Hangout Shingeki no Kyojin Hangout Thread

[Kaiten]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

I haven't been reading chapter raws as they come out, so I only know what is going on up until chapter 18 (volume 4 end).

I am not reading raws either. I would rather wait until I can read translated chapters, put the picture with words. I am happy to see there are so many who enjoy the Shingeki enough to read raws, it says a lot for how popular this series will be once it is fully translated. And hopefully it will be soon, hopefully someone will notice how popular it is and that there are only six untranslated chapters left.

What I find interesting is the relationship between Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. They have been a team since the beginning, and I love how they play off each other. I feel that Armin is a little underdeveloped, but I'm sure as time goes on, he'll be more confident to be the negotiator.

I find Armin's relationship to the more hot headed Mikasa and Eren interesting. Normally the smart, weak, introspective character is the voice of reason. Not Armin. He seems to calm them down, when their actions begin to outpace their thoughts, but he is not exactly the voice of reason. He always seems to encourage them to dream big, whether that means encouraging Eren to seek the world outside of the walls or planning the maneuver to seal Wall Rose.

He had some nice development in volume three, learning to suppress his fear and act more courageous in spite of his small stature.

Speaking of Armin, I'm kind of surprised during the training flashback the instructor wondered if there would be a place for him in the scouting legion. Granted, the scouting legion IS the most phsyically taxing job, but I feel like its a bit of a cop out for Armin to have to define his skills...surely the legion have something like a field medic, right?

Sorry if my post is introspective, but I have to admit what is the most fascinating to me is how people behave in this world. It feels very well researched.

The military probably expects recruits like Armin to gravitate to units that are behind the front lines: officer training, police, medics, intelligence or counter-intelligence. Medics have not been discussed much but it is likely that even the medics for the Scouting Legion avoid the front line, maintaining secure field bases. The instructors were probably shocked that someone without much fighting ability could still make it into the Scouting Legion.

---------- Post added August 13, 2011 at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was August 12, 2011 at 11:37 AM ----------

It didn't take long but all 24 chapters are scanlated. TDX Edited Manga Group (Shiki, Dogs, Liar Game Manga Editor) just released the remaining chapters. I will spend the day tomorrow catching up

 

[ErosVp]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Wow!!! Great chapters, i got no clue where the history is going and what is the female goal...

What a cliffhanger. Rivaille and Eren versus that amazing female titan, shit is going to happen!!!! When will the next chapter be released in japan?

 

[Hamy]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Wow!!! Great chapters, i got no clue where the history is going and what is the female goal...

What a cliffhanger. Rivaille and Eren versus that amazing female titan, shit is going to happen!!!! When will the next chapter be released in japan?

That chapter was just released so wait till next month. My comments are already the ones in the spoiler tags maybe I'll start removing them. Anycase interesting new point on the side chapter. I am thinking the unique thing that may have triggered the titans reaction can be two things a) a fleeting remains of consciousness if they were indeed human at one point or b) the notebook triggers a sight recognition as the Ymir probably carry notebooks around when they were creating these titans. I don't see any other unique points about that scouting legion lady with her uniform or race, e.g. Mikasa, so I am thinking something triggered it and it was her notebook since that would be the most unique thing.

Course one can reconcile titans as being programmed created beings (ala Homunculus) to them being humans as we do see with Eren he did have programmed knowledge embedded into him by his father. But yeah... female titan is kick ass!

 

[Hiro Hayase]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Having all the latest chapters released at once made me jump for joy quite literally. The author really gave us quite the cliffhanger, but seeing it as how the right and left flank of the scouting legion are circling around the giant group of trees, they might be planning to capture the female titan alive. Why else would you have the rest of your soldiers encircle Eren's squad, unless for that purpose.

On the art: Its nice seeing an improvement in the art of Shingeki no Kyojin in all aspects. The facial features of the characters, the background, the detailed houses and tree, the bodies of the titans, the proportions are also better, the angle/perspective, and etc.

When Christina saved Armin, Jean, and Ryner from demise, all of their thoughts were as followed:

Armin: God sent...

Jean: Goodness...

Ryner: I want to marry her...

LOL

 

[Hamy]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Having all the latest chapters released at once made me jump for joy quite literally. The author really gave us quite the cliffhanger, but seeing it as how the right and left flank of the scouting legion are circling around the giant group trees, they might be planning to capture the female titan alive. Why else would you have the rest of your encircle Eren's squad, unless for that purpose.

