The finale of Attack on Titan is filled with both emotional and disturbing elements, reflecting the series' reputation for its dark and twisted themes. Despite the show coming to an end, new and intriguing details are still emerging, offering viewers additional insight they may have missed before. Additionally, fans have been concocting fascinating theories surrounding subtle narrative details, including speculation about the identity of the person whose remains Eren is seen holding during his conversation with Armin in the finale.
Disclaimer: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
Headcanon unveils the identity of the person whose remains Eren held in Attack on Titan finale
The image shows Eren holding the remains in the finale of Attack on Titan (Image via MAPPA)
Mangaka Hajime Isayama has skillfully utilized symbolism and foreshadowing throughout the series. From Eren's childhood dream under the tree to the devastating death of his mother, many events in the show have been intricately linked to its conclusion since the very start.
The connection of the remains to Hange Zoë
This article sheds light on the potential foreshadowing that comes from a headcanon about the identity of the individual whose remains Eren was holding. According to the headcanon, these remains may actually belong to Hange Zoë, who sacrificed herself to protect humanity outside the walls of Paradis from Eren and the Rumbling, as depicted in the previous Attack on Titan finale special episode.
The final chapter of Attack on Titan, titled Toward the Tree on That Hill, features a pivotal sequence where Mikasa decapitates Eren. This leads to a narrative shift as the story delves into Armin's recollection of a significant conversation he had with Eren inside the path.
At the end of the scene, Eren reveals the devastated landscape after the rumbling to Armin, leaving him in shock and distress. Eren also discovers and holds the remains, including hair and teeth fragments, as he reflects on the deaths of Hange and Sasha, taking responsibility for their tragic fate. It's worth noting that Sasha perished on the airplane in an earlier episode of season 4, prior to the events of the rumbling.
The identity of the remains holds little significance
Hange, however, ultimately met their end under the relentless onslaught of the Rumbling titans, being burned and trampled under their feet. In light of these events, some fans theorize that the remains held in Eren's hands are those of Hange Zoë.
It's important to stress that the speculation about Hange's identity is simply a fan theory. There is no concrete proof definitively linking the remains to Hange. The story does not explicitly address this aspect in any way.
After the Rumbling, the Earth was left flattened, with a sea of blood and remnants of the trampled 80 percent of humanity. This serves as a symbol of the profound loss that Eren will bring about in the future. As a result, the identity of the remains in the Attack on Titan finale is of minimal importance for the narrative, as they could belong to anyone who was crushed under the titan's feet, such as Ramzi or Halil.
Final thoughts
Armin gives Eren his intact seashell (Image via MAPPA)
Eren's discovery symbolizes his feeling of hopelessness, crushed spirit, and despair, presenting a stark contrast to Armin's finding of a seashell, which represents hope, life, and positivity.
Another perspective proposes that the fragments Eren holds are actually broken seashells, similar to what Armin found. Notably, Armin's seashell is whole, unlike Eren's shattered one. This interpretation aligns with the aforementioned symbolism. Furthermore, Armin giving his seashell to Eren signifies his attempt to inspire hope in others.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the shocking revelation in the Attack on Titan finale. On one hand, I appreciate the show's commitment to its dark and twisted themes, and I think the finale did a good job of wrapping up the story in a satisfying way. On the other hand, I feel like the revelation about the remains Eren was holding was a bit too much. It was already clear that Eren was feeling hopeless and despairing, and I think the scene would have been more powerful if it had left the identity of the remains ambiguous.
Overall, I think the Attack on Titan finale was a fitting end to a great series. It was emotionally charged, thought-provoking, and left me feeling satisfied. However, I think the revelation about the remains Eren was holding was a bit unnecessary and detracted from the overall impact of the scene.