Shining Dimly in the Midst of Despair The Recovery of Mankind - Part 1
You there!
Sir!
Who the hell are you?!
Armin Arlert from Shiganshina District, sir!
That so? What a ridiculous name! Did your father name you that?
My grandfather did, sir!
Arlert, what did you come here to do?
To contribute to mankind's victory, sir!
How commendable of you.
We'll use you as Titan bait.
Third line, face backwards!
Who the hell are you?
Sir! Thomas Wagner from Trost District, sir!
I can't hear you!
Thomas Wagner from Trost...
There they go again.
You went through that first thing when you were in training too, right?
It brings me back.
Wrong!
You're from a pigsty-worse than cattle!
Sir! I'm worse than cattle, sir!
What's the point of intimidating them?
It's a rite of passage.
You reject the you up until then.
In order to be shaped into capable soldiers, fresh from a clean slate.
This is a necessary process to accomplish that.
To devote my flesh and blood to humanity, sir!
Fourth line, face backwards!
But he just skipped past that girl over there.
The rite of passage is unnecessary for those who've already been through it.
They're likely to be the ones who witnessed hell two years ago.
It shows on their faces.
Now, let's be off.
Who the hell are you?!
Jean Kirstein from Trost District, sir!
What did you come here to do?
To enlist in the Military Police Brigade and live within the inner walls, sir.
I see.
So you want to live within the inner walls, huh?
Sir.
Who said you could sit?!
Someone who can't succeed here won't make it into the Military Police Brigade!
Who the hell are you?! What did you come here to do?
Marco Bott from Jinae Village in Wall Rose's southern district, sir!
I've come to enlist in the Military Police Brigade, and devote myself to serving the king, sir!
Really?
That's all fine and well.
Endeavor for it.
However...
The king has no desire for your body.
You're next!
Who the hell are you?!
Connie Springer from Ragako Village in Wall Rose's southern district, sir!
You have it backwards, Connie Springer.
It should've been the first thing you learned...
that salute is a symbol that openly declares your determination to offer your life.
Is your heart on the right side?
Hey, you.
What are you doing?
You, I'm talking to you!
Who the hell are you?!
Sasha Blouse from Dauper Village in Wall Rose's southern district, sir!
Sasha Blouse,
what the hell is in your right hand?
A steamed potato, sir.
I happened to see it in the kitchen, so I took it, sir!
In other words, you stole it.
Why...
Why did you take that potato out now?
It's best to eat it before it gets cold,
so I decided now was the time to do so, sir.
No, I still don't understand...
Why did you eat the potato?
Are you asking me why people eat potatoes, sir?
This half's for you, sir.
Half?
Hey, the potato girl's still running.
Wow, she's been at it for five hours.
But she didn't seem to mind the "Run till you drop." part,
quite as much as being told she'd have to skip dinner, huh?
Dauper Village is a small village of hunters deep in the mountains, isn't it?
What's that?
The dropouts.
They opted to be transferred to reclaimed land.
What?
But it's still only the first day.
It's only natural.
The powerless have no choice but to leave.
Choosing to go back to picking up rocks and pulling weeds...
That reminds me.
You weren't asked to state your name and birthplace or anything.
I'm from Shiganshina District, just like this guy.
I see. That's...
So you were there on that day, right?
Hey!
Did you catch a glimpse of it? The Colossus Titan.
Yeah.
Like I said, I saw everything.
Whoa.
Really?
Just how big is it?
Big enough to stick its head over the wall.
What?
I heard it's big enough to straddle!
Same here.
That's what I heard in my village too.
No, it isn't quite that big.
What does its face look like?
It's mostly skinless and has a huge mouth.
How about the Armored Titan that smashed through Wall Maria?
That's what people are calling it, but it looked like an average Titan to me.
Then what's an average Titan like?
Everyone, let's stop questioning him.
I'm sure there are things he'd rather not recall.
- Sorry for... - That's not it!
Titans really aren't that big a deal.
Once we master the use of the three-dimensional maneuver device,
they won't stand a chance!
I can finally train as a soldier.
My emotions just got the better of me earlier.
I'll enlist in the Survey Corps and exterminate the Titans from this world.
I'll slaughter them...
Whoa there. You crazy?
Did you just say you're going to enlist in the Survey Corps?
Yeah, that's right.
If I'm not mistaken, you're aiming to live it up in the Military Police Brigade, right?
I'm an honest guy, you see.
I'd say I'm a lot more pleasant to be around than someone who puts on a brave face,
despite being terrified deep down inside.
Are you implying something?
Quit it, guys.
Hey now.
I wasn't really...
Whatever, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to dismiss your opinion.
Let's call it even with this.
Yeah, I crossed the line too.
Excuse me.
Um, well, I've never seen anybody like you before is all.
Sorry.
Your black hair looks beautiful.
Why, thank you.
Who cares? Leave me be.
You're quick to act impulsively when you get angry.
That again?
Anyway, don't you think your hair is too long?
It might be a safety hazard during three-dimensional maneuver training.
All right, I'll cut it.
But how long do you think it should be?
Hey!
What do you think you're doing?!
What did you wipe on me?!
My trust in others.
This is...
Bread!
This was all I could save.
But, well...
You should have a drink of water first.
Are you God? Are you...
God!
Hey, what're you two doing?
Well, this girl has been running all day until now.
You...
You think you're doing the right thing, aren't you?
Are you doing it for potato girl?
Was what you got out of it worth the effort?
Well, whatever.
At any rate, let's carry her to her bed.
Are you acting out of kindness too?
I'm doing this to put her in my debt, so I can take advantage of her.
