Life and Death: Unraveling the Fate in Attack on Titan's Final Episode

Article Overview

In the final episode of Attack on Titan, Eren is killed by Mikasa, who overcomes her love for him in order to save the world.

Additional characters, including Zeke and Ymir, the original Titan, also meet their demise.

In a surprising turn of events, all the protagonists manage to survive, leading fulfilling lives and contributing to the establishment of peace in the world. Nevertheless, the post-credits scene hints at the transient nature of this newfound harmony.

The recent release of the final episode of Attack on Titan showcased the grim reality that not all of the series' main characters survived the sweeping conclusion. Aside from the immense challenge of navigating a treacherous world and battling colossal Titans, our heroes were also confronted with the alarming transformation of their friend Eren, who had become hell-bent on obliterating the outside world beyond Paradis Island.

Renowned for his willingness to sacrifice beloved characters for the sake of advancing the narrative, author Hajime Isayama has previously delivered heart-wrenching deaths, including those of fan-favorites such as Erwin and Hange. Considering the magnitude of the conflict against Eren, many fans were bracing themselves for a similar outcome. However, astonishingly, the number of casualties among the central cast was not as devastating as anticipated.

The Main Character Meets His End

Unwilling to negotiate surrender, Eren left the Scouts with no choice but to kill him. Despite dwindling hopes for a peaceful resolution, Armin and the rest of the warriors prepared to put an end to Eren's rampage, with Mikasa unexpectedly delivering the fatal blow. It was a poetic death for Eren, as his beloved was the one to halt his deranged plans. While the death of a series' protagonist is not a typical occurrence, it has been successfully portrayed in various anime. Although anticipated to some extent after Eren decimated 80% of the world's population, this shocking demise marked a pivotal moment in the episode.

After that, in the final meeting with his friends in the Paths dimension, Eren discloses that his intention was to enable Armin and the rest to be recognized as heroes for defeating him, thereby gaining enough reverence to safeguard Paradis Island. Furthermore, he unveils that every event that unfolded was predetermined by his visions of the future, and his ultimate objective was to liberate Ymir Fritz from her infatuation with King Fritz, thus putting an end to the Titan menace.

Zeke Accepts His Fate

Zeke played a monumental role in the series and was a crucial figure in the unfolding events. However, his departure became inevitable. Eren utilized him to initiate the Rumbling, resulting in more casualties as long as Zeke was alive. Despite the devastating nature of his demise, he chose to go out on his own terms, emerging as a hero. Surrendering himself, he beckoned Levi, whom he had managed to escape from multiple times, to step forward and complete the task. With a swift, decisive strike, Levi beheaded Zeke, liberating himself from the clutches of his own haunting nightmare.

Ymir Is Freed From Her Chains

Ymir faithfully carried out the Fritz Family's orders for two millennia until Mikasa's assistance granted her liberation. This marked the end of the Titans' era and the prohibition of Eldians transforming into Titans. Ymir's tragic saga stands as the most sorrowful of all. Devastatingly, King Fritz annihilated her family and loved ones, leaving her utterly powerless despite her immense strength. The reason behind her unwavering loyalty to the king, despite his heinous actions, was unveiled: love. Ymir fell for the malevolent ruler and consequently obeyed all his descendants. Ultimately, she managed to break free from the curse that bound her and attain serenity.

Mikasa Is The Main Hero Of The Episode

Despite facing death numerous times, Mikasa emerged victorious from the harrowing battle. The painful task of ending the life of Eren, her childhood companion and love interest, shattered her emotionally. Yet, driven by a commitment to the greater good, Mikasa managed to overcome her heartache and carried out what needed to be done. Assisted by the support of Armin and Levi, she fearlessly entered the jaws of the Attack Titan, severing Eren's head. Retaining Eren's decapitated remains, Mikasa returned to Paradis and interred them in one of his cherished childhood spots. Thus, she embarked on a long and tranquil existence within the district she once called home.

Levi Escaped The Jaws Of Death

Even prior to the ultimate confrontation, Levi's physical condition was dire, resulting in the loss of three fingers and an eye. Despite being partially incapacitated by a near-fatal explosion, he persisted in his battle, disregarding the agony. His contributions were extraordinary. He eliminated Zeke, rescued Conny, and assisted Mikasa in delivering the decisive blow. Although he managed to survive, he was left unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair, wholeheartedly embracing the role of a volunteer, diligently aiding the survivors. After enduring years of relentless warfare and the heartbreaking loss of numerous comrades, there was no one more deserving of respite than Levi Ackerman.

Armin Helped In The Peace Efforts

As the new commander of the Scout Regiment, Armin faced a critical task. Despite its difficulty, he reached the conclusion that Eren's death was indispensable. Formerly kidnapped by Ymir's Titans, he was subsequently rescued and transformed into the Colossal Titan to confront Eren in his most colossal and final form. After securing victory, Armin assumed the role of ambassador for the Allied Nations and embarked on a journey to Paradis, ultimately aiming to bring an end to a centuries-long conflict. With a long future ahead, he is resolute in his commitment to usher in a new era of peace and seek redemption for his past wrongdoing.

The Heroes Lived To See Another Day

Fortunately, none of the remaining Scouts perished, although there were numerous close calls for Conny, Reiner, and Pieck. They managed to survive and carry on with their lives. Annie, Jean, Colt, Gabi, and Onyakopon also emerged unharmed and moved forward after the incident. Joined by Armin, Reiner, Jean, Conny, Pieck, and Annie, they became advocates for peace and worked tirelessly to establish harmony. This group came to be hailed as heroes in the Battle Between Heaven And Earth.

What initially appeared to be a tragic episode ultimately concluded on a positive note for the main characters. Attack On Titan has a reputation for subjecting its characters to horrific ordeals, so the fact that everything turned out well was both surprising and satisfying for fans. However, their sense of peace was short-lived, as during the end credits, it was revealed that Paradis Island would eventually be decimated by bombing in the future. This shocking revelation demonstrated that despite the best efforts of Eren and Armin, the cycle of violence would not be broken. Closing with a scene mirroring the infamous moment from the manga, the final shot depicts a boy in the ruins of Paradis stumbling upon the tree that Eren was buried beneath, hinting at his potential acquisition of Titan powers and the rekindling of the cycle of hatred.

Despite keeping the controversial ending of the manga, the final episode of Attack On Titan exceeded expectations and is a great closure for one of the best anime of all time.

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Editor's P/S

Attack on Titan's final episode was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the death of main characters, the liberation of Ymir, and the unexpected heroics of Mikasa, Levi, and Armin. While it was shocking to see Eren killed by Mikasa, it was a fitting end for a character who had become hell-bent on destroying the world.

The death of Zeke and Ymir also had a profound impact on the story, with Zeke's sacrifice allowing Levi to finally be free from his nightmare, and Ymir's liberation bringing an end to the era of Titans. Overall, the final episode of Attack on Titan was a satisfying conclusion to a beloved series, with the remaining protagonists managing to survive and contribute to the establishment of peace in the world.