This string of episodes was just amazing. Really, I’ve heard that for an epic series, Shingeki no Kyojin has a simplistic story, and that is indeed true. However, this series is a master at emotions. Its aim is not to deliver the most complex storyline, but instead it’s here to deliver epic action scenes, and that’s something that was elevated to an artform here.
This just was complete despair. Episode 16 was all about everyone accepting the fact that they were all going to lay their lives in front of Eren. The two episodes featured this massive slaughter that had just about everyone run for their lives, with only some people escaping through some sort of miracle. That’s something that I have very rarely seen done better.
Oh, and tactics. Military bloody tactics. When was the last time that these were done so well? When was the last time at which you actually had an entire grasp of how big the army in question was? What the positions looked like? How the formations change depending on the situations? How well this was translated over to the animation screen? I mean, that was just brilliant. I remember how the small armies in Sengoku Basara, Guin Saga, and even Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto were just lumped together as “one army”. Here, every squadron counts. Every position has meaning and affects what happens throughout these two episodes.
Also I still love the kinds of series that downplay their main characters. Eren again had nothing to do in this episode and thus we get to see much of the side-characters who could show their characters off. And really: the main cast remains the main cast: there are people with huge talents in this series, but they are all downplayed: Eren has huge powers, but they’re incredibly random. Armin is really smart, but he’s really weak. Mikasa is very nimble, but she often isn’t at the right time at the right place, and that commander guy is also very nimble, but a total asshole who left his subordinates in total darkness about his plans, nearly killing them. It’s amazing how well this all balanced out.
Rating: 6,5/8 (Amazing)
I completely agree, WIT stepped their game up on this new arc.
So do you think the Guilty Crown team has redeemed themselves?
This whole arc seems to be pointing to a traitor within the recon force.
Well, as for Erwin, he’s left his subordinates in the dark about much of his plan, since he believes that the Recon division has been infiltrated by the enemy. Hence, for instance, his informing different elements of the formation that Eren is located in different places.
Erwin isn’t doing this because he’s an asshole (although I suspect you meant Levi, in which case, he’s just following orders.)
Erwin suspects they were infiltrated by titan shifters, you can see that from the total misdirection he gave his troops about Eren’s position. You can bet he’ll be investigating the troops who were told he was in the right flank who survive the mission.
And the female titan changing direction after capturing the guy….
and here’s where the series goes down and down after the ending of this arc :\
That’s a natter of opinion. I thought that this arc was the point the series series really began to shine…
i still read it but except for the last chapter its been nothing but dragging and even more dragging of one issue by the author no doubt its still exciting but his pacing is extremely slow
Oh well. To each his own, I guess 🙂
By the end of this arc I lost the hope of liking this series. I hope it doesn’t end where I think it will.
I loved the past few episodes. i LOOOOOVE the military tactics, just the whole explanation of the set up, and how the recon worked, and appreciated how they switched between groups and indicated where everyone was, and how Erwin was trying to lure out the spy.
I like that it’s less focused on Eren, the other characters are more interesting IMO. Jean has had v good character development, and I like how they’re letting a smart but weak character like Armin shine.
these pastfew episodes been amazing! I havent read the manga so everything is exciting!
Levi is leaving his squad in the dark on orders. Ervin mentions something about a spy so most of the Recon Corps are not fulled in about the plans.
The entire article you did nothing but praise it yet 6.5 out of 8? I’m curious, where’s that 1.5 deduction coming from (if i’m reading that right since it’s a comma at the 6,5) and why out of 8 as a scale?
Also, what would be an 8/8 for you?
http://psgels.net/2012/08/06/summer-2012-kaleidoscope-week-31/
I really like your review about this EP and this anime series..
I really love those anime with emotional tension, fast action scene, deep story background and good caracter balance and interaction between them
peace and thx for you nice blog
Alex