Attack On Titan “Thaw” Review
Attack On Titan “Thaw” is the eighty first episode of the Attack On Titan anime. Oh boy there’s a lot to unpack here, just like in episode 80. This episode was filled to the brim with emotional moments. So much so that it hardly gives you time to breathe or react before the next one happens. “Thaw” doesn’t pull any punches at all.
Eren’s Plan Fulfilled
Whilst the characters inside the walls spends their time trying to figure out what exactly why Eren has done what he’s done. Everyone is dealing with their own struggles in their own way. Gabi especially seems to have used the disaster as an excuse to finally be much more mature and accept the grey areas of life rather than looking at everything as black and white. Though she does occasionally slip, like begging that Eren could just destroy the military bases in her hometown instead of the innocents. She still shows extraordinary restraint that would’ve seemed out of character, had it not been for the massive lead up to her change.
Pretty much everyone acts in a way that shows their true colours here. Conny, Armin, even Floch. And there’s more than enough imagery to go around. Gabi tying her hair the way Eren did only for Kaya to see her more as a resemblance to Sahsa than Eren when she chooses to save her rather than any kind of revenge. It’s pretty telling. Will she and Falco be the ones to save everyone from Eren’s forced tyranny?
Having the final scene be the exact last page of the chapter has opened a floodgate. Finally Annie is back, and Armin knows it too, you can see the hope in his eyes and hear it in his voice. Amazing directing, especially the 3DMG scenes. Beautiful soundtrack and not a single second was wasted. I feel like I’ll become a stuck record if I brand this as my favourite episode so far. But MAPPA have been amazing. They deserve so much praise.
