Chapter 91 Review:
Chapter 91 begins with a setting that contradicts what readers were expected. Instead of exploring more of what our heroes have been doing in that time-skip following the Battle for Shingashina, we now see a battle taking place in front of a fort where several Eldian soldiers were killed or severely injured in a charge against it. A young Eldian soldier is among them. His name is Falco, and he has an older brother named Colt who is in that same army. Falco lies on the ground with a large cut on the side of his forehead, and he reaches out to a hawk that is flying by; he encourages the hawk to fly far away.
The opening pages have some great symbolism going on. At the end of the last chapter, Eren was pointing toward the sea to indicate Marley's location: on the other side the ocean. It transitions quite well into what is going on: a conflict taking place on the other side of the ocean. It's also worth noting Falco reaches to the sky in a way that parallels Eren's pointing. Falco encourages the hawk to fly "somewhere far away," and for all we know, that hawk could be making tis way to Paradise Island where Eren and our heroes are. It gives the sense their world is connected: Eldians live on both Paradise and the mainland continent.
The hawk also symbolizes freedom due to its ability to fly wherever it wants. You know what else has wings associated with it? The Survey Corps. Their logo are bird wings, and they seek freedom from the Titans. Perhaps these opening pages could also be symbolic foreshadowing that Falco will join our heroes side later on?
Colt rushes to save Falco and brings him to a ditch where several more young Eldian soldiers, a Marleyan soldier, and a Marleyan captain are waiting. The young soldiers are named Gabi, Udo, and Zofia. The Marleyan soldier is unnamed, but the Marleyan captain is named Magath. Colt explains Magath the current situation. Meanwhile, because Falco is suffering from amnesia due to his head injuries, Gabi, Udo, and Zofia remind him the situation: the Marleyans have been at war for four years against another nation called the Mid-East Allied Forces, and they are currently fighting a battle to capture a Mid-East fort called Fort Slava. If they can capture the fort, they can easily defeat the Mid-East navy a short distance from there. Up to this point, Marley has lost half of its navy just to achieve control of the seas. Later dialogue between Magath and Colt also reveals that the war started after Marley lost the Colossal and Female Titan powers (moreso the former because the Female Titan has left the Marleyan army for a while), so the Mid-East Allied Forces wanted to take advantage of Marley's weakened state.
Well, this reveal is significant for two reasons:
- We get another time skip! This time, it's now been 3 years after Wall Maria was reclaimed. Not gonna lie, but now I look forward to seeing how our heroes look like after another time skip like this.
- It reveals why Marley didn't follow up with another attack on the Walls after they lost in the Battle for Shingashina. Considering the time frame between the conclusion of the Clash of the Titans+Uprising arc and the Return to Shingashina arc, you'd expect Marley would follow up with another attack just a short while after Wally Maria was reclaimed. Nope, turns out they had another enemy they needed to deal with in that time frame. Fighting two wars at once is costly after all.
Falco wonders why were some Eldian soldiers like him, Gabi, Udo, Zofia, and Colt sent to the frontline to capture Fort Slava. Gabi tells him the reason:
Captain Magath has decided this battle will be the final test for the current warriors in the warrior cadet program. Following it, the Marleyan army will determine who will be the next warrior.
So now we know what those Eldian soldiers are doing here, but oh man, what a surprise this was when reading it! We finally have our first glimpse how the warrior program is like, or at least a part of it. I was expecting the warrior program to be revealed via flashbacks from Reiner or Zeke (though it could still happen later at this point), but instead, our glimpse into the warrior program is told from a present-day setting.
Gabi also reveals this next warrior will be the one to succeed Reiner, the current holder of the Armored Titan power. Looks like Reiner's is almost up (yet from what we've seen of his current appearance, he doesn't look too aged) We also learn in some later dialogue between Colt and Magath that Colt is set to inherit the Beast Titan from Zeke (who also doesn't look too aged since his last appearance; in fact, he looks younger).
Gabi seems to be very determined in becoming the next warrior. Her dialogue stemming from that was really interesting:
What makes her dialogue interesting is that it shows us how brainwashed the Eldian warriors are. They really do think all the Walled Eldians are devils that deserved to be eradicated. Gabi seems to be so brainwashed into thinking this that she thinks if she can exterminate them, she will be able to free all of the mainland-continent Eldians from the ghettos, or the "good Eldians" in other words. If she becomes the next Armored Titan and appears in the final battle later on, one of our heroes will surely need to give her a smack talk to convince her that what she's been learning up until now is just brainwashed material from the Marleyans.
It's also worth noting that Gabi is a parallel to Eren in several ways. For one, both see their enemies as dehumanized materials of some sort (in Eren's case, before he learned about the truth in the basement), and they believe their enemies should be eradicated so that peace amongst their people can be achieved. Both characters are also willing to take risks, even if the situation looks dire. In Eren's case, this was best portrayed in the Battle of Trost where he was able to rally his group to attack the Titans. Here, in the coming pages, Gabi takes the risk of attacking the enemy railway to destroy a major weapon that could destroy the Marleyan's main weapon.
