Motivated to live, no matter what the cost may be.
Creative Staff
Story: Gun Snark (Nitroplus)
Art: Hikaru Suruga
Translation/Adaptation: Ben Applegate
What They Say
THE THIEF AND THE SOLDIER
The young Erwin Smith is a rising star in the Survey Corps, humanity’s only hope of defeating the man-eating monsters known as Titans. Ruthless and dispassionate, Erwin’s mind is devoted to strategies and intrigue. But beneath Erwin’s feet is another world, the Underground, where humans are born and die surrounded by the garbage the Capital throws away. Here, the criminal Levi survives on his wits and agility. But when these two ambitious men cross paths, who will prove himself stronger?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Let’s face it… Eren is not everyone’s favorite protagonist. He can be a perfect idiot most of the time. It’s no surprise that many Attack on Titan fans would name one of the secondary characters as their favorites, and beyond Mikasa the two names you most commonly hear are Levi and Erwin.
Well, Levi lovers are in luck because this side story is all about him. Not only that, but Erwin’s a big player too. How convenient! I often wonder at how much of the backstory in these spinoffs was the result of the original author’s notes or the spinoff writer responding to the desires of the fanbase. No Regrets is the manga adaptation of a visual novel which was included in the blu-ray releases in Japan, hence the Nitro+ credit next to the writer. So much like Before the Fall, it’s hard to tell how much effect these events actually have on the core story.
No Regrets starts by addressing a question I’ve heard many readers of the series ask; Why don’t the humans just live underground? That’s where we meet Levi for the first time, living in slums which are all that’s left of a plan to move humanity away from the titans. He’s joined by two friends in crime, Isabel and Furlan. Together they are referred to as thieves and ne’er-do-wells, but outside of Levi’s vague threats to murder people causing them trouble we don’t really know their crimes.
Well, one of their crimes is obvious, as they are in possession of vertical maneuvering gear and use it to great effect in their underground city. The rumor of these kids reached Erwin, who when in the central city decides to go and make Levi an offer that he can’t refuse. Levi’s response? Well, to murder Erwin of course! Why the single minded desire to take out the man who dragged him up into the light? Is it just wounded pride?
The chip of Levi’s shoulder is never really explained other than implying life in the slums is harsh. The kids didn’t look particularly down and out, as they were well dressed for peasant thieves. In fact there is largely more telling than showing in this backstory, and often the what’s being told doesn’t match the events taking place. Erwin is implied to be a cunning mastermind constantly plotting to keep the Survey Corps funded, but we never find out how he’s manipulating the people in charge.
Levi’s friends are motivated by their own desires to live above ground and aren’t thrilled with being conscripted to fight outside the walls. However, both owe Levi their own debts of gratitude and stick with him as a close knit team.
By the end of this volume Levi and his friends are out proving themselves with the cream of the crop of the Survey Corps as new rookies who are smart naturals at taking down titans. As Levi’s friends don’t exist in the story proper it’s apparent that in the next volume or two they’re going to meet their end somehow and probably become fuel for Levi’s determination.
The artwork in this side story is handled by someone other than Hajime Isayama, which means that characters are actually well proportioned and the perspective is solid. Despite the change, the artwork remains pretty true to form with the main series. The titans still look like weird caricatures, and although the thick outlines during action scenes are replaced with simple speed lines it maintains the feel. Overall, it’s a nice looking book even if Kodansha isn’t going any extra miles in the presentation of it.
In Summary
No Regrets provides a glimpse of what lead Levi to becoming the greatest warrior of the Survey Corps. The motivation of the players is shaky, and those hoping for deeper characterization to flesh out their favorite side character might find themselves shortchanged by the simplicity of this backstory. If you’re looking for more anti-titan action and teamwork though the end of this volume delivers on that. Either way, the art is better than the series proper while still maintaining its specific style, which is always a cause for celebration.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: B +
Packaging Grade: B
Text/Translation Grade: A –
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Kodansha Comics
Release Date: June 24th, 2014
MSRP: $10.99