Ep 1. The Other Side of the Sea

After a long wait, Attack on Titan season 4 is finally here, and fans of the anime can breathe a sigh of relief now that the first episode, titled The Other Side of the Sea, is out. In this episode, we see a lot of interesting things happening as we get introduced to some new characters and learn more about the world beyond the walls.

The episode opens with a scene that shows the aftermath of the battle that took place between Eren Yeager and the War Hammer Titan in the previous season. As the Survey Corps and the remaining Eldians are trying to recover from the battle, they are approached by a group of Marleyan soldiers, who ask them to surrender their weapons and come with them. Among those soldiers, we see a new character, Gabi, who seems to be very enthusiastic about capturing the "Island Devils."

After some negotiation, the Eldians, led by Reiner Braun, agree to go with the Marleyan soldiers aboard a ship that will take them to the continent. During the journey, we see flashbacks of Reiner's past, including his time as a cadet in the Marleyan military, where he trained with some of the other characters we know from previous seasons, like Bertholdt, Annie, and Marcel.

As they arrive on the continent, we see a new setting that looks very different from what we've seen before in Attack on Titan. It's a modern city with tall skyscrapers, paved roads, and advanced technology. However, not everything is as it seems, as we learn that the Eldians are being discriminated against and forced to live in ghettos, where their every move is monitored and controlled by the Marleyan authorities.

During their stay in the ghetto, our protagonists meet a new character, Nicolo, who is a chef and seems to take a liking to them. He invites them to his restaurant, where they have a conversation about food and culture. However, things take a turn when Nicolo reveals that the wine they're drinking is poisoned, and they all pass out.

The episode ends with a scene that hints at what's to come next in the season. We see a group of Marleyan soldiers, including Gabi and another new character named Falco, who is Reiner's cousin, preparing for a mission to infiltrate Paradis Island. It's clear that they have their own agenda, and they'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Overall, The Other Side of the Sea is an excellent start to what promises to be an exciting and action-packed final season of Attack on Titan. The new setting, characters, and themes introduced in this episode add a fresh perspective to the story and provide a glimpse into what the rest of the season might hold. Fans of the anime and manga alike will find plenty to enjoy in this episode, and it's sure to leave them eagerly anticipating the next one.