On the art: Its nice seeing an improvement in the art of Shingeki no Kyojin in all aspects. The facial features of the characters, the background, the detailed houses and tree, the bodies of the titans, the proportions are also better, the angle/perspective, and etc.

Capturing her will be highly difficult given her level of intelligence and coordination that goes well above Eren's own. Chances are they may need to kill her, and plot point wise capturing her would answer too many questions at this point of the manga.

In fact normal maneuvers are pretty pointless against her and possibly only Levi, given his talent could face her, but he would need IMO Eren's help in titan form. Reason being that she covers the nape of her neck but if Eren were to turn titan even in a unpredictable and lack of control compared to her he should pose a threat enough for her to need to use both hands. Thus leaving her vulnerable to Levi to strike down. There is still the slight chance of capturing her if they engage her in the forest and send a recon ahead to inform the other two groups who will reach the edge but really it seems possibly too early to capture information and given her skill I think its more feasible to kill her since they clearly lack fire power and experience to subdue her. Or she could just run away...

On another note... Sorry seems I'm on the mood to analyze... The titans who were being experimented on that were killed why do you think they were killed? I mean what is odd here is that it seemed to me that they had possession of those titans for some time so I wonder why would they opt to strike now? Given the reaction of the commander there is an enemy who does not want them to find out the truth but again I ask why strike now when the titans have been there at the camp for some time. My answer is that it may have to do with Eren's existence. Remember Hanji mentioned about wanting to run some experiments with Eren that presumably involve the titans they have in captivity. In other words some reaction may occur that the opposing faction does not want to happen, some discovery might occur that would reveal some facet about the nature of titans. Now that the female titan is after Eren it seems even more likely that there is something about Eren that could lead to a significant discovery that the other side does not want to happen.

In this scenario as well it means that the spy who has been leaking information could possibly be one of the people assigned to guarding Eren, if indeed his existence being experimented on would provoke the other side to take action, since the only people who would know of Hanji's intentions are those who were at the dinner table (currently are also traveling with Eren). Female titan would most likely avoid attacking the informant so its just a matter of discerning her attack pattern to weed out the mole. This is my theory at least.

 

[Hiro Hayase]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Capturing her will be highly difficult given her level of intelligence and coordination that goes well above Eren's own. Chances are they may need to kill her, and plot point wise capturing her would answer too many questions at this point of the manga.

In fact normal maneuvers are pretty pointless against her and possibly only Levi, given his talent could face her, but he would need IMO Eren's help in titan form. Reason being that she covers the nape of her neck but if Eren were to turn titan even in a unpredictable and lack of control compared to her he should pose a threat enough for her to need to use both hands. Thus leaving her vulnerable to Levi to strike down. There is still the slight chance of capturing her if they engage her in the forest and send a recon ahead to inform the other two groups who will reach the edge but really it seems possibly too early to capture information and given her skill I think its more feasible to kill her since they clearly lack fire power and experience to subdue her. Or she could just run away...

On another note... Sorry seems I'm on the mood to analyze... The titans who were being experimented on that were killed why do you think they were killed? I mean what is odd here is that it seemed to me that they had possession of those titans for some time so I wonder why would they opt to strike now? Given the reaction of the commander there is an enemy who does not want them to find out the truth but again I ask why strike now when the titans have been there at the camp for some time. My answer is that it may have to do with Eren's existence. Remember Hanji mentioned about wanting to run some experiments with Eren that presumably involve the titans they have in captivity. In other words some reaction may occur that the opposing faction does not want to happen, some discovery might occur that would reveal some facet about the nature of titans. Now that the female titan is after Eren it seems even more likely that there is something about Eren that could lead to a significant discovery that the other side does not want to happen.

In this scenario as well it means that the spy who has been leaking information could possibly be one of the people assigned to guarding Eren, if indeed his existence being experimented on would provoke the other side to take action, since the only people who would know of Hanji's intentions are those who were at the dinner table (currently are also traveling with Eren). Female titan would most likely avoid attacking the informant so its just a matter of discerning her attack pattern to weed out the mole. This is my theory at least.

Perhaps the female titan's true objective is to capture Eren alive oand bring him over to their "side". That's another possibility to consider, but it is strange how the female titan purposely went inside the forest just to get to Eren, although she should have realized that its a trap. Unless she's overwhelmingly confident about her titan prowess that such concerns are trivial. Also, wouldn't being in a dark forest reduce the female titans vitality a bit since titans receive power from sunlight?

