Isayama Hajime has a remarkably consistent ability to draw up characters I actively dislike, and it remains on-point. We’re in a setting where almost everyone is new, and they’re pretty much all massively annoying (though Gabi takes the cake, so far). But that’s never really applied to Reiner. He’s always managed to be a genuinely interesting character no matter (and often in spite of) whatever weird situations Attack on Titan put him in. And that, too, remains on-point. Thank goodness.
If anything I suppose it’s a testament to Isayama’s spectacular world-building skills that Shingeki has managed to be as engaging as it has despite his ineptitude with character. I heartily wish he’d at least tried to gloss over what he was really getting at this this whole Eldia-Marley business, but if you can somehow set that aside, he’s certainly created an interesting dynamic at this point in the series. The power of the titans is fading as humanity’s ability to kill in other ways improves, and as it does, the Eldians’ usefullness to their tormentors is under threat.
One of the things I love about Reiner is his tendency to lapse into utterly absurd soliloquies at somber and serious moments, and his potato dissertation at the dinner table certainly qualifies. I’m never totally sure if Isayama intends these Reiner moments to be funny or not (a phenomenon not unheard of with this series), but this was undeniably hilarious – so in the end I guess intent doesn’t matter. And Reiner does make the point in rather broad fashion. The worst thing you can do when you support a fascist regime at war is to acknowledge that the enemy – any enemy – is just as human as you are.
The real enemy of the Eldians is the Marleyans of course, no matter how they play at Stockholm Syndrome. But yeah, they’re in a tough spot, I get that. This whole Paradis business is eventually going to loop Eren and company back into the story of course, finally setting him off on a collision course with his half-brother. Zeke more or less fills out the kapo role here, acting as the good Eldian soldier and being treated a little better as a result. Surely he realizes this is a losing hand he’s playing in the end – even if he didn’t have just a year left before his time runs out.
To briefly touch on the production side of things, yes – there were some odd moments in the animation this week to be certain. I defended the premiere against what I thought was some pretty baseless criticism, and I thought MAPPA actually did a good job (with the backgrounds especially). But this was rough, especially on the character side – some of the sequences (like the one on the dock with the four kids) looked almost rotoscoped. It was a talky episode with no action so it’s not entirely surprising that some corners would be cut – Wit was far from exempt from that when they bore the Shingeki burden. But it is a bit troubling to see it manifest so obviously in only the second episode.
Goh
December 14, 2020 at 11:57 pmI’ve noticed that some people are under the impression that they are somehow superior to Attack on Titan. They approach it with a sort of bemused detachment (if not fake outrage), as if they have to distance themselves from really engaging with it. Shingeki is at the same time not subtle enough for them and yet they insist that Isayama should make his political stances clear as day, so kindergarten kids could get it (lest they become fascists). If there is any serious effort at compiling modern anime history this should be studied. Imagine having a modern masterpiece in your hands, finally something that achieves the greatness that the medium always falls short of and being unable to appreciate it. Why? Because it would mean you were wrong right from the beginning and some hyped up teenagers with Levi t-shirts had better instincts than you.
In this review Enzo believes that Isayama’s humor is somehow unintentional here. A series that can treat Reiner’s story extremely seriously and also find time for hilarious moments in the fucking mess that is his life? Without undercutting the sadness?? Weaving comedy and dramatic pathos together?? Hmm it doesn’t fit the narrative I guess (AoT not so smart apparently) so some will pretend otherwise.
Guardian Enzo
December 15, 2020 at 7:37 amOr the fact that the overwhelming majority of the series attempts at humor fall so utterly flat that it casts the rare genuinely funny moments in an unclear light. Occam’s Razor and all that.
ibtachi
December 15, 2020 at 11:09 pmArguably the biggest cultural phenomenon since I dunno Death Note? Undoubtedly.
A modern masterpiece? I’d save that moniker for the likes of Vinland Saga.
I feel you’re being incredibly unfair and reactionary towards some fair criticism. Enzo, like many AoT “detractors” have been giving credit to Isayama’s world-building for years now. That’s one of his definitive strengths and the reviews never fail to mention it.
Goh
December 16, 2020 at 3:59 amLol the ”worldbuilding” faint praise is so infuriating whenever I see it. Yeah, obviously Isayama has created a truly incredible world here. But pretending that Shingeki doesn’t also have fantastic characters and an emotionally affecting story for the ages is just so trite and blinkered at this point.
Shingeki destroys Vinland and it’s not even close. Not even on the same category. The reason some people think otherwise is that many anime fans are trapped in this desperate need for some legitimacy, searching for obvious signs of maturity and literary depth, in a medium that often lacks both. Unfortunately because they lack critical ability and are profoundly disconnected with other art forms (it’s true) they can only perceive the trappings and surface of things. So a series like Vinland (or Vagabond) that has all that going for it, is perceived as a profound masterpiece and Shingeki, which is far more intelligent and emotionnally affecting in every way is severely underestimated (despite its popularity).
What’s more? Shingeki is also better at the ”hype, shonen” stuff” the bombastic moments of pathos that we stupidly underestimate sometimes. We don’t deserve this series honestly.
Onirynn
December 16, 2020 at 8:06 pmAny arguments ?
