The standard Crunchyroll stream order lists the primary television seasons sequentially, but it isolates the eight canonical OVA episodes in their own menu tabs. Skipping them weakens the impact of the opening half of Season 2. The most critical bridge episode is *Ilse's Notebook OVA* (Episode 3.5), based on a standalone manga chapter Isayama published during the early run of the series.
*Ilse's Notebook* documents an expedition squad scout who encounters an abnormal Titan speaking coherent human words while prostrating itself in worship. Watching this half-hour special before Season 2 provides essential context for the unexpected behavior of the Titans around Utgard Castle. It directly frames the emotional stakes of the Ymir jaw titan backstory, which becomes the thematic spine of Season 2’s middle act.
The two-part *No Regrets Levi prequel OVA* also belongs on your watchlist right before Season 2. Adapted from the spin-off manga written by Gun Snark, this backstory follows Captain Levi Ackerman’s life in the Underground district and his recruitment by Erwin Smith. While Levi spends the bulk of Season 2 sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the female titan battle, Erwin takes command on the front lines. Seeing Erwin’s early philosophical compromises deepens the weight of his desperate military gambits later in the season.
