Hajime Isayama’s shonen manga, Attack on Titan, came to a shocking end in 2021. While the reached its emotional conclusion in Chapter 139, “Final Chapter: Toward the Tree on That Hill”, the anime adaptation followed suit in Fall 2023 with its grand finale. As bleak as the ending was, there’s still light at the end of the tunnel. Although the Rumbling destroyed 80% of the world, some made out of it due to a group of heroes.

Attack on Titan
Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan

However, there are still many questions that fans are curious about, one being the main protagonist, Eren Yeager’s disappearance. Thankfully, Hajime Isayama came to the rescue to the delight of the US fans. Isayama sat down with Crunchyroll News for an interview to discuss his series’ controversial ending.

Why Was Eren Yeager Removed From Attack on Titan?

Mikasa
Mikasa

Attack on Titan ended on a shocking and emotional note, leaving fans in tears as Mikasa enters Eren’s Titan mouth with Levi’s assistance, decapitates Eren’s human body, and kisses him for the first and final time. The penultimate chapter confirms Eren’s death and as the dust settles Mikasa brings Eren’s head to Armin as they both mourn his loss. Mikasa then leaves the battlefield with his head, knowing that she couldn’t afford a proper burial for Eren, given the destruction he caused with the Rumbling.

Also Read: “He’s someone I put a lot of thought into creating”: Hajime Isayama’s Favorite Attack on Titan Character is the Most Unexpected One (It’s Not Eren or Mikasa)

In the interview with Crunchyroll, Isayama was questioned about Eren’s disappearance from the forefront of the series following the time skip and the introduction of Marley. Isayama replied that it had always been his intention to remove Eren from the narrative as a storyteller. He further explained:

“It’s actually something I’ve always wanted to do as a storyteller. First, we have no information about the characters that we’ve familiarized ourselves with and switch the perspective to the enemy’s side – or who we thought was an enemy – and start to explore their perspective as well. And then just around the time we start to familiarize ourselves and sympathize with their point of view, we introduce the main characters as their enemies. How I would feel about it and how the audience would be feeling about it was kind of beyond my control, but it was always something that I wanted to do and intended to do.“

Although bringing in completely new characters instead of the previously existing ones was a bold move on Isayama’s part and completely unheard of, the risk paid off. Isayama’s choice made Attack on Titan‘s Season 4 one of the most intense and dramatic seasons. The author also used the time-skip trope innovatively to introduce new characters outside the Island of Paradis. By introducing the perspective of the “enemy” side, viewers were forced to empathize with the characters creating a conflict of interest.

The Time Skip Proved The Futility Of War

Eren Yeager pre-time skip
Eren Yeager pre-time skip

The time skip in Attack on Titan was much needed as it allowed the audience to meet and grow to love the Marleyans and realize that the war itself was the true enemy, not the opposing group. This is a pivotal message as it showcases the anti-war perspective that Isayama originally integrated as the true meaning of Attack on Titan.

Also Read: 5 Best Characters From Attack on Titan, Ranked

Fans admit that a perfect finale would have been too unrealistic for a series centered around war, however, there is still hope at the end of the series. Attack on Titan subverts from typical shonen anime and instead of ending with one concrete resolution, the finale just seems like a new beginning, one budding with endless possibilities. The Eldians and Marleyans joined forces to fight for freedom and peace, and these former enemies getting to know each other as people instead of opponents of war contributed to this peace.

Read Attack on Titan on Kodansha and watch the anime on Crunchyroll.

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