Anime Hajime Review: Attack on Titan Season 2

Original Run: April 1, 2017 - June 17, 2017
Number of Episodes: 12
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Based on the Series Created By: Hajime Isayama

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Attack on Titan Season 2. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The struggle for humanity’s survival continues, as does the story of the three friends fighting to eliminate all Titans:

• The brilliant strategist Armin Arlert (voiced by Marina Inoue)
• The prodigy soldier Mikasa Ackerman (voiced by Yui Ishikawa)
• The human who can turn into a Titan, Erin Yeager (voiced by Yuki Kaji)

Following Erin’s battle within Wall Shina, a horrifying discovery is unearthed. The walls that have protected humanity are made from the Titans themselves. While the military tries to make sense of this revelation, they are searching for anyone else who can transform like Eren.

Then the worst possible news arrives. Titans have been spotted within the walls. A breach would mean doom. Therefore, it is up to Erin, Mikasa, Armin, and the rest of the elite Survey Corps to save humanity.

Series Positives

Attack on Titan Season 2 (Season 2) was pretty damn good.

If there were one word to describe this installment, it would be “adrenaline.” Thus, I’m not sure where to start. My thoughts are going a mile a minute, and I am I’ll overlook something. There were so many things this Season 2 got so right.

Like last time, let’s begin with the animation.

Throughout Season 2, the CGI was blatant. While this is distracting in other shows, Attack on Titan wore it well. The sheer scale and speed of this installment overshadowed the computer touch-ups. Nowhere was this more evident than in the action scenes.

The fights in Season 2 got the blood pumping. I’m not sure which encounter was my favorite. This chapter made the Battle of Trost look like a light snack.

As a heads up, Erin, Mikasa, and Armin didn’t get into the action until a few episodes in. Instead, we got more background on Sasha Blouse and Connie Springer (voiced respectively by Yu Kobayashi and voiced by Hiro Shimono). At first, I thought, “How does this show expect to be interesting without its three leads?”

Then we got to the abandoned castle, and I promptly shut my mouth.

Season Two also utilized something I will refer to as the death stare. When this happens, you won’t just see it; you’ll feel it.

Basically, if someone gave the death stare, then murder was about to go down.

Armin gave an excellent example of this, but the death stare queen was none other than Mikasa. She could be so terrifying Titans would quake before her.

Following the lead of its predecessor, Season 2 continued to build the intrigue.

Am I going to give examples? I want to, except it would be much more meaningful if you experience Season2 for yourself.

All I will say is, this season scratched the surface.

Series Negatives

There were serval issues with Season 2.

First, a common complaint I hear about the original series was that the second half wasn’t as strong as the first. I don’t disagree with that, but I accept why it was the case. Though it was less action-oriented, the later episodes of season one had a point.

There was a lot of world-building going on. New bits of information were given a chance to settle before they were expanded upon.

In Season 2, the story progressed as soon as it could. It got a tad overwhelming at points. This was a problem since Attack on Titan, thus far, sucks at giving reveals.

This series needs to get better at doing this because there is no way this story is done with revelations.

Final Thoughts

Season three has been announced for a 2018 release. If you haven’t, you best get caught up.

And why not? This installment was great — amazing action, fantastic animation, and a story that hooks you hard. Despite the problems I might have with this season, they pale in comparison to how fun this was to watch.

Attack on Titan Season 2 has earned a recommendation.

But these were just my thoughts. What are yours? Have you seen this series? How would you advise Attack on Titan Season 2? Leave a comment down below because I would love to hear what you have to say.

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