thanks to Hajime Isayama, the manga author, for creating such a unique storytelling and world building. I did not expected this to go into a war-political drama route. I appreciate Isayama for discussing these heavy-complex topics because it's not easy. At, least it's told in a way that doesn't feel preachy and it's still entertaining to watch. He also created such a fascinating diverse cast of characters from all walks of life. Eren and his friends have come a long ways and matured in dealing with loss, betrayal, and political wars. Emotionally, it's a lot to take in. But it works because it made me care for them and want to see if they get any justice.

 

 

Combined with the masterful storytelling, you cant's forget about the powerful animation. Let's thank the animators from MAPPA for working their asses off and giving us a great quality show for the fans. There's a change in anime production because Wit Studio has dropped it probably because they have too much on their plate. So, MAPPA saves the day and picked up the anime where it left off. I don't understand why they are getting harassed online and this is just uncalled for. I can tell MAPPA put a lot of passion into their work and without them, we wouldn't have had a final season.         

 

 

The final season is already my favorite season. My first impression of the anime back in 2013, I thought this was going to be just a simple story about fighting for survival against the big-bully titans. But it became much more than that and it's about fighting for freedom, justice, and truth. This show is just full of surprises, it keeps ramping up. And, it has not disappointed me. I have not read the manga series, so I assume that we're coming close to the end. It's a relief to hear that there will be a part 2, coming in 2022. All because, I'm worried, the way they left Levi in a cliffhanger like that...I really need to know if he's okay.