#snk chapter 67

[momtaku]

Is the Lobov from this chapter the same from ACWNR?

No. 

I saw some speculation that he might be the Garrison Commander stationed in Orvud District during the attack on the Flaming Chicken Titan. I think that would be a great throwback if true, but I’m not convinced the resemblance is strong enough.

[momtaku]

Damn Levi got hurt when Eren called him old midget lmao Levi's fucking sensitive🐑

Of course he did. 

In the August 2014 issue of Bessatsu Shonen, it was asked if Levi wishes he were a bit taller. Isayama replied in the affirmative. I took that as confirmation that his height is something Levi wishes were different about himself. It’s something he may be self conscious about.

Interestingly, when Levi and Kenny met is chapter 58, one of things Kenny used in an attempt to lure Levi into the fight was an insult to his height. It’s a cheap shot. An easy insult. The other was Levi’s smell. Knowing Levi like we do, how much care he puts into his appearance and his environment, I think we can assume this might be another area of sensitivity.

When Eren said those words they were directed to Rod Reiss, not Levi, but fans were quick to notice a change in Levi’s expression.

At the signing event a fans asked about this moment. Isayama suggested that it didn’t bother Levi at the time, but perhaps later Levi may have thought Eren viewed him as a “tiny old midget” as well and felt hurt by that.

As a well written character, Levi has his weaknesses and insecurities. It makes a great deal of sense to me that his height may be one of those.

Thanks for the ask!

[momtaku]

There's something I don't understand, no matter how much I turn it over in my head: if Fritz was the royal family and had the Founding Titan; why was it the Reiss family that had the Coordinate and was the true royal family inside the Walls ? Have I missed something ?

The Founding Titan gave the Coordinate power to the Reiss family because he could control them. He could ensure that his purpose continued on. According to Rod, a Reiss who become the Coordinate inherits “the philosophy of the First King” (ch64). No Reiss had ever broken free of it. Rod speaks of it as a good and noble thing, but in ch67, Historia and Levi aren’t so flattering. Levi calls it brainwashing, while Historia says, “they are controlled  by an ideology that won’t let mankind be free of the titans.

Pre-wall, the Reiss family were probably nobles. There are many noble bloodlines within the walls. These family lines are most likely the descendants of the original nine titans. The Fritz family is royal line. They are direct descendants of the Founding Titan, Ymir Fritz. 

Having the coordinate, being given that power, made the Reiss family the true royal family within the walls. But they are not the true royal family.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 5

The Flaming Chicken Titan is approaching the densely populated district of Orvud. To prevent a far greater catastrophe, Erwin is going to use an entire population as bait.

Can I just say poor Erwin? Why is he always in these terrible situations? No wonder he looks like a monster to the casual observer. The Garrison Captain in Orvud is positively horrified by him.

Far from being heartless, this is the perfect example of Erwin trying to balance the need to get things done with his compassion for humanity. He does everything he can to protect the people of Orvud. Garrison soldiers that could be used readying defenses are instead utilized to gather the citizens. His plan involves having them organize an early morning evacuation drill. This will prevent mass panic, but allow Erwin to quickly move the people out if the Survey Corps fails to take out Rod. 

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 4

Writing about this scene when it first appeared last March, translator @darlingpoppet​ commented on how unusual it was for Levi to address Erwin formally (x). In fact, this is the only time in the manga that Levi has called Erwin by his title. 

Why now? Why is this moment significant?

This is the first time Levi and Erwin have been together since Levi was at his bedside during Erwin’s recuperation after losing his arm. Weeks have past. The last direct message Levi received from Erwin was just prior to his arrest. With Erwin facing imprisonment and likely execution, he’d instructed Hange and Levi to act on their own, to decide for themselves what to do. He appointed Hange as next Commander and left the Survey Corps in their hands.

I suspect this is Levi’s way of letting Erwin know his leadership is still needed, and wanted. He’s welcoming him back. While Levi did well with the autonomy granted to him, it isn’t a role he wants. He’s passing the authority back to Erwin and letting him know he still looks to him for leadership.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 3

As they chase the flaming chicken titan to Orvud, Eren offers himself as a solution: he can be fed to Rod, Rod can fully use the coordinate, humanity will be saved. Easy peasy. The group seems to consider this as a real possibility until a voice of reason appears from a source you’d least expect. Historia Reiss steps in to protect Eren.

It’s remarkable really. The coordinate power had been in her family for 100 years. She was it’s rightful heir. She was to be God of the world but instead, she entrusts her family’s power and legacy to Eren. While Eren is despondent, demoralized and begging for death, Historia rejects her family and puts her faith in him.

She tries to distance herself from the family she long yearned for. She refers to them as “Rod Reiss” and “the Reiss family”. Only towards the end of the conversation does she use the phrase “my father”. She allows herself a brief moment of grief before steeling herself to the reality of his death.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 1

“Obviously no one taught you how to do this, yet... you created a huge structure in the blink of an eye. It’s an absurd thought, but this must be how the walls were made too.” - Levi ch67

Levi The Science Guy has discovered the secret of the formation of the walls. It seems that one hundred years ago, thousands of humans were assembled in circles and simultaneously transformed. They’ve been locked inside the walls ever since.

The walls contain a dormant titan army. I wonder if Eren’s coordinate power is enough to awaken them or if, as Nick seemed to indicate, they need sunlight as well. Armin first talked about the wall titans “going for a walk” in chapter 34. Jean dismissed it as a joke, but boy wonder wasn’t kidding around. It’s one of those future story developments I can’t wait to see happen.

I also want to take a moment to appreciate the sheer size of the structure Eren created. Levi is little more than a speck on the floor as Sasha rappels down to him with news of the exit. 

[leapingtitan]

Putting something to rest: The Crunchyroll version says "Back then, I was really going to become a Titan and kill you". She never became a Titan and it was a translation error.