The immensely popular anime Attack on Titan reached record-breaking numbers of viewers in its most recent season, and it's clear to see why. From the first episode, the anime is jam-packed with thrilling fights, horrific deaths, incredible characters, and powerful plots that keep fans wanting more.

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The mysteries surrounding the fantasy world are so complex and enticing, and the action scenes are better than most in shonen anime. It's nearly impossible to rank the top episodes since there are so many immaculate scenes and intense moments that impact viewers across the globe. These top picks are only a small handful of the best Attack on Titan episodes that have been delivered to fans over the years.

Updated on June 29, 2024, by Suzail Ahmad: Attack on Titan is one of the few anime whose quality ensures that it will remain in the hearts of viewers for years to come. The anime is very consistent, so viewers do not feel bored or have the urge to switch to another series. Attack on Titan made a name for itself with its compelling storytelling and interesting cast of characters.

The anime was able to keep the audience on the edge of their seats with its mysteries, and this was the case until the final season. Some episodes of the anime were able to encapsulate the true essence of the story, and naturally, these episodes received better reception. With that in mind, here are the best Attack on Titan episodes.

23 Attack Titan (Season 3, Episode 21)

IMDb Rating: 9.6

It took a long time for Eren to learn about his own powers. For years, he tried to understand how he had the ability to transform into a titan, but after endless searching, he finally got his answers.

In this episode, Eren finds out how he was able to use the power of the Founding Titan. He discovered that he had touched Dana Fritz, who had royal blood, enabling him to tap into the most fearsome power.

22 Scream (Season 2, Episode 12)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

In the earlier seasons, there were many mysteries surrounding the characters. As much as fans wanted to know the answers, it was evident that Isayama would never reveal them until the time was right. Towards the end of season 2, an incident took place that raised a lot of questions in the minds of the viewers.

Hannes was killed by the same Titan that killed Eren's mother. Feeling desperate, Eren screamed, which caused the Titans around him to react in a bizarre way. They immediately began to swarm and attack the Titan responsible for Hannes' death. After killing it, the Titans turned their attention towards Reiner and Bertholdt. With no other option, the Warriors leave the place.

21 The War Hammer Titan (Season 4, Episode 6)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

The fourth season of the anime saw Eren undergo a massive change, resulting in him becoming a ruthless person. With his new outlook, Eren believed that what he did was right, and no one could change his mind. Those who did mostly ended up dead.

In this episode, Eren was still in Marley and decided to use his power to cause widespread destruction. The people of Marley would never have thought that the Attack Titan would launch an assault. While most people were in shock, the War Hammer Titan appeared out of nowhere and engaged Eren in combat.

20 The Final Chapters Special 1 (S4, Episode 29)

IMDb Rating: 9.3

After activating the Rumbling, Eren marches toward Liberio, a Marleyan city, to carry out the cleansing. He is accompanied by multiple Wall Titans, each of which possesses a great degree of attacking power. Upon reaching the city, Eren orders the Titans to demolish it. They get to work, and it results in almost the entire population being wiped out. Eren is affected by the sight, and he begins to peruse. However, it doesn't last for very long, and he snaps out of it.

The Scouts and the remaining Warriors try to make their way toward Eren, but they face a lengthy delay because of Floch. After dealing with the problem, they fly to Fort Salta, where they encounter Eren. They know that Eren must be stopped at all costs; otherwise, Fort Salta will fall too. So, they jump on Eren's back to begin their final mission.

19 The Final Chapters Special 2 (S4, Episode 30)

IMDb Rating: 8.7

Fans had extremely high expectations for the final episode of Attack on Titan. They were confident that the series would end on a high note and bring Eren's story to a nice conclusion. In the episode, Eren tries to push through the final obstacle and complete the Rumbling that he worked so hard for. However, Eren's friends are not willing to stand down and let him do as he pleases.

The Scouts keep probing to find a way that would help them kill Eren and stop the Rumbling. Armin, Mikasa, and Levi were at the forefront of things. They kept fighting until a path finally opened up that allowed Mikasa to behead Eren. Naturally, she was quite upset, but she knew that she had no other choice but to do it. With Eren's death, the entire world changed. The Titans were no longer present, so they couldn't pose a threat to humankind. Armin and the other Scouts try their best to ensure that peace prevails.

18 From You, 2000 Years Ago (S4, Episode 21)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

For a long time, the origin of the Titans remained a mystery. Thankfully, in the final season, the anime delved into the past of Ymir. It was revealed that she was a slave who was put through a lot of torture and abuse.

Ymir's life changed when she met an unknown creature who gave her the ability to transform into a Titan. When King Fritz came to know about Ymir's new ability, he decided to use her to increase the might of his empire. The episode tells the gruesome story of Ymir and how power isn't always a blessing.

17 Memories of The Future (S4, Episode 20)

IMDb Rating: 9.8

Zeke and Eren spent more of their lives away from each other, but fate did unite them. There was a lot that the two brothers didn't know about their father. When the opportunity finally arose, the two of them explored Grisha's memories together.

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Zeke was surprised to see Grisha reacting to their presence in his memories, but the surprises didn't end there. The warrior from Marley soon found out that the Attack Titan had implanted memories from the future inside Grisha's head.

16 Two Brothers (S4, Episode 19)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

​​The Two Brothers is a very emotional episode that focuses on four characters: Eren, Zeke, Colt, and Falco. Colt begs Zeke not to use his scream, as he didn't want to lose his brother Falco, however, his pleas fall on deaf ears. Zeke lets out a massive scream that not only affects Falco but also transforms every single person who drank his spinal fluid.

After a turn of events, Zeke and Eren wake up inside the Paths. At this moment, Eren reveals that he has his own plan for the world, and he will not stop until he achieves his goal.

