Attack on Titan 3 Part 2 is a lot like the penultimate book in a long running fiction series. The plot threads that have been spun along since the very beginning finally begin to come together to form a coherent end game, however, there's still another entire book's worth of stuff to get through.

By this point in the story, characters are layered with so much context that entire conversations can be call-backs to earlier events. Attack on Titan has a knack for using this the just the right amount - except for Armin and wanting to see the sea, they must say that at least ten times in these 10 episodes.

I think the best part of Attack on Titan is Eren's character development. Starting as a typical shounen-esque protagonist with a chip on his shoulder - and a lot of anger - he's mellowed out, similar to Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games (though not nearly to that extreme). Self-doubt, mortality, and desperation have replaced the naive bravado, and it makes Eren a much, much, more sympathetic character than before.

The same cannot be said of the other characters, namely Mikasa. She's the killing machine girl who only displays emotion about Eren and Armin. That's what she was 50 episodes and seven years ago, and I reckon that's what she'll be for the rest of the series. Even her male equivalent in Levi has some development, as dour as it is. There is still time for her to become multi-dimensional, but that hasn't happened yet.

One thing that the series has somewhat lost since its early seasons is the sense of fear. The main cast seem plot-armored, even the supporting cast is largely immune to death. A severe departure from the "Anyone can die at any time" mentality that occurred before. I understand why. This late in the series, developing new characters would be seen as boring and unnecessary, and no one would care about them because they're probably an episode or chapter away from death anyway. Better to focus on reinforcing existing characters than throw it all away for one "shocking" moment.

As usual, the action scenes are incredible. Characters trapeze around slicing copious amounts of blood from giant caricatures of the human form. Familiar, yet always exciting. I also enjoyed the opening credits - though in hindsight, it kind of spoils the entire arc doesn't it?

In summary, Attack on Titan 3 Part 2 made me eager to watch the eventual conclusion to the story, which I can't imagine is too far away, narrative-wise, at least. Maybe they'll take another three years to make another season? Who knows.