By: Shamiha Sharif & Vinci Chen
On November 4th, 2023, MAPPA studio released the last episode of the TV series ‘Attack On Titan,’ titled ‘The Final Chapters: Part 2.’ After a decade-long journey filled with heart-stopping moments, jaw-dropping plot-twists, and an emotionally charged narrative, we now find ourselves at the bittersweet end of an era with the very last episode of the series.
As the curtains fall on this phenomenal series, emotions are running high among the fanbase. From its debut in 2013 to its grand finale in 2023, ‘Attack on Titan’ has taken fans on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride, pushing the norms of storytelling, and challenging the very essence of heroism.
*Spoiler Alert: Major Plot Points Discussed Below*
Goodbye, Eren Yeager
Since the beginning, Eren Yeager's shift from a determined young protagonist to a complex and morally ambiguous figure has been at the forefront of this gripping conclusion. The shocking reveal of the true meaning behind Eren’s ruthless actions have left fans questioning the nature of freedom and the consequences of pursuing it.
In a plot twist that reshaped the narration of ‘Attack on Titan,’ Eren Yeager's true intentions were unveiled earlier in the season. It was revealed that Eren has been the puppet master all along, orchestrating events that shaped the entire story from the very beginning. He manipulated his own past, influenced his father's decisions, and foresaw the future, leaving his friends in the dark until the last possible moment. Eren emerged as the author, protagonist, antagonist, and audience of the entire tale.
Going deeper, Eren’s motive to eradicate the majority of humanity outside of Paradis Island was shown to be rooted in his pursuit of freedom for the Eldians, fueled by a desire to break free from the cycle of oppression and ensure the survival of his people. Eren unleashes the ultimate Power of the Titans, leading an unstoppable army of Colossal Titans towards Marley. Fans finally began to realize Eren would quite literally choose his friends over the world.
However, in the final episode of Season 4, we find ourselves bidding farewell to the charming protagonist. The pivotal moment arrives when Mikasa, torn between love and duty, delivers the final blow.
An Inevitable End to the Rumbling
A motley crew of Eren’s former comrades and enemies scramble to halt his deadly mission, the only question is, can they stop him?
As Armin and Mikasa, accompanied by their surviving comrades, navigate the chaotic aftermath, the story takes a final turn with Mikasa's sacrificial act. Amidst the relentless battles and strategic maneuvers, Mikasa faces the excruciating choice of sacrificing the man she loves the most. In a heart-wrenching scene, Mikasa, realizing Eren's body is within the Titan's mouth, decides to shatter through the creature's teeth… and strikes her sword one last time. This selfless act, driven by love and the desire to put an end to catastrophe, becomes the highlight of the episode. We realize, through Eren’s final expression, that this is the moment he’s been waiting for.
Witnessing this painful sacrifice, Ymir, the mysterious figure in control of the Titans, decides against perpetuating the cycle of power. The Rumbling is over.
Season 4 Highlights
Hange’s Sacrifice:
What does it mean to be a commander of the Survey Corps? There have been many memorable commanders, such as Erwin Smith or Keith Shadis, and they greatly demonstrated what it truly means to be a leader and a guide to those around them. They each learned to share the burden that weighs upon them, and they called the shots for each and every choice, hoping they wouldn’t regret them later on.
Being appointed the 14th commander of the Survey Corps by Erwin before his death, Hange knew what her job was going to be. “Shinzou Wo Sasageyo!” which you all probably already know, means to ‘dedicate your heart’ and keep on fighting to the death. Hange took these words to heart. She appointed Armin as the next commander, and made the choice to sacrifice her life in order to kill enough wall titans that it would give her comrades enough time to leave with the flying ship and catch up to Eren.
Hange demonstrated her strength and power, charging at each titan in her path until she was met with the face of Erwin and all the survey corps members they had lost before. The most memorable part of her farewell scene was Levi’s last words to her. A fist to her chest, she says “shinzou wo sasageyo,” a phrase he has never uttered before. This pivotal dialogue transitions into a heart wrenching and beautiful sequence of battle between Hange and the hundreds of colossal titans she knew she couldn’t defeat.
