Uncut AOT 3 x 21

latter on i think we could add more layers to what we see on this last scene, I wont say what I think because Its gonna be connected with episodes to come, but this scene is epic, every time you see it again you can pick something new!

tiago valentin

Omg Sophie, I am flabbergasted at how smart and perceptive you are. I can't wait for you to reaction to the rest of the series, it is going to be the ride of a lifetime for real. AOT and also another favorite of mine you happen to be reacting to, Frieren, are just so loaded with themes and messages beneath the surface, loving every reaction so much I couldn't wait for youtube anymore lmao. Always a pleasure to hear your insights.

Damian Angelo

People always come at me sideways when I tell them that Reiner is my favorite character. All of their rebutals are "He's a traitor!" Or "He helped bring down the walls how can you like him!?" And I tell them vaguely the same points you made (although not as articulate as you) and they just don't get it lol. Especially after these people have seen Season 4, knowing the full story. I am very glad you understand the point of Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie. A lot of people still have the black and white mentality when it comes to story telling and Attack on Titan is definitely not a black and white show. It is extremely grey.

Steven Rivera

ohhh boy. I cant wait to see your reaction to season 4

Diego Diaz

100% agree with this

Pancake

not sure lelouch of the rebellion is any smarter as a show as a whole, it jsut has a greater focus on strategist characters

HAL

just got armin back and aot has to gupunch us with them essentially having a death sentence I do wonder if htat informaiton changed anyones opinion on hte armin/erwin choice

HAL

kruger confirming time shenanigans once again with perfect... timing

HAL

might be an intentionally written contrast though

HAL

16:10 I don't think thats really a majority opinion, it might just be a sideeffect of like spoiler overcorrection nonono the collossal titan is just a magical force of pure evil there's no human in there trust me or a loud minority I think most people would agree that children don't deserve to die for being forced to do something horrible it might also just be that well, its worth it to get armin back also he did say that he's ready to accept however this turns out but that was after he was essentially already pushed into the corner of having to fight his friends wether he wants to or not accepting a reality thats inevitably closing in is not the same as being straight up suicidal

HAL

I think this is the only show I know that has this massive of a turn in the middle, and it still all lands. I think it works because Isayama had the critical pillars of his story set in stone from the beginning, but he still managed to be flexible enough that some of the best plot points were organically built into the story years later. (We're actually going to hit one towards the end of season 4 part 1, it's one of the best episodes in the show imo!)

Nick

Season 4 is a big change (artistically, setting, thematically, story-wise), and in some sense season 1 - 3 is kind of just a prelude to season 4. Season 4 part 1 is incredible, season 4 part 2 is even more incredible. Special episode 1 sure is something. Special episode 2 (aka the final episode) is my favorite in the whole show. We have a long road to get there. 30 more episodes == 15 weeks == we'll be well into summer before you've finished lmfao.

Nick

Also wanted to add to the conversation @Jakob that it's not telling the entire stroy to act as though Erwin only sacrficed the lives of soldiers who signed up to fight. Notably multiple times Erwin chose to carry out military operations in heavily populated cities, most egregiously in Stohess. Add on the fact the for most of his career Erwin was motivated not to save humanity but by his selfish desire to learn the truth of the outside world, I'd argue the warriors and Erwin are much more comparable than you might believe

hman70

Haha I appreciate the not wanting to say too much just in case! Thank you!

Sophie Anders

Oh I agree that they aren't evil. I want to say more but I think it would be better for me to wait for everything To wrap up lol. Appreciate the insight and content!

Jakob Eslinger

Erwin also willingly sacrificed people for his own desires. The trio also have spent years being coerced and brainwashed and did not understand the extent of what they were being asked to do. There is very much a comparison that can be made. I'm not conflating the acts as being the same, more so drawing the point that if we can accept the justification for the loss of life in one regard then why are we unable to understand where the trio are coming from. If we can sanction one act of violence where lives are seen as disposable for the pursuit of someone's personal goal, then we can at least attempt to understand why the trio are not the evil we think they are.

Sophie Anders

I agree we shouldn't blame the warriors directly for what they were forced to do but I think it's a stretch to compare it to what Erwin was doing. The warriors committed an act of terror against an innocent population where as Erwin was fighting back against those forces. He oversaw people who chose to join and fight. In a way you can argue that both sides coerced people to join the military and I would somewhat agree but I don't think they are as comparable. I think the adults going out to scout ahead for the future of humanity is far more justifiable than an act of terrorism that killed over 1/3 of the remaining population.

