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「完全試合 (パーフェクトゲーム)」 (Paafekuto Geemu)
“Perfect Game”
While I’m sure a few are probably annoyed by slight lack of epic titan showdown and all the accompanying carnage oh so slyly hinted at last week, SnK isn’t one to leave us hanging too much on the hack n’ slash front. From boulder baseball to hot geyser action—and some juggernaut advancement for flavour—this show has helped drip feed the pulp action addiction while slowly but surely identifying just where it intends on leaving off. In the time honoured tradition of hair pulling cliffhangers, we’re going to get to that basement—just in time for the season to end.
Although SnK is a series about bloodshed first and thinking second (don’t deny, you know it’s true), it’s interesting just how perceptive it is when it comes to certain combat nuances. Leadership for example came right to the forefront this week as we got not only Armin’s surprising freeze, but also Erwin’s gritty audacity. While the latter certainly makes sense to all of us—we all know what Erwin is capable of—Armin’s probably brought on some confusion, but it’s just as realistic as the charge of Erwin’s light brigade. The thing about leadership (and famous leadership especially) is it’s all about decisiveness. The best leaders aren’t so much the ones who make the best choices, but the ones who can quickly make a choice. The enemy after all is facing the same circumstances as you; if you can take the first step you force them to respond, and in response you can often dictate their actions thereafter. Armin’s flaw in this regard is his mind, he wants his orders to be perfect because he believes that’s the only way to win, when rather he should focus on the strategy to come after making a first move as Jean so astutely described. Battles are never won with the opening move, they’re always decided by your actions following contact, and it’s here where Armin has some serious learning yet to do.
On the other side of the wall of course lies Erwin, and no real shockers here—the guy is a chiseled chad leader through and through. While Erwin is not the smartest of the group (he’s already acknowledged Armin’s strength in this), he has that decisiveness mentioned above which makes him stand head and shoulders above the rest. To not only lead your men into the jaws of death, but do so without any soothing lies and pleasant excuses? That takes some serious balls. It shows the real strength of Erwin though that he has them and doesn’t shy away from his duty, openly abandoning his lifelong dream so everyone else can live and have it for him, so there will be a future where such dreams can flourish. We today may make light of such sacrifice—i.e. valuing human life above all—but given the right circumstances and a leader worth following, and even the most selfish of men can find themselves driven to fight and die for something greater than themselves.
No matter the uncertainty of that frankly insane charge and near certainty of death for all, don’t count Erwin’s greatest sacrifice as entirely pointless just yet. Considering everyone’s favourite house maid is taking advantage of the chaos, you can bet one big monkey is about to get into the fight of a lifetime.
Preview
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Decisions can only be validated as the “right one” if all goes well…
Leadership is as you said all about conviction, decisiveness, and responsibility. If you aren’t willing to take on these characters, then you can’t be a leader. There’re billions of people in the world but only a minuscule percentile can truly be considered a leader.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Indeed, it can be difficult (if not a complete gamble) to determine the right decision, but not making one at all if almost certainly the wrong one. Armin needs to learn to balance his indecisiveness with resolve and be ready to take responsibility for everyone’s lives, or they’re all doomed.
I expect he’ll learn it soon, but it’s a question of how many die before that realization is reached. To Armin’s benefit however he at least acknowledged his lack of ability and willingly handed off the duty to someone (Jean) who he felt was better fit for it—there’s far too many unfit leaders who never do.
Gotta disagree. I don’t care much for and am not impressed by the bloodshed. The hook was the larger mysteries of this world; the mythologies created by the sense of being the last people alive in a hostile place.
Stories always lose a lot when they give up their secrets.
Did you seriously say “chad leader”? As in the mythical Chad who snags all the Stacies? That’s not exactly in broad usage and it’s not encouraging to see it here.
oh noes, a man uses internet words. what a crime!!!!1111oneoneone
Oh you’re not wrong (the mystery is a big reason why I still enjoy this show for example), but there are some who are here for the action and thrill first and story world second—i.e. like GoT. For better or worse SnK’s adaptation has been defined by its production more than its universe and that’s not likely to change soon.
As for Erwin’s descriptor I believe it fits. Chad as a concept has grown beyond its sexual origins into a general term for alpha male (albeit not as popular a one), and if there’s one thing Erwin has it’s pack leader traits. Of course it’s arguably a little too colloquial a phrase considering the material, but that IMO is down to personal preference.
https://randomc.net/image/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin%20-%2053%20-%20Large%2002.jpg
https://randomc.net/image/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin%20-%2053%20-%20Large%2013.jpg
Wife potato girl
https://randomc.net/image/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin%20-%2053%20-%20Large%2029.jpg
Beast Titan: “Oh? You’re approaching me?”
https://randomc.net/image/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin/Shingeki%20no%20Kyojin%20-%2053%20-%20Large%2034.jpg
Erwin: “I can’t distract the s**t out of you without getting closer.”
The last time Takehito Koyasu and Daisuke Ono’s characters faced off against each other, it didn’t end so well for Koyasu’s character. This time, it looks like things won’t end well for Ono’s character. But damn if that won’t be a heroic death.
Somebody made a fun video out of that:
https://youtu.be/BiFNzyA3oaE
This is the bit where I can’t remember what happens next from the manga.