Attack on Titan Episode 35: Children

Moblit arrives at Ragako and finds the town destroyed, but with no blood or human remains. He doubts the residents evacuated, especially since their horses were left behind. Another Scout leads Moblit to a Titan resting on top of a ruined house, while a third Scout recovers a portrait of a man and woman from the wreckage. The Scout drops the portrait when the Titan stirs, and Moblit realizes the Titan on the house strongly resembles the woman in the portrait.

In the Forest of Giant Trees, a man named Reiner tells a woman named Ymir to choose between securing a safe future for a girl named Christa or saving her own life. A young man named Eren, confused by the conversation, demands to know who their enemy is. Ymir expresses uncertainty. Reiner and another man named Bertholdt prepare to take Eren and Ymir and leave, but then they spot signal flares on the horizon, indicating the Scout Regiment is approaching sooner than expected. Bertholdt checks with Reiner, asking if he is in his "Warrior" mindset, and Reiner confirms he is clear-headed. Bertholdt is wary of Reiner trusting Ymir, who ate their comrade five years ago, but Ymir's past self-serving life until meeting Christa is seen as a reason for her to join them.

Reiner explains that Christa's family connections make her a valuable asset, and having her with them would make their goal easier if Eren is not the "Coordinate" they seek. As the soldiers get closer, Bertholdt tells Reiner that their time within the Walls will end once they deliver a woman named Annie, Christa, and the "Coordinate" to their hometown. Reiner suggests that once they return home, Bertholdt should confess his feelings to Annie, noting how much he stared at her. Reiner believes the risk is worth it, given their short lives as murderers.

Reiner moves to Eren's branch, anticipating a fight. Eren claims he is too weak to resist, but then attacks Reiner. While Reiner strangles Eren, Bertholdt asks Ymir if she remembers who she ate when she returned to human form five years ago. Ymir says she doesn't remember but realizes it must have been one of Bertholdt's companions. She apologizes, but Bertholdt states that he and his friends also experienced memory loss, and Eren doesn't seem to remember who he ate either. As Eren loses consciousness from Reiner's chokehold, Bertholdt asks Ymir how long she wandered beyond the Walls as a Titan. Ymir recalls it was about sixty years, a continuous nightmare.

Approaching the forest, the military encounters many Titans, but Commander Erwin insists they push forward. At the forest's edge, Reiner and Bertholdt use their gear to escape, looking for an area free of Titans. Ymir wonders why they are rushing until she sees the smoke signals and realizes the Scouts are coming.

Reiner wants to avoid confronting Erwin, but Ymir feels strongly that Christa is with the approaching Scouts. Reiner dismisses Ymir's demands to retrieve Christa, saying they will return for her later. Ymir believes she will be fed to another Warrior before that happens and that if they don't wait for Christa now, she may never see her again. Bertholdt apologizes for their inability to get Christa, and Reiner assures Ymir that Christa's safety is also a high priority for them. Accepting their words and remembering her distant past, Ymir regrets lying to herself again.

Over sixty years ago, Ymir was a nameless orphan beggar outside the Walls. A cult leader found her, gave her the name "Ymir," and declared she possessed "royal blood" that could grant the cultists immortality. Ymir's life improved; she received food and rest, and the cultists worshipped her. Her role brought happiness to those around her.

One day, authorities discovered and arrested the cult. The leader blamed Ymir, claiming she lied about her royal blood. Ymir chose to maintain the role that brought others happiness and kept her name. Afterward, the arrested cultists were paraded through the streets, stoned by onlookers, and taken to a remote border. There, they were all given injections and thrown from a wall, transforming them into Titans.

As a mindless Titan, Ymir wandered beyond the Walls. She believes her punishment was not for deception, but for relying on others' approval. After some time, Ymir's Titan rested in the earth, which covered her over decades. One day, her rest was disturbed by the arrival of the Warriors setting up camp. Ymir's Titan went for Reiner, but grabbed a man named Marcel when he pushed Reiner out of the way. As the other three Warriors fled, Marcel was eaten by Ymir. That night, Ymir awoke in human form under the stars. With a new chance at a free life, Ymir vowed to live for herself, free from others' lies.

However, after hearing about "Christa Lenz" from the Wallists, a girl in the Cadet Corps whose life some wished had never happened, Ymir dedicated herself to finding this girl who shared a similar past. After meeting Christa, Ymir realized Christa was living a life of lies, just as she had.

With her mind made up, Ymir interferes with Bertholdt's movements, threatening to take Eren and escape to the Scouts if they don't stop and wait for Christa. Reiner reminds Ymir of their situation, and Ymir admits she is willing to risk Christa's future if it means they can meet one last time. She claims Reiner might be able to buy them time to escape, or they could fight to the death if her demands aren't met.

The pursuing soldiers reach the forest outskirts. Noticing a Titan transformation, Commander Erwin orders the troops to disperse and enter the forest. While some soldiers struggle against Titans, the rest avoid combat to find Eren. A scream is heard deeper in the forest, and the Scouts pursue it until they find Ymir's Titan. Conny stops the others from attacking her, asking where the others have gone.

As more Scouts gather around her Titan, Ymir avoids conversation and looks at each soldier's face. A young man named Armin wonders what Ymir is doing until Christa arrives, immediately catching Ymir's attention. When Christa approaches, Ymir's Titan lunges at her, catches Christa in her mouth, and quickly escapes. The others pursue her, realizing Ymir's allegiance has changed and they were lured into a trap.

When Ymir nears the forest edge, Reiner transforms into a large, armored Titan and begins their escape. Bertholdt, carrying an unconscious Eren, grapples onto the armored Titan's back alongside Ymir's Titan.

The others watch in disbelief as Eren is again carried away. A man named Hannes rallies them into action. The soldiers return to their horses and begin a final pursuit to rescue Eren. Hannes is determined to rescue Eren, even if it costs him his life.