Episode 3 was a massive step towards explaining the events of the first season, taking us back to that dreadful afternoon when the Colossal Titan broke Wall Maria, but this time, with a different perspective.
The day marked the beginning of a journey, both for Reiner and Eren, trying to save their own versions of ‘humanity.’ Episode 3 filled us with many answers that we have been craving for years, and the next episode titled “From Hand to Hand” is going to be far more intense.
We bring you everything that you need to know before you sit down to watch Episode 4.
1. Episode 4 Preview and Speculations
The preview video reveals that Supreme Commander Magath joins hands with the Tybur family and readies his squad to reveal the truth.
We also get to see a glimpse of an ongoing festival, where Falco is trying to direct Reiner somewhere. The video also teases that Reiner is heading towards an unimaginable reunion in Episode 4.
I. The Truth
The “truth” referred to in the preview video most likely means the truth behind the history of Eldia and the formation of Paradis Island.
History is always written by the winners, and the world in which the anime is set is no different. To understand the truth, we must know the lies fed by the Marleyan government to its citizens.
According to Marley’s version of ‘History,’ Eldians gained control over Marley with their Titan powers and tortured the Marleyans.
Soon, internal conflicts started in the Eldian empire leading to the Great Titan War. The Eight Great Houses were tied in a never-ending circle of betrayal and conspiracy.
Marley took advantage of this civil war, and defeated the Eldians. The Eldian King was forced to retreat to Paradis Island, where he formed his own empire of demons, waiting for an opportunity to strike back and reclaim Marley.
However, Mr. Tybur is determined to reveal the truth, which has been hidden from the citizens for centuries. Since the Tybur family has inherited not only the power of the War Hammer Titan, but also its memories, passed on from one successor to another.
Thereby, Mr. Tybur’s version of ‘History’ is much more believable, considering that he is not lying.
II. The Unimaginable Reunion
Coming to the “festival” and “reunion” part, the festival may be held to declare war against Paradis Island. This festival can become the perfect platform for the Tybur family to reveal the truth I talked about.
Let’s just admit that we all know that the injured man shown in the ending of Episode 3 is none but the protagonist, Eren Yaeger. Even an anime-only fan can recognize Eren after having a close look at his sea-green eyes.
Eren’s inspiring speech to Falco will motivate him to try harder to protect Gabi from the curse of becoming a Titan. It is expected that as pay-back to this emotional support, Falco will take Reiner to Eren.
2. Episode 4 Release Date
Episode 4 of the Attack on Titan anime, titled “From Hand to Hand”, has been released on Sunday, Dec 27, 2020.
I. Is Attack on Titan on Break This Week?
Attack on Titan is the most anticipated franchise of the season, and although its official release schedule has not been revealed yet, new episodes are expected to premiere every Sunday.
No official announcement regarding a delay in the airing of the next episode of Attack on Titan has been released.
3. Episode 3 Recap
Episode 3 was filled with flashbacks from Reiner’s past and was explanatory in nature. Here, I have broken down the episode into different sub-parts, explaining everything that u need to know.
I. Reiner’s Untold Back Story
Reiner’s father was a Marleyan, who left his family after discovering that his wife is an Eldian.
As a child, Reiner dreamt of becoming a Marleyan warrior so that his father returns, and thereby gifting his mother a family that she lost.
Although Reiner wasn’t the strongest, bravest, or the wisest, his loyalty towards Marley was unquestionable. He was chosen as the successor of the Armored Titan instead of Porco, another deserving candidate from his batch.
Even after being chosen as a Marleyan warrior, his father refused to acknowledge him, which shattered all his dreams instantly. Later, he was sent to Paradis island for recovering the ‘Founding Titan.’
II. Operation Paradis Island- 9 Years Ago
Nine years ago, four titan shifters from Marley were sent to the Paradis island to infiltrate it. On their way to Wall Maria, Reiner was attacked by a titan.
Marcel, the wielder of the Jawed Titan, sacrifices himself to save Reiner. In his last words, Marcel reveals that he was just trying to protect his brother from the horrors of war.
Bertolt and Annie also survive the sudden titan attack. Since the team lost its leader, Annie proposes to go back to Marley, followed by beating Reiner brutally for his cowardly act.
Reiner persuades them that recovering the ‘Founding titan’ is their only way to stay alive. He decides to take full responsibility for this operation and lead the team.
Then we get to see flashbacks from the day when Bertolt turned into the Colossal Titan and appeared before Wall Maria as a ‘God of Destruction.’ Their main motive was to lure the ‘Founding Titan’ out and capture it.
III. Annie’s Dark Past
Annie Leonhart is still one of the most popular characters. Yes, I could have included this with Reiner’s past, but considering the number of years the fans have been waiting to know about her past, that would have been an injustice towards the fans and the character.
Unlike Reiner, who was driven by the lies that the Marley government fed him, Annie was more realistic, having her own opinions.
Judging from the way she killed that grasshopper, and from the way she beat down Reiner without any mercy, it is evident that she held a heavy grudge towards this cursed world.
She even admitted that she hates Eldians and Marleyans equally because both of them lie, and she is only playing along to survive in this wretched world.
After infiltrating Paradis, Annie investigates Kenny the Ripper, hoping that he will lead her to the Eldian King. However, Kenny catches her red-handed, and she narrowly escapes.
She may seem like a cold-blooded soldier with a stone heart, but she was the only infiltrator who looked beyond this war and befriended her Eldian comrades.
She even suggested Reiner to abort this mission so that no more lives are endangered. The rest of the story, you already know if you have watched Season 1.
4. Episode 3 Highlights
Reiner is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and the memories from his past still haunt him. We get to see flashbacks from his past.
He even attempts to kill himself but stops at the final moment with the hope of saving future generations from the trauma he went through.
Reiner’s mission was a complete failure. Instead of reclaiming the ‘Founding Titan,’ they lost the Colossal Titan and the Female Titan.
He blames himself for the horrible destiny that awaits Gabi, so he decided to go back to Paradis island and compensate for his failed mission.
The injured soldier, whom we saw in the last episode, meets Falco and motivates him to keep trying for the choices he made. Then we see his eyes, and the fans realize that Eren has already come undercover to Marley.
5. About Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. Kodansha publishes it in the Bessatsu Shonen Magazine.
The manga began serialization on September 9, 2009, and continues to date with 30 tankōbom formats.
Attack on Titan follows humanity settled within three concentric walls to protect themselves from the terrifying titans that prey on them.
Eren Yeager is a young boy that believes that a caged life is similar to that of cattle and aspires to go beyond the walls one day, just like his heroes, the Survey Corps. The emergence of a deadly Titan unleashes chaos.
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