Levi vs. Zeke:
Levi Ackerman is one of the most recognizable characters in the Attack On Titan series. We see him always flawlessly taking down each and every titan he encounters. However, there was one titan that Levi held a grudge against— The Beast Titan Zeke Yeager. Ever since Zeke killed Erwin, Levi has stopped at nothing to get his hands on Zeke and fulfill Erwin’s final order: “Defeat the Beast Titan.” In the series, we see Levi and Zeke fight a couple battles. However, Levi has never been able to successfully defeat Zeke. Even on death's bed, Levi couldn’t bear to pass on without completing Erwin’s final wish. In the last episode, when Zeke finally reveals himself on the founding Titan, Levi wastes no time in his execution. Some would say it was ‘on sight.’ In the end, Levi proved himself loyal— and undefeated.
The First and Last Kiss:
Mikasa’s love for Eren has been one of the most consistent threads in Attack on Titan. Her loyalty to Eren, her struggle to protect him, and her internal conflict between love and duty all culminated in the final episode. After delivering the fatal blow to Eren, Mikasa gently cradles his head in her arms. She plants a final kiss on his forehead—an action that speaks volumes about her deep affection for him, even in death. This was the climax of the emotional buildup between the two, leaving fans heartbroken— yet understanding of why it had to end this way. This was both their first and last kiss—a tragic conclusion to a love story that was simply never meant to be.
Armin and Eren’s Talk:
One of the most profound moments in the finale is the conversation between Armin and Eren. They meet in a metaphysical realm, where time and space are a blur, allowing them to communicate one last time. In this confrontation, Armin, who has always been the voice of reason, demands answers from his childhood friend. Eren finally admits the truth behind his apparent heartless actions. His mission was never about malice or power—it was a twisted pursuit of freedom for his people. However, he reveals he always knew that he would have to be stopped by his friends to end the cycle of violence. He predicted everything.
This scene is the pinnacle of the deep bond between Armin and Eren, even in the face of betrayal. Armin’s forgiveness, despite the destruction Eren caused, is one of the most heart-wrenching parts of the episode. The two friends, who once dreamed of exploring the world together, end their journey here.
History Repeats Itself:
As the series draws to a close, we’re left with a haunting reflection on the nature of war, violence, and oppression. While Eren’s actions bring an end to the threat of the Rumbling, the cycle of wat seems poised to continue. In a final sequence, we see a flash-forward where the children of Paradis Island are now preparing for war against the outside world. It suggests that despite Eren's sacrifices and the end of the Titan era, the hatred and mistrust between nations persist.
This final episode of Attack on Titan reinforces one of the show’s central messages: history is doomed to repeat itself as long as hatred exists. Even though the Titans are gone, humanity’s tendency to turn on one another remains.
How are the Fans Feeling?
While the manga has been completed for a while now, the animated finale has left fans with the realization that the series is truly coming to a close. Amidst the bittersweet emotions and coming to acceptance, there’s a lot to say!
“I personally enjoyed the finale a lot due to the significant improvements in action scenes and animation, as well as the sound design. I also enjoyed the extra details they included on the lives of the characters after the Battle of Heaven and Earth.”
“The episode was perfect. The ending to everyone’s stories and the true message that war never ends. That it never will. It’s literally the best story in all of fiction.”
“The last episode was phenomenal. I didn’t think the animation and movement could get any better, but MAPPA studios really outdid themselves. The ending, to me, was perfect. I know a lot of people who wanted a happier ending but I think it really suited Isayama’s style and message”
“Though I loved the anime’s ending, there are some aspects of the original manga ending I liked better. The extended armin and eren scene was great, but I didn’t like how easily armin accepted and shared the blame for eren’s crimes. I feel like that was not really emphasized in the original ending.”
“My favorite scene (if not the whole episode) was when Mikasa delivered the killing blow. It was really emotional and just the perfect end to the falling action. The way Eren opened and closed his eyes for her, and especially the way you could see Mikasa’s reflection in his eyes.”
“My favorite scene was probably when we saw Eren absolutely gawking over Mikasa and we finally saw vulnerability. It’s nice to know that he really wasn’t a monster, how he truly just wanted to see his friends happy even if that meant the rest of the world as his sacrifice.”
Compliments to MAPPA studio animators
The animation quality, consistently incredible throughout the series, has reached new
heights in the final season. The breathtaking sequences and the colossal battles between Eren's Yeagerists and the allied forces have left viewers in awe, solidifying "Attack on Titan" as a visual masterpiece.
We can’t wait to see what MAPPA takes on next!
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