Attack On Titan Season 4 Episode 1 Summary

Okay, let's talk about Attack on Titan Season 4 Episode 1. "The Other Side of the Sea." It's a mouthful, right?

Forget everything you thought you knew. This ain't your grandma's titan-slaying anymore.

War? What is it Good For? Absolutely Everything Apparently

This episode throws us straight into… war. Not walls, not titans INSIDE walls, but proper, gritty, gunpowder-and-mud warfare.

We're introduced to a whole new set of characters. These aren't the clean-cut Survey Corps recruits. These guys are seasoned warriors, covered in grime, just trying to survive.

Honestly, for a first episode, it's pretty jarring. You kind of miss Eren screaming about freedom.

Gabi: The Little Ball of Fury

Let's talk about Gabi. Oh boy, Gabi. She's the star of the show, in this episode at least.

She is determined to prove herself. And she's not afraid to get her hands dirty. Seriously, this girl is intense!

Unpopular opinion: Gabi is kind of annoying. I get it, war is bad, indoctrination is worse, but chill out, kid.

She's got the whole "I'm going to save the world and prove my worth" thing down pat. We've seen it before.

The Marleyan Military: Not Exactly Competent?

The Marleyan military strategy seems… questionable. Like, sending kids into the front lines questionable.

Also, relying solely on titans against modern weaponry? Seems a little outdated, doesn't it?

Maybe that's the point. Maybe Marley is overconfident. Either way, things aren't looking great for them.

"Give your heart!"... to a decent military strategy, maybe?

Falco: The Gentle Giant (Sort Of)

Then there's Falco. He's like the anti-Gabi. Kind, thoughtful, and clearly traumatized.

He cares about Gabi. He wants to protect her. Bless his heart.

I'm calling it now: Falco is going to have a major character arc. He's too nice to stay this way in this story.

Titans as Weapons: A Morbid Reality

Seeing titans used as weapons is disturbing. Like, really disturbing.

They're just tools of war now. It's a far cry from the existential dread of season one. Now it's calculated destruction.

Poor Reiner. He looks so tired. War does that to you, I guess.

It hits you hard that Reiner is just a kid, just like Eren. He is forced to do terrible things. Are we supposed to hate him? Sympathize with him?

The Ending: Where's Eren?

The episode ends with a victory for Marley. But at what cost?

And where's Eren? That's the question on everyone's mind, right? Is he pulling the strings? Is he a changed man?

Season 4 is definitely a departure from what we're used to. It's darker, grittier, and more politically charged. It is definitely not boring.

Unpopular opinion, part two: I kind of liked it. The change of pace is refreshing. Bring on the moral ambiguity!

It's going to be a wild ride. Buckle up!