Patience Is A Virtue

In similar vain to how popular film franchises have to construct sequels to be just as compelling and enthralling as the preceding features that made a positive impact, T.V. series also have to establish a precedent where the particular story arc has to go down a captivating route with every season that comes around. Indeed, from the unpredictable nature that Game of Thrones upholds, to the ever shifting scenarios that take place in Netflix’s own House of Cards, it’s clear to perceive just how much established TV shows warrant compelling originality with every season they produce; which in turn arguably rivals the grandeur of viewing the latest film at the cinemas. While it may be seen by a select few as just another Japanese animated show that’s primarily aimed for a specific target audience, much of the same can be said about Wit Studio’s Attack on Titan which mediates enthralling story-telling aspects seen in many popular live-action series and displays a harrowing yet exciting concept that fulfils expectations. This is certainly perpetuated through the inception of this latest 2nd season as we’re once again gravitated towards the harrowing scenarios of each of the distinct characters presentand learn more and more into the mysterious and unanswered questions of this world and the people who reside in it…

Picking up from the events that took place in the last episode of the 1st season, where Eren, Mikasa, Armin and the rest of the Scout Regiment recover from foiling the plans of the female Titan, Annie, who’s been taken into custody, our array of heroes are once again placed in a dire situation of which they can’t run-away from. Upon discovering the fact that there are titans living within the protected walls and that other titans have somehow breached Wall Rose, the friendship trio, along with the Scout Regiment, head out to amend the problems at hand. However, all is not what it appears to be, as truths and shocking mysterious are revealed to our protagonists in ways that could forever alter the war against the disturbing rabble of the titans…

Like many others who are perhaps reading this review of the 2nd season, it goes without saying that the first season of Attack on Titan was perhaps one of the most impactful Japanese animation series that provided a refreshing mind-set in what drawn animation can fulfil in comparison to unsatisfying acceptability of 3-D/computer animation. Aside the unprecedented and lauded fandom that was brought about from those who entirely dismissed any form of harsh criticism of the show whatsoever, it was simply invigorating to witness a Japanese animation in the form of Attack On Titan’s 1st season which dynamically utilised not only compelling story-telling aspects that certainly rival some of the better live-action shows of today, but also an imaginative yet gripping visual style in a creative something that deemed this show to be watched on a consistent basis. With it’s quirky yet intriguing assemble of characters and a premise which thrived on explosive action and shocking twists and turns of engageable characters dying-off without a whimper, it’s not surprising to learn how much anime-lovers and general audiences alike adored Attack on Titan for the reasons mentioned and how much it contested over popular live-action shows in relation to its grounded sense of unpredictability. How important it was then for Yasuko Kobayashi and Hiroshi Seko to introduce this new 2nd season of Attack On Titan, after a 4 year long-wait, in a manner which not only carries on from the shocking cliffhanger of the preceding season, but in a way that is indicative of the action-orientated tone that many viewers attached themselves to beforehand as well as introducing new horrifying elements, in a now 12 episode structure, that differentiates from the high-tempo of season 1 and grounds the frighting premise of the titans. As much as people will bemoan the shortened length of this season in comparison to the 25 episode behemoth of the previous series which comprised of a longevity that evened out the action from the inevitable overblown exposition, the 12 episodes that are on display make the viewing experience much more streamlined and simplistic; keeping the scenarios that do happen as brief as possible and as tense as possibly can be. While it’s a shame, due to economic deficiencies of the industry, that there are less animators since the hay-day of the 2000’s and the fact there’s an overabundance of Japanese animations being produced and distributed at this very moment, the 12 episode time-frame isn’t a hindrance to the series and it’s story. Instead of relying on over-arching story-lines that utilises fantastical and well choreographed action-set pieces which inert suspense and thrill, season 2 takes a shift in tone by not only opting for far more sinister approach, with characters fearfully interacting with the titans and finding out about more truths of the mysteries and unanswered questions that were in a fray from the preceding season, but it thoroughly establishes secondary characters to the main-fold; in turn, making us feel more invested in the cause that each character is facing. Much of this is expressed within the first episode which stamps its mark by introducing to us a completely bizarre entity, that further makes us question the world in which we’re witnessing, and one of the most gut-wrenching death sequences that the entire series has had to offer so far; further reminding us that these beasts are indeed terrifying even if the designs walk a fine line between being unsettling or stupidly hilarious. As the series moves at a fairly reasonable pace, displaying both intriguing exposition of the mysteries of the titans and action set-pieces that exploit the necessities of drawn-animation in this day-and-age, the much more sinister tone takes precedent in quiet scenes of genuine tension and horror; which grounds the threat that the titans pose. This is something that hasn’t been enveloped since the inception of the show’s beginning and certainly ties in well with the whole ‘mystery’ theme of this new season. As much as the preceding season took no-time in pouring out information that was willingly dispersed in its longevity, more information this time around about the world is revealed to us at a slow pace that keeps us guessing and questioning. It’s an entirely new element that the literates of each episode have developed that seamlessly builds off the foundation of the previous season cliffhanger. This again, makes us question the nature of the world all these characters live in and further gestalts our wanting demeanour into who is or ins’t a titan other than the likes of Eren and Annie from the last time. 