I don't think Eren would lose as much control when he transforms into a titan this time around due to several reasons:
1. Eren feels really remorseful for almost killing Mikasa and giving her a facial scar. 2. He knows more about titans thanks to squad leader Hanji. This time Eren might look at the titans from a different perspective other than hatred. 3. The third time Eren transformed into a titan, he was physically and mentally fatigued. This time Eren is prepared for what he must do, he has already acknowledged that fact. Eren's greatest asset is his advanced combat skills.

The timing of the destruction of titans Sonny and Bean is very suspicious indeed. I am also 99.9% certain the timing of that attack was due to Eren's existence too. The other titans could react to titan Eren.

Your theory about weeding out the mole is the same sort of plan Commander Irvin had in mind mostly likely. There was only a select few who knew Eren's actual positioning, so its only a matter of time before the truth comes to light. The scouting legion are amazing resourceful and cunning, but they have to be or else they wouldn't survive long.

One thing I find strange is that the female is always attacking alone. Is it possible that she's just luring the titans towards the scouting legion but not actually in control over their actions like giving them commands? The majority of the average titans seem to unintelligible to receive and follow commands? She could be fleeing from the titans since the other titans might devour the female titan like how they did to titan Eren awhile back.

Her objectives are still as mysterious as ever. Does she want to kill Eren? Kidnap him? Recruit him? Mate with him? I know some of my ideas are a bit far-fetched, but I'm considering all the possibilities.

Also, another interesting point is that the police are confiscating anything and everything that is related to the outside world like books and the royalty said it was taboo to go outside the confines of the walls. Plus the police are under direct orders by the king. http://www.mangareader.net/shingeki-no-kyojin/4/41


P.S. My curiosity is killing me..... Btw it seems like we're the only ones actively discussing here.

 

[Hemlock5]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

That TDX version gave me headaches, the translation is unbearable to read and the editing is not comparable to what GWR did before.

I deleted it again and rather wait for GWR's good version. Hope they release it next week already.

 

[Kaiten]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Wow!!! Great chapters, i got no clue where the history is going and what is the female goal...

What a cliffhanger. Rivaille and Eren versus that amazing female titan, shit is going to happen!!!! When will the next chapter be released in japan?

I believe Bessatsu Shounen Magazine comes out every month on the 9th. I may be wrong but it's definitely during the second week of the month.

The side chapter was very interesting. If I had to guess, all Titans were human but lost reason through experimentation. Eren, the Colossal Titan, Armored Titan, and now this woman may have been created using a different serum. That Titan did not seem to be a special case but retained some little bit of consciousness for whatever reason. Maybe Ymir is the intelligent female titan and Ilse resembles her, in her untransformed state.

I don't think they will be able capture the female titan either. Furthermore, I think they will kill her without learning much of anything. But I do think Armin learned something during his encounter. I think it is distinctly possible she said something to him when she lifted his hood. Whatever he learned, that is what he wanted Jean and Ryner to tell Commander Irvin.

I do not think Bean and Sonny had been captive that long. They were captured when Wall Rose was recovered, shown at the end of chapter 18. They had been captive for about a month when they were killed. Based on what Commander Irvin says here, he suspects someone Eren could identify. It is very likely that someone is tracking Eren's movements, moving him to the castle revealed the location of the Titans. From what was said in chapter 21 exposing who killed Bean and Sonny may be the objective of the sortie. It's possible whomever killed them were involved in creating the Titans, and wanted to be sure suppress any further knowledge. It is equally possible they were killed by a trainee, soldier, or citizen who believes the titans are unholy abominations and all need to die. Maybe they are connected to the new religion and believe learning about the titans is tantamount to getting to know the devil.

The intelligent titans seem to have the ability to at least herd the other titans towards targets. They may not lead the Titans in a military sense, but they certainly have control. it is unlikely that she is fleeing from them. Instead, she is likely leading them towards the troops to draw off the flanks, making it easier to penetrate to the center of the formation. So far, it does not seem that any titans cooperate or coordinate attacks. It is possible two intelligent titans could though. The normal ones just seem to swarm. Her objective is definitely Eren, she definitely wants to take him alive too. Whatever objectives the titans or whomever created them has, she is certainly among the leaders. She'll likely emerge as the first named bad guy.

