Highlights
- The anime finale of Attack on Titan provided an intense and visually stunning conclusion to the series, although some plot points were left unresolved, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
- The major queries surrounding the series, including Levi's mission to kill Zeke, Eren's motives, and the confrontation between the Scouts and Eren, were answered in a satisfying manner.
- The finale resulted in the deaths of major characters such as Zeke and Eren, and ultimately, 80% of humanity. While the Power of the Titans disappeared, the cycle of conflict and hatred is likely to repeat itself in the future.
The following contains spoilers for Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2, now streaming on Prime Video.Filled with frame after frame of riveting action, gripping visuals, and intense emotional catharsis, the anime finale of Attack on Titan concluded the decade-old series in style, even if certain aspects of its ending yielded divisive reactions. This was mainly because a few plot points and mysteries surrounding the series' lore were left unresolved, which produced some frustration for Attack on Titan's dedicated fandom.
However, among the major queries that arose in the build up to the series finale, most were resolved in a relatively satisfying manner, particularly due to the minor changes to the originally controversial manga ending. This is not to say that the ending was entirely perfect. However, the additional scenes and tweaks made by Studio MAPPA and the series' creator, Hajime Isayama, gave the highly acclaimed anime the send-off that it deserved. With this in mind, here are some of the most important questions that the series finale answered.
7 Will Levi Finally Kill Zeke?
Answer: Yes
Since the end of the Operation to Retake Wall Maria, Levi Ackerman has been desperately trying to fulfill the final order he received from his former Commander, Erwin Smith: to kill Zeke Yeager, the Beast Titan. Haunted by Erwin's sacrifice in Shiganshina, Levi came close to delivering on his promise on two occasions — in Shiganshina, and later, the Titan Forest.
Sadly, he was thwarted at the last moment during both of these attempts to finish off Zeke. Fortunately, towards the end of the final battle, Zeke appeared before a stunned Levi. The latter wasted no time in putting an end to his mortal enemy, which temporarily stopped the Rumbling.
6 What Are Eren's Motives?
Answer: To Change a Bleak Future, and Try to Save His Friends
Throughout Attack on Titan's final season, there was a great deal of speculation surrounding Eren's objectives. His choice to commence the Rumbling with the Founding Titan and wipe out all life beyond the Walls to protect Paradis, was the subject of much debate in regard to its moral implications. During his conversation with Armin, Eren revealed that his ultimate fate was shown to him in memories from the future. He was unable to alter it even after repeated attempts.
His decision to carry out the Rumbling also stemmed from his disappointment at learning that human civilization existed outside the Walls, which prompted him to erase everything and create a blank slate. Eren also wanted to ensure that his friends would have some hope of survival. His genocide would level the playing field, eliminating any chance of Paradis being destroyed by the rest of the world. However, this came at an unforgivable cost.
5 Can The Scouts Kill Eren To Stop The Rumbling?
Answer: Yes
Much of the final battle's tension revolved around how the Scouts and Warriors were supposed to stop the Rumbling. This was compounded by the fact that many of Eren's former comrades — notably Mikasa and Armin — were unwilling to go to the extreme of killing him.
In the end, through a combined effort, the group managed to kill Zeke to stop the advance of Wall Titans. They decapitated Eren's Founding Titan, which exposed the source of the Power of the Titans, and stopped him temporarily. Finally, after speaking to Eren in the Paths, Mikasa realized that it was her responsibility to end his life. She managed to do so with her newfound resolve.
4 Who Will Die In The Final Battle?
Answer: Zeke, Eren, and 80% of Humanity
From its earliest story arcs, Attack on Titan has seldom avoided the deaths of prominent characters. Victory always comes at a cost, and there are no real winners in war. Hence, there was little doubt that the the final battle against Eren would also yield some major character deaths.
While Hange Zoe, Theo Magath, Floch, and Keith Shadis all died during THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 1, the second installment was expected to yield even more character deaths. In the end, Zeke Yeager and 80% of the world's population met their end over the course of the finale as a consequence of the Rumbling. The most important death was that of Eren himself, as he met his demise by Mikasa's hand.
3 Will The Power Of The Titans Disappear?
Answer: Maybe
Throughout history in the world of Attack on Titan, the Power of the Titans has been a major factor in the conflict between Eldia, Marley, and the rest of the world. From the time when the Eldian Empire ruled the world, to the current era of Marleyan supremacy, control over the Nine Titans has been crucial in deciding the outcome of global conflicts. At the start of the series, Eren vowed to eradicate all the Titans, to avenge the death of his mother during the Fall of Wall Maria.
Once he started the Rumbling, the narrative flipped on his head. Eren went from victim to aggressor, perpetrating mass genocide against all civilizations beyond Paradis. In some twisted way, he somehow managed to make good on his promise, as the Power of the Titans disappeared from the world after his death. That being said, the final moments of the post-credits scene, after the destruction of Paradis in the far future, indicated that the cycle was doomed to repeat itself once again.
2 Will Paradis Be Saved?
Answer: Yes...For Now
Whether the Scouts agreed with him or not, Eren's decision to start the Rumbling came from his desperation to protect his homeland, which was under grave threat. After the Raid on Liberio, the prospect of a combined military assault on Paradis by allied enemy nations was all but confirmed. In the epilogue to the final battle, the remaining Scouts and Warriors (save for Levi, Gabi, Falco, and Mikasa) headed to Paradis for peace talks with Queen Historia Reiss, three years after the Battle of Heaven and Earth.
In this time, the Yeagerist faction on Paradis built a strong military, anticipating retaliation for the devastation caused by the Rumbling. While the post-credits scene hinted that the citizens of Paradis lived in relative peace for quite some time, this hope died out as the flames of war visited the island's shores once again. Its cities were obliterated by a nuclear-scale missile strike in the far future. Ultimately, eliminating the Power of the Titans only delayed the cycle of hatred from resurfacing once again. It serves as a grim reminder that human nature is the single biggest source of conflict.
1 Does Eren Love Mikasa?
Answer: Yes
The most prominent question that has gone unanswered is the nature of Eren's relationship with Mikasa. Having lived with her as his adopted sister, there was a major question mark over Eren's feelings towards her. Viewers have long known that Mikasa harbored romantic sentiments for him. Their conversation during the Scouts' visit to Marley seemed to give a conflicting answer. There was some doubt about whether Mikasa had really been truthful in calling him family. Eren's harsh words towards Mikasa in the War for Paradis Arc added to the confusion, and there seemed to be no answer in sight.
Thankfully, Eren's conversation with Armin in the Paths, and the affection shown by Mikasa towards his remains in his dying moments, confirmed that the pair did have mutual romantic feelings towards one another. Sadly, the revelation came too late. Theirs was a romance doomed to a tragic end, as Eren was trapped in his predestined role as the last Attack Titan and Founding Titan. Fans who had waited 10 years for this moment have divided opinions, depending on how they perceived the pair's dynamic. But at the very least, this question now has a definitive answer.
Attack On Titan
- Release Date
- April 7, 2013
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 94