Goh
December 16, 2020 at 11:32 pmIbtachi is doing a disservice to Vinland by bringing it up and forcing me to make that comparison here. I wish it did hold up, we all wish for more greatness, but it’s clear to any honest soul it doesn’t hold a candle to AoT.
Just go back and rewatch all the stuff with Thors man. I guess you can’t, I am asking for too much, you of course know you will cringe from the realization that Vinland is just not very smart, pretty embarrassing really. Better to have this idealized version in your head, from when cultural momentum and desire for a serious historical drama took over. Understandable. It does have its highlights to be sure, Askeladd is not a bad character. But come on, compare it to any scene from AoT, it’s not even close. Take Mike’s death for example. It’s more memorable than the entirety of Vinland (and 99% of anime to be fair) and it does that with a side character we only know for very little. That’s Isayama’s magic, that’s how you conquer the world. I don’t even have to mention the big guns, Reiner, Bertholdt etc.
Goh
December 16, 2020 at 11:47 pmAoT understands death, war, human nature and the world. It’s frighteningly sober, without sacrificing any emotional depth or human feeling.
Vinland’s themes are far more basic and prosaic. It doesn’t get it, so it can only misdirect the viewer with some poetry (and beautiful background art, wit is good) to buy time and obfuscate its basic lack of understanding and lack of pantheon level characters.
Also, even with Gorilla Titans flying around, Shingeki is far more grounded and convincing at all times. Vinland expects us to buy Thors,Thorfinn and Thorkell as real people. Gorilla Zeke has more introspective, grounded, relatable human feeling in him while he is pitching stones at enemy soldiers than these 3 superhuman Vikings combined.
hoG
December 17, 2020 at 3:43 amIf you’re getting “infuriated” by insufficient praise of your favorite cartoon, you need to put away the keyboard and go outside.
Goh
December 17, 2020 at 8:52 amI can’t go outside, but that’s besides the point.
One doubly infuriating take I notice quite often (especially after someone is faced with defeat and a lack of arguments) is this idea that these things (anime, culture, art) don’t really matter. ”Oh it’s all meaningless fun anyway, whatever dude, don’t take it so seriously. God knows how many hours I’ve spent watching this shit, but it’s all a joke to me”.
That’s sad man, what are you even doing here then. Either present an argument or stop wasting everyone’s time please.
You are in a blog of a guy that has spent literally a decade writing about anime. I might disagree intensely with Enzo, but comments like yours are incomprehensible. I am defending a series I consider truly great. What are you doing with your life?
Guardian Enzo
December 17, 2020 at 1:28 pmTone it down, please (everyone). It’s not going to continue down this path, one way or the other.
ibtachi
December 15, 2020 at 11:17 pmI do think there’s atleast an element of trauma induced mental health issues with Reiner which give me a lot of sympathy towards his moments of delirium.
We also saw some PTSD vets (and possibly their murder by a soldier). The second-hand horrors of war would have been a very interesting plot point to double down on this episode, instead we got a lot more of Gabi’s screeching. It really does irritate me when this show flirts with an interesting narrative thread to abandon in favour of screaming maniacs (Eren, Erwin, Mikasa, Gabi).
Guardian Enzo
December 16, 2020 at 7:44 amI think Isayama always defaults to what he identifies with, whether that be the narrative style or the messaging. That means moments like what you’re describing are invariably tantalizing but fleeting. It’s just the price of admission with this series.
Simone
December 16, 2020 at 8:02 pmThe suicide of the soldier was an anime-only moment, I think.
That said, I don’t think Gabi herself is a problem. I might be affected by my foreknowledge of the manga, but her being a screeching, brainwashed fanatic is kind of the point. She’s the perfect product of Marley’s own racist propaganda creating self-loathing Eldians, whereas Falco is her foil as someone who has a much more grounded view of their station (hence his conversation with Reiner, and how he’s willing to sacrifice himself by inheriting the Armor because he sees that as it is, a cruel fate he wants to save the girl he loves from).
ibtachi
December 17, 2020 at 11:58 amI get that yeah, but it loses me when he expects me to care for Gabi as someone worth being protected, just by virtue of being young and female. So far we haven’t seen any qualities that would justify either Reiner’s or Falcon’s affections towards her.
Are we supposed to feel bad for an indoctrinated fascist? Yes, it’s not her fault for being an Eldian in Marley, but neither was it Falco\Bertholdt\Reiner’s… yet by being somewhat interesting characters I care more about them.
It’s kind of regurgitating the drama of choosing between saving Erwin or Armin. It assumed I cared about both equally, but I didn’t because the former was a terrible person as a character.
Goh
December 17, 2020 at 1:40 pmGabi has pure charisma, she is a shining star. Just look at her, not only in action, but in everyday scenes as well. Look at how confidently she undresses in order to do her mission, before her superior even has time to give his final order. How she is constantly smiling, self assured and happy with herself and her talents. And of course in the celebration scene in this latest episode Gabi represents a bizarre kind of joy. A fascist child soldier, the most bleak existence imaginable, is presented here as a person who has managed to find meaning and belonging in this weird family created through ethnic oppression and hardship. No wonder Reiner and Falco want to protect her. You take such a character, you throw her in the immensely complicated world of AoT and you have fireworks. Damn…