---------- Post added at 08:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 PM ----------

There is so much to discuss from these chapters, that is just the tip of the iceberg. I love the new characters, Hanji especially and am glad so many of the old joined the Scouting Legion. Hopefully we have not seen the last of Annie, she became one of my favorite characters in volume 4. I suspect she will be very important. There seems to be a reason she joined the police, I think that whatever it is will be very important.

 

[Anacharsis]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

I am pretty sure that the female eccentric is actually Annie. But I am uncertain if she is willingly after Eren or just a utilized victim of the guys behind the murdering of the titans.
Anyway, if it is really her, I would like the author to conclude the hand-to-hand combat session of the flashback between her and Eren with Eren defeating her with the skills her father taught her, because there is obviously a parallel between her past with her father and Erens with his. Therefore it is a great opportunity for Isayama to unravel parts of those yet unknown mysteries.

 

[Kaiten]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

An interesting theory, and possible. Her father was military, it is possible she was injected with the serum. But it would be difficult for her to slip out of the gate, which was heavily guarded and marked. And I do not believe she is evil enough to be the female titan. She thought nothing of butchering those scouts. Annie is tough, but she does not strike me as evil.

 

[thornofcarrion]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

I agree, Annie doesn't look like someone who'd do what the female titan did. The female titan seemed to be in control and knew what was she doing. If that was the case, I can't see a motive for Annie to be so violent.

These chapters are done brilliantly in my opinion. So many questions need to be answered. One thing for sure, Eren isn't the only human-titan. The appearance of female human-titan can be significant for Eren's quest of finding the answers.

 

[Aldrich]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

I think the female titan is Annie too

There's plenty of very suspicious things about her, the backstory with her father, the fact she wants to join the military police in control of he King and how shady the government is, the way she was left alone by the instructor during the training flashback, but most importantly it seems the female titan knows Armin's name, and when Armin started shouting at her that she killed Eren to distract her, he actually didn't name Eren directly, he used roundabout ways like "my best friend" or the words Jean used many times to describe Eren ("that idiot who's eager to die") which I doubt is something someone who doesn't know the trainees personally would have paid attention to

 

[Hamy]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

I think the female titan is Annie too

There's plenty of very suspicious things about her, the backstory with her father, the fact she wants to join the military police in control of he King and how shady the government is, the way she was left alone by the instructor during the training flashback, but most importantly it seems the female titan knows Armin's name, and when Armin started shouting at her that she killed Eren to distract her, he actually didn't name Eren directly, he used roundabout ways like "my best friend" or the words Jean used many times to describe Eren ("that idiot who's eager to die") which I doubt is something someone who doesn't know the trainees personally would have paid attention to

At the moment I doubt this given that majority of Annie's fighting style are kicks which which have a preparation to side step:

http://www.mangareader.net/shingeki-no-kyojin/14/10

She tends to side step or avoid contact altogether in general and the female titan doesn't exactly exhibit that - sidestep is sorely missing. A good comparison of the female titan kick is:

http://www.mangareader.net/shingeki-no-kyojin/21/30

Sure she also covers the nape of her neck but that is more of a defensive mechanism rather than a preparation to move sideward as Annie tends to do. I really do not see similarities with their kicks of which Eren had kept his hand to hand combat skills to still resemble his style.

Like I said though I doubt this at the moment since clearly fighting the Scouting Legion who is significantly smaller than her is a lot different from fighting people of roughly your size so if she exhibits a penchant for kicking - assuming she fights Eren - then I think if we see similarities in styles might award a point there. At the moment the style we're seeing is more of a swatting type - too much use of the arms and not much twisting with the hips and legs like Annie.

Though otherwise I am pretty much in agreement with the others characteristic wise Annie is far too different from the female titan, and the instructor ignoring her is most likely because Annie was already "broken" in so to speak by her father so she had the same eyes as those "broken" already.

