• Having seen a little ahead, I think Reiner and Bertholt are simply carrying out the orders of some unseen figure. Maybe something or someone that turned them into hybrids and forced them against humanity. There's something in their hometown. As a result, they might need to show Eren and Ymir to convince them to join the titans. Who knows! The second is doing such a good with suspense and pacing in general

    Though I really love the little hints that we're getting on the internal divisions of humanity. Pixis is just such a great character and I'm curious to see how the anime further develops this thread.

  • So far, I'm not fully convinced that Ymir is telling the truth about why she joined the survey corps. For some reason, she tracked down Christa and wants to protect her from something (the other human-titan hybrids?). And how did she become a titan herself? So many questions, so few answers

    With Christa, too I'm really enjoying how the anime just giving us these brief glimpses into the mysteries of who these characters really are without letting us fully understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. The pacing and suspense this season have been so good!

  • The pastor's silence is definitely that really intrigues me because I have no idea what could be more important than humanity's continued survival, but there seems to be humans actively working with the titans for some reason and it might have to do with that mystery

    I enjoyed learning more about Sasha's backstory if only to better understand why she acts in the way she does and why she joined the survey corps even if that meant almost certain death.

    This episode is full of so many unanswered questions! There's a part of me that wants to say that the smaller titan was either thrown by the beast titan or maybe even might be one of the members of the village who was somehow transformed into a titan. Who knows at this point!

  • Sounds good! Yeah, sorry I haven't been to contribute much to the discussions aside from the prompts. These past few weeks have been pretty intense work wise, but I should have more time next week

  • @Kakarot307 Would you want me to go ahead and start off the discussion for the second season tomorrow or hold off for a few days to give people a break and then jump back on Monday?

  • I really like how how Armin is becoming a more capable, stronger character as the series goes on! He's a really cool contrast with Eren's stubborn determination and Mikasa's raw skill.

    I also was struck by Jean's breakdown after he realized his choices caused the deaths of even more recruits. The show does such a good job revealing exploring the trauma that's left on the survivors in such a profound way!

    And uh oh... seems like Eren might be in a little bit of bind now that he's linked with the titans somehow...

  • Yeah! I really like how the anime shows how, in spite of being threatened with complete annihilation by the titans, many of the human characters still remain fundamentally ambiguous in their motives. They still kill and steal for their own gain and use the chaos as an opportunity to exploit others rather than unite together.

    This is a cool contrast with Eren and the others in the recruits so I'm curious to see how the theme of fellow humans as the true monsters develop over the next couple episodes.

  • Yeah! I was definitely happy to have a little bit of a lapse in the intensity after the constant slaughter of the first couple episodes. I also really like this episode because we get to see little glimpses of how each character might react when they actually head into battle

  • Go for it! I can take the third days

  • Sure! I wouldn't mind watching the first season again to get back up to speed for the second. I'd also be able to help with the discussion

  • BUT WHY WOULD YOU CALL THE SHOW 'Masamune's revenge' IF THERE'S NO REVENGE IT MAKES NO SENSE.

  • Awwww man, this was exactly what I didn't want. There were a few touching moments there, but I'm so confused with the karaoke scene and the continued rivalry of Aki and Commando. Are they still competing over Makabe? Well, maybe Makabe will get his revenge later on OH LOOK A CLASS TRIP TO PARIS WHAT A NICE SEGWAY INTO A SECOND SEASON. AHAHAHA WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO US?!? This is too much for me

  • GAHHHH NOOOOOO

  • hahaha reading through these posts are making me cry I'm laughing so much. I have no idea where this show is going anymore. On the bright side, I'm learning new cliches that I had no idea existed. However, if Masamune doesn't take revenge, I think I'm going to take my computer and throw it out a nearby window.

  • Hahaha well that actually would be pretty cool - having to realize that Masamune's revenge is when he gets dumped and not vice-versa.

    Though, I was a bit confused with this episode to tell the truth. While I know that Commando wanted to feel love and heartbreak before her condition possibly got worse, I thought her explanation to Masabe was a bit of a cop out. Experiencing love is something spontaneous and unexpected and can never be forced. In faking her love for Masabe, was what she felt was just false love and false heartbreak, not what she truly sought?

    I also agree with @Kakarot307's point in that I think part of the problem the series itself is confused about it wants to be. The anime keeps switching between being a typical rom com and a parody of typical rom com cliches.

  • Hahaha yeah I definitely agree. I thought this episode relied a bit too much on cliches (woohoo!! Beach scenes!!) and didn't really deepen Aki and Masabe's relationship.

    I'd also love to get to know the other characters better, but something tells me that's not gonna happen...

  • I'm still on the fence about Fujinomiya. I get the sense from the intro we might see another character who looks like Masabe show up soon

  • Haha yeah definitely! I'm curious to see how this new character plays into Masabe and Aki's relationship. Also I loved the scene where Masabe gave Aki his umbrella and ran off laughing hysterically. That shojo line was so hilariously bad.

  • I thought the last couple scenes were pretty cool to see how Masabe-kun, in spite of wanting revenge, ends up protecting Aki and stopping her from embarrassing herself. I love how each of their characters are becoming more complex over time as they both get to know each other better.

    I wonder, though, does Masabe still really want revenge? Or is he starting to care for Aki?

  • It’s weird, I think Masabe-kun is a complete prick, but I can also relate a bit with his sense of anger for being ridiculed or rejected by someone who he thought was genuinely his friend. Though I'm curious to how Masabe-kun changes over the series given I really believe he’s a sweet guy at heart, but has learned to be such a manipulative narcissist.

    One of my favorite parts of the anime is definitely the music! For some reason, I think the music adds a layer of exaggerated drama that works well with some of the more ridiculous parts of the plot (Yoshino trapping Masamune with the rope...)

    Though I wonder if the show's going to get even more over the top or stay more conventional.

  • @Kakarot307 do you want to post after @linneao or would like me to go second? I'm good with either :D

  • Sure! I'm all free after this weekend! I'm not sure about the time though. I'm tempted to just say post when works well for you or makes sense depending on your time zone.

  • Sounds good! Do you want to trade off each post? We could set up a little rotation depending on everyone's schedule

  • No Game No Life

  • Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun