Attack on Titan - Episode 26

The season of Attack on Titan has premiered, the second season will be half the length of the first, 12 episode. It has been four years since the last season premiered to critical acclaim and the series hasn't missed a beat. The episode continue right where it ended, with Anne being defeated and the wall Titan being revealed.

The Church of the Walls has secrets

Hanji is told by father Nick that she "shouldn't allow the wall titan into the sun." She asks him the obvious question, "why are titans in the wall?" Pastor Nick isn't forth coming and wants restitution for his congregation's apparent devastation. Hanji isn't having any of it, she grabs him by his shirt and threatens to drop him over the wall. Surprisingly, Pastor Nick is accepting of this threat. However, I would question his piety considering he could have just jump himself. AOT is a series full of conspiracies this episode just introduced another one.

12 hours ago

We flashback half a day to the corp members stationed at Wall Sina, Connie and Sasha looked bored. Thing get exciting quickly as multiple titans from the south arrive, without time to gear up, the recruits are left to warn the villages on horseback. The Corp plan on splitting into four groups, avoiding combat when possible and spreading the word.

Enter the Beast Titan

Once the titans reach the woods the corp separates. However, the titans are abnormal and begin sprinting, to prevent them from reaching the unharmed corp too quickly Mike uses himself as a decoy. He is considered second only to Captain Levi in skill and single handily takes down 5 of the 9 titans. He passively watches the Beast titan as it casually walks. He whistles for his horse, this is when the Beast titan begins it's assault.

It grabs the horse and throws it with massive force, knock Mike off the roof and into the jaws of another titan. The beast titan then speaks ordering the other titan to stop chewing, shocking Mike. The beast titan asks about the equipment that the Corps use against titans. Mike is rendered speech less, the beast titan removes the equipment for study. Helpless, Mike is left to be devoured by the remaining three titans.

This series is still outstanding. The animation feels more fluid and dramatic. The dark themes, dramatic moments and sense of unease remain. The new and odd behavior the titan's display add another layer to the series. The most important revelation in this episode is the Beast titan. His strange body design, powerful strength, intelligence and control over the titans makes him into a frightening new titan type. It's demeanor in response to a petrified Mike is so caviler and the face it made when asking him question was eerie. Finally, the sounds of the titans ripping and chewing poor Mike apart was gut wrenching, reminding me why I love this series. Attack on Titan is back in all it's sadistic glory.