 

[Aldrich]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

You're focusing on honestly pretty unimportant things to decide whether or not Annie and the female titan are one and the same

Another crucial thing pointing to the female titan being Annie: as previously mentioned she squished these unamed scouting legion members like bugs, yet she spared Armin twice and let the three stooges go even after they attacked her

Likewise I'm sure Reiner is very strong for a human, but I don't buy him being able to get out of a 15 meters class titan's grasp like that, if the female titan really wanted I'm sure she'd have been able to immediately pop him like a zit

I think she let him go, because she's not a complete monster and she can't bring herself to kill the people she spent years training with

 

[Hiro Hayase]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

You're focusing on honestly pretty unimportant things to decide whether or not Annie and the female titan are one and the same

Another crucial thing pointing to the female titan being Annie: as previously mentioned she squished these unnamed scouting legion members like bugs, yet she spared Armin twice and let the three stooges go even after they attacked her

Likewise I'm sure Reiner is very strong for a human, but I don't buy him being able to get out of a 15 meters class titan's grasp like that, if the female titan really wanted I'm sure she'd have been able to immediately pop him like a zit

I think she let him go, because she's not a complete monster and she can't bring herself to kill the people she spent years training with

Its crucial to pay attention to small details no matter how minuscule, especially since its ISAYAMA Hajime we're talking about.

I agree with Hamy & Thorn here, its far too early to tell whether its Annie or not. Although I am fairly sure that female titan is most likely someone Eren knows or someone that was in the same training camp with him and Armin. It's possibly one of those new recruits that joined the scouting legion, perhaps?

The female titan could have easily crushed Ryner (Riener) in her grips, but didn't...that could be attributed to Armin's quick thinking though. The titan did kick Armin while he was on his horse and sent him flying. Her objective wasn't to completely annihilate the scouting legion soldiers, but rather to get towards Eren as soon as possible.

Btw what color is Annie's hair color? We could try comparing Annie's hair and the female titans hair....then see if there's any similarities between the two. When Eren transformed into a titan he still had his hairstyle, hair color, and a some recognizable facial features from his human form.

 

[Hamy]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Its crucial to pay attention to small details no matter how minuscule, especially since its ISAYAMA Hajime we're talking about.


The female titan could have easily crushed Ryner (Riener) in her grips, but didn't...that could be attributed to Armin's quick thinking though. The titan did kick Armin while he was on his horse and sent him flying. Her objective wasn't to completely annihilate the scouting legion soldiers, but rather to get towards Eren as soon as possible.

Btw what color is Annie's hair color? We could try comparing Annie's hair and the female titans hair....then see if there's any similarities between the two. When Eren transformed into a titan he still had his hairstyle, hair color, and a some recognizable facial features from his human form.

I don't think the female titan stopping her attack - which had saved Jean and Ryner - from Armin's outburst would necessarily mean a guilt trip because she was part of the scouting legion or an acquaintance but could easily just as be a) a person with some form of conscience or b) just plain shocked as Jean and Ryner was by the outburst. Simply put its too open to interpretation at this point, but it does lead to one thing somewhat positive which is that the female titan may not be all that bad to react or think in such a manner.

Hair color of Annie is blonde as we see in volume 4 cover but we don't exactly know the female titan's hair color nor would it be too conclusive - well if going by looks as you hypothesize she doesn't particularly resemble Annie. Really its just a wait and see scenario at the moment to the identity not that the Annie idea is bad but kinda left field because we have no confirmation that Annie came from an elite background (her father may presumably be in the military but does not mean he is in the higher ranks so as to procure the serum) and she certainly doesn't appear to be from an elite background. Since we don't have any elites on the wall draft - I assume they all come from roughly the same social status.

Eren and Mikasa are pretty much exceptions in that while yes they didn't come from an elite background somehow their father has information on the titans and was able to create one but it was more plausible since he is a doctor and thus has access to such - perhaps even connections given his status as town as a savior (doesn't seem like there are much doctors plus he had patients from the other parts of the wall). Annie's father we have no idea whatsoever while he probably trained her rigorously doesn't mean it was for the purpose of making her a titan since he seems pretty normal. If anything her father seems to sound more like Eren - a totally idealistic guy - so I really doubt he'd have turned his daughter into a titan since he seems more like a good soldier type.

Also as I would shoot down it is not WEIRD to join the military police - respectable people like Marco and Jean to an extent and presumably other people - wanted to join the military police because it was prestigious and above all SAFE. It may seem shady to us as readers but in the context given out so far they would have nothing to suspect of it other than it promotes inequality - doubt any of the new recruits actually consider like us that the higher ups are most likely part of some conspiracy that make use of the titans as they are rank and file at the moment so are hardly exposed to the politics and rumors of the higher ups or witness to some suspicious activities. What they probably know or experience at the moment is that the ones in the inner wall are pampered pigs who most likely will never see a titan in their whole lives and are not subject to the inequality of distribution that the outerwalls seem to experience. So Annie's decision to join the military police is about as normal as it gets for them. If anything it is strange to want to join the scouting legion precisely because of the high risk it entails and chances of you dying in the line of duty - whereas with the MP you're not engaging titans so chances of you dying are significantly slimmer and its basically a better life.

