#snk readthrough

[momtaku]

Hi! I'm the anon who sent you an ask about the manga readthrough a while ago. I want to do something like this as well in the future for another manga. I just don't know how to start. I'm also new to tumblr. Did you take notes while reading the physical volumes, and then created the tumblr posts? Or did you write the posts while reading? I personally love taking notes first before I write a proper analysis about it

Since the Attack on Titan physical volumes came out months after the digital chapter releases, I'd already read and discussed each chapter extensively on Tumblr. My readthrough was my reason to purchase the actual physical copy, hold it in my hands, and see what stood out. Despite knowing the story well, reading in the tankobon format always hit different and I always found something I wanted to share. So no, I didn't take notes since I'd previously analyzed everything on tumblr. I just read it for love and picked out one or two things that meant something to me. I tried to keep the format consistent - one image and two paragraphs - so that was it wasn't a burden to write or read.

This is making me so nostalgic anon, so here's a picture of my little manga corner. The older volumes especially are almost completely worn out. It looks like someone chewed on volume 14.

I wish you all the best as you start your readthrough of whatever manga you've selected. I hope you find as much enjoyment as I did in mine <3

Thanks for the ask!

[momtaku]

Hi, I'm new to aot and I recently stumbled upon your manga readthrough posts. I thought it was really fun to read those. Are you planning on finishing that project one day? Love your blog btw!

New to AOT?? My goodness. I hope you have the best time discovering the series. tbh I feel a little embarrassed about those early readthrough posts because I was new to tumblr, fandom and the series at the time but being quiet about this series was never an option for me.

The readthrough posts started in 2014 because I loved the series and desperately wanted to be a part of the meta community here at the time. I had no one irl to discuss the series with so shouting into the void was my best and only option.

I stopped because by then the fandom had exploded, and I was an active part of the community discussing each chapter extensively both in tumblr asks and in monthly chapter write ups. In 2016 alone I answered something like 800 asks and wrote dozens of standalone posts. I also started doing the monthly chapter polls around that time, which was another full time fandom job. There was just no time to go back and read the tankoubons when they became available.

Now though? It might be fun. Maybe I'll grab volume 18 since that's where I left off and see if there is anything left to say and if I have the time to say it.

Thank you for the ask!

[momtaku]

Do you have any blog for discussing Fullmetal Alchemist? Or would you be willing to do it here too along with SnK? Brotherhood also happens to be my favorite anime ever and I would love to see your meta skills and analysis applied to it. Just an idea in case you didn't think about it ;)

No. I know people still find cool things to talk about with FMA and it’s an active fandom, but I feel like I found the series too late. Besides, Attack on Titan keeps me plenty busy. So I’m a grateful consumer of FMA content and not a creator. 

But Full Metal Alchemist was the series that inspired me to start writing Attack on Titan meta. When I first joined tumblr I wanted to engage with the fandom but I didn’t know how. I noticed @angel-with-a-pipette doing a readthrough of FMA. It was a simple post a day pointing out things they enjoyed or just cool observations. I liked the idea so I started my SnK readthrough in that same pattern. I’m 43 chapters behind now (ouch) but maybe when the series concludes I’ll finish the project off.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 20

It’s been a whole year and I am still puzzled by this cryptic and bizarre conversation from chapter 70. 

They are discussing whether Levi would take the serum and decide its use when Levi suddenly begins to question Erwin about his dreams. Somehow it is relevant at the moment and clarifies things for Levi. But why would Erwin’s dream be impacted by the use of the serum? Why would it be a factor in whether Levi decides to take the serum or not. And why does Erwin look so freakin’ adorable when he admits that he doesn’t know what will happen if his dream comes true?

Ahhh, the ongoing mysteries of the snk universe! 

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 18

Just a reminder of what’s on the line in Shiganshina. If this expedition fails, rebellion and bankruptcy are inevitable. The District Mayor of Stohess looks to Levi for confirmation of his grim assessment. Levi agrees with him. It’s do or die. Failure is not an option. 