Jakob Eslinger

Great reaction! And I want to second all those on here who support you on Reiner and Bertholt. I've watched a few too many reactors do fist-bumps of joy as Bertholt gets his skull crushed. I really respect your desire not to be spoiled in any way - so I think I'd best leave off some of my thoughts until Season 4 but I hope you won't mind a nerdish digression into the Japanese title of the show. 進撃の巨人 - shingeki no kyojin - is in Japanese of course both the title of the show and the name of Eren's titan. From what I've read, the reason it was translated into the rather awkward-sounding 'Attack on Titan' in English, was because the translators did not at the outset know to what it was referring, so had to choose a title that was sufficiently vague to cover all eventualities. But the name itself is also interesting. Kyojin means titan, or giant. But shingeki means a bit more than just 'attack'. The 'geki' part does mean attack. But 'shin' means 'to advance' or 'to move forward'. So a more accurate, if not very natural, translation would be 'the titan that attacks and moves forward'. But the 'shin' part carries a wider meaning too. Its character '進' is used in the word '進め’, 'susume!' - 'advance!' - which is what Erwin shouts to his troops when calling on them to charge in Season 2 Episode 11. It is what Hange uses in Season 3 Episode 18 when she says 'we must keep moving forward'. And as has come up many times, it is central to Eren's view of the world. He keeps saying he has to 'move forward' - both as a human and in titan form. You could say that this concept is one of the keys to the whole show. We must keep moving forward. It definitely seems to me just as if not more important that the 'attack' part of his titan's name. In the end, I don't think it matters much that Eren's Titan in English is called the Attack Titan, and not the Moving-Forward-and-Attacking Titan. After all, the show does a great job in exploring the ideas without explicit reference to the name. But I do think it's interesting to note that in Japanese it does convey meaning and thematic relevance. Anyway, can't wait for more quality reactions to Season 4!

DFE

Yes but we'd also seen other Titans speak before so it's easily confused by a first time watcher 😊

Sophie Anders

Maybe but it's too eerily similar to what's said to Grisha to be coincidence especially when Keith was mentioning this about Eren

Sophie Anders

I’m pretty sure it’s the only Titan that’s been shown to speak and it showed its capacity for intelligence when rescuing Zeke and Reiner.

Critical

*****

Adam Young

35:25 you’re so right. Grisha is near identical to Eren in personality. This scene reminds me strongly of Eren in the crystal cave, before he mans up and saves everyone.

Adam Young

I totally feel you. You’re one of the most empathetic reactors I’ve seen, and I love all your reactions! XD What I love about this story is how neither side of the conflict feels flat or one-dimensional. The characters have real depth, shaped by the complex world they live in, making their struggles feel real. I think I won’t ever get tired of rewatching this anime. It just explores so masterfully the deep, complex issues that would take probably a lifetime of pondering and still not arrive at the perfect answers. XD

tonkatsu

Maybe I’m misremembering but didn’t he call it an abnormal?

Szaleos

The numbers in regard to the Areal size of the territory inside the walls is anime only and not confirmed in the manga. It would put the whole area at an diameter of nearly 1000 km - 630 miles, which is double the size of Germany. Or just slightly bigger than Texas. Visually it is faar smaller than that, maybe an diameter of max. 150 km.

Ricardo

It was said by Erwin in S3E14 that he was “the scout" titan who had intelligence. And the Quadroped Titan even addressed Zeke as "War Chief."

Zekrom XI

*You’re *Too

Zekrom XI

Ah yes, the classic teenage phase of randomly shouting specific details in distress

Dagmar Makara

I think what Keith said was "Your life/dreams which will burn to ashes outside the walls", thinking that since he wasn't special he'd die outside.

Hippopi

Technically Erwin stated it was an intelligent titan.

Hippopi

You should probably delete this comment.

Hippopi

Your to smart for this anime try Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion that might better for you.

