I personally deeply enjoy attack on titan.
There is little else required to preface a review for such an immensely popular show’s second season then to say that if you’re not familiar with the show, don’t start here. Jump in at the first season, or - if you haven’t seen the show in quite some time - rewatch the first season before viewing this one. It will put much of the plot and the mystery of the show into context and leave you feeling more satisfied.
Story (9.5/10):
Attack on titan season 2 provides answers to many of the first seasons’ lingering mysteries: Why is there a titan in the wall? Who controls the collosal and armored titans? Where do the titans come from? While all of these questions are answered it arises even more mysteries to be answered in future seasons, such as the identity of the ominous beast titan. It honestly makes viewing the first season of the show better, as now the viewer doesn’t have to wait four years for some of their questions to be answered. The mysteries of the show still draw the viewer in, making them question how the world works, and they are slowly being answered.
The story begins with titans appearing in wall rose, and a group of scouts - notably not including the main characters or main commanders - Levi, Hange, and Erwin - having to warn and evacuate as many as they can. Many of them do not even have time to fully gear up to fight titans, and their fate, as well as the fate of humanity, is uncertain.
The story trims much of the fat of the previous season, and while some bemoaned the shorter length, it is perfect for capturing this arc of the story.
The story’s emotional stakes are higher. It is clear that at this point in the original manga, Isayama’s writing began improving massively. The show takes the time to flesh out many of the interesting secondary characters such as Ymir, Historia, Hange, and Sasha, while putting the main three on the back burner for much of the season. This works to the season’s benefit, as it expands upon the world, and - as I will touch upon in the character session - these characters can be even more interesting than the main cast. Further, attack on titan’s famously prevalent and frequent deaths return in this season, but they hold far more weight and emotional meaning. The improved character writing, particularly in giving even minor doomed characters more distinct personalities in the few lines they have, helps in this regard. Further, each death feels meaningful and gains emotional focus beyond just someone being eaten and dying as a casualty of horror. The best example of this to me is one character, who while being horribly killed, cries out to their abusive father asking him to stop. It is emotionally jarring and painful to view, but it holds so much more power then the first season’s deaths. This in turn increases the viewer’s empathy with the characters who are lost, and with those witnessing their demise.
The story additionally provides permanent consequences to characters other than simply death, which makes things more real, and only heightens my worry for characters I enjoy.
There is also plenty of foreshadowing for the big twist this season if you pay close attention.
Animation (9.5/10):
Attack on titan is obviously known for it’s action animation, and for many of the titan fights and 3D maneuvering gear scenes, it remains at it’s high level of performance. The CG integration outside of it’s impressive long shots of battles has been improved from the first season, but is still jarringly apparent in some moments. CG horses are still weird. It does improve even further in the following season.
Character designs for non-titans are a bit more distinct this season than last, and the titan designs - like the newly introduced beast titan - are still varied and fantastic.
The style seems solidified this season. The lines around characters are present still, but softer, allowing them to blend more seamlessly into the lovely backgrounds much of this show has. Deaths are visceral, and some are quite stylized in their violence, being less starkly shocking and more emotionally relevant.
Sound (9/10):
This segment holds most of my issues with this season, many of which are unique to the English dubbed version of the show.
The opening is obviously fantastic. The ending is fittingly weird and creepy for the imagery provided. Throughout the show, background music is fantastic. It maintains emotional sung pieces, powerful battle themes, and discordant, creepy titan music with “Apetitan”.
The major issue I have with this show’s sound is the dubbing. The subbed voices are great, distinctive, and suitably dramatic. The dubbed voices sometimes feel a bit out of place for me, though that problem is exacerbated in season 3 personally. The main issue is that the English dub, while the voice actors are clearly talented, does not time their lines properly with the lip flaps in many scenes, which is horribly distracting.
Characters (10/10):
It should come as little surprise this show’s characters are still quite strong. The focus on the supporting cast this season allows them to thrive and gain needed devolpment. It allows itself to focus entire episodes on characters like Christa and Sasha, expanding their roles in the story. Characters other than the main trio feel vital to the world and to the survey corps, making their potential deaths more meaningful. The supporting cast personally is more interesting than the main trio, so I loved seeing them get development this season.
The improved emotional writing makes the show feel less like a revolving door of characters, and makes their loss meaningful. When viewing I could get attached to characters like nanaba in ways I didn’t feel in season 1.
Overall (9.5/10):
Overall, attack on titan season 2 improves upon the visual style and character writing of season 1, trims out much of the filler, and answers many lingering questions while raising others.
Obviously, if you enjoy attack on titan season 1, I would recommend you view the second season. If you haven’t seen season 1, then watch it first before viewing season 2. You will be confused otherwise. This is unsurprising, and I obviously won’t hold it to season 2’s detriment. It’s a second season, that’s just common sense.
If attack on titan was never your cup of tea - even with its improvements - attack on titan season 2 probably won’t change your opinion.
I would recommend it highly to fans of the first season or the manga. If you view this season and still want more answers, don’t worry. As I said, you won’t have to wait four years for them. Check out part one of season 3, or - if it’s already April 2019 when you read this - the entirety of season 3. If you want even more answers, definitely check out the manga, as it has gone far beyond the conflict of these seasons now.