Review by Frank Plowright

The human society spotlighted in Attack on Titan lives in a central city surrounded by a trio of high concentric walls with gaps of several miles between them. The walls are intended to keep out marauding giant beings known as Titans. It’s been suspected that city’s ruling elite have far more information about the prevailing dangers than the general population, and are keeping it from them. Protecting the city are the Military Police, whose activities are confined to the inner circle of the city, while the Survey Corps patrol the areas outside the city, home to several villages and farms, and occasionally send patrols beyond the walls. The Survey Corps members decided at the end of Attack on Titan 13 that the greater danger lay within the city.

Hajime Isayama’s cover to this volume pictures three key characters. Working from right to left in manga style, Eren Yeager is a mystery, a human able to transform into a Titan and to a limited extent control other Titans. Hange Zoë is a scientist and Survey Corps veteran, and Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps. This volume opens with a frank discussion about the possibilities of revolution, a story of betrayal reaching the conclusion that those in power value their positions above all else, and it continues with some gruesome admissions. It underlines the maxim that no-one’s a villain in their own story, and asks the question of how much bad is permissible in the cause of good before the lines blur.

Discussing revolution and its implications is a serious business, and occupies much of this volume, Isayama confident that he’s introduced enough fascinating characters and situations for extended conversations to hold the attention. Artistically that means plenty of sequences where we’re just shown the reactions of people. There’s no plastering word balloons over faces this time.

However, it’s not entirely conversations. In addition to the intrigue there’s murder, revelations about the Titans, and speculation that perhaps Eren isn’t as invaluable as thought, meaning he’s in considerable danger. The final chapter is almost all action as a mythical killer from the past is revealed not only to be actual and active, but part of the Military Police.

By the end of this volume there’ll be an understanding of the ruling structure, including some matters previously concealed, and the ground has shifted immensely, as has the tone for the time being. The monsters who’ve been up front and dangerous are relegated to the background threat while an existential battle for humanity is shaping up.

Both this volume and the following Attack on Titan 15 are also available in the slightly larger sized Attack on Titan Omnibus Volume 5.