For many, Attack on Titan is more than just an anime, it’s a gateway into the world of Japanese animation. However, the final decisions made by creator Hajime Isayama regarding Eren Yeager have sparked unprecedented outrage. Do we truly understand Eren, or has the author betrayed the character he carefully built?
On social media platform X, user @SeverusChud argued that the ending ruined the entire series, with the key moment being the final conversation between Eren and Armin. For the first time, Eren was honest with himself, but that honesty angered fans because it completely overturned the long-established image of the main character. Many believe Eren’s entire character development was wasted when he appeared as someone who didn’t know what he was doing.
Why are fans so disappointed with Attack on Titan’s conclusion?
The Eren Yeager we knew was willing to fight for Paradis’s freedom at any cost. He initiated the Rumbling to destroy the world, standing in stark contrast to his brother Zeke’s sterilization plan.
Eren made several decisions that showed he was focused on one thing alone. These included pushing the Smiling Titan away from Bertholdt, which led to his mother’s death, and manipulating his own father into killing children before passing the Attack Titan to young Eren. All of this painted Eren as a cold figure with a single goal: freedom.
Yet, the final conversation revealed a harsh truth: Eren didn’t really know what he was doing because his perception was distorted by seeing the past, present, and future all at once. He was never truly free and was controlled by a fate he could glimpse thanks to the Attack Titan’s power.
Additionally, Eren’s admission that he didn’t want to leave Mikasa, that he loved her and showed vulnerability, was seen by many fans as an insult to both readers and the character himself.
Could a different choice have saved Attack on Titan?
Fans’ disappointment is understandable when we realize that for a long time, we haven’t seen the story from Eren’s perspective.
When Eren and Zeke revisited Grisha’s memories, everything was actually shown from Zeke’s point of view. During the declaration of war, we saw the perspective of Marley’s people.
Even when the Rumbling began, the story was told through Mikasa and Armin’s eyes. What does this mean? It means that even if Eren had those tragic thoughts before, we never really saw them. Eren didn’t suddenly become pitiable, rather, we only saw his vulnerable side when he finally opened up to Armin.
If Hajime Isayama had allowed readers more access to Eren’s inner monologues from the moment his personality changed, things might have been different. Knowing earlier that Eren was struggling with chaotic memories and quietly following a predetermined path could have made the ending less shocking in a negative way.
While the surprise factor might have been reduced, at least we would have felt a deeper understanding of our main character instead of feeling betrayed in the final moments.