These 3 words are the only way I could describe this entire first episode. Cinematography, Animation, Art-style, Music, Voice Acting, Creativity, Horror, Writing and Story-telling is mind-blowing with this one.
Attack On Titan is without a doubt one of the greatest shows ever created, and this episode right here is without a doubt the best in the series. There is so much stuff to talk about regarding every character's decisions, philosophies and developments that it would take you whole essays to fully uncover the layers. The dreadful atmosphere and tone where everything feels like it's going to end very badly for the characters we love and the innocents, is made up for those last 10 staggeringly emotional minutes of the episode. It contrasts the first ever episode of Attack On Titan perfectly, where it feels like Humanity has no chance.
Hell, it still feels like it has very little chance for survival even after the end of this episode, but there is still hope. This type of stuff is the best thing about Attack On Titan: This piece of art constantly offers you intriguing details about carefully cratfed characters and a world with a history, both of whom invoke a rare feel of realism that you rarely get from animated movies or shows, and sometimes even live-action stuff. It grabs the audience by the throat, throws them in the literal definition of "Hopelessness" and still finds a way to unexpectedly comfort you in the end.
There has been no show that felt like it matured the same way this show has, along with its' audience.
There has been no show that forced the Audience out of their comfort zone the same way this show has.
Attack on Titan, itself, is an experience, and this episode furhter confirms that. Regardless if the ending will satisfy me or not, I will never forget about the positive impact it had on me and many other consumers of art. Shinzo wo Sasageyo!
(I know of the mixed reception the manga ending got, I have not read it, but let's see how the anime takes it, shall we? Let's hope for the best!)
