MAPPA's Crucial Alteration: How it Revitalized Eren and Armin in Attack on Titan's Finale
Fans praise MAPPA for saving Eren and Armin's characters in Attack on Titan's final episode through a crucial dialogue change
On November 5, 2023, at 12 AM JST, the concluding episode of Attack on Titan, titled The Final Chapters (Part 2), was released in Japan. This marked the end of the highly popular manga series by Hajime Isayama, which was adapted into an anime. Despite the controversy surrounding the original ending, MAPPA, the studio behind the adaptation, made modifications that led to a more positive finale. Isayama, the mangaka, played an active role in the production, providing rough drafts for this crucial episode.
Attack on Titan made its debut in 2013 and has been released in multiple installments. The fourth and final season has been split into three parts, with the first two premiering in 2020 and 2022 accordingly.
This gripping series revolves around Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackermann, and Armin Arlelt, whose lives were forever altered by the devastating arrival of a Colossal Titan. This monstrous being demolished their hometown and claimed the life of Eren's mother. United by their shared trauma, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin enlisted in the Scout Regiment, an esteemed group of warriors dedicated to battling Titans. With vengeance as their driving force, they strive to bring justice to those responsible.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.
Attack on Titan's final episode changes Armin's dialogue
One of the most impactful moments in the Attack on Titan manga transpires when Eren informs Armin that the time has come for them to separate, and he will temporarily wipe his recollections of their discussion. Following their ultimate confrontation, Eren assures Armin that their conversation will remain etched in his memory.
Armin, in response, presents Eren with a seashell and expresses his gratitude for shouldering the weight of the world's animosity on behalf of Paradis. The two embrace for the final time, and Eren assures Armin that, despite his uncertainty regarding the outcome after his demise, he has complete faith in his friend's capability to undertake any actions necessary to rescue humanity.
In the manga, Armin expresses gratitude to Eren and vows to make good use of his mistakes. However, the final episode of Attack on Titan alters this poignant moment to "Let's embark on this journey to hell together."
Although both versions evoke strong emotions and highlight the strong connection between Eren and Armin, the anime's rendition has been better received by the viewers with a more positive resonance.
How have fans reacted to the change in Attack on Titan's final episode?
The final episode of Attack on Titan has received a tremendously positive reception from viewers, who have taken to social media platform X to express their appreciation. Notably, some readers have pointed out that the change in the episode has resulted in a shift in Eren's tone, making it more acknowledging rather than justificatory.
While most viewers have loved the change, there are a few who do not agree with it.
It is worth mentioning that many have argued that the original manga dialogue was a mistranslation, making this alteration a necessary one.
The conclusion of the Attack on Titan series has brought immense joy to numerous fans. Presently, it stands as one of the most exceptional examples of dark fantasy anime and is expected to be hailed as such for years to come.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the crucial alteration made by MAPPA in the final episode of Attack on Titan. On the one hand, I understand the need to make changes to the original manga ending, which was met with controversy by many fans. The new dialogue between Eren and Armin gives their relationship a more positive and hopeful tone, which I appreciate.
On the other hand, I feel that the change takes away from the complexity and nuance of Eren's character. In the manga, Eren's line about "wiping his recollections" of their discussion is a powerful moment that highlights his determination to carry out his plan, even if it means sacrificing his friendship with Armin. The anime's change to "Let's embark on this journey to hell together" feels more like a generic statement of friendship and doesn't have the same emotional impact.
Overall, I think the change made by MAPPA is a positive one, but I also believe that the original manga ending had its merits. Ultimately, I think the best way to judge the change is to see how it affects the overall reception of the Attack on Titan series in the long run.
