Shingeki no Kyojin – 50

OP Sequence

OP: 「憧憬と屍の道」 (Shoukei to Shikabane no Michi) by Linked Horizon

「はじまりの街」 (Hajimari no Machi)
“The Town Where Everything Began”

With the spring season already in full force it’s easy to forget not every series has made its introduction yet, but here to remind us of the fact is the always entertaining (if not entirely straightforward) Shingeki no Kyojin. While a short season compared to the rest, with the most climactic twists and game changing developments set for their grand reveal this time it’ll be pedal to the metal from start to finish, and this opener certainly helped lay the groundwork. It may not wind up being the SnK we knew from the start, but few other spring series will prove as wild as this.

Although not as obscenely popular as it once was, SnK should need little introduction—if you’re here you’ve already watched it, and if not there’s three seasons and volumes of fan discussion to catch up on. From this point on it’s going to be spoilers ahoy because you (or at least I) know damn well some people have been salivating at the shenanigans set to occur, and right from the get go we’re getting the first taste of what’s to come. Skipping out on the journey to Shiganshina, we’re immediately thrown back into the thick of things as Maria expeditionary force reaches their target, proceeds to actually have Eren succeed with his first try by sealing the outer wall (yeah we’re moving fast this season), and quickly descend into fear and terror at realizing the walls do indeed have eyes and long ranged artillery. Yeah yeah, the latter might be weird considering we’ve known that truth of the walls for a while now, but have to remember only a few select individuals in the group probably know of that fact. At least there’s no overlooking the massive battle ready to commence next time, because with all these various characters and their corresponding death flags finally brought together you know damn well it’s going to get deliciously vicious.

On a more nuanced note however once of the pleasant surprises this week was the attention paid to Armin. The kid has been getting kudos for a while now, but this week was arguably the first where his shrewd thinking and quick-witted intelligence were properly rewarded—and by Erwin no less. It’s a fitting role to have Armin as a commander, where he can utilize his mind to its full extend and ensure everyone (or least mostly everyone) can make it home alive and well. Of course it might take a bit of work for the blondie getting to Erwin levels of decisiveness mind you, but considering where he started, there’s only great things to look forward to from here. As the new ED showcases in spades there’s been plenty of development for SnK’s main cast up until this point, but with humanity set to finally find its footing once again and actually learn the truth, there’ll be quite a bit more before all is said and done. After all we’ve got the crazed loudspeaker at the centre of it all who may be doing the right things this time, but still has to completely pull it all off.

Considering what everyone is up against and the consequences of failure, it’s too soon to say just what the outcome will be.

 

ED Sequence

ED: 「Name of Love」by Cinema Staff

Preview