Attack On Titan Season 3 Episode 12 Recap – Night of the Battle to Retake the Wall

Preparations

As Levi receives the titan serum, one more thing has been added to help shape the fate of humanity. However, studying or replicating it seems to be futile, as it evaporates when exposed to air and is sourced from a creature’s bodily fluids. Its creation seems too advanced for them right now. The military leadership ponders on who should take care of it, and lands on Levi. Erwin entrusts him to make the decision on when and to whom it should be used on.

Erwin learns from Hange that Grisha was supposedly from outside the walls like Reiner and the others. Unlike the soldiers, Grisha seems to be tolerant and even fond of life inside the walls. He sought out the royal family out by his own accord and revealed to Eren in his dying moments to find the secrets in their basement. After the wiping of memories from the Reiss family, this seems to be their only lead.

Erwin is eager to move, so he prepares his men to plan for the upcoming operation in two days to find the basement. Levi comments that this plan seems quite hasty and warns the Commander that he might not survive long if he joins the operation after losing his other arm. He urges him to let Hange lead instead, but Erwin’s memories of his father and his curiosity can’t stop him from joining. The chain of command remains and Hange still is still next in line. As this operation will help humanity immensely, he’s willing to become bait.

Curiosity

Levi argues that losing him in this gamble would be such a huge blow for humanity that they wouldn’t make it if they fail and he perishes. Still, Erwin can’t pass up the opportunity to learn the world’s secrets for himself, even if it means humanity’s downfall. After hearing this, Levi stands down.

The Scout Regiment enjoys a dinner of steak the night before the operation. Everyone starts bickering about their portions and they had to tie Sasha up to so she doesn’t hog all of the food. Connie remembers that only four months had passed since Sasha stole a piece from the officer’s storeroom and the Colossal Titan attacked.

Marlo pleads his case to join the vanguard, but Jean warns he isn’t experienced yet. He has to join the rear if he doesn’t want to die like the suicidal maniac that is Eren. Eren argues that he’s just a normal person who makes Jean look like a coward. The two get into a fistfight with everyone watching, until Levi puts and end to it.

Eren complains to his friends about not stopping the fight, but Armin argues he has regenerative powers. They all sit outside, and Eren encourages his friends to stick together so that they can fight their enemies till the end.

Advance

The three see a soldier pass by who looked like Hannes, and wonder if things will come back as they were once they retake Wall Maria. Armin remembers their dream of exploring the sea and all the wondrous lands outside of the walls. He invites Eren to see it once everything boils over.

The next day, the scouts prepare to take back Wall Maria with the citizens cheering them on to reclaim their land. The scouts have never had a warm send out like this. Erwin raises his hand and cheers with them as he declares the start of the operation.

The scouts advance to the fields with all their numbers and determination.

On the other side, Reiner and Bertholdt lie in wait.

Our Thoughts

Finally, we get to the basement! Hoping for another thrill-ride of an arc. Rating: 3.8/5.