"Attack on Titan" is one of my favorite works. With the start of the fourth season, I couldn't help but want to say something, so I chose to start with a short OP.
Interpretation is a personal interpretation, and different people will have different interpretations. It is written here to raise awareness and to express praise for this work and the final season of this work. I believe that the excellence of the producer and the original author in this work will not only stop at the OP part; I believe that some of the excellent points I mentioned in this article will also run through the final season. in each episode. So I only express my admiration for the entire work by interpreting this brief 90 seconds. The following content may contain spoilers, please read accordingly.
The first thing to notice in this new OP is color and contrast. The things in the OP represent the meaning of "existence" and are basically the same color tone, dull and dull; artillery fire, smoke and explosions, etc., represent the meaning of "annihilation", "destruction" and "disappearance", but the colors are bright , colorful. From another perspective, it represents matter and soul, things and thoughts respectively. From this comparison, the themes and central ideas of some of the films can be known. Thousands of lives are bleak, their souls are fighting for destruction and shining brightly. The interpretation of the whole film should be carried out tightly around this grasping center. We mark this as the center marker.
The visuals at the beginning of the film take place from flying and falling from the sky. The subjects of flying and falling are things, but also souls. Time 0:00-0:05.
What followed was the first explosion, and at the same time we saw the first brightly colored sight. Time 0:06-0:07. We label this as explosion 1.
The shells exploded in 8 warships, corresponding to the firing of 5 cannons. The color order is red, yellow, green, cyan, blue. Time 0:08-0:09.
Here the means of symbolism, metaphor and contrast are obvious. The smoke produced by the cannonballs is colored differently to make it look like a beautiful firework is being launched, and it seems to be celebrating something happy to contrast and bring out the tragic and terrible war. At the same time, it implies the distortion of people's inner soul, and realizes the annihilation of life, soul and beautiful things.
At the same time, the color and sequence of the smoke produced after the cannon is fired corresponds to the color and sequence of the burning and explosion of the destructive force throughout the film.
Time 0:08-0:09. The meaning here needs to be understood immediately after the previous picture. This is ostensibly the process of continuously generating muscle and body tissue in the process of becoming a giant. But inserting such a process here is a method of "three uses for one thing". Because it is obvious that the front and back of this process are describing the scene of shelling warships, this process must be related to the front and back. "One thing and three uses" means that the production team is using one picture to say three things and express three ideas.
The first is the most basic and superficial: the scenario of generating muscle and tissue when turning into a giant. We record this as matter, existence, life, and birth.
The second is the scenario where the bombs explode one by one at their destination as they fall. We call this destruction and annihilation.
The third is: the spread of Eldian consciousness on the road. The souls and consciousnesses of all humans (including the Eldians) and living beings are illuminated. We call this soul and mind.
These three are the same image of the first level. Then through the combination of these three first-level images, we get a second-level image, which is the relationship between existence and annihilation, matter and soul. Through this image, the author and the production team conveyed their thinking on the relationship between existence and annihilation, expressing the central idea that existence is destruction, matter is soul, and after destruction comes new life and rotation. This echoes the center mark.
Time 0:10. The meaning here needs to be understood immediately after the previous picture. Here is an explosion, to be precise, the explosion caused by the super-giant transformation. We label the explosion here as Blast 2.
This ingeniously echoes the body tissue of the transformed giant mentioned above, and the explosion is also perfectly combined with the image of the cannonball. This further shows and strengthens the meaning of the previous picture and hints at the plot and scenarios that may appear next.
The artillery battery fires again, then the camera moves to the generation of the heart, followed by another (yellow) explosion. Time 0:11-0:12. We label the explosion here as explosion 3.
Here again, the central idea mentioned above is repeated, emphasized and strengthened, to think deeply and strengthen the atmosphere.
It also echoes the famous saying "Give your heart" by the Survey Corps in "Attack on Titan". Destruction, destruction, liberty, life, existence, birth, mind, soul, and heart, these terms combine to play an incomparable irony and provoke deep reflection on readers.
Time 0:13-0:15. In the image, six different colored shells exploded among the eight warships. The camera then returns to Explosion 1 at time 0:06-0:07, next to Explosion 1 where the shock wave is spreading. Then the shot goes back to Explosion 3.
Several explosions here appear in (reverse) rotation of each other in the picture, indicating that the explosions have the same meaning behind them.
The function is the same as before; it plays the role of strengthening the center and suggesting the next plot.
