8Bit/Digi

This World is Cruel, but it is Also Very Beautiful

Once in a while, a series will come along and captivate viewers with its intense plot, creative world building, and unforgettable characters. Then when it ends, it hits you hard. Not because you have nothing to watch but it’s akin to when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain. Very few shows have been able to captivate audiences in such a manner.

Attack on Titan now joins the ranks of masterpieces like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones in captivating audiences for several years while the finale feels like the end of an era. It’s going to be a long time before another work captures our attention and takes control of our emotions. Unlike some of those icons, we are not wondering about the disappointment we just saw. Instead, we see closer for the story and all of the characters we have followed since the beginning.  

It should be noted that I’m mostly anime only. I’ve read some of the manga but nowhere near the final volume. Hence this review will not be comparing The Final Chapters Part 2 with the manga. Instead, my critique will be based on the anime adaptations’ own merit.

A Hundred Years of Transformation 

Starting right where Part 1 ended, Eren has unleashed the Rumbling and waves of Colossal Titans are laying waste to the world. Communities have been decimated, armies have capitulated, and states have collapsed. The only hope of stopping him is a joint attack by the Marley Warriors, made up of Reiner and Pieck, along with the Scout Regiment, consisting of Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Levi, and Connie. With their difference put aside, they are the last hope to save humanity. However, two major obstacles stand in their way.

The first hurdle is that Eren has complete control of the Founding Titan. With this power comes the ability to summon the incarnations of past users of the Nine Titans to support him. Due to their sheer numbers and varied physical conditions, the group finds itself in a more precarious position. The second challenge lies in the reservations held by some of the Scouts about eliminating Eren. This is especially an emotional contention for Mikasa as she is being asked to kill the only family she has.

Until the Light Reveals the End

Attack on Titan serves as a metaphor for the intricate geopolitical landscape of the modern era, employing the tragic journey of Eren Jaeger as its conduit to convey this complexity. We have watched him grow from an idealist adventure wanting to explore the world to becoming a hardened warrior only to be transformed into a monster by his desire for revenge. He metamorphosed into the very entity he had vowed to eradicate. Betraying all those who had once considered him a friend or brother. In the end, he is only remembered as a hero by a few while loathed by many who suffered because of his actions. 

Opposing this monster of vengeance is a collection of friends and foes who have formed an uneasy alliance. While the hatched hasn’t been buried they are only brought together to stop the Rumbling. Yet the idea of having to kill Eren is a difficult task to ask for Mikasa. Despite all she has endured and witnessed, her biggest challenge is having to cut off her connection with Eren – both physically and metaphorically.Letting go is a formidable task, but ultimately, it is a necessary step for everyone to move forward amidst the pain. Mikasa, however, is not isolated in this struggle. Within every Eldian resides the spirit of Ymir, clinging to her feelings for King Fritz. A reflection of each other, it’s only when one makes the arduous choice that the other can embrace freedom.

The focus is not completely on Mikasa and Erin as everyone else is looking for closure. Most of them do find it in some way while others receive it in the most unexpected ways. Annie Leonhart is finally able to reunite with her dad, Reiner is able to make his mom proud, Levi has avenged his fallen comrades and the curse of Ymir has been lifted from every Eldian. Even in death, those bound by the will of Ymir have found peace. Yet, the survivors are left with a changed world that needs to rebuild while Pardis is left in a strong position. It might not be the ending everyone wanted, but not every story ends with a happy ending.

Beyond These Walls

As an overall series, Attack on Titan stands as a masterpiece for the ages. It captured our attention with its enigma of a world while wielding power over our emotions through its characters and conflicts. When all was answered, it commenced a descent into classical tragedy. Those who were once our heroes transformed into the entities they despised after learning the truth about this cruel world. Through a baptism by fire, Eren Yeager emerged as a monster. This narrative echoes a familiar theme seen in characters like Anakin Skywalker or Walter White, adding a poignant layer to the overarching tale.

Beyond the enigmatic lore, Attack on Titan‘s greatest allure lies in its ability to serve as a metaphor for real-world geopolitical events and conditions. The series has effectively engaged audiences globally. It especially resonates with those whose communities resemble the situation behind Wall Maria or Wall Rose. These fans find relatability in the plight of the Eldians on Paradis Island, as they grapple with living in constant fear or preparing to defend their way of life.

An artistic endeavor that emerges once in a while. At its conclusion, Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Part 2 delivers an emotional punch to the gut. The conflict reaches its resolution, everyone attains closure, and our heroes depart the stage – albeit not unscathed. They are left emotionally or physically battered, mirroring those of us who have been avidly following the series from its inception. As mentioned earlier, an experience of this magnitude occurs infrequently. Upon its conclusion, one finds oneself staring into the abyss of their emotions, akin to the final moment of The Sopranos.

Night of the End

Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Part 2 is the conclusion to a masterpiece, but it has its flaws. The only real issue is that some moments were poorly paced or edited. Given the intensity of the battle, this was going to happen. However, it’s not an issue that will bother anyone during the first viewing. In fact, this is one of those issues that can easily be forgiven. 

To You, 2000 Years in the Future

In all the years that I’ve been a professional critic, this has been the hardest review to write. Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters Part 2 marks not just the conclusion of a series but the end of an era, providing closure to one of the defining anime works in pop culture. It’s a series that has not only united anime enthusiasts and newcomers but has also achieved a global reach unmatched by very few works.

Even though it’s over, Attack on Titan went out with a bang. Its legacy will live on not just through the manga, fan art, and cosplayers but the think pieces along with how it will inspire a generation of artists. A conclusion fitting for a masterpiece of this magnitude. A fitting conclusion for a masterpiece of this magnitude.

Disclaimer: I watched it on Crunchyroll, which I pay for myself.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Attack on Titan: The Final Chapter Part 2

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• The final battle itself is intense while also worth the wait.
• Emotionally driven conflict that will keep you on the edge.
• An emotional conclusion for one of the most defining animes.
• The series ends with bang.

Cons

• Some moments were poorly paced or edited.