Attack on Titan (2020)

[進撃の巨人]

Volume 31

Author/Artist: Hajime Isayama
Publisher: KC Magazine

Synopsis:
Eren brings down the Walls to unleash the Titans within on the world.

Story/Characters:
The previous volume succeeded in reviving my interest in the series. It was a little long building up to it, but the payoff is rather rewarding. We start with Mikasa recalling the Survey Corps' first foray into the world at large and about the divide that formed between her and Eren. We then have Eren reveal his master plan and things go nuts from there.

Gabi's parallels to Eren are made even more explicit, though she actually starts to have something of a redemption arc going on, in contrast with Eren. Then there's friggin' Floch, who manages to be an a-hole no matter what side of an issue he's on at any point in the story. This sets the stage for what I'm guessing is the grand finale, unlikely alliances coming together against impossible odds. Good stuff.

Certain characters make a return, which is a big deal, but I won't get into it for spoiler purposes. Still, it's nice seeing them back and I look forward to their future activities.

Art:
We get a few scenes of good old-fashioned Titan-slaying goodness and some of the usual wonkiness you've come to love from the series. I love how the more important it is to portray a complex facial expression, the more off it looks. (In a critical scene, Connie's face is something else.) Eren's declaration is quite striking, though, and I have to credit Isayama for nailing the impact of that.

Other:
Things continue to go off the rails in the high school AU with Eren wrapped up in the cult of Ymir. I really do love this storyline.

Conclusion:
I have to give credit where credit's due. This volume has done good to capitalize on the turn from the previous volume and I'm back to being fully on board and eager to see the conclusion. I can only hope that Isayama delivers on the promise he's set up, but as far as this volume goes, we've got plenty of good moments of character drama and the stage set for a grand showdown. If you've been like me and have started to waver on the series, this should bring you back in. Get it.

Rating:
Own It