Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season – 21

「二千年前の君から」 (Nisennen-mae no Kimi kara)
“From You, 2,000 Years Ago”

And so we hit the moment where the wheels come right off the wagon. Or, in other words, SnK finally reaching the moment of it all. Between bombastic and epic scenery and the reveal of what Eren has planned exactly you’d think it would finally flesh out where things are heading, but in true fashion (and because I’m loving the tongue in cheek teasing) this episode still doesn’t encompass everything this arc has to offer – after all, that Attack Titan foresight is a wicked power to behold. The Rumbling is just one peak in this mountain range, from here on out it’s nothing but chaos.

Given how over the top SnK is at heart, I doubt few are going to be that shocked Eren’s grand plan for saving the Eldian people is to quite literally exterminate everyone else. It’s a childish view of societal ethics, one driven in part by Eren’s own fatalistic personality, yet one also born from Isayama Hajime effectively running out of ways to one up the prior arcs. After the grand reveal of the Paradis’ origins and Eldia’s role in the world there’s just not much else you can do to keep the suspense – and interest – going. Devolution into basic war? Finding compromise through something like Zeke’s euthanasia plan? Meets the requirements a little, but Isayama has always been about the theatrical and thus they don’t really do the trick. This is a tale which must remain as large as its titular monsters and so we enter the realm of genocide and annihilation where only one side will be left standing. Naturally things won’t go entirely as Eren intends, but how so and who plays a role are firmly up in the air. Yes, you can bet a few twists remain in how the Rumbling will proceed.

On the other side of things though it’s nice finally getting some history and learning the true origins of Ymir and Titan both. Ignoring the fun to be had with Grecian motifs and a loose fantasy interpretation of Macedonia’s rise to Aegean prominence (this boy is Philip and no one can tell me different) it’s pretty interesting seeing how the need to inherit Titan power through eating arose via ritualistic cannibalism. Ymir’s slavery and willingness (or brainwashing) to be a docile concubine are just the cherries on top of a power which the girl simply stumbled into. Eldia and its stranglehold over world politics? Purely down to one submissive girl who proved pliable enough to force into particular actions. You can get a good idea why Zeke thought he’d won considering this aspect of Ymir’s past, but as Ymir was a slave with no one allowing her to act of her own free will he naturally ignored the potential of someone like Eren giving her that option. Once the gate is opened there is no keeping the flock in place, and Ymir is no exception to the rule.

With the power of both clairvoyance and now thousands of Titans at his disposal Eren is now set to start wreaking revenge upon the world at large. Make sure you’re stocked up on popcorn boys and girls, this train is going places and there ain’t any stops in between.

Preview