Attack on Titan - Chapter 80: The Unknown Soldiers Review

WARNING: Spoilers for Chapter 80, "The Unknown Soldiers", of the Attack on Titan manga. Major spoilers for beyond the first season of the anime. I’m talking MAJOR spoilers.

While anime-only fans of the Attack on Titan series are still debating on the identities of the Colossal and Armored Titans, the origin of the titans, and many other long-solved mysteries, fans of the manga are in a completely different world. With the basement in our sights, we’re moving towards what looks to be the final story arcs. The epic battle of the Survey Corps versus the Titan Shifters is well on its way, and things are looking very, very bad for our heroes.

The chapter opens with Levi and Erwin, noticing Titan Eren knocked out on the wall. They correctly assume Berthold launched him there. Squad Jean/Armin, though shaken, quickly form a plan to shoot Berthold with the thunder spears. Jean, Sasha, and Connie move to distract Berthold, while Mikasa launches the spears from behind. Armin, still on the sidelines, watches to figure out a strategy. The plan fails quickly as Berthold deflects them with a blast of steam. Connie injures his throat by inhaling it, and Mikasa is hit by thunder spear shrapnel. Don’t worry, she’s okay. I wouldn’t say Connie is okay, but he’s going to live, and I’m pretty sure he can keep fighting.

Mikasa and Jean look to Armin, hoping he might have seen something that might save them. Unfortunately, Armin still has nothing. To make matters all that much worse, Reiner stands up, finally regenerated from his near fatal injuries.

With the survey corps decimated by the rocks hurled by the Beast Titan, Hange MIA, and Eren unconscious, Levi is ready to call it a defeat. He tells Erwin to take some soldiers, wake Eren, and make a run for it. With Eren and some Survey Corps survivors, there would still be hope. Erwin shoots down the idea, admitting he has one himself.

Erwin proposes that by sacrificing the recruits with himself leading the charge, they can distract the Beastial Titan long enough for Levi to take him out. The problem is Erwin will never get to fulfill his dream. He will never see what’s in the basement.

I really like this scene. Erwin is more human than we’ve ever seen him, lamenting how close all of the answers are, how it was the most important thing in his world, but he knows, he knows he has to die. The recruits won’t do it unless he leads the charge. He owes this to the mountain of bodies he stands on. He owes it to their comrades that have given their lives so that the Survey Corps could accomplish what they have. It’s his turn to die for humanity.

Levi tells Erwin he’s making the choice.

The thing I really love about Attack on Titan is how pumped up it can get you sometimes. They give the most inspirational speeches. Erwin convincing the recruits to charge with him is powerful, and I know if I were there, Erwin would have me convinced too. He’s real with them. We are going to die. No matter what. Let’s die trying to make a difference for those that will survive this. Levi watches them charge, apologizing at their frightened expressions. He looks heartbroken, and a bit scared. Using the line of Titans, he starts his approach towards the Bestial Titan. The chapter ends with Erwin shouting moral support as they charge to their deaths.

BEAUTIFUL CHAPTER. I LOVE THIS SERIES. 10/10!!!

Jean and Armin being co-captains of a squad is what dreams are made of, even if things aren’t going well for them. I can’t wait to see them find a way out of this. Reiner regenerating now seems like the worst news ever, but I’m calling it now. I think this is good news. What the hell am I talking about, you ask?

THEORY TIME.

Reiner has been suffering from a split personality type thing for quite some time. Torn between being a “soldier” and a “warrior”, Reiner has shown a few times that things aren’t quite right in his head. As a “soldier”, Reiner disassociates from his actions as a titan shifter, and cares for his survey corps friends. His “soldier” personality seemed to take a back seat lately, only to rear up seconds before the thunder spears exploded in his neck.

While Berthold noted that Reiner has moved his memories to save himself and that what he’s done will be hard to do right, it seems Reiner has succeeded. HOWEVER. What if instead of regenerating with his “warrior” personality, Reiner regenerates with his “soldier” memories? Reiner would then fight with squad Jean/Armin to defeat Berthold, giving them the edge they need. Fans that have seen the (apparently terrible) movies may recognize the idea of the Armored Titan turning the tides by attacking the Colossal Titan.

Meanwhile, I’m worried about Levi. With a gesture as big as sacrificing all of the recruits and ERWIN SMITH, it seems like it would just be unfair for Levi to fail. The survey corps are too close to losing completely, we need some wins here. Still, Levi has the titan injection, and I would be surprised if that doesn’t become relevant soon. I’d like to see Levi use it to consume the Bestial Titan. Titan Shifter Levi Ackerman, wouldn’t that be something?

Two things I’m still waiting to see addressed: