Monday, March 23, 2015

Manga Monday: What in heaven is the monstrosity on the cover?

Our intrepid Survey Corps members encounter what are by the most abnormal Titans yet in Attack on Titan Volume 9.


Note: Attack on Titan Volume 9 is part of an ongoing series. Check out the review for Volume 1 here, and Volume 8 here.  Otherwise, read on!


While Eren is still resting from his encounter with the Female Titan, the rest of the Survey Corps certainly has its hands full. Wall Rose has been breached, and orders are to help with the evacuation of civilians. Both Connie and Sasha are from the area, and so for them this mission is even more personal.

We finally get Sasha's backstory, and get to see how she became 'potato girl.' Having been raised in the South, food became scare when she was younger, and she never quite got over the scarcity. Her speech mannerisms are explained as well, as she does her best to sound more educated and less like a country bumpkin. It's great to see a fan favorite character get to shine as she does here.

Connie's return to his natal village, however, is much more disturbing. Here, the Survey Corps encounters Titans more monstrous than anyone has ever recorded before.  And what Connie finds waiting for him at his parents' home is...disturbing.

As we discover more and more different Abnormal Titans, it seems as though there may be more to the Titan plague than originally met the eye. With some Titans clearly being transformed humans, and others...perhaps not...the mystery goes deeper and deeper with each chapter.

Highs: At last, more backstories are revealed

Lows: As more characters are introduced, the faces are starting to become too similar to tell apart at times

Verdict: Despite some flaws in the artwork, Hajime Isayama's story is growing in depth and scope with each volume

Further Reading: Another, Under a Graveyard Sky, The Girl From the Well 

No comments:

Post a Comment