KaladinStormLight

KaladinStormLight

Remember what Kenny used to say: "Everyone is a slave of something". Eren and Grisha are continuously pushing forward and seeking freedom, but yet, based on your theory, they never had a choice to begin with.

flyingbread

If you're talking about the Quadroped - it's not confirmed until 4 x 1 that it's one of the 9 🤷‍♀️ very few people would know that on a first watch.

Sophie Anders

Great analysis and discussion as always! It was fun hearing your new theories at the end, and I'm excited to see you discover the answers with the rest of the show! Pumped for S4!

Hannah

nah i think that was fake im sure hes retuning soon

Ameer Khan

You forgot one titan. We have seen 8/9 up until now.

Critical

what are you talking about, he died in episode five of season one!!

Julie Morales

Major Spoiler: Armin MIGHT return in season 4

Ciaphas Cain

Great reaction and discussion, as always. GOD I love your sympathy for Bertoldt and the other three KIDS that were undercover behind the walls. I always felt like the fandom was too hard on them. This is actually a recurring theme in the fandom, ESPECIALLY in season 4, but I know you will handle it with grace as you did here. The thing about Bert that gets me is his loyalty to his friends—namely, Reiner. Think about their situation. These warriors were deep in enemy territory, pretending to be comrades, and if they were caught by anyone, it would lead to their immediate execution. Imagine the fear and frustration Bert felt watching Reiner lose control of his composure and identity while undercover. I bet every single time Bert walked into a room and saw Reiner speaking to the other cadets, he must have thought, "Fuck, what is he saying right now?" This all culminates in the iconic scene in Season 2, Episode 6, when they reveal to the audience that they are Titan shifters. When Reiner tells Eren the truth and asks him to leave with them, Bert is not only shocked but panicked. This wasn’t planned—this was Reiner tweaking out due to his fractured mental state. Through all the ups and downs, Bert stuck by Reiner and believed in him. True friendship goals. It must be so rewarding to find out slowly that you were right (or at least on the right train of thought) for sooooo many of these reveals. I have seen lots of reactions (and I sound like a broken record here), but you have A+ analysis skills. I think you should take these superpowers into Law Enforcement or something, clearly a talent lol

Jordan

it essentially is at this point in the story isn't it? Even if it's technically published in Besatsu Shonen magazine lol. I once hear a video essayist describe aot as a seinen story with a shounen protagonist

hman70

🗣️ ''Have a family. After you enter the walls, build a family.'' Kruger's speech about loving someone inside the walls was a way to demonstrate his character development. Kruger is a man who lived his life driven by nothing but hatred and a desire for revenge. He gave up his humanity, sacrificing his own people with the belief that all of this would someday save Eldia. He kept moving forward, at the expense of his heart and soul. And, in the end, he had... nothing. No family or friends or anyone to love, just pain and anger and despair. 🙁 Kruger realized that he was just another participant in the endless cycle of violence and hatred. Everything he did amounted to a meaningless pile of severed fingers, and here he was, passing on his titan to someone else, to start the cycle anew. Kruger saw the same hatred in Grisha, and knew right away that if things didn't change, Grisha would go down the same path he did. Kruger didn't know if starting a family would really amount to anything, but he did know—better than anyone—that not loving anyone and throwing away your humanity leaves you with nothing. The point wasn't specifically to "start a family," it was to love. He even says: "Your wife. Your child. Even someone on the street. It does not matter. Love someone inside the walls. If you can't do that, we're doomed to repeat it. The same history. The same mistakes. Again and again." Grisha did love, and he did become a better person. 👨🏻 Kruger is an amazing and wonderfully complex character for someone with so little screen time. I truly appreciate how he was able to recognize the futility or limit of hatred and revenge, and came to that realization on his own.

Mickael Landry

astfgl for all those years I was convinced AoT was seinen T_T not that it changes much in the grand scheme of things but thank you for enlightening me!

draeonic 🪼

Neither Zeke not Eren seem to be completely independent from their father's goals so yes, transgenerational trauma is definitely a Thing. But I'd still say that this trauma gave Zeke a purpose (in opposition to Grisha) while Eren received a tool (which he's using to serve his own goals.) And those seem fundamentally different to me.

draeonic 🪼

The backlash from you defending Reiner and the warriors is a bit funny to me. I watch other reactors too and one of them was very vocal about hating Reiner and how he is the absolute worst!! He got backlash for his position as people defended Reiner and how he is one of their favorite characters. Just goes to show you that this show is so well written, so balanced, that you will have the audience take different sides!