Time 0:16-0:18. A soldier fires his flamethrower recklessly. The raging flames seemed to be in high spirits, dancing towards everything around them. The fire was so alive and powerful, in stark contrast to the bleak surroundings and soldiers. This picture is repeated three times. We label this as flame 1.
Fire is destructive, and fire itself represents power, anger, and destruction. Anger is an emotion in itself, and emotions are feelings, part of the soul and heart. Destroying things creates nothingness, anger germinates in the hearts of lifeless people, and this flame is the cry of the void soul. So such people, such a scene, in the end is it withering and withering or spring? This also arouses readers' thinking.
At the same time, through the contrast of the vitality of the flame and the effect of the flame, a powerful irony is expressed
Time 0:19. The flames burned wildly, and it seemed to be dyed into an explosion that exploded into an angry face. We label the explosion here as Blast 4.
Here, the scene of the explosion is cleverly followed by the picture of the burst of flames, and the mushrooms that roll up and surging during the explosion are drawn to outline the contours of the human face and facial features. Gives a visual and psychological feeling that the flames created the explosion. This is also in line with the popular saying in life of "exploding" with "anger" emotions.
When we look at the works, we must remember that this is not the "magical work" of nature, any similarity or similarity is intentional.
The explosion here is actually a continuation of explosion 1 and explosion 2. The explosion is added to the flame, which evokes the readers' imagination and thinking, and at the same time hints at the background of the story and the inner conditions of the people in it. It also shows that these three explosions belong to the same center, serve the same center and target, and play the same role. Therefore, the function is the same as the previous one, and the function is the same as the previous one, which plays the role of strengthening the center and hinting at the next plot.
Time 0:20-0:26. The colorful colors are like wisps of blue smoke, rising up from the clouds in the sky. Or, like the stretched tears and rain falling from the sky, different colors indicate that they come from different eyes. Correspondingly, 13 geese are falling and diving. We marked this as fall 1.
The wild geese and rain here as images directly refer to people first, and on top of that, they also refer to the freedom (will) of people. This point will be repeated and emphasized again in the following shots.
At the center sign we can learn that color represents emotion, mood and soul, and represents the void.
At the same time, in Explosion 1, Explosion 2 and Explosion 3, we can also know that these colors refer to destruction and power, because these colors are similar to the colors of the previous shells when they are fired and exploded, and they are also the same as the previous huge changes. The color matching of the explosion scene is similar. So here is also "one thing for three purposes, one word for three meanings".
Not only refers to people's emotions, but also refers to wars and disputes. At the same time, geese also refer to where people are.
Combining the above, we can conclude that the whole picture itself is an image as a whole, and there are multiple layers of images.
First layer of imagery: Rain falls from the sky. The grey sky is the perfect time to rain. The gray sky in the background is the accumulation of countless lives.
The second layer of imagery: the spread of war and the destruction of life. Take the horizontal perspective of the camera as the top-down perspective, then replace the gray sky in the background with the blue sea, then this is the human battle situation in the ocean. The geese are warships destroyed by war. The blue sky is the battle situation in the sky, and the wild geese are the shattered airships. Then change it to the earth with yellowish earth, then this is the battle situation of human beings on land, and the geese are living people. These points will also be repeated and emphasized again later.
As a symbol of life and human beings, the geese have no color, as if they are dead, which forms a sharp contrast with the strong emotions. They are falling, and now they don't need to flap their wings and do various death poses. This also implies the annihilation and annihilation of countless creatures in the war.
The third layer of imagery: In the world in war, there are countless hearts and souls bursting, angering, raging, and then feeling, sighing, and annihilating. Like the wisps of life force and soul that seemed to be drawn from the geese, they finally disappeared. At the same time, it also implies the soul communication of the Eldians in the "road". Two tones, two ways of painting and expression, which also show two different perspectives and camps, hinting at the direction of the plot.
Time 0:27-0:33. A cloud of ever-changing colors invades the black cloud from the left of the camera. These clouds are like morning glow and sunset, and finally they form a powerful hand that seems to want to choke life by the throat.
From the previous results, we can already know that the black and colorless things represent the matter and life that actually exist. At the same time, the colorful ones represent the power of destruction, the soul, and the Eldians in the "road". At the same time, the clouds themselves are like smoke, like the smoke after a cannon has been fired, and after life has burned out. So obviously there are two layers and three images here as well.
The first image is: the change of color hints and represents the intensification of the battle. This battle situation can be a battle situation of different wars. It also hints at the direction of the plot and the gradual dominance of the Eldians.
The second image is: the direction of the giants, that is, the "earth sound" looking down from the sky. Everywhere the giants go is flat, and all life they touch is annihilated.
