Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season – 22

「氷解」 (Hyoukai)
“Thaw”

Often the greatest fun and suspense comes not from a major change itself, but rather the fallout barrelling along in its wake. Nature after all abhors a vacuum, and when that vacuum encompasses thousands of trundling Titans literally walking over civilization what takes its place is truly the biggest of mysteries. As promised the Rumbling is only the start of SnK’s finale shenanigans; it’s what happens next that really goes places.

While Eren is off doing genocide things, attention this week turns back to those left in his wake and just what they shall do. It’s probably no major surprise Armin, Misaka and the rest have no real idea what they should do: stop Eren? Help Eren? Try and find a corner to hide like Reiner is resigned to? It’s a significant conundrum because Eren seemingly has the power to outright stop any resistance in its tracks and crush it under heel. The likes of Gabie choosing to double down on defiance makes sense given what – and who – they are fighting for, but it’s also easy to see why Misaka and Armin are hesitant, why Connie has done what he’s done, or why even Jean is willing to take everything at face value and simply enjoy staying alive. Eren’s overturning of the gameboard has thrown everyone’s allegiances in the air and it’s anyone’s guess just where they wind up landing.

Of course such uncertainty doesn’t just extend to the main cast – it also moves into characters both new and old. Yelena is obviously front and centre given her role in bringing Zeke and Eren together (and with it the other Marley exiles), but Zeke’s status too is a mystery at the moment; the loss of control over his Titans suggests death, but I think we all know by now being trapped in the Coordinate space isn’t a guarantee of death, particularly when Ymir long dead still retains form within it. Likewise is the glaring void of Hange and Levi who remain around in some form or another. All of that, however, is simply filler for arguably the biggest return of them all: Annie. Oh yes, she wasn’t going to be trapped forever, and, oh yes, there’ll be plenty to reconcile once the girl comes to grips with how much has changed since she encased herself. It’s going to be a blast (potentially literally) seeing how this change plays out, especially once Armin finally catches up with her again.

After all, Armin had some intimate chats with Annie last season, and something tells me a few of them might have made it through all that hardened Titan crystal. In need of a happy reunion during these Rumbling times? You just might get your wish.

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