Updated April 1, 2023 by Ernie
Introduction
Attention! For those who haven’t finished the manga yet, read carefully! MANY SPOILERS AHEAD.
Table of Contents
We fought, we despaired, we laughed and we cried with them for 9 long magnificent years. However, every good thing has an end and Attack on Titan is no exception. The manga released its last chapter last year and it took a toll on our hearts, but we still had the anime to look forward to. Now it’s the anime that will say its final goodbyes.
As sad as the news may be, I imagine that we are all more than just a little bit excited to know how that legendary series is going to end. Deception, secrets and mysteries, all the things we were so curious about are going to be revealed. For the people who read the manga, you already know that we are about to get our minds blown in a good way. If you want to know what happened that leads to the ending of this series, you may check our blog about “The Rumbling”!
Information
Description
Year: 854
Location: Paradis Island
Hizuru
Marley
Rest of the world
Character Participants: Eren Yaeger
Marleyan Military Units
Global Alliance
Survey Corps
Source of all living matter
Ymir Fritz
Ending Outcome: Annihilation of more than 50% of the earth’s population
Death of several Survey Corps
Zeke and Eren Yaeger’s death
End of the power of the titans
Appearances in anime/manga:
Manga Debut: Chapter 122
Anime Debut: Episode 80
For those who didn’t, rejoice, because any crazy or awesome theories you guys came up with, I assure you that the actual ending will be much better. Endings tend to be disappointing. It’s the most difficult part of a series to create. Many splendid anime were ruined just because of one puny episode that just didn’t make the cut. For Attack on Titan, it will be different!
However, don’t get me wrong, the ending in itself is heartbreaking. Many people voiced their dissatisfaction hoping for a good ending. But I do believe that for a series as gruesome and brutal as that one, something like “happy ever after” would be completely out of context. Their voices reached many and now there are talks online saying that the anime may not have the same ending as the manga.
It’s something that isn’t that uncommon, many anime before didn’t follow to the letter their sources and because of that, some fans are expecting the anime to end in a way that will be a little bit more appreciated by all.
Judging from the last 5 episodes, nothing concrete can be said on that point till now. The anime is thoroughly following its manga but there are 7 more episodes to go and anything can happen by then.
I, personally, loved how the manga ended and wish that it will stay the same in the anime. But I know how frustrating it is when your favorite series ends badly in your eyes, so I also hope that the unfulfilled ones get what they want as well.
History
Attack on Titan is not the easiest anime to understand. A lot of important information was given throughout the series and it’s normal not to be able to keep track of them all, especially when we have to wait years in between. Speaking of understanding, if you’re confused on how to watch this series, you can definitely check our Attack on Titan watch order guide!
For the final season of the series, well, the most important piece of information is of course “The Rumbling”. So let me jog your memory a bit with a small recap. When the war between Eldia and Marley was still ongoing, King Karl Fritz decided to raise three gigantic walls on Paradise Island, using the Founding Titans‘ power.
The hardened shell of an uncountable number of Colossal Titans was used as material and wall Maria, Rose, and Sina came to be (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 64). When the King decided to seal his subject from the outside world, he made one single declaration to convince his enemies to leave his empire alone.
If anyone dares to march on his territory, he will unleash the wall’s disaster to trample on the entire world (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 57). However, this was all an empty threat, a giant bluff, since he made a “vow renouncing war” with the Founding Titan (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 64).
None of the current citizens inside the walls knew about how they came to be, about what lies behind the walls, they thought that they were what was left of humanity. A glimpse of the truth, a piece of the puzzle, was revealed to them when Annie, in Titan form, damaged the wall and revealed the face of a Titan inside (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 25).
Everything became clearer when the Scouts finally managed to put their hands on Grisha’s journals left in his basement. They learned about the Rumbling and the life outside the walls (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 57). Later on, Eren also discovered that he was able to use the Founding Titan’s power even if he was not of royal blood. All he had to do was be in contact with one of them (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 59).
When he kissed Historia at the ceremony in honor of the veteran of the Battle of Shiganshina District, some of his memories were unlocked and he saw the Rumbling that he would cause (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 80). When he reached the sea the rest of them came flooding into him. From this point on he was in control of every single event that would come.
