This is a more personal question from me, but is Reiner canonically gay? When I saw Ymir say that and Reiner accepting it was uplifting for me to see an openly gay character, but he also likes Historia, and then there’s that thing about him having split personalities. I was just wondering if they ever address that later in the manga. Bertolt was into Annie too so their thing was more brotherly.

It’s super unclear, lol. He could be bisexual. But he’s definitely not straight. 

Basically, from what my friend in Japan says, what Reiner says to Ymir is really unambiguous about him being gay, and Isayama has drawn art of him as well that very much suggests he views the character as gay (it’s explicit). Reiner’s birthday is also commonly known as “yaoi day” among fandoms in Japan, so, well, yeah. I doubt the character is intended to be straight. 

It’s also interesting that this is Reiner clearly in Marlayan Reiner mode, when he tells Ymir he does not like women. When he claims to be interested in Christa, he seems to more or less be in his persona of ideal soldier then, and so it is possible he projects his ideal self as being straight, which is sad but not entirely unexpected given the toxic masculinity that often comes with the heroism ideals of Reiner’s ideal self. His ideal self is attracted to a mirage, because of course, Christa does not exist, and he still sees her as Christa as shown in how when he gives Ymir’s letter to the SC, he says it’s for Christa, not Historia. 

Does/did he actually like Historia? I think so, because can you say that the role he was playing really wasn’t in any way him? I’m not sure it’s so clear-cut. In his persona, Reiner might be trying to simplify things into black and white, yes or no, when nothing in the world is and that includes his sexuality. He might be bi with a preference for men, but I do think he’s absolutely not straight according to canon. 

As for him and Bertolt, well, we don’t really know about Reiner’s feelings for him–which, tbh, I do think are very ambiguous, and given his statements about his sexuality, it’s not wrong to interpret it as romantic affection on Reiner’s part, but of course it’s not canonical either. And his feelings may not have been reciprocated, though Bertolt clearly did care a ton about him, but that doesn’t mean Reiner’s feelings for Bertolt were totally straight. We just don’t know. But we do know/can say that Reiner isn’t straight.

Which is your favourite anime soundtrack?

Honestly, I love the Attack on Titan soundtrack from all seasons. I listen to it all the time. I also love Yuri on Ice’s soundtrack–the “Yuri on Ice” Instrumental is absolutely gorgeous, like perhaps a favorite instrumental song of mine. It’s so hopeful. And Banana Fish’s soundtrack is also pretty great. 

BNHA stuff. Since Bakugou went for “win by saving” in his fight, I wonder if that means Izuku will need to “save by winning” in his fight? I’m thinking the story will pull a poetic role switch here – Bakugou is pulling from Izuku’s playbook. So, does Izuku needing to pull from Bakugou’s book in order to succeed in his match sound likely to you?

That would be really cool!! I would love to see it, because development for Deku is, as I mentioned in my last answer, sorely needed. I also really want to see development in terms of the vestiges–what is going on there? But I think he needs to learn to win against AFO by saving (Shigaraki) but also to do it without destroying himself and his poor arms and legs. I hope the vestiges and the fight are important to this development! 

When you responded to the Bakugou anon you said that it stands in contrast to Deku’s development. What did you mean with that?

Mostly that, well, Deku doesn’t have much development besides physical mastery of his quirk. He’s always saved people, always won, always done the right thing. He’s plenty likable and his ordinariness works well for the story, but he isn’t an exceptionally well done character in my opinion. That doesn’t make him a bad character or unlikeable in any way, though, so I’m not hating on him but merely saying in comparison with Bakugou and Todoroki–well, there’s a reason those two are wildly popular and had twice the amount of votes Deku had in the popularity poll. 

I find connie annoying to be honest. I was neutral about him before, didn’t like him nor dislike him but now I just think his annoying! I get his recent behavior is due to losing sasha but mikasa & jean lost her too (other members beside connie she was closest to). Maybe I’m wrong but to me he became weak and can’t think straight after losing her. Another thing, we clearly see him doubting mikasa so I for one would love to see a showdown between them becoz of this. (would be epic imo)

I’m sorry 😦 I like Connie quite a bit and I don’t think his perspective isn’t understandable. That being said, I do think it’s… not looking good for him in that if he doesn’t even want to try to understand Eren, plus the fact that he’s certainly going to be triggered by the spinal fluid since that’s what turned his mother and father and siblings… I can see him flipping out. But I don’t think Mikasa would or should fight him. I can see him doing something stupid, but I do not think the Survey Corps would hurt him. 

I can’t stand Bakugo to be honest. Him abusing Deku and telling him to go kill himself while being a huge jerk/bully to him was too much. I don’t get why everyone in the show, especially Deku, just treat him like he’s okay and that his violent tendencies are ‘fine’, if you get what I mean.

Bakugou’s violence isn’t okay, yes. That’s why it’s good to read stories critically sometimes–aka, be like “this part isn’t framed the best.” I would agree that it bothers me how the series brushes over his bullying, but Bakugou is also a heightened reality character–everything about him is exaggerated for effect. That’s why I’m reluctant to compare it to the real world standards, but I also think that his bullying is horrific and the series isn’t really dealing with that as of yet. I hope it deals with it more, but considering how it’s dealt with Todoroki’s abuse… sigh.

However, Bakugou’s development in the series, especially contrasted with whatever Deku’s development is, is by the standards of the series, excellent. That’s why people like him–because he’s a well written character. He has a clear arc, even if he isn’t necessarily an endearing, likeable character. He fails, and then he learns. He’s also a traumatized child and like no one realizes that except All Might. 

i find dino as a compelling villian he has no backstory he is not sympisizeble he does evil becuase hes evil. there was one thing that made dino stand out he doesn’t just sit down and back orders he acts, he acts thats what makes him different from the big bad

Well, Dino is definitely the big bad of this story! I also think he is complex, but I don’t think he’s sympathetic (I don’t think sympathy or moral grayness, because Dino has neither, is required for complexity). He does evil things because he only thinks about himself. He’s a selfish bastard in every way, and he only is concerned with what he wants and what he thinks he needs, his power, his legacy (hence, Ash). He does not see anyone else as a truly human being–it’s all him. He really is a monstrous person and really can’t fathom that someone else is not a tool used by him: Ash does not want to be shaped by his money fame power prestige–none of it. As Ash says to Blanca, it’s all fake. Whether Dino is trying to adopt him or kill him, Ash doesn’t care, because he wants nothing to do with that man, and Dino can’t understand it because he always gets what he wants because Dino is the only thing that matters to Dino.

I don’t think he’s consciously aware of just how disgusting he is, which is why Foxx (who should be appearing next episode) is kind of important as a character, because he is Dino without complexity and brings this to the surface–because Foxx and Dino really aren’t different at all, but Dino would like to think they are.