We learn that Gabi is building a dynamite, and the scene transitions into some dialogue between Colt and Magath. Colt tells him there is no way to attack the tracks behind the enemy machine gun, but they could destroy it if they use "Jaws" and "Cartman." As revealed later on, Colt is referring to two Titan Shifters: one with a double jaw, the other that is a quadruped. Remember the one Titan that was a quadruped in the last arc? Yep, the Mule Titan, and it showed high levels of intelligence compared to the Pure Titans. We learn that "Jaws" and "Cartman" are named Galliard and Pieck respectively. Know what this means?
The Mule Titan was indeed a Titan Shifter this whole time. No surprise IMO, but I'm glad we have official confirmation now.
Magath explains bringing forth "Jaws," "Cartman," the Armored Titan, and the Beast Titan wouldn't work at the moment, and it is especially the case when an armored train appears from the fort mounted with powerful machine guns. The shells these guns release are strong enough to blow through a Titan's nape and kill them instantly, even the Titan Shifters. If the Titan Shifter gets killed from it, the power of that Titan will be passed on to some random Eldian infant, and the Marleyans will have no way of finding that Titan power.
As the train starts to reach the trench location and the 800 Eldians in the Marley Army will launch a charge, Gabi comes forward and offers to do that entire task all be herself by using the single dynamite she created. Magath is skeptical at first, but Gabi eventually convinces him otherwise. She takes off her entire uniform and proceeds to walk toward the Mid-East machine gun hideout with the dynamite strapped to her ankle. Apparently, soldiers wearing plainclothes is a violation of international law, but only if the enemy soldiers that are alive see it. She falls to the ground in an attempt to feigning injury, but this gives her the chance to throw the dynamite onto the train tracks just as the armored train arrives. The dynamite explodes as the train makes contact, destroying the entire train in the process. The operation is a success! Magath orders Galliard to turn into a Titan and launch an attack. Mid-East soldiers start firing at Gabi as she attempts to flee, and Falco jumps out of the trench and runs toward her. Just as the barrage of guns are about to hit them both, Galliard saves them in the nick of time, and we have our glimpse at our newest Titan Shifter:
Galliard, the Jaw Titan!
Damn, Galliard's Titan looks really badass! When I first read this chapter, I speculated his Titan's special ability has to do with its bites. Titans already have some powerful jaws to tear through human flesh, but with the cog-like jaws, I had a feeling they allowed his Titan to have such a strong biting ability that it could bite through Reiner's Armor. Looks like my suspicions would be largely confirmed next chapter when we see more of the Jaw Titan in action.
As Galliard proceeds to destroy the Mid-East machine gun fort, the chapter ends.
Chapter 92 Review:
Compared to the last chapter, Chapter 92 is very action-heavy. Within this action, we have some memorable moments. It begins with a glimpse with what's going on from the top of the battle. It appears that a whole group of Eldians have been drugged with some kind of substance. Two other warriors are there as well:
It's Reiner and Zeke! Both look pretty great here. The light beard makes Reiner appear more mature and ready to take action. Zeke gets a haircut and a trimmed-up beard, and I must say, Zeke's redesign looks
far better compared to when we first saw him. That haircut does wonders!
Back on the ground, the Eldian warriors begin their charge, and Galliard proceeds to attack the train tracks. It is here we see the Jaw Titan in real action!
So it turns out the Jaw Titan has two sets of jaws. This allows it to tear apart even steel objects such as the train tracks. Looks like I was right about how it's power is related to having a very powerful bite, stronger than any other Titan we've seen in the series.
Just as Mid-East soldiers try to shoot down the Eldian warriors that were charging forward, another player intervenes!
Pieck the Mule Titan has arrived... mounted with mechanical armor and two machine guns on its back! THAT is just awesome!
Falco and Gabi make their way back to the trench as Pieck proceeds to kill the remaining Mid-East soldiers in that hideout. Falco brings one injured Mid-East soldier on the way. Gabi and the Marleyan soldier find it odd for Falco to bring an enemy over to them, but Falco could be thinking this might be his chance to be seen as a redeemable Eldian from the enemy's perspective. The way how Falco's face lights up in that one panel implies it. The Mid-East soldier manages to utter several words in some foreign language. Noticing that Udo reacted to it, Falco asks him to translate (looks like Udo knows how to speak that Mid-East language). It turns out the Mid-East soldier was saying, "Don't touch me. You'll corrupt me. Devils."
So Major Gross wasn't kidding when he said the entire world hates Eldians. The words coming out of the Mid-East's soldiers mouth confirm it. Later dialogue from the Mid-East soldiers also add to this confirmation when they call Reiner and Galliard as descendants to Ymir Fritz, who is labelled in a pretty vulgar term.
Another attention to detail I really liked was Udo's reaction when he first heard the Mid-East soldier's words.
Look at how horrified Udo is when he hears that soldier speak. That shows just how vulgar those words are, and for a young Eldian like him, no wonder it would rattle his mind.