So in short, The Rumbling is when someone uses the Founding Titan power to release the Titans inside the wall and create an invincible army entirely under his command. When Eren came in contact with Zeke, he went to the Coordinate. There he realized that even though he had the Founding Titan, Ymir would only listen to someone of royal blood.
Zeke ordered her to sterilize the Eldians, in desperation, Eren pleaded his case to her. He said that she was free, that she had been waiting alone for more than 2000 years for someone to save her and the time finally came.
He told her that she was not a slave anymore, that the choice was hers and hers alone. He asked her to lend him her strength. In tears, Ymir accepted his proposal and The Rumbling began (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 80).
Participants
Eren Yeager
It goes without saying that Eren Yaeger will play the main role as he is the series’ main character. Being decapitated wasn’t enough to make him give up on his goal. Being cuffed isn’t enough to hold him down and if he will have to go against his friend to protect them he will do so.
Eren has been struggling since the beginning of the story. First, he had to see his mother being eaten alive, then he had to eat his own father to survive. After learning what will happen in the future he had the fate of all his loved ones standing on his shoulders.
He made many sacrifices. He deceived those he considered family, even used them. He hurt them, made them cry and despair but he did it all for their sake. Now it’s the end of the stretch. Success or failure? What is awaiting Eren is still unknown. However, he hit the point of no return a long time ago and has no other choice than to move forward. If you’re wondering how Eren became a titan, you can check our blog about how Eren Yaeger became a titan!
Levi Ackerman
A bomb blew up in his face and yet the World’s Strongest Soldier still lives. That’s nowhere near enough to make Levi Ackerman kick the bucket (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 75).
In his last scene in the anime, his lifeless body filled with injuries was lying on the ground after defeating, on his own, the Beast Titan. What an amazing character he is! He got all the best fight scenes of the entire series (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 74).
We all thought that it was the end of him until Hange Zoe risked her life to escape with him. She dived into the river and what happened to them after that is yet to be revealed. However, I can assure you, we will see much more of Levi’s glory in the episodes to come.
Levi had an extremely difficult childhood. A childhood he didn’t deserve. And yet, even after all the hardships he had to endure, he remained a kind soul that will do anything for the sake of humanity. He might look like a cold, calculative person, well, he is, but that’s not all there is to him. Anyone else would have taken the easiest path in life and would have become a villain but not him, he is more tenacious than that.
It would have been the end of the world if the main antagonist was Levi. Not only is he impossible to kill, but he is also indescribably strong, smart as well, and got the devil’s luck on his side. He’ll have an important role to play in the ending even though he kinda looks like a zombie right now. He’s strong but can’t miraculously heal so don’t expect too much of him.
Armin Arlert
Armin Arlert, we all kind of disliked him at the beginning of the story. He was the cowardly character that always had to hide behind his friend to stay safe. He was the cry baby of the group and he all thought that he would be the first to die.
However, it’s kind of a rule in the anime world, the annoying one has to survive. Good thing that Armin had a major glow-up and can’t be looked down upon anymore. With the intellect of a genius, he became the strategist of the Scouts. He saved everyone’s butt more than once by cooking up ingenious plans, uncovering those of the enemies, and putting together the missing pieces of the puzzle to finally have a clear picture of their situation.
On par with the Scouts commander, Erwin Smith, his life was deemed more valuable than even his. Both of them were on the brink of death. One of them could be saved by changing them into a Titan. The debate wasn’t easy but the final decision was in Armin’s favor (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 55).
Now, not only is he intelligent but he’s also armed with the power of Bertholdt Hoover’s Titan, the Colossal Titan. This titan’s greatest strength is his ability to release devastating bursts of steam that will roast anything in its range.
Comparable to a God of Destruction, he is unmatched in terms of brute strength. But overwhelming power always comes with an overwhelming weakness. Due to the excessive amount of energy this Titan consumes, the user cannot stay in Titan form for long. The easiest way to get rid of the calamity safely is to stay far and wait for him to turn back into human form.
Mikasa Ackerman
Last but not least, we have Mikasa Ackerman. The most badass woman of, I think, the entire anime world. She was infatuated with Eren from the moment he saved her life when they were young. Never letting go of that scarf he gave her is proof of her affection towards him. I don’t know if Eren is just dense or if he doesn’t like her that way but it better be the former. Who would say no to a beauty as overpowered as she is? With some time, even Levi wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to her.