As much as the first season of Attack On Titan purposefully focused on the perspective of Eren Yaeger, who culminated as being the archetypal ‘Shonen’ protagonist by wanting to vengefully kill all the titans by using the help his friends in Mikasa Ackeman, Armin the Scout Regiment and his worldly ability to willingly transform into a titan at his disposal, one of the better story-telling/characterisation techniques that’s developed within season 2 is the profound emphasis of side characters that never really had the screen time in the preceding season to show themselves who they are individually. One of the fundamental problems involving the characterisation surrounding the main-lead of Eren from season 1 was his lacklustre development and how is constant proclamations of wanting to kill all the titans for justifiable reasons did become very stale as the series went along. It was only near the end of the 1st season where said character began to actually care about other things than just vengefully killing the titans which shows just how little time we had to sympathise with his remorse and the path he’s chosen. However, with this season only restricted to being 12 episodes long, the focal emphasis on Eren and his journey is indeed swept-aside for the majority of the episodes and is replaced with minutes that are coherently devoted to the un-established side-characters and what their view is in relation to the world we’re witnessing. While this isn’t an example that gets much attention down the line, due to the fact that mysteries and identities get revealed in a shocking yet fruitful manner (of which I won’t spoil here), one of the more interesting character stories that gets fleshed out in an intriguing way is that of Sasha Braus in relation to where she was brought up and how she came about joining the army. This character side-story, along with many others that displayed throughout the course of the episodes, further flourish the grounded mysticism that show this show seamlessly perpetuates. While this wasn’t a character that shocked me in relation to how much screen-time he receives, it’s a certainty that many who adored Attack On Titan first time around will sorely miss the edgy nature that Captain Levi evoked in these latest episodes since his presence his very much limited to exposition scenes and no ferocious fighting like he showed-off before-hand. Keep in mind however, that this is very much a different season compared to the previous entry in terms of not only length, but also tone. As much as the show doesn’t hold back in creating sequences that are filled with off-the-wall fighting that is backed-up by revelations of events and characters that are shocking in a manner that glues you to the screen, it’s clear from the fact that we’re seeing scenes of eerie quietness and episodes devoted to characters interacting with this harrowing world in a grounded and ‘realistic’ fashion that the people responsible for writing and directing this anime wanted to go in a direction which rewarded its audiences by showing episodes, moments and scenes that are mystifying and rivalled the mediocrity of lesser live-action show. Much of the same can be expressed within the ensemble cast who all have their own unique paths to follow.

