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How the Attack on Titan Final Season conned us into believing that the cycle of hatred could truly come to an end

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Ayaan Paul
Ayaan PaulNov 06, 2023 | 16:39

How the Attack on Titan Final Season conned us into believing that the cycle of hatred could truly come to an end

With its concluding chapter, the Attack on Titan Final Season artfully lured its dedicated fanbase into a narrative web where the hope of breaking the cycle of hatred and conflict seemed within reach. 

Before you read ahead, it goes without saying that this piece contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the concluding chapter to Attack on Titan.

Over a decade of storytelling, both Hajime Isayama's original manga and the Wit Studio/MAPPA anime adaptation left a significant imprint on the world of anime. The show's conclusion was nothing short of groundbreaking (pun intended) and has left fans in unexpected moral dilemmas and teary-eyed messes.

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The series, initially a tale of vengeance against giant humanoid monsters, underwent a remarkable transformation, shifting from its origins into a profound and thought-provoking war epic. This narrative evolution was punctuated by the most astonishing character arc in modern fiction – that of Eren Jaeger, the central figure in this sweeping saga.

ALSO READ: Why is anime series Attack on Titan's ending such a big deal?

Eren's descent from a once-innocent boy who had witnessed the heart-wrenching sight of his mother being devoured by a Titan into a radicalised figure willing to contemplate global genocide sent seismic shockwaves through the devoted fan community. His transformation into a character no longer comfortably fitting the moulds of hero or villain defied conventional storytelling tropes and left fans reeling in disbelief.

ALSO READ: An anime series called Attack on Titan has spooky parallels with the Israel-Palestine conflict

The final episode brought the long-anticipated battle for humanity's very survival to a brutal crescendo. The world teetered on the precipice of annihilation as Eren's army of Titans, once his closest comrades, clashed fiercely with the formidable forces determined to thwart his apocalyptic ambitions. 

The cataclysmic clash culminated in the decimation of 80 percent of the global population and the return of the Titans to their human forms. With Eren's defeat, a fragile illusion of peace appeared to be on the horizon, or so it seemed.

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The initial euphoria of peace, however, proved fleeting. 

 A faction of Yeagerists, fervently idolising Eren as a martyr, clung tenaciously to dreams of reigniting fresh hostilities. This unforeseen turn of events underscored the frailty of even the most fleeting semblance of stability and harmony in the wake of conflict.

The tension between the Yeagerists and the survivors served as a poignant reminder that the ghosts of the past continued to haunt a world seemingly incapable of escaping the relentless cycle of hatred and warfare.

ALSO READ: Attack on Titan may be ending, but the rumbling continues for overworked MAPPA animators 

Eren's character arc took centre stage in the closing moments of the series. His dreams of a world beyond the confining walls brimmed with the promise of a fresh start, free from the burdens of his tumultuous past. However, as Eren ventured beyond the walls and beheld the outside world, he was met with a profound and disheartening realisation.

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The world he had yearned for, a world untouched by the agony and discord of his former existence, was not the paradise he had envisioned. Instead, it mirrored the same trials and tribulations he had left behind, delivering a poignant reminder of the inherent complexities and disappointments of human existence, regardless of where one’s journey leads them.

The final scene introduces an unnamed boy, who, intriguingly, bears a striking resemblance to Mikasa with a scarf wrapped around his neck. Accompanied by a loyal dog, the boy ventures toward a tree that holds immense historical significance – the same tree where Ymir the Founder gained her powers through a parasitic creature. This tree becomes a symbol of the perpetuation of power and conflict through generations, a theme that runs deep within the series.

The conclusion leaves viewers with a palpable sense of unease, as it suggests that the cycle of power, conflict, and suffering will continue, even though the series itself may not. While there are no immediate plans to extend the franchise beyond a forthcoming 35th volume, which is expected to be a concise epilogue, the story's thematic resonance lingers on.

Isayama's commentary about the story's ending adds another layer of depth to the narrative. In an interview with the New York Times, he reflects on the implausibility of a tidy and cheerful ending where all conflicts resolve neatly, emphasising that it seems out of touch with the complex and contentious world we inhabit. 

"I guess there could have been an ending where it was a happy ending and the war ended and everything was fine and dandy. I guess that could have been possible. At the same time, the end of fighting and the end of contention itself kind of seems hokey. It kind of seems like it’s not even believable. It’s just not plausible in the world we’re living in right now. And so, sadly, I had to give up on that kind of happy ending."

Isayama's insight underscores the storytelling choice to resist a conventional resolution, instead offering a provocative exploration of the relentless cycle of hatred and war. The reality of contention and conflict seemed more believable, more poignant, echoing our own tumultuous times.

In the end, Attack on Titan wasn't just a tale of vengeance and survival. It was an emotional journey that touched our souls, a profound exploration of the relentless cycle of hatred and war. 

As the final frame faded into an unfamiliar “The End” as opposed to the frustratingly familiar “To be continued”, the conclusion was not a tidy bow tying up all loose ends but a touching commentary on the inexorable cycles of human history that continue to haunt our collective consciousness, evoking a torrent of emotions.

Attack on Titan has changed many a life over the past decade. It captivated and unsettled us, leaving our hearts heavy with the weight of history's burdens. The agonising reality of having to finally bid adieu to one of the greatest stories ever told has since felt like a little too much for fans across the world.

Last updated: November 06, 2023 | 16:39
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