Exploring the Visitors to Mikasa and Eren's Graves in Attack on Titan's Ending

The Attack on Titan anime has finally reached its conclusion after a decade-long journey, evoking a mix of emotions from its devoted fanbase. The epic saga of Eren Yeager is destined to leave a lasting impact on the world of anime.

However, the manner in which the series concluded has left viewers with a multitude of unanswered questions and uncertainties. Among these lingering doubts is the true identity of an elderly man depicted in a post-credit scene. This mysterious figure has ignited a storm of speculation within the Attack on Titan community, dividing fans into two factions: one convinced it is Armin, while the other firmly believes it to be Jean.

Post-credits of Attack on Titan's final episode maintain a degree of uncertainty

In the post-credit scene of the Attack on Titan finale, the events unfolding are somewhat unclear due to the wide-angle shot. The series intentionally leaves certain aspects vague, leaving fans to speculate. The scene begins with the group of Scouts and Warriors returning to Paradis and visiting Eren's grave where they meet Mikasa under a tree. The scene then fast forwards a few years later, showing a couple, likely Mikasa and Jean, visiting the grave with their child. This tradition continues until Mikasa's death, with her body still wearing the scarf given to her by Eren.

Exploring the identity of the old man

This suggests that she was laid to rest under the very same tree on the hilltop where her beloved Eren also lies. Subsequently, the narrative jumps ahead and portrays a succession of events unfolding around the tree over the course of numerous years.

Throughout Attack on Titan's finale, there are post-credit scenes where people are seen visiting the graves of Eren and Mikasa. One particular elderly man catches the attention of some viewers, leading to speculation online about his true identity. Holding a hat and a cane, this old man has become a dividing figure within the Attack on Titan fandom, causing a split between the Jean and the Armin factions.

Those in the fandom who believe it was Armin have some evidence backing up their theory. In the initial episodes of Attack on Titan, it was demonstrated that Eren, Mikasa, and Armin would frequently compete to reach the tree on the hill when they were children. In these races, Armin consistently arrived last.

Armin in Season 1(Image via Wit Studio)

The implication in the post-credit scene suggests that Eren and Mikasa have possibly crossed over to the other side, leaving Armin behind, reminiscent of their childhood. This adds a touch of sadness and poeticism to the scene. Additionally, there is a possibility that the old man in the scene could be Jean, who was a close friend of Eren. The series finale and manga ending hint at Jean building a family with Mikasa. In the Attack on Titan credits, we see Mikasa and Jean frequently visiting Eren's grave, often accompanied by their friends and children. Hence, it is reasonable to assume it was Jean who visited their graves.

Final Thoughts

Eren and Armin as kids (Image via Wit Studio)

The identity of the old man in the Attack on Titan finale is a subject of debate within the anime community. With unanswered questions still lingering, fans are actively engaging in discussions about the series and its conclusion. It is uncertain whether the old man is Armin or Jean, as series creator Hajime Isayama often leaves things open-ended. Ultimately, the fans are left to form their own conclusions based on their personal judgment.

Editor's P/S

Attack on Titan's ending has left fans with many unanswered questions, one of which is the identity of the elderly man who visits Mikasa and Eren's graves. Some believe it is Armin, while others believe it is Jean.

Personally, I believe that the old man is Armin. There are a few reasons for this. First, in the manga, Armin is shown to be the only one of the main characters who survives to old age. Second, the old man in the anime has a similar appearance to Armin, with the same light hair and blue eyes. Third, the old man is seen holding a cane, which is something that Armin is often seen using in the manga.

Of course, there is also evidence to support the theory that the old man is Jean. For example, the old man is seen wearing a hat that is similar to the one that Jean wears in the manga. Additionally, the old man is seen visiting Mikasa's grave, which is something that Jean would likely do.

Ultimately, the identity of the old man is up to the interpretation of the viewer. However, I believe that the evidence suggests that the old man is Armin.