Ragdefender2

not aot related but the brown jumper with the red lip looks so cute!

Julie Morales

Eep, somehow I never saw any comment going in that direction... CRUNCH THE NUMBERS, PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS LYING TO YOU

draeonic 🪼

Plays in my head all the time!!

Sophie Anders

Re: Reiner, Berthold and Annie being evil. I always come back to Reiner's line on top of the wall in 2x6: "We were just kids, we didn't know anything"

Anna Kyruin

By far one of my favorite memories of a few episodes are these last ones in season 3. Had to be my most rewound for sure. There's nothing I enjoy more when watching a series like this than coming up with my own oddball theories of how the whole world worked, and this episode's ending sure gave me a lot of fuel! So many great lines in this episode too. P.S. You may already know but Attack Titan is "Shingeki no Kyojin" in japanese. That is, the title of the anime -is- the name of Eren's Titan. Through a quirk of the language it can both be translated as "Attack on Titan" and "Attack Titan". A very cheeky bit of word play from Mr Isayama.

Anna Kyruin

Great analysis as always. Most of the "self-defence" you do in this episode is pretty emblematic of some of the failings of "normie" discussions that take place about morality and guilt in AOT. You will probably learn and find out more in the future about these sorts of discussions so I won't spoil anything, but some people have a way too black/white outlook on this show. Looking forward to Season 4 part 1, 2 and 3 (retrospectively it sounds quite silly to have 3 parts of the same story, 3 years apart in total, be part of what is one "final season", but scheduling releases is chaotic and painful, so I can't hate).

RokasKy

Yes and no. I think forcing Titanhood on him is also expecting him to fulfil his inevitable desire for revenge in a perpetuating cycle. He may have done things differently with Eren than he did Zeke but Eren still ended up being bound up in his father's past and desire for vengeance. Hence why transgenerational trauma is so prevalent because parents often unknowingly pass it onto their children.

Sophie Anders

Yeah it was a bit of a controversial take apparently haha!!

Sophie Anders

You should have seen the comments I received back in S1 then haha!

Sophie Anders

Just on your first initial discussion - I’m sorry?! People were conflicted because you said you didn’t view Reiner and Bert as the enemy? I think it’s common watching practice to think that. People who don’t are missing the entire point of the story. Yes, they are our characters enemy. But we are allowed to change perspectives and their actions aren’t justified, but it justifies them doing it, since they had no choice

EDC

God I love the implications at the end to add yet another layer of mystery for you to lose your mind over. The foresight that Isayama has to entertain those who have “figured” out most of everything is just unrivaled. To me this is the point where the ground work has truly been laid and everything that comes after compound and scaffold all these moving parts. If these two episodes were Dr. Sophie cashing in her checks - season 4 is Isayama going to the banks and withdrawing all his savings.

Pham Hung

Your talk at the beginning defending the warriors was so well said and on the nose, you were right before to and you were later proven right when you saw direct evidence of their upbringing in Marley. The comments you've gotten calling you delusional are ridiculous, obviously, it's a sad but persistent pheonomenon in the aot fandom that plenty of fans devote so much of their time and identity into this series without ever understanding what it's trying to say. Part of that may be the fact that shounen is marketed towards and consumed primarily by young boys and the level of empathy you posess for the warriors can't really be expected from a bunch of teenage boys who just want to see the main character get his revenge. The other explanation for adult fans is in my opinion less charitable lol

hman70

As for Eren, I do want to point out that he wasn't coerced by Grisha into avenging his mother. Grisha did force titanhood upon him, but Eren had already been screaming for revenge before that. Then Grisha died; he physically couldn't pressure Eren in the same way he did Zeke.

draeonic 🪼

I'm not arguing the main point about child soldiers but I don't think anyone is NOT condemning the government for sending 20% of the population on a suicide mission? (From numbers obtained in early S1, we can work out that the population density within the walls is ridiculously low; their "overpopulation" problem is more likely a "gross mismanagement of resources by a corrupt government" problem.)

draeonic 🪼

I’m so excited for season four reaction 🤤🤤🤤 Thanks

Eleonora Frizorger

Can't wait for Season 4

Nurkhat Jumabaev

Major spoiler: Eren WILL return in season 4.

KrakenKing