Attack on Titan Episode 17: Female Titan: 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls (1)

The Survey Corps launches the 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls using Commander Erwin's long-range scouting formation, departing from Wall Rose's eastern gate with support squads clearing titans along the path.

In an open field, Armin's squad defeats a smaller abnormal titan after spotting a black flare signaling its presence, but a massive, blonde **Female Titan** soon charges toward the right flank at extraordinary speed, leading a pack of regular titans and effortlessly killing scouts in its path.

On the left flank, Sasha and her teammates encounter a bizarre, crab-walking titan in an abandoned village, which frightens her before they dispatch it.

Two scouts, including Ness and his comrade, attack the **Female Titan** but are quickly anticipated and killed; one spotting squad member loses his eyes in the assault and desperately tries to warn others before dying.

The **Female Titan** catches up to Armin, dismounts him, pulls back his hood to examine his face closely, then ignores him and continues toward the formation's center.

Armin deduces the **Female Titan** is highly intelligent—like Eren, a human controlling a titan form—and notes it covers its nape (weak spot) with a hand, confirming its awareness.

Joined by Reiner and Jean, Armin urges them to keep hoods up, theorizing the titan spares those it can't confirm as Eren; Jean suggests hamstring attacks since it knows nape vulnerabilities, while expressing resolve to protect others despite his past self-interest.

Jean attempts a hamstring strike but fails as the **Female Titan** evades, dismounts Armin again, and counters with superior athleticism; Armin distracts it by yelling about avenging "Eren, that suicidal bastard."

Reiner charges the nape with his hood lowered, but the **Female Titan** smirks, grabs, and seemingly crushes him in its fist.

Reiner bursts out steaming and covered in titan blood, grabs Armin and Jean, and the trio flees as the **Female Titan** redirects toward the center-rear—likely Eren's position—now moving slower.