Attack on Titan is undoubtedly one of the most significant anime adaptations of the past decade, known for its captivating storyline and well-developed characters. One such character is Eren Jaeger (or Yaeger, depending on who you ask), who transforms from protagonist to antagonist, adding a layer of complexity to his already fascinating character.
The burning question on everyone’s mind is whether this dynamic character will survive until the end of the show, or if Eren will meet his demise in Attack on Titan.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
For those eagerly awaiting the final part of The Final Season of Attack on Titan, it’s worth noting that Eren does indeed meet his demise in the series.
According to the Attack on titan manga, Eren’s death occurs in the final panels of Chapter 138, during The Battle of Heaven and Earth, the ultimate fight to save humanity from The Rumbling. It is at this point that Mikasa severs Eren’s head, effectively killing him. With Eren’s death, The Rumbling comes to an end, and the Power of the Titans fades away along with him. As a poignant final farewell, Mikasa gives Eren a goodbye kiss as she holds his head in her hands.
The final events leading to Eren’s death are set to be adapted in the latter part of 2023 for the final installment of the Attack on Titan anime. But how did the story reach this point in the first place?
Attack On Titan: Eren Jaeger, The Transformation from Protagonist to Antagonist
Based on the Hajime Isayama manga of the same name, Attack on Titan follows the story of Eren Jaeger as he seeks revenge and answers after titans, massive humanoid creatures shrouded in mystery, invade the walled community of Paradis and devour Eren’s mother. Eren eventually enlists in the Scout Regiment, Paradis’ elite soldiers who are trained to combat the titans. It isn’t long before Eren discovers that he is a Titan Shifter, a person with the ability to transform into a titan.
The first three seasons of Attack on Titan chronicle Eren and the Scout Regiment as they defend against attacks from other Titan Shifters while attempting to uncover the truth about the titans, Paradis, and the outside world. Once they uncover the truth, however, Eren undergoes a significant transformation and by the beginning of The Final Season, he is determined to end life outside of the walls in order to prevent the destruction of Paradis by Marley and its subjugated allies.
After deceiving his brother, Zeke, Eren gains the power of the Founding Titan and initiates The Rumbling, a worldwide act of genocide.
Attack On Titan: Is it Possible that Eren Survived?
Some fans have put forth theories suggesting that Eren may have survived his apparent demise, with the most prominent theory revolving around the bird that appears in the final chapter of the manga, Chapter 139. The bird is seen trying to steal Mikasa’s scarf, a gift from Eren that she has cherished throughout the series, even after he urges her to let it go.
However, it is highly unlikely that Eren survived his death, and all signs point towards him knowing that his demise was necessary.
Throughout the course of The Rumbling, Eren could have used the power of the Founding Titan to prevent his friends from using their titan abilities, but he never did. In addition, Eren essentially admits to Armin that he knew he had to die when they met in The Paths, in order to save Paradis and take responsibility for his actions.
Furthermore, it is difficult to see how Eren could have survived beyond the events of The Rumbling, given that his head was severed by Gabi’s sniper bullet and the only thing keeping him alive seemed to be the power of the Founding Titan. Moreover, Eren was fated to die anyway due to the Curse of Ymir, which dictates that all Titan Shifters die 13 years after inheriting their titan.
Attack On Titan: Is there a possibility of Eren coming back?
Despite the slim chances, some Eren fans have found a glimmer of hope that he could potentially return. This is due to the epilogue of the manga, where Eren’s tree in Paradis has grown to resemble the tree that Ymir encountered when she first gained her powers from the Hallucigenia, the creature that is said to be the origin of all life. The final panels show an unidentified figure approaching the tree, leaving Eren’s fate open to interpretation.
This appears to be the final hint from Isayama that the cycle of the titans will continue, as the world around Eren’s tree has been devastated by war and returned to a more primitive state, allowing titans to thrive once again. It is unclear whether the war was global or only affected Paradis, but it seems that Eldia’s downfall could not be prevented by Eren. While there is a slim possibility that Eren could take on the role of Ymir in a new cycle, given Isayama’s apparent departure from this universe and Eren’s unchanging hatred of titans, it’s unlikely that a definitive answer will be provided for this open-ended conclusion.