So the image of the second layer is: the final situation of the war. The war will change from daytime to cessation, and the world and mankind will first enter dusk and then dawn.
Time 0:34-0:39. The multi-colored clouds contrasted sharply with the gray clouds. The effect of the changing clouds here is to emphasize and repeat the imagery of the previous shot. It conveys the idea of "these colorful things are smoke and clouds" more vividly and directly. At the same time deepen the overall atmosphere of the film.
Time 0:40-0:44. Rows of colorless soldiers are marching in orderly parade and marching under the leadership of the same mission for a certain goal. Each row is 7 soldiers.
Here it is again to emphasize and deepen the symbolism of the dark things at the center mark.
Time 0:45-0:47. Twelve geese fly neatly and freely in the grey sky with a huge airship behind them. These geese seem to be heading towards a certain goal under the leadership of the airship. Including the airship, there are a total of 13 "big geese". The background gradually drifts into clouds of bright colors.
The neatly parade of soldiers is followed by a scene of geese flying neatly, which clearly reveals that the geese refer to people. Geese can refer to different groups and individuals in different contexts, such as soldiers in this shot.
Into the gorgeous cloud also means that they are in battle, facing destructive forces. Because at the front center mark and at the time 0:08-0:09 we already know that what is brightly colored refers to strength and mind. So here it is implied that they live or perish in the expectations of thousands. At the same time, it also hints at the direction of the plot. Humans will enter from dusk into night and then into dawn.
This also expresses the producer's thinking about freedom and destiny. Because "birds fly freely in the sky" is a common sense and basic sentence pattern, but it is inconsistent here. Because the geese are also flying freely, but they are flying in a neat queue under the leadership and guidance of others. So are they free? This also aroused the interest of readers.
Time 0:48. A woman made of sand fell from the sky and shattered. The background is a cloud of bright colors.
This is in response to the fall 1 of the previous time from 0:20-0:26, and plays a role in linking the previous and the next, emphasizing and deepening it again.
The one here more directly reveals that the (falling) geese refer to humans.
The effect and implication of the color of the background are the same as before.
It also hints at the future of the plot.
Time 0:49-0:50. Different camps, even different kinds of creatures and things made of different materials were mercilessly smashed after the woman fell. Let's do a statistic by including the aforementioned woman portrait. These ruined things, in order of appearance, are 1 woman statue, 1 Mare side soldier, 3 Eldia corps soldiers, 4 geese, 3 Mare side (joint forces) soldiers and 2 airships . These things total 13. The background is full of colorful clouds.
The 13 things here echo the 13 falling geese in Fall 1 at the previous time of 0:20-0:26.
It reveals the reference of Dayan again, and at the same time emphasizes and deepens the theme, and hints the future plot trend.
The way they perish is broken like stone and sand. It shows the fleetingness of life in war. It also implies that many people in the war have lost their souls.
The effect and implication of the color of the background are the same as before. The clouds here hint at the danger and great power of destruction they will face, and be destroyed and shattered in the wishes of others, and in the wishes of the Eldians.
Time 0:51-0:52. Thirteen gray people, either expressionless or with faces of affliction and sadness, fell from the brightly colored clouds.
The number 13 is still used here, and at the same time, it is still a similar shot and composition, so it is obviously echoing the fall 1 of the previous time 0:20-0:26, which plays a role of linking the previous and re-emphasizing and deepening. It is revealed and emphasized again that what the wild goose refers to is human beings and life. The difference from the previous one is that the background here has become a colorful cloud, which also symbolizes and implies that human beings, in the desire of themselves and others, in the face of huge destructive forces, after losing their souls, continue to fall and destroy. The gray color also symbolizes the loss of thinking and the loss of strength.
Time 0:53-1:05. Several explosions and fire delays. Basically, the follow-up of the first 4 explosions plus 1 flame disrupted the order to carry out rotation and interspersed. This corresponds to the number and color of the barrels fired at the time 0:08-0:09. Then we use tones to classify and order explosions; classifying scenes and switching shots as a standard for scene switching then we can get different rotations. The order is: follow-up 1 of explosion 2, follow-up 2 of explosion 2, follow-up 1 of explosion 1 (dust), follow-up 1 of burn 1, follow-up 1 of explosion 3. This is the first rotation, time 0:57. Follow-up 2 of burn 1, follow-up 3 of explosion 2, follow-up 4 of explosion 2 (tsunami), follow-up 2 of explosion 1 (dust), follow-up 2 of explosion 3, follow-up 3 of explosion 1, follow-up 1 of explosion 4, follow-up 4 Follow-up 2. This is the second round at 1:03. Follow-up 3 of burn 1, follow-up 3 of explosion 3 (collapse of sentry tower), follow-up 4 of explosion 1 (dust), follow-up 2 of explosion 4 or follow-up 5 of explosion 1. This is the third rotation. Of course, we can get different orders and results through different classification criteria.
