Mikasa's Role in Attack On Titan's Final Season

Highlights

Mikasa Ackerman, a powerful member of the Survey Corps, is faced with the difficult decision of stopping Eren's genocidal actions in the upcoming chapters of Attack on Titan.

Despite enduring a multitude of tragic events and losses, Mikasa has consistently proven herself as an indispensable force in the ongoing battle against the Titans. Her unwavering strength and remarkable abilities have been demonstrated repeatedly.

However, Mikasa's deep love for Eren surpasses that of a mere familial bond, presenting a complex dilemma in her decision-making. She must struggle with the difficult choice of potentially having to eliminate him in order to protect the world from his violent actions.

Mikasa Ackerman, an undoubtedly powerful member of the Survey Corps, played a crucial role in the campaign to reclaim Wall Maria. This campaign reached its culmination in the Battle of Shiganshina at the end of Attack on Titan Season 3. Mikasa's journey in the story has been closely intertwined with Eren's ever since they lost their homes and families during the Fall of Wall Maria. However, she now finds herself faced with a difficult dilemma as Eren has chosen to activate the Rumbling, intending to wipe out all life beyond the Walls of Paradis.

While Mikasa deeply cares for Eren as the only family she has left, she cannot comprehend or justify his decision to commit genocide, even if it is meant to protect Paradis. Despite her numerous pleas, Eren remains steadfast in his merciless mission. It seems that the only way for Mikasa to halt the advance of the Rumbling is to end Eren's life. As we anticipate the release of Attack on Titan The Final Chapters Special 2, it is worth examining Mikasa's journey thus far and contemplating how she will navigate the challenging decision to put an end to Eren's atrocities.

A Tumultuous Journey

Beneath Mikasa's seemingly emotionless demeanor lies a deep well of painful experiences. Due to a tragic incident in her childhood, where her parents were taken away by kidnappers, Mikasa's life took a drastic turn. However, her salvation came in the form of Eren, who, along with his father Grisha Yeager, happened to be present during her ordeal. It was during this critical event that Mikasa's true potential as an Ackerman was awakened, as she bravely protected Eren from one of the kidnappers. Recognizing her dire circumstances, Grisha extended an invitation for Mikasa to live with his family in Shiganshina, an offer that Eren wholeheartedly supported by wrapping his scarf around her, a symbol of their profound connection.

As time went on, the scarf became a cherished emblem of their unwavering bond, and Mikasa continued to wear it well into adulthood. She found solace and familial warmth within the Yeager household, where Eren's mother, Carla, began treating her like her own daughter. Alongside this newfound family, Mikasa's bond with Eren deepened further as she utilized her extraordinary strength to protect both him and their friend Armin from any harm. However, their peaceful existence was abruptly shattered when the Colossal Titan and Armored Titan launched a devastating attack on Shiganshina, breaching Wall Maria and tragically claiming Carla's life.

One Of Humanity's Strongest

In the midst of the chaos, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin managed to escape but were stripped of their homes, families, and former lives. Mikasa made the decision to join Eren and Armin in enlisting in the military. Eventually, she emerged as the highest-ranking cadet in the 104th Training Corps Southern Division, thanks to her exceptional skill with the Omni-Directional Mobility (ODM) gear, combined with her immense strength and combat prowess. Mikasa's abilities developed to an extraordinary extent, enabling her to effortlessly defeat Titans with remarkable efficiency. Many observed that she was an irreplaceable asset to humanity within the Walls, as her strength alone equaled that of an entire battalion.

Mikasa quickly established herself as a crucial member of the Survey Corps, working alongside Levi and Eren to combat the relentless Titan threat. Notably, Eren discovered his own ability as the Attack Titan, further solidifying the trio as vital assets. Mikasa's remarkable strength and talent for slaying Titans were frequently compared to those of Levi, another skilled Ackerman. Together, they were the only non-shifters capable of holding their own against the formidable Nine Titans.

Her unwavering determination to do whatever was necessary played a vital role in the Survey Corps' triumph on multiple occasions throughout the story. Whether it was fighting against the Female Titan, Colossal Titan, or Armored Titan, or participating in the mission to overthrow the Royal Government and reclaim Wall Maria, her lack of hesitation proved crucial. However, this fearless approach sometimes translated into recklessness, as exhibited by her reckless aggression towards the Female Titan, which resulted in Levi risking injury to protect her. As time went on, Mikasa grew more level-headed during battles, particularly when it involved Eren, prioritizing his safety without disregarding her own well-being.

Following a significant time jump, Mikasa played a central role in shaping the relationship between Paradis and the outside world. It was revealed that she was a descendant of the ruling Azumabito family from the nation of Hizuru, making her instrumental in securing assistance from Hizuru. She fostered a friendly association with the country's ambassador, Kiyomi Azumabito. Despite her extraordinary combat abilities, military achievements, and involvement in diplomacy, Mikasa remained humble and grounded. Her sole aspiration was to live a safe life within the Walls alongside Eren and Armin.

A Critical Choice

Mikasa's love for Eren is a significant aspect of her character, surpassing the bounds of familial affection and blossoming into a romantic attachment. Growing up alongside him, she considered Eren to be her sanctuary, cherishing their bond above all else. During challenging times, she took solace in Eren's words from their childhood, which instilled in her the determination to confront her kidnappers, showing the immense impact he had on shaping her personality.

During the Survey Corps' expedition to Marley, Eren asked Mikasa about their relationship. Caught off guard and taken aback, she hesitantly referred to him as family, which seemed to disappoint him. Following that pivotal moment, Eren embarked on an irreversible path, defying orders and clandestinely entering Marley to converse with Zeke. This ultimately led to the Raid on Liberio, where he tragically killed innocent civilians.

After returning to Paradis, Eren completely disregarded her attempts to reason with him and openly expressed his intense hatred towards her. This left her completely shocked and overwhelmed, especially as he continued down a path of violence and unleashed the power of the Founding Titan, ultimately triggering the devastating event known as the Rumbling. As a result, Mikasa finds herself faced with an incredibly challenging decision – whether to put an end to Eren's destructive rampage by potentially killing him, thus conflicting with her own moral compass and her deep feelings for him. With Levi incapacitated due to his injuries, Mikasa now stands as humanity's last hope in stopping Eren. Her ability to confront this monumental test of her determination and ideals will have a profound impact on the fate of the entire world within Attack on Titan. Watch Attack on Titan now on Amazon Prime.