She holds the highest Titan kill count after Levi in human form; she is considered a battalion on her own. Having her company on the battlefield is a huge relief for all her companions. Anyway, Mikasa has been hurt by Eren in many ways and yet she remains on his side. Loyal till the end, imagining her wronging Eren is impossible. He is the one she cherishes the most, he is her everything and that is why the ending is so very cruel.
She deserved to be happy, and I for one would have loved to see them romantically together at least once. But we don’t always get what we want and it was to be expected in a series as harsh as this one. She will be the one to draw the curtain on Attack on Titan.
Plot
Let’s start with a famous saying that we are familiar with: to deceive your enemies, deceives your friends first. All thought that Eren had betrayed Paradis Island and sided with Zeke and was on board with his euthanization plan. The Oscar for the best actor goes to him without saying. He fooled everyone, except Armin, he believed in him till the very end (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 79). Even the ever-loyal Mikasa finished by doubting him.
He manipulated Zeke to get him to Ymir and from this point on everything was going to go Eren’s way as his father said to Zeke when he went into his memories. Turned out that Eren was the one who pushed his father to steal the Founding Titan, kill Fritz and then pass on the power to him. The look on Zeke’s face when he learned the truth was priceless (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 80).
After convincing Ymir to lend him her power he transmitted a message telepathically to all the subjects of Ymir, revealing his true intention. He said that all he wants is to protect the place where he was born, his family, and his friends. However, the world wants to eradicate his people and not just those that are on the Island but outside as well. They want all the subjects of Ymir that are still breathing to perish. He refuses to let them do so! Since the entire world is against them, he will use the wall Titans to trample on everything beyond Paradis’s borders.
They made them believe that they were what was left of humanity, so let’s wipe them out and make their lie become a reality (Attack on Titan anime: Episode 80). However, the Rumbling is not invincible. Its weakness lies in the caster. If the Founding Titan no longer exists, the Rumbling will stop just like that. Let’s just say Eren should very carefully watch his back, or his head to be more accurate. A giant body doesn’t always give the advantage after all, especially when up against minuscule opponents.
Outcome
Mass genocide is a bit over the top even when you are going against the entire world. Who would ever accept without lifting a finger that millions of people die so that they can survive? The three Aces of the Scouts certainly didn’t. Eren had already transformed into the Founding Titan and fused with the source of all matter. Only Mikasa, Armin, and Levi dared to stand in his way, completely rejecting the madness he announced.
A fierce battle began, all reluctant to deal the final blow. In the end, the four of them were Nakama’s. They fought together, risked their lives together, trusted each other, and protected one another. Now they are engaging in a death fight that will seal the fate of Earth. I’ll spare you the details of the fight so you can enjoy it fully when you get to it and I’ll skip to the end.
Mikasa manages to get in the Founding Titan’s mouth and through there she makes her way to Eren’s main body. What she was about to do was torture in itself but she knew she had to do it. She decapitated his head and with his death, the Titan’s race existed no more. Eldians who were feared are no longer a threat and can finally be free. Mikasa, still holding Eren’s head, gave him his first and last farewell kiss to bid him her final goodbyes.
Conclusion
Many were left disappointed believing that the ending was rushed and could have been more elaborated, that Eren’s deeds were out of character and that many mysteries were left unanswered. On the other hand, many praised the end for sticking to the unavoidable cycle of human viciousness and challenging the idea of true freedom. No matter the comments, the ending is undoubtedly an extraordinary one that marked all the fans in different ways. What’s sure is that it definitely shocked most of them.
However, the author has an opportunity here. The ones who loved the ending still got it through the manga. For the ones who didn’t, in the anime, it can be changed. It will also be an incentive for the readers to watch the anime as another totally unique ending can take place. A Win-Win situation with no downside, except if he messes up the entire thing for both parties. So we can say it’s a double edge sword instead. So, what about you guys? Would you prefer a new ending or the original one? Or maybe you have some one-of-a-kind idea of your own? Share them in the comments! Also, if you can’t get enough of this series, you can check our list of best Attack on Titan episodes. Who knows, your best episode is on our list!