While the story-telling of Attack On Titan‘s 2nd season is an important aspect into what this show upholds to its devoted audiences, when it comes to judging whether an anime show of this day-and-age is deemed watchable or not, it’s the animation style itself that is vital to perceive and whether or not it holds up compared to other Japanese animations which, more or less, blend the drawn style with 3-D aspects. As it was viscerally executed in the preceding season, the latest episodes of Attack On Titan utilise an animated style that is eye-popping and subtly distinctive. Every character that is shown is once again vividly outlined in various thickness’s of black which coherently separates them from the expressive backdrops which imbues this sense that you’re not only watching something that is a manifestation of manga, but you’re witnessing that is demanding to as real as possible; despite it being an animation in its simplest. Much of the same can be said of the look of the titans which, again, strike a good balance of being either eerily unsettling or stupidly hysterical to look at. What is still impressive to gaze upon, amongst the array of characters and titans and what action/expression they are showing at any given time, is how much Attack On Titan viscerally retains much of the slick and off-the -wall action from the previous episodes in a manner that is still pleasing to watch. By simply implementing set-piece sequences which recognises characters ingrained with the fluidity of the quickly-panning camera movements and not making it all seem confusing is unique idiosyncrasy in itself that not a lot of animation features and shows can execute favourably. As stated in my earlier review of Attack On Titan’s first season, one of the reasons why Japanese animation stands out from other Western animations that audiences have inevitably been invested by, is naturally because of the effort it puts in; from character design/expression to the sometimes photo-realistic hand-drawn backdrops. Since this is a unique anime series that is directed by Tetsurō Araki, the Japanese anime director who’s taken the helm for other, more notable, anime television series for Death Note, Guilty Crown and Sword Art Online, it’s not surprising to notice how much Attack On Titan revels in having stunning visuals and lush fighting-sequences since the mentioned shows also inherit similar traits. If there’s one aspect that is slightly off-putting to look at in relation to the animation style, it’s the sparing implementation of 3-D/CG polygons that amalgamated with the hand-drawn affects. It’s an annoyance to behold since it does distract you from the events that are taking place and doesn’t add anything to the experience whatsoever. Sadly however, this application of using CG effects is to be expected considering that the costing of a hand-drawn televised production is proving to be greater and greater each year which is why we’re seeing the uses of CG as a shortcut for characters/objects in the background.

With it known to boast a fluid yet accessible animation style that is easy to follow and enjoyous to watch, the shocking yet explosive scenes of Attack On Titan wouldn’t be worth watching if it didn’t incorporate a soundtrack that varied in genre. From the upbeat J-Pop that Hiroyuki Sawano produces, mostly noticeably with the song of ‘Barricades’ which is my personal favourite, to the bombastic orchestral musical-pieces which sound comparable to the musical works that ‘Two Steps From Hell’ produce, the entirety of this new soundtrack seemingly assimilates with the high-risk and tension that Attack On Titan so effortlessly provides. This is also relevant to the openings of every episode which equally gets you motivated into watching the following episode just as much as the intro people watched and loved from the first season. 

Although many anime-lovers will be ensnared by the charm and vivid-imagination of My Hero Academia’s presentation and simplistic Shonen story-telling at this moment in time, it can’t go unnoticed how much season 2 of Attack On Titan has to offer despite the long four year-wait that fans have been desperately yearning for. Despite the fact that it’s taken Araki and the other writers since 2013 to conjure up another season of this anime series that people are hyped-over and have been desperately wanting to see more of, the wait has actually proven to be a good thing. Although this is a considerably shorter season than the last, by having half the amount of episodes in comparison, it’s clear from the way in which we delve into the perspective of other characters, rather than Eren and his friends, and by having a shifting tone which feel’s sinister than before, that the creators wanted and needed the time to create something that was equally pleasing to the eye as the first season. Their patience of manifesting a season that retains some of the aspects that people like and adding interesting quirks has indeed proven useful and really should be applauded more than what it’s already receiving. On a story-telling premise, this latest season is far more compelling and gripping than the lasting events that took place in the preceding episodes, which is commendable considering the constrained time-frame it adopts. Need I say more? There’s no question that Attack On Titan is a televised show that everyone should take the time to watch. For those who are pondering over this series, it would be wise to catch-up with the latest events as a third season will be coming next year…

On that note, it’s time for me to end this week’s review. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest anime review of Attack On Titan’s second season and I hope you’ve all enjoyed the read!! 😉If anyone has an opinion on either my review or on the anime series itself, please feel free to drop a comment down below. Next week, I’ll be returning to reviewing films by analysing Edgar Wright’s much popular cinematic release of Baby Driver. Once again, thank you for reading this week’s Blog Post, and I’ll see you all next week! Have a nice weekend! Adieu! 😀😎✌

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – Alex Rabbitte