#aot139spoiler #aot139spoilers #AttackOnTitan #aot139 #aotchapter139 #aotspoilers

My very mixed thoughts on AoT chapter 139 below. Please mute now or forever hold your peace.

I've read through every version of the updated translation of the chapter and as such my thoughts and feelings have changed a few times over so I'm just going to go through the chapter again and note down my thoughts for each panel.

#aot139spoilers First off, I really like how Eren and Armin's conversation shows them throughout their various life stages since ultimately this all began when they were kids.

#aot139spoilers I suspected that Eren did this all for the sake of Armin and Mikasa achieving their own freedom so I'm ok with this reveal even though it feels a bit naive to bank on the idea that those who survived the rumbling will look upon Eldians who fought him positively.

#aot139spoilers Itmakes sense that Eren is essentially just trying to buy everyone time for their views to change since time was the major factor that drove his plans. I'm also glad that they include the detail of Armin constantly being horrified by Eren's actions.

#aot139spoilers This is the first of many instances of Eren being too vague for my liking in crucial moments when I would really want him to just come out and give an answer.

#aot139spoilers I really like how Eren and Armin got to see all the magnificent sights they wanted to see beyond the wall as kids. I also love how Armin's wonder towards the world is always shown to be so inspiring to characters like Eren (and Levi previously).

#aot139spoilers At first I was confused by Ymir being inspired by Mikasa but I think it makes a lot of sense for them to have a connection since both of them had somewhat toxic connections to the person they loved the most who gave them meaning in life.

#aot139spoilers It makes sense that after Mikasa killed the person she loved the most for the sake of the world, Ymir was able to relinquish the curse of the Titans and her connection to King Fritz for the sake of the world too. Would've liked it to be developed a bit more tho.

#aot139spoilers This is where things start getting weird for me. It feels like we're in this weird twilight zone where everything was predetermined by Ymir and Paths...but Eren was also able to choose to go down that path? I'm getting mixed messages here.

#aot139spoilers Ok I get what Isayama was trying to do here but the way this was executed was bad. I hate this inclusion as a way to try to show Eren was so far gone that he drove Dina to kill his own mom. Needed a lot more than a single page to try to accomplish this. Big miss.

#aot139spoilers I like the candidness of this conversation and I think it's cool to highlight the humanity that Eren had to cover up for so long but I wish the previous conversation felt more in line with hardcore Eren so I could appreciate the contrast more.

#aot139spoilers This is the panel that's going to be the big taking point for many and I honestly get both sides of this. It feels both out of place for Eren to suddenly show such pathetic honest feelings for Mikasa but it also makes sense that he always had that vulnerable side.

#aot139spoilers As I said above, I could get behind this display of vulnerable humanity if the previous part of the conversation showed Eren being more steadfast and certain in his decisions and actions instead of being kind of vague and noncommittal.

#aot139spoilers I'm still honestly perplexed by this. Eren saying how even if he didn't know they'd win he still wanted to destroy most of the world? What?

#aot139spoilers Now we get to one of the crux of my issues. I get that this is trying to imply that Eren was never truly free and was always a slave to his idea of freedom but at this point I think we needed him to realize it and say it outright since it's so an important.

#aot139spoilers I like the idea of this but I think the execution needed to be a lot stronger for what should the most important moment for Eren. This needed to have the certainty and strength of a "I did it because I liked it." moment but it wasn't and ultimately fell short.

#aot139spoilers This was just stupid. Armin, the guy who was always against genocide, WHO JUST SHOWED HORROR AT EREN REVEALING HE ELIMINATED 80% OF THE WORLD, thanking Eren for genociding the world for them? He literally punched him for hurting Mikasa but thanked him for this.

#aot139spoilers This is ultimately the message Isayama wanted AoT to communicate. Endless war and hatred won't change the world but discussion and enthusiasm to learn about others are the only way to truly break through walls and connect with others. Iffy execution but I get it.

#aot139spoilers More credit where credit is due, this is a fantastic transition using classic symbolic imagery

#aot139spoilers Despite some previous gripes with the chapter this was sad to see. While trying to give Armin and Mikasa a future, Eren never considered that all they wanted was to live life with him and now they'll never get that opportunity. Sad to see.

#aot139spoilers I think despite the iffy execution and somewhat questionable epilogue stuff, its important to remember that Eren accomplished his original goal of eliminating the Titans of the world which leads to some awesome panels.

#aot139spoilers I guess Eren left memories with everyone? Wish we could've seen more of what he left with them. Also glad the updated translations don't have Reiner going "Eren what a man" cause he has enough cringe this chapter.

#aot139spoilers Now we get to the best part of the chapter and the best character conclusion in the series. Levi dedicated his heart to carrying on the dreams of his fallen comrades and after seeing their goals through to fruition he's finally granted peace. Absolutely beautiful.

#aot139spoilers I also really love this send off between Jean, Connie, and Sasha. I think the most grounded, least ambitious characters received the best treatment this chapter which is kind of bittersweet but I appreciate the emotional closure on display.

#aot139spoilers I like this as closure for the trio with Mikasa moving on to grant Eren peace while Armin moves forward for the sake of the world. Really like those last shots of Mikasa saying goodbye to Armin.

#aot139spoilers I was never invested in this side conflict but I get why it needs to happen to reconcile everything and show that the Eldians are normal now and Armin is taking credit for his death. Ok moving on.

#aot139spoilers This whole section was frustrating. I'm guessing the point is to illustrate that Eren's efforts were ultimately useless because even with 80% of the world wiped out, war and hatred will always exist but it's executed so weirdly that I'm like ????

#aot139spoilers I like that the crew is together as ambassadors of peace and the banter is funny but come on Reiner, you weird fuck.

#aot139spoilers Armin's optimism towards peace is what I think Isayama really wants to portray but the message feels muddled because of how everything has been presented up until now. Also where the fuck is Yelena?

Also also Armin looking like a snack. Good glow up.

#aot139spoilers At first I though Mikasa was just constantly grieving at Eren's grave and not moving forward but it makes more sense that she's visiting cause everyone is coming to Paradis so this makes it more touching of a send off.

#aot139spoilers Reminder to everyone that Eren isn't LITERALLY the bird, it's just a reminder that Mikasa has her freedom and can move forward in this world while still remembering Eren's impact on her life. Good last page that brings it together well.

#aot139spoilers So after ALL OF THAT SPAM, I think this is a VERY mixed chapter. There are good ideas that were executed well, bad ideas that shouldn't have been included at all, but mostly good ideas with iffy execution that needed more time to be expanded on.

#aot139spoilers The ending is ultimately a mix of the good and the bad but doesn't ruin the overall experience for me. I respect how ambitious the overall story is and even though the ending didn't completely stick the landing, I understood the intention behind those ideas.

#aot139spoilers I also have to say that even though I'm really torn on how Eren's character was handled and concluded, will have to really sit on it, I think Levi's character arc was handled perfectly and was given a truly great send off which I will always appreciate and enjoy.

#aot139spoilers I'm excited to see what everyone thinks of the ending and I hope we can all remain respectful towards those with different opinions.

Also sorry for so many tweets I really didn't anticipate to react panel for panel but WE JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD.