Okay, folks, let's dive into *Attack on Titan* Season 4 Part 2 Episode 5 – "From You, 2,000 Years Ago." Buckle up, because it's a wild ride through time and existential dread, with a surprising dose of...well, maybe not *humor*, but definitely some moments that make you raise an eyebrow.
This episode throws us way back to the origin story of it all: Ymir Fritz. We're talking ancient history, way before anyone knew about ODM gear or the best way to kill a Titan.
A Royal Pain
Ymir, poor girl, is a slave. And not just any slave, but one belonging to some ridiculously cruel king. He's basically the medieval equivalent of a terrible boss, but instead of making her fetch coffee, he makes her take the blame for a pig escaping.
Let's be honest, blaming someone for a pig? Peak villain behavior. It's the little things that show you who a person truly is, and this king is showing us he's a grade-A jerk.
Then, while on the run after being falsely accused, she stumbles into this glowing tree and…bam! She becomes the first Titan. Talk about a bad day getting even worse.
Titan Time
So, what does the king do with his newfound Titan weapon? He uses her to conquer his enemies, of course. You'd think he'd at least say thank you, but nope. More forced labor for Ymir. Ugh.
This is where things get weird. Ymir, despite being essentially a godlike being, remains completely obedient. It's heartbreaking to watch.
Even when she *could* have stopped a spear from killing the king, she doesn’t. It's a truly perplexing moment, and the questions start piling up: Why? What's going on in that head of hers?
Family Matters (and Titan Powers)
After the king dies, his daughters do something truly horrifying. They eat Ymir's corpse. I know, I know, it's gross. But this is *Attack on Titan*, so we're kind of used to it, right?
From this point, they inherit her Titan powers, and the cycle of Titan inheritance begins. It's a family heirloom no one really asked for.
This act of violence, performed to continue the power and will of a horrible man, seems to resonate through the generations and echoes into the present, setting the stage for the rest of the series to come.
The Coordinate
The episode ends with the implication that Eren is trying to connect with Ymir, attempting to understand (or perhaps even influence) her motivations from all those centuries ago. He's in some sort of weird, spiritual plane, and frankly, it's anyone's guess what he's planning.
It is clear that Eren's ambition and connection to the Founding Titan has made him very powerful, perhaps he could be more powerful than anyone has ever been.
The episode leaves us on a huge cliffhanger. What's going to happen next? Who knows! But one thing's for sure, *Attack on Titan* is never boring. It is a masterpiece of storytelling.
This episode reminds us that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that explore the origins of our problems. And in this case, the origins are pretty darn messed up.
So, let's pour one out for Ymir, the original Titan, and hope that Eren can figure out how to break this cycle of violence before it's too late. And maybe, just maybe, someone will finally treat a Titan with a little bit of kindness.
