Loquaciousness Fandom Magazine Volume 2, Issue 2 (August 2016) | Page 10

HEAVY MANGA SPOILERS.

READ AT RISK.

Shingeki no Kyojin, better known in America as Attack on Titan, has gained a wide following and international audience. With a currently ongoing manga, one season of anime, two movies, and many, many spin offs and derivatives, people can easily classify Shingeki as one of the most popular mangas/animes ever made.

However, some people remain decidedly anime-only, while others continually follow the manga and its updates. Those who follow the manga have more than likely heard about the controversy surrounding the newest chapter.

Here's a bit of background for those who need a reminder.

Earlier this year a chapter was released where Armin was thought to be dead. Surprise! He isn't dead (though horribly burnt and in critical condition) and the characters have a Titan Serum, which is something that could save Armin's life.

Surprise again! Erwin, who is the commander of the Survey Corps, is also in critical condition.

So who do they use the life-saving Serum on?

Cue controversy.

There were fights, passive-aggressive remarks, fan art, hashtags were started (#TeamArmin and #TeamErwin), and basically the fandom exploded. Anime-only fans left the communities altogether, complaining about too many spoilers, and people were pretty much overwhelmed. We all waited until August, when the decision would be revealed.

Okay, the chapter is leaked a week early. Levi, who is best buds with Erwin, goes to use the Serum on him. Eren and Mikasa, Armin's best friends, understandably argue, but to no use. Erwin, however knocks the serum away, leading it to be used on Armin. Armin changes into a Titan and eats Bertholdt-Titan.

And then the fandom exploded (for real this time).

People, who were quiet before, started to argue, posting about how Erwin should've been saved as he (the commander) would have given a greater chance to the survival of humanity.

Team Armin rejoiced, said "I knew it", and the depressing fanarts and fanfiction ceased.

Through this all, the innocent anime-only fans cheered when the second season of the SnK anime was announced about a month ago.

So, which team were (are?) you on, and why? We'd like to know!

-Trini Ashheart

Shingeki no Kyojin

(Attack on Titan)

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