Attack on Titan Episode 3: A Dim Light in the Darkness of Despair: Humanity Rises Again (1)

The episode opens with the stern drill instructor Keith Sadies inspecting the 104th Cadet Corps recruits during their first day of training, hurling insults and physical punishments at those who fail to meet his standards, such as forcing Sasha to run laps for eating a potato during roll call. That evening, the cadets discover that the dropouts have been carted off to work the fields outside the walls, a grim fate for those who can't endure the corps.

Eren boasts toughly about his vow to kill all Titans, prompting Jean to mock him as a liar about to wet himself before awkwardly apologizing and offering a handshake, though tensions nearly erupt into a fight until the dinner bell rings. Jean catches a glimpse of Mikasa and becomes smitten, fumbling an attempt to speak with her. Meanwhile, exhausted from her punishment, Sasha smells food and grabs a piece of bread brought by kind-hearted Christa Lenz, who helps her to her bunk as the freckled cadet—Ymir—watches suspiciously and questions Christa's motives.

Eren shares with the group that he and Armin hail from Shingansina District, drawing curiosity as he recounts the Colossal Titan and Armored Titan breaching the outer wall, sparking discussions among the cadets. The next day, training shifts to vertical maneuvering equipment (3DMG), where Eren repeatedly fails to stay upright during balance tests, dangling helplessly despite his determination, while Armin and Marco perform adequately.

Faced alone on the training ground with all cadets watching, Eren's gear finally gives way completely, but Sadies inspects it, discovers a defective unit, and orders him to switch belts with another cadet. With functional gear, Eren succeeds in the test, passing amid cheers and proving his resolve.