15 The Dawn of Humanity (S4, Episode 28)

IMDb Rating: 9.8

Nostalgia can be dangerous sometimes, especially when one of your closest friends ends up becoming a mass murderer. When Eren finally set out to destroy the enemies of Paradis Island, Mikasa couldn't help but think about if there was anything that she could have done to change things.

For Eren, the past was not important because he was fully focused on being committed to destroying Marley. He marched on with his army to Marley and readied them to wipe out the entire nation. The episode emphasizes the opposing viewpoints of two of the main Attack on Titan characters.

14 To You, in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1 (S1, Episode 1)

IMDb Rating: 9.1

There's no better way to get into an anime than by watching the very first episode. It introduces the sweet, young tritagonists and the ominous world they live in. Additionally, it sets the viewers up with so many questions that they have to keep watching to find out more.

Events follow each other in quick succession, and many deaths occur before the first episode even ends. It's memorable, iconic, and a truly wild first episode of an anime, sure to hook viewers fast.

13 Historia (Season 2, Episode 5)

IMDb Rating: 9.1

The shocking backstories of both Ymir and Historia Reiss (originally introduced in the series as Christa), both came totally unexpected to viewers. In this episode, the scouts are trapped in a castle surrounded by bloodthirsty Titans, and Ymir reveals her Titan powers to save them.

Ymir and Historia's relationship is powerful and beautiful, and it is strengthened even more in a detailed flashback to when the two young women exchanged a promise during training. The couple allows themselves to be vulnerable with each other, something they both struggled their entire lives to do.

12 Declaration of War (Season 4, Episode 5)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

After what felt like a century-long detour from the Eren and the Scouts story, the feisty main protagonist is finally revealed as the wounded war veteran that Falco had been speaking to in the first four episodes. This episode came with a deep breath of relief, as fans were able to see a grown-up Eren ready to confront the enemy country.

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It's full of delicious suspense and features a bone-chilling conversation between Eren and Reiner. The entirety of this episode builds up the massive question: "What's about to happen next?" until the tension is broken by Eren's incredible first attack on Marley.

11 The Other Side of the Wall (Season 3, Episode 22)

IMDb Rating: 9.5

It's rare to see a moment of peace and happiness in this gritty, dark series full of murder and blood. At the end of the third season, it finally seems like things are looking up. The truth of the world is revealed, the last of Paradis' Titans are killed off, and the lands outside of the walls are ready to be explored.

The Scouts head out to the edge of the island and see the ocean for the first time, a lifelong dream of Armin and Eren. Seeing the Scouts splash and play in the beautiful blue water is heart-wrenchingly pure, until of course, Eren brings up the gloominess of their situation. It was a nice moment while it lasted.

10 Savagery (Season 4, Episode 14)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

This episode is one of the best of the entire series, simply for the altercation between Levi and Zeke. Their battle in the trees is one that had fans screaming at their televisions, terrified that the beloved Ackerman would finally be offed by the Beast Titan.

When all of the Scouts guarding Zeke are suddenly transformed into Titans, Levi has to kill off all of them without hesitation while also tracking down Zeke. Seeing Levi beat the living heck out of his enemy was fantastically satisfying.

9 Warrior (Season 2, Episode 6)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

This episode changed everything in the story. Among other beats, it reveals that Reiner and Bertoldt are the Armored and Colossal Titans who broke into the walls and caused the deaths of thousands, including Eren's mom.

This reveal is both out-of-the-blue and surprisingly casual, which is what makes it amazing. Reiner so nonchalantly explains to Eren the truth of his identity. He doesn't take this news lightly, and the episode ends with Eren and the other two shifters getting revved up for a massive battle. The humorous manner in which Reiner revealed the truth has since been made into a popular meme online.

8 Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3 (S1, Episode 25)

IMDb Rating: 9.3

After the Female Titan's identity comes to light, Eren transforms into his Titan form and is ready to take her down. The fight is out of control, action-packed, and deadly.

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When Eren finally gets the upper hand against his opponent, fans get to watch the satisfying moment of the Female Titan being defeated once and for all. After she killed off so many characters in her rampage, it's a nice win for the Scouts.

7 That Day (S3, Episode 20)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

After three entire seasons of the wild mystery surrounding the Titans, the walls, and the shifters, all is revealed. Through the memories of Grisha Jaeger, fans finally get some answers in this mind-blowing episode.

It shows Grisha's life outside of the walls in high detail. The secrets of the Titans finally become clear to both the main characters and the viewers. It's a reveal fans had anticipated for a long time, but it's not predictable at all. The episode met with a fantastic reception from fans.

6 Scream (S2, Episode 12)

IMDb Rating: 9.7

The final episode of Season 2 leaves fans truly fearing the worst. With no resources left to protect them and their enemies getting away, Eren and the Scouts are left in a terrible position, surrounded by Titans.

The major plot twist revealing Eren's Attack Titan abilities is so memorable in this episode. Viewers watched as his passionate scream held the power to control the Titans around him, and the episode had people biting their nails in anxiety.

5 First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1 (S1, Episode 5)

IMDb Rating: 9.2

This episode was a true rollercoaster. It made viewers swing from "Okay, I think I know where this is going" to "Wait, no I don't" in a span of a minute.

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4 Midnight Sun (S3, Episode 18)

IMDb Rating: 9.8

If viewers weren't already crying over Armin's death in the previous episode, this epic episode will definitely have them sobbing. The characters find Armin alive, but before Levi can administer the Titan serum to save his life, they realize Ermin is on the brink of death as well.

Seeing the pure desperation and grief in Mikasa, Eren, and Levi's eyes is too much to handle. It's an emotional whirlwind that concludes with Eren getting an up-close encounter with the foreign Titan shifters.