Fans were on the edge of their seats as “Attack on Titan” picked up its final season in January after a nine-month break. If you enjoy action shows or are looking for something new, AOT is a good show to watch.

The highly anticipated second part of season four began on Jan. 9. The extended break came after the studio switched animation companies.

“Attack on Titan” is a fictional dystopian anime that takes place centuries ago. The population takes refuge in the confinement of their fortified walls to avoid giant, people-eating titans.

When the titans manage to break into the city, Eren Jaeger, a young boy eager to explore the outside world, is faced with tragedy. The series follows the quest to unlock the mysteries of the titans, as well as the fight for the freedom of humanity.

When I first began watching, the show immediately grabbed my attention. It had been recommended to me by a friend, so I figured I should check it out for myself.

What I didn’t know though, was how relatable the characters would be. Their emotions are similar to what we experience in everyday life, even if the world is very different.

I noticed that the show follows a common anime plot. The main character typically undergoes the following series of events: trauma, goal-setting, rigorous training, and, finally, arriving at their purpose. These reflect our own goals and the work we have to do to achieve them.

“Attack on Titan” also holds similarities to the events of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the titans invade the city, the population must adapt to the sudden breach.

Much like the show, Americans quickly dealt with the transition of life in confinement. The country shifted to online learning, working from home, and meeting regularly via Zoom.

America has since experienced much disagreement about the appropriate actions the country should take. Likewise, the characters face all of the conflicts that come with venturing outside of the city walls.

Despite the setbacks, the entire country had to find a way to maintain its functionality. Throughout the show, Jaeger consistently challenges himself to “keep moving forward.”

Going into 2022, I think that many people are simply looking for hope. People are now desperately trying to use the pain of the last two years to channel that energy into achieving their goals.

This anime has reminded me that you never know what life will throw at you. However, a new day is a new opportunity to press on toward the things we want to accomplish.

The full list of episodes is available to watch on various streaming platforms, including Hulu and Netflix. Following Sunday’s airing in Japan each week, a new episode is posted in the U.S. on Monday.