Attack on Titan got me back into anime in 2020. I remember binging the show off the recommendation of my younger brother (who doesn't watch anime anymore) in the leadup to season 4, and the entire story intrigued me. And by the time season 4 did finish airing, i went straight to read the entire manga, up to this exact point in the story, so i was there first hand seeing all the talk when that final chapter did release in June 2021. Was i worried that 'The Battle of Heaven and Earth' would not live up to expectations? Yeah of course.
But I was proven wrong.
I will not include any spoilers for anyone who is anime-only.
Its a well-done adaptation of the final chapters of Isayama's manga. From the action, to the serious moments, to the moments and scenes that you remember the most, all were well thought out and executed to their best.
A personal expectation for me was if they could get 'The Cliff' scene right, and it was executed to perfection. From the black and white colours, to the cries of the baby isolated in a life and death situation, all merged into a scene that made me shed a tear. I felt the hopelessness that was exerted in that moment.
The pacing is well-done as well. It doesn't feel like things were being rushed, but it was at that pace where you felt like the characters, where they are running out of time. Even when it cuts to the flashbacks and scenes away from the battle, they come at precise moments where it doesnt detract from the moment.
Its MAPPA, what else did you expect from the animation.
Even the CGI felt smooth. All the jankiness feen in the earlier parts of season 4 are gone, and it doesn't take you away from the experience.
It makes me wonder, with how good Toei's CG was for the Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk movies in 2022, and the CG in the latter half of AOT Season 4, is CGI now at a point where the top anime studios can use it to good use?? That's a question to be answered another time.
There were only a few moments where the faces looked off, but it may be a result of the angles of the scene/ being a faithful adaptation of the manga, But those are few and far between from a stunning 1hr 25mins.
Its what you expect from this cast of talented VA's, so its perfect.
All the characters are perfect as well. Some may have issue's with Eren's character in this episode (IYKYK), but that doesnt detract from the overall product, and for me, doesnt ruin this ending at all.
Dragon Ball, Berserk, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Slam Dunk. All these greats are what made anime and manga what it is today, with a legacy that will last the test of time. And i can now say, we can add Shingeki no Kyojin to this list and now say we will look fondly on this series, as a time where we witnessed one of the greatest stories ever told, in real time.
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