1st Episode Anime Impressions: Attack on Titan Season 3

Episode 38 Review | Season 2 Review | Similar Anime

Japanese Title: 進撃の巨人 3期

Summary

Impressions

Jennifer

The very much long-awaited third series of Attack on Titan is finally here and it’s off to a great start! The last series ended at a great point in the story and this series is bringing some turning points in the tone. One of the big representations of this change is the opening sequence. Although we are all used to the awesome Linked Horizon openings, this time we have X Japan with vocals by Hyde. Let me say that again, X Japan with vocals by Hyde!!! For you youngsters out there, this is an absolutely Godly combination. The song is certainly very good, but I can understand if you are missing the catchy, garbled German rock openings of the previous series (I know, I loved them too). However, the story is starting to take a different route, and that’s why I’m glad they have gone with such a huge change in the opening.

This episode had the same amazing WIT Studio animation as always and didn’t hesitate to jump straight back into the story. There was a touch of nostalgia with Eren and the gang, especially when Eren was so terrified as to what Levi would do if they didn’t get the place spotless!

Although there is quite a lot that happens this episode, perhaps the most important point is the appearance of KENNY! Who is he and why does the usually stoic Levi scream in rage at his presence? As a reader of the manga, I’ve been waiting for his appearance for a while and I’m so glad we are finally here. I personally feel the anime adaptation of Attack on Titan far surpasses the manga, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they will be doing for the rest of the series.

Marianne

I don’t think that there is anyone out there that is not excited about the third season of Attack on Titan and I have to say that the first episode did not disappoint at all. Things kicked off quite fast with unraveling conspiracies, new characters and well… death. Captain Levi is back into action along with all the main characters. Eren is surprisingly calm and well behaved so far, Mikasa is always badass, Hange is as crazy as ever, and Erwin tries to be ahead of his enemies as always. The government seems to be up to no good and have their eyes on Captain’s Levi Squad in order to get Historia and Eren from them, and the weirdest thing of them all is that they don’t seem to be hiding it anymore. The animation, voice acting, soundtrack and direction seem to be up to the usual standards that the anime has shown so far with the only exception that this time the opening song is composed and performed by YOSHIKI of X JAPAN and HYDE of L’arc-en-Ciel, which is a pretty big deal if you are into the j-rock and visual kei scene.