Review by Frank Plowright

While Hajime Isayama is a phenomenal comic creator in many respects, a weakness is not distinguishing his characters sufficiently, which means readers may not immediately know who the cover portrait represents. It’s an especially wide-eyed Eren, so far apparently the key to all problems, if no-one’s sure entirely why or how.

As of Attack on Titan 14 the ground has shifted seismically. The Survey Corps are officially disbanded, framed for murder by the Military Police who’ve taken total control of security. As anyone readers have sympathy for is part of the Survey Corps, that’s not good news.

This is a volume of short scenes spotlighting an awful lot of people, many directly following up on the events of the previous volume, such as the consequences of the decision Flegel Reeves made regarding what he witnessed. It’s Erwin Smith, though, Commander of the Survey Corps, who gradually becomes the leading player. He’s endangered, but pulls a masterstroke, and we also see his self-doubts even when acting in the best interests of the wider community. Or does that just coincide with his own aims? It’s a memorable revelation scene.

After the Survey Corps battling Titans for so long, and then being betrayed for their service, there’s something uplifting in seeing them fight back against tyranny, and Isayama ensures readers know that’s what it is. A crisis develops meaning the rulers have to make a decision. Will they prioritise the people? There’s some clever plotting involved. Isayama first shows events in the present day, then drops back into flashbacks to show what’s been arranged beforehand.

Considerable change played out in Attack on Titan 14 and it does so again here at quite the pace. A set of circumstances has no sooner been embedded before the rug has been pulled and they’re no longer relevant. It’s a thrilling roller-coaster experience ending with some unclear references to Eren’s past to be picked up next time.

Both this volume and the following Attack on Titan 14 are also available in the slightly larger sized Attack on Titan Omnibus Volume 5.