Ep 9. Brave Volunteers

After dealing with the consequences of the previous episode, "Assault," "Brave Volunteers" picks up with the Scout Regiment and the Volunteers preparing to invade Marley. As they board their airships and aircraft, tensions are high as they know that they are likely entering the most dangerous mission they have faced yet. As they approach Marley, the Volunteers explain their plan to infiltrate the country and use Eren's Founding Titan power to initiate a full-scale attack on the mainland.

Through flashbacks, we see how each of the Volunteers came to be part of this risky operation, with many being former Eldian soldiers who have seen the horrors of Marley firsthand. They all have a personal stake in the success of the mission and are willing to put their lives on the line to protect their people.

Once they land, the Scouts and Volunteers split up into different groups to carry out their respective missions. The stakes are immediately raised when the group led by Reiner, who is secretly the Armored Titan, crosses paths with some familiar faces from his past. The tension is palpable as Reiner tries to keep his cool and prevent his true identity from being exposed.

Meanwhile, Eren and the Survey Corps make their way through Marley, trying to stay undetected as they gather intelligence and scope out potential targets for their attack. As they move through the city, they witness firsthand the brutal treatment of Eldians by their Marleyan oppressors. This only fuels their determination to carry out their mission and put an end to the cycle of violence.

As the various groups continue to move through Marley, the tension continues to mount. Several close calls with Marleyan soldiers and Titans leave the mission hanging in the balance, but the Scouts and Volunteers push on, determined to see it through to the end.

Finally, the episode comes to a climax as Eren unleashes the full extent of his Founding Titan power, shocking his teammates and sending the Marleyan soldiers running in terror. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and eager to see how the rest of the season will play out.

Overall, "Brave Volunteers" is an intense and action-packed episode that delivers on the promise of the season thus far. The characters are all given their moment to shine, and the plot moves forward with exciting developments that will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the series. Fans of Attack on Titan will not want to miss this thrilling installment.