With the armored train, its track, and the Mid-East machine gun hideout destroyed, the Marleyans proceed to use their airborne unit to take care of the rest. As the Eldian warriors and Galliard retreat to the trenches, the drugged Eldians are dropped off the plane.
The way they appear reminds you of Pure Titans, don't you think?
As each of those Eldians are parachuted off the plane, Zeke proceeds to let out a scream. Why the scream? Because this:
Yep, the big reveal: Zeke can turn Eldians into Titans just by screaming! However, in order for this to work, the Eldians need to be drugged by some kind of substance first. This reveal confirms how Zeke managed to turn everyone in Connie's village into Titans in the Clash of the Titans arc (which we are now seeing in the anime). The only question that emerges from this: how did Zeke manage to drug all the inhabitants of Connie's village before turning them into Titans? He couldn't have drugged them individually. Maybe, he released the drug as a pathogen? That's the only way I can see how he managed to do it back then.
It also confirms that this is how Zeke managed to create that large army of Pure Titans in the last arc. Remember that large line of explosions in the distance when Zeke and those Titans appeared. Looks like that scream made it possible! However, considering this happened beyond Wall Maria, I have a feeling the Eldians in that situation were transported to the island to be turned into Titans the same way those Eldians are treated here.
And the look on the warriors' faces as they watch the transformation unfold is heartbreaking. Gabi in particular looks quite heartbroken watching those Eldians turn into Titans. Even Udo and Falco look distraught.
The massive hoard of newly-created Titans rain down on Fort Slava. The majority of the Eldian soldiers are either killed from the moment the Titans crash onto the fort or the surviving Titans devour some of the soldiers (sixty percent of those Pure Titans died upon impact due to the high altitude). Watching this unfold, I couldn't help but think the Walled Eldians are going to be in for quite a heated final battle if the Marleyans implement that same strategy agains them (though I wonder why didn't they do it earlier back when they attacked Wall Maria the first time).
As we watch the Titans kill the Mid-East soldiers within the fort, it becomes clear that Marley treats Eldians as tools for war and nothing else. Even that one Marleyan soldier comments that they are used only for the frontline while the other Marleyan soldiers just stay behind. Later on, that same soldier even comments how Eldians used Pure Titans against the Marleyans just like what Marley is doing right now.
Reiner begins his descent, assessing the number of Anti-Titan artilleries remaining. He notes the walls around the fort, and he has a flashback to his time in the military with Eren and the others. Before transforming in mid-air, Reiner states, "I've had enough of walls." You can tell the sight of walls reminds me of his time when he lived on Paradise Island, and Reiner seems to be fed up with them after all the trouble he's been through.
Together with Galliard, Reiner kills the remaining Mid-East soldiers within Fort Slava. Zeke then makes his descent. His words as he makes his descent only add to the interesting dynamics of his character. He states, "Isn't war a terrible thing?" It puts Zeke in a more human light. He was dragged into war in the first place because of his father forcing him to join the Warrior Program. No wonder he doesn't like war, and he only goes through with it because it's necessary (and the brainwashing from the Marleyans only ensure he will do what is needed).
Zeke proceeds to throw a barrage of shells at the Mid-East Navy at the nearby shore. He manages to destroy the fleet, but right before destruction, the fleet fire some Anti-Titan shells at him, but Reiner comes to the rescue and takes the blunt of the attack. Reiner was most certainly Zeke's "shield" just like the plan said so. With the destruction of their navy, the Mid-East Allied Forces surrender to Marley, and the 4-year war between the two nations come to a close. The chapter ends with a narration, noting that it became clear Marley can't just rule with the Titan powers they currently have. They need the Founding Titan's power more than ever if they want to win the war.
Wow, what a chapter! It was interesting watching the concluding events of this war. We got to see how powerful those Titan shifters can be, and we see just how advanced Marleyan technology is compared to the Walled Eldians. These two chapters also show how the Marleyans need the Founding Titan more than ever if they want to remain a superpower, because their power is declining. The Walled Eldians are in for one epic final battle, and we can only wonder if they have made any improvements in their military technology in any capacity to prepare for what's to come.
I also liked Gabi's characterization over the course of these two chapters. Gabi is a parallel to Eren from her risky behavior to the way she views her enemy. She seemed quite confident and ready-for-anything when she destroyed the armored train, but then we see how distraught she can be when watching the mass amounts of Eldians transform into Pure Titans just to be used as weapons, as well as watching Reiner struggle in the battle to the point he appears incapicated from that final shell blast at the end of the chapter. The confident and horrified aspects to what we've seen of her put her in a human light.
It's also clear Gabi or Falco will become the next Armored Titan due to the focus they received in the past two chapters. Either one will make for some interesting interactions with Eren once they fight with him in the final battle.
I also have a feeling Reiner has survived that blast
because of his plot armor, but he will be eaten very soon to make way for the next warrior.
I predict next chapter will examine more of the conclusion of the Mid-East Allied Forces vs Marley war, and then there will be a transition to what's been going within the walls to give readers a glimpse at how our heroes have been preparing for the war these past few years.