In the follow-up 2 of the first explosion 2, the tsunami caused by the explosion spewed. In subsequent 1s of the first burn 1, the flames are spreading. The violent tsunami of blue contrasted with the raging flames of red, but it was progressive. The so-called water and fire do not blend, and two conflicting and contradictory things are used to compose the same center, which highlights the clarity of the center, strengthens the expression and further creates the atmosphere.
Different colors are used here to represent different pains, emotions, souls, but also different ways of power and destruction. To further enhance the atmosphere, strengthen the sense of oppression under the destructive force. It also hints at the direction of the plot.
Time 1:06-1:16. Small raindrops fell from the sky, and the fallen raindrops hit the originally calm water surface, hitting small ripples. The ripples soon subsided, and more raindrops followed. The background is colorful.
The picture lens here is constantly stretched out into the distance and lifted upwards. This echoes the previous time at 0:20-0:26. And from the front we have already learned that rain symbolizes and refers to life and soul. The fall of rain means the fall of life and soul.
The raindrops struck and died on the calm water without causing too many ripples. This symbolizes that those who are in the war, who are in different parts of the world, those who are called Tian Tian should not and those who are not working well want to be rescued. Every suffering people and sad hearts; also implies the inner induction, the wailing of life and the passing of the soul.
Time 1:17-1:19. A huge hand stretched out to the sky, as if to take on the falling raindrops. The background is colorful.
The hand here is both a giant's hand and an ordinary human's hand. This is a dual perspective, but the same central idea.
The hand here is both receiving raindrops and destroying them. This echoes the background of the story, that giants have taken many lives and helped many since their appearance. It also hints at where the story is going, hinting that the giants will destroy many lives, but help many lives.
The central idea here is the same for giants (or Eldians) and ordinary people.
Time 1:20-1:23. More hands stretched out from the mutilated limbs that looked like garbage, as if searching for something, trying to grab something. Is it freedom? This hand seems to want to make the color of the background bright and changing.
The methods and functions here are the same as the previous ones, and they all share the same central idea from two perspectives. The hand here is both the hand of a giant and the hand of a common man. It symbolizes and implies that all people are imprisoned by thousands of gray bodies, lost in strength and pursuit of freedom, and desire for freedom, begging for light and being saved. The body here is an image, that is, it can directly represent the torso of a person, or it can refer to all kinds of complicated and inescapable things in life.
The lifter also implies that people hold their lives and hopes high in the air. It symbolizes the lofty ideal of human beings in a "cage".
This hand also implies that giants (or Eldians) have the same wishes as ordinary people, and also implies the direction of the plot.
Time 1:24-1:30. The last set of shots. The scene here is like a stone sculpture (or a sand sculpture), but also a monument; it is both like a whole and like the accumulation of countless individual individuals. Allen, the attacking giant, stood on the corpse heap, sitting on the throne piled up with countless gray lives and things. He stretched his right hand forward, as if trying to chase and grab something. Is it freedom? The two gray bodies behind him, and the gray bodies under his feet that lift him up, both seem to want to pursue him to find "freedom" and "light", but also try to stop him from finding "Freedom" and "Light". Maybe both. The shot ends with a close-up of the face of Aaron, Attack on Titan. The background color is Bright Dawn.
The clever thing at the end is that the overall performance of the picture is like a stone sculpture, which is very textured. At the same time, it makes the audience unable to distinguish the purpose of each constituent in it. Whether they are following or blocking, or both.
Alan, the attacking giant, has an outstretched hand that echoes the outstretched hands in the first two sets of shots. It goes to show that Allen is the same as everyone else. This is also reflected in Allen's colors. Alan is no different. Like everyone else, he is a gray stone sculpture. This subtly expresses the center of the film, and even the whole story, which arouses readers' thinking and association.
We can't help but ask, what exactly is "freedom"? "Freedom" is what Allen, who is on top of all the corpses, wants to pursue and seize, so is this the price of "freedom", then does "freedom" really exist? So what is Ellen, Attack on Titan, anyway? Is he "freedom" itself, or a messenger of "freedom", or is he actually a slave of "freedom"?
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