Previously on Attack on Titan:

Eren & his friends are saved by the commander of the southern region, Dot Pixis. He takes the three to the top of Wall Rose and tells them of a plan to retake Trost from the Titans, using Eren as the centerpiece. Spoilers Ahead.

Pixis’ plan to take back Trost from the Titans gets underway as he briefs Eren and the others on the details. He plans on using Eren’s titan form to move a giant boulder on the west side of Trost to seal the hole in Wall Rose, effectively stopping the creatures advance into the city. The plan seems to go off without a hitch until Eren turns into a Titan, losing control of himself and attacking Mikasa.

If this series succeeds in one thing it is crushing hopes and dreams. We get about an episode and a half of feel good moments (or about as feel good as this show can get) until it once again comes crashing down. Pixis’ plan is not one without difficulties, but he trusts Eren and his soldiers who in turn trust him despite their feelings on Eren and the Titans at large. The plan is that while a majority of the troops will convene on one side of the wall and distract the Titans (because apparentyl they like to hunt humans who are in groups), the other group consisting of Eren and the most elite of the Garrisons fighters will head to the boulder.

A majority of the troops are hesitant to go along with Pixis’ plan, and for good reason, as it is outright crazy and the Titans are ruthless creatures. However all the uneasiness stops when Pixis delivers a speech that almost made stand up and give the Garrison salute as he says that those scared of the Titans can leave but if they turn their backs, they will also be exposing their families to the fear of the Titans as well. They are humanities last line of defense against the Titans and he also remarks that the mission to supposedly retake Wall Maria 4 years ago (back in episode 2) was nothing more than a culling to reduce the human population ans if the same thing were to happen again more people would be sent out and that the humans would be doing the Titans jobs for them. This shows why Pixis is so respected by his soldiers as he desperately wants humanity to defeat the Titans.

He also has a few moments with Eren as he tells him that he heard of a legend that before there were Titans humanity was wiping itself out due to war and other malicious actions. Saying that the Titans were created so humanity could finally work together, while Eren dismisses this as a silly idea it is interesting to hear about how the world may have been before the Titans came, if such a world even existed.

Now one of the relationships in the show that I am waiting to see develop into something more is Eren & Mikasa. Now I don’t mean a full blown romance (not YET anyway) but it is obvious that Mikasa’s feelings towards her “brother” are an integral part of her character. Initially Mikasa was part of the Decoy Team, but due to her combat skills, was transferred to the elite guard much to her delight and Eren’s annoyance. Now I like Eren but his attitudes toward Mikasa really rub me the wrong way. Despite her attempts to protect and comfort him he continues to berate her and shrug her off. Now I get that he doesn’t want to be treated like a child and sure Mikasa may worry about him too much but it is evident to her that something is clearly bothering him and she wants to help. They are the only ones the other has left.  All I’m saying is a little “Thanks” would be appreciated every now and them. Maybe this episode will get his head straight.

Left to Right: Eren, Rico, Mikasa

The animation for the episode is pretty lackluster compared to earlier entries, the characters are off model for a majority of the run time and some of the faces and bodies can look more than a little awkward. However all of the awkward art is placed in order to focus the animation budget on the scenes of Mikasa and Eren swinging through the city with their Maneuver Gears. The animation on these scenes expertly blends the 2D character models with the CGI rendered Trost for orgasmic eye candy. Like watching Spider-Man swing through the city in first person (not like in ASM though that movies sucked). It’s something you have to see to believe.

“Icon” is another good episode that once again manages to pull the rug from under the audience. Characters are introduced, world is expanded, and while the animation is lacking the swinging scenes more than make up for it. The war to survive continues next week as the Garrison now has to deal with an out of control Eren.

4.5/5