 

[Hiro Hayase]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Better yet the female titan could be a completely new character, a bit more plausible in this conclusion. I really want that woman from the elite military division that spilled the beans of Titan Eren punching Mikasa in court to be that female titan.

Did Eren's titan form really kill only 20 titans in his first transformation? I highly doubt it was 20, since Eren was killing the titans along the way towards the supply room building. Unless the witnesses only counted the Titan remains surrounding the besieged building.

After visiting the mangafox forums, some people have even more absurd theories than us. They suspect that it was Sasha or Mikasa that killed the two captured Titans. Other's think its Annie, while the rest think that its a new character.



P.S. True, we are being a bit overly suspicious of the shady royalty. Well Eren's "this place is full of oddballs..." statement about the people in the scouting legion is true then.

 

[Aldrich]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Its crucial to pay attention to small details no matter how minuscule, especially since its ISAYAMA Hajime we're talking about.

Yes, which is what I did, and was ignored in favor of something frankly stupid like "fighting style"

I agree with Hamy & Thorn here, its far too early to tell whether its Annie or not. Although I am fairly sure that female titan is most likely someone Eren knows or someone that was in the same training camp with him and Armin. It's possibly one of those new recruits that joined the scouting legion, perhaps?

Why would it be an unamed new recruit from the scouting legion

The new recruits are taking part in the current expedition

The female titan could have easily crushed Ryner (Riener) in her grips, but didn't...that could be attributed to Armin's quick thinking though. The titan did kick Armin while he was on his horse and sent him flying. Her objective wasn't to completely annihilate the scouting legion soldiers, but rather to get towards Eren as soon as possible.

But she killed unamed scouting legion members who attacked her despite their pleas, yet she let Armin Jean and Reiner go even after they attacked her

How do you explain this difference

Btw what color is Annie's hair color? We could try comparing Annie's hair and the female titans hair....then see if there's any similarities between the two. When Eren transformed into a titan he still had his hairstyle, hair color, and a some recognizable facial features from his human form.

Who cares

Why are you focusing on stupid stuff like fighting style and hair color and completely disregarding my points about the female titan's behavior and the way she reacted to Armin and his roundabout words about Eren

 

[Anacharsis]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Well, my theory bases on the premise that the female eccentric is an already established character - this might not be the case, but it would offer a much bigger dramatic impact than her being just some random woman.
Going from there: -The character has to be female. -Has to be presumed alive in the current timeline. -Needs to be adept at close combat fighting. -Has to know Eren and his close friends (atleast Armin), otherwise her selective killing and her acting do not make sense. - Is not a member of the scouting legion.
Considering all these points, only Annie fits the profile. But to reiterate myself: I think that the whole arc will leave a much more impressive and prolonged impact if the character is already known and has a history with Eren in particular. But it is obviously not the only way this scenario could play out.

 

[Aldrich]

Re: Shingeki no Kyojin by ISAYAMA Hajime

Well, my theory bases on the premise that the female eccentric is an already established character - this might not be the case, but it would offer a much bigger dramatic impact than her being just some random woman.
Going from there: -The character has to be female. -Has to be presumed alive in the current timeline. -Needs to be adept at close combat fighting. -Has to know Eren and his close friends (atleast Armin), otherwise her selective killing and her acting do not make sense. - Is not a member of the scouting legion.
Considering all these points, only Annie fits the profile. But to reiterate myself: I think that the whole arc will leave a much more impressive and prolonged impact if the character is already known and has a history with Eren in particular. But it is obviously not the only way this scenario could play out.

Exactly

Also speaking on a narrative sense, Annie is the only member of the trainee squad that seems to be the odd (wo)man out

She's the only one who didn't enlist in the scouting legion among Eren's age group, hints were given about her backstory, she's had a couple of suspicious scenes as I already mentioned (I forgot to talk about that scene after the blockading of the hole where she apologizes to her fallen comrades, or the way she looked guilt ridden and regretful after Armin told her she was a kind person)

Given how the story is obviously going to focus on the scouting legion from now on, I fail to see the point of her character if she simply stayed a member of the military police