Simply put, the Survey Corps, or what remains of it, cannot go home without a victory. For those of us current with the manga, this is concerning. True, Eren has successfully sealed the hole in Wall Maria. The lands could be cleared of titans and resettled. But until Bertholdt and Reiner are defeated, it’s temporary at best. With the Survey Corps decimated, it’s hard to see how this is going to happen.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 17

In the two months since Orvud, Hange has had serums to explore and fun new technology to inspect. Hange has had the freedom and resources to science like never before.

Much of the sciencing involves Eren. He’s been practicing his hardening by creating a titan guillotine that allows Titans to be killed with no risk to human life -  no risk to anyone except Eren that is. The overuse of his power is having a negative effect on him.

This chapter opened my eyes to a more dangerous side of Hange. In an earlier post I wrote, “Hange and Eren are a downright deadly combination. He is a test subject with no desire for self-preservation. She is a scientist with little regard for consequences. Thankfully, each time her quest for scientific knowledge is about to cause real harm to herself or Eren, someone has been there to intervene.”

That “someone” is usually Levi.

Hange is slated to be the next Commander of the Survey Corps and many people are eager for her can step into that role. Personally, I’m not so sure. It’s not that I don’t think Hange is fit to command, rather, my worry is that Hange can’t do both. She can’t be a researcher and a commander. Science would have to go. And even though her science-side is reckless, it’s still very much needed if humanity is going to survive.

Losing Erwin would be a terrible blow for humanity. Losing Hange in her role of scientist and researcher would be just as devastating.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 16

Two months have passed since the coronation. Historia’s first order of business was to provide a place in the sun for children who had previously known only darkness. She rounded up the orphans of the underground and brought them to a farm.

Levi backed her in this effort. Together they wrangled politicians and aristocrats to make her dream a reality. I do wish we had more than a single panel of Levi looking so determined. Historia seems surprised by his passion. Clearly she missed the memo that he’s a big softie.

I just love how everything comes full circle. Farm life isn’t new to Historia. Her childhood was spent on a farm where she was alone, unloved and unwanted. Now she’s back by choice, this time surrounded by the smallest victims of the corrupt regime, making sure they never feel that way.

[momtaku]

SNK Readthrough: Volume 17 Part 6

I recall being in a huge panic in the weeks leading up to this chapter. The Flaming Chicken Titan was heading to Orvud, Eren was depressed, Sasha wasn’t hungry, and post-cavern Historia was an unknowable force of rebellion and possible anarchy.

Turns out all that worry was for nothing. I was expecting a fantastical climax to the great arc and instead Rod was destroyed with little more than a whimper. It was a great victory for the Survey Corps, but reading back through after more than a year, I have little to add.

What this chapter did provide in huge, deliberate doses was a goldmine of humor. I’ve decided to make this readthrough post about some of those.

  1. It’s called taking matters into your own hands

The scene of Eren repeatedly punching himself was played for laughs, but opened some interesting discussion about the use of self harm in the titan transformation process. I also agreed with @the-hunter-eren who noted that Eren’s depression was not a laughing matter.

2. That feeling when you can’t draw faces

Erwin reveals his artistic side when he makes an amazing likeness of the flaming chicken titan. The musculature is well done but he loses it towards the end, putting a cartoon face on an otherwise realistic body. Still, it’s not bad considering he’s only been a leftie for a few weeks.

    3. I choose you, Eren!

Erwin the pokemon trainer was my favorite posts from this chapter.

  4. Levi just too smol

I first saw this here. Personally, I feel for Isayama. When I do my own edits, trying to get Erwin and Levi together in a horizontal frame always proves challenging :D

  5. The SNK Ice Bucket Challenge 

Levi was filled with hilarious quips in this chapter, but “Stay back, Garrison” was my favorite. His and Erwin’s deadpan calm throughout was often contrasted with the Garrison Captain’s panic.

  6. Caution: Grumpy when wet

Seriously, just look at Levi. LOOK AT HIM! It’s no wonder Erwin is snickering in the background. And why is he still dry? That’s the real mystery here.