I can count on her stupidity.
First off, we'll test your aptitude!
Those incapable of this aren't suited to even be used as decoys!
We'll have you transferred to reclaimed land!
Though this is but the most basic of tests,
you can perceive one's aptitude for three-dimensional maneuvers at this point.
Look.
She's not wavering in the slightest.
She likely understands what to do and how to do it.
That's what I call aptitude.
It appears we have a lot of talent this year.
Um, what about him?
That's another example of aptitude.
Even if you have the will, there can be cases in which you greatly underperform.
What are you doing, Eren Jaeger?!
Raise your upper body!
What is this?
How am I supposed to...
No way.
Follow the basics and you should be fine.
Don't think about doing it well or anything.
Pay attention to your front and rear balance,
and gently rest your weight upon the belts on your waist and the back of your legs.
Take it slow and you'll be okay.
Even I could do it, after all.
Okay, I think I can do it this time.
Raise me up, Armin.
Okay.
Hey, Dazz.
Isn't that the guy who said he'd slaughter all the Titans yesterday?
Well, he'll probably be on reclaimed land by tomorrow.
There's no food for the useless, after all.
Eren.
Don't pay them any mind.
You still have tomorrow to get the hang of it.
How pathetic.
At this rate, exterminating them is...
You shouldn't aim for that anymore.
What did you say?
I said you shouldn't aim to be a soldier.
After all, throwing away your life isn't the way to fight.
Look here.
On that day, I witnessed everything that happened.
Do you think I'm gonna give up because of something like this?
But your resolution has nothing to do with it.
What? Why?
Because the one that decides whether or not you can become a soldier... isn't you.
It's not like I'm telling you to return to reclaimed land by yourself.
Don't worry.
At that time, I'll go with you.
Um, so...
Are you saying I can have that?
A trick to posture control?
Sorry, but since I'm a genius, all I can say is. "Feel it."
Actually, I'd like you to teach me something.
The secret to keeping your sanity after completely embarrassing yourself, that is.
You guys, I just begged you for your help.
But yesterday, didn't you say, "The powerless should just leave."?
Oh, maybe I'm mistaken.
Or was it, "The talentless have no choice but to leave."?
Which was it again?
Please!
I heard you two were naturals, Bertolt, Reiner!
Sorry, but I can't think of a trick to hanging.
I don't think I can give you any helpful tips.
I see.
I guess all we can do is hope for the best tomorrow.
You two are from Shiganshina District, right?
Yeah, we are.
Then you must be familiar with how terrifying the Titans are.
So why are you trying to become soldiers?
Unlike Eren, I wasn't personally stricken by the threat of the Titans.
It's just that whenever I thought of the monarchy that implemented such a reckless recapture plan,
I felt like I couldn't sit still and do nothing.
I see.
Where are you two from?
Reiner and I are from a village deep in the mountains, southeast of Wall Maria.
That's...
Yeah.
Unlike the flourishing villages along the river, news didn't get to us very quickly.
The Titans came before we heard anything, after all.
It was in the dawn.
The cattle were strangely excited
and I heard unfamiliar tremors gradually growing louder.
Eventually, I realized they were the footsteps of something.
Then, when I hurriedly opened the window...
I don't... um...
remember much after that.
Everyone was in a dire state of disorder.
Hey, why are you suddenly bringing that up?
Sorry.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is...
You guys are probably different from them.
Them?
The people here who know nothing about the fear the Titans bring.
Hey.
The main reason they're here is to abide by the expectations of society.
Swayed by public opinion that people who become producers after turning twelve are cowards,
they enlisted in the Training Corps.
Despite what I say, I'm no different from them.
I became a soldier aiming to work for the Military Police Brigade.
Within the inner walls where it's safe.
If that doesn't seem possible, I might abandon training.
I don't have a will of my own.
Valuing your life is nothing to be ashamed of.
I'm...
going to return to my lost homeland.
That's the only drive I have.
I'm going back, no matter what.
And you?
What might your goals be?
I...
thought to myself that I have to kill them.
That I have to slaughter them all with my own two hands.
That's what I thought.
Are you saying that, even after encountering the Titans, you weren't overcome by fear?
Yeah.
Well, at this point, it's uncertain whether or not I can even become a soldier.
Check your equipment and readjust your belts.
You'll do fine tomorrow.
I'm sure you can do it.
Eren Jaeger, was it?
Yeah, thanks.
Reiner Braun, right?
Eren Jaeger, are you prepared?
Sir!
I'll do it. I'll do it!
I may not have the aptitude, but my guts are second to none.
Begin!
Forget reason.
I don't even have a basis.
But this is all I've got!
This is...
my weapon!
I did it.
I can do it!
I... I can still...
Let him down.
I...
Wagner, switch belts with Jaeger.
Sir!
You had defective equipment.
The metal fixtures on your belt were damaged.
Though this is the first I've heard of faulty fixtures...
It seems there's a need to start checking them during maintenance.
Then that means he... managed to stay upright with faulty equipment for a bit...
Wow!
Then what about my aptitude evaluation?
I see no issues.
Devote yourself to training.
I did it!
I pulled it off!
How's that, Mikasa?
I can do it!
I can fight the Titans!
There's no need for me to depend on you anymore!
Looks like it worked out somehow.
His eyes are saying, "How's that?".
No.
He's relieved that he won't have to be separated from me.
Grisha, today, your son has become a soldier.
Eren, after graduating from the Training Corps,
bears witness to mankind, which has regained its dignity.
"I can defeat the Titans."
The moment he became confident of that,
mankind was reminded once more.