Attack on Titan is back with episode 79, titled “Memories of the Future”. We’re finally reaching the boiling point of the story, with some big revelations coming to light. The animation in this episode was nothing special, and the story absolutely carried it.
Before I get into the story let me just state that this is an episode I’ve been looking forward to ever since I first saw the vague manga spoilers around it. Was it what I thought it would be? Not exactly. The idea of time travel of sorts has always worried me when it came to Attack on Titan, but this situation was kind of… different. Attack Titan’s powers being revealed were a surprise, and seeing Grisha suffer because of Eren’s choices was unexpected, to say the least.
Grisha was not a good father, to Zeke especially. He pushed his ideals, forced Zeke to become a warrior candidate, and for a long time, it felt like he did the same to Eren by giving him titan powers. This episode served as a redemption arc for him, in which we see that he wasn’t exactly free to do as he wished. And it is heartbreaking at times – especially when he realizes Zeke is really there.
Attack Titan is able to see the memories of its future owners, something we got a hint of when we met Eren Kruger. The Owl was always a mystery, but his message about “saving Mikasa and Armin” was one of the most out-of-place comments in the story so far. This also poses an interesting question – is there going to be another Attack Titan after Eren? He probably knows, but it doesn’t seem like he is too concerned about it, especially with the plans he set in motion. And with the way he is controlling things right now, it doesn’t seem too likely.
One thing that popped into my mind was Falco’s scenes from the first episode of the final season. He wakes up and describes fighting titans while using omnidirectional mobility gear. Just whose memories was he seeing? Ymir’s? And if so, are all future shifters able to do this, or is it just the way Eldians are connected through the Paths?
The next episode appears to be continuing the journey through the past and is titled “From You, 2,000 Years Ago”. The title mirrors the first episode “To You, in 2000 Years” and sounds like a real treat for those of us who enjoy the lore aspects the most.
Attack on Titan is streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll every Sunday. If you enjoyed the episode, consider voting for it in Anime Corner’s weekly polls.
©Hajime Isayama, Kodansha/”ATTACK ON TITAN” The Final Season Production Committee
