Attack on Titan is one of the most popular and acclaimed anime series of all time. The story follows the adventures of Eren Yeager, a young boy who joins the Survey Corps to fight against the Titans, giant humanoid creatures that have nearly wiped out humanity. Along the way, he meets many friends and foes, including Mikasa Ackerman, his childhood friend and adoptive sister, and Armin Arlert, his best friend and strategist.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the series is the relationship between Eren and Mikasa. Many fans have been rooting for them to end up together since the beginning, while others have different opinions or preferences. The question of who does Eren end up with in Attack on Titan has been a source of debate and speculation for years, especially after the manga ended in April 2021.
In this article, we will explore the answer to this question based on the manga’s finale and the anime’s adaptation so far. We will also discuss some of the alternative outcomes and possibilities that fans have suggested or imagined. Please note that this article contains major spoilers for the manga and the anime, so proceed with caution if you have not finished reading or watching them.
So Who does Eren end up with in AOT
The manga’s ending reveals that Eren’s true plan was to activate the Rumbling, a cataclysmic event that unleashes millions of Colossal Titans to trample the world outside Paradis Island, where most of the remaining Eldians live. Eren’s goal was to eliminate 80% of humanity and create a situation where his friends would have to stop him and become heroes in the eyes of the world. He also wanted to free Ymir Fritz, the founder of all Titans, from her eternal slavery to the royal bloodline.
However, his plan also involved sacrificing himself and erasing his friends’ memories of him. He only confided his true intentions to Armin and Mikasa in separate paths conversations, where he expressed his regret and sorrow for his actions. He also revealed his romantic feelings for Mikasa, admitting that he wanted to be with her and live a long life. He asked her to forget him and move on after his death, but she refused.
In the final battle, Mikasa managed to reach Eren’s human form inside his Founding Titan with Levi’s help. She decapitated him and kissed him goodbye, fulfilling Ymir’s wish to see someone free themselves from their love for someone who hurt them. Mikasa then carried Eren’s head to a nearby hill, where she buried him under a tree. She stayed there for a long time, mourning his loss and refusing to let go of him.
Three years later, she was visited by a bird that wrapped her scarf around her neck, implying that it was Eren’s spirit. She thanked him for wrapping the scarf around her, a gesture that he first did when they met as children. She then smiled and said “See you later, Eren”, echoing the words he said to her in his dream in the first chapter.
The Anime’s Adaptation: A Possible Change?
The anime’s adaptation of Attack on Titan has been faithful to the manga for the most part, with some minor changes and additions. However, some fans have speculated that the anime might change or alter the manga’s ending, especially after seeing some hints and clues in the opening and ending sequences of the final season.
For example, some fans noticed that in the opening sequence, there is a scene where Eren and Mikasa are holding hands and smiling at each other in a peaceful setting. This scene does not appear in the manga and seems to suggest a happier outcome for them. Some fans also pointed out that in the ending sequence, there is a scene where Mikasa is sitting under a tree with a grave next to her, but she is wearing a different scarf than the one Eren gave her. This could imply that she has moved on from him and found someone else.
Of course, these scenes could be interpreted in different ways or have no significance at all. They could also be red herrings or misdirections to keep the viewers guessing. The anime’s staff has not confirmed or denied any changes to the manga’s ending, so we will have to wait and see how they will handle it.
Alternative Outcomes: What If?
While some fans were satisfied with the manga’s ending, others were disappointed or unhappy with it. Some felt that it was too tragic, depressing, or nonsensical for Eren and Mikasa. Some also felt that it was unfair or disrespectful to other characters or ships. As a result, some fans have come up with their own alternative outcomes or scenarios for who does Eren end up with in Attack on Titan.
One of the most popular alternatives is Eren x Historia, a ship that gained a lot of traction after Chapter 130 revealed that Eren visited Historia before the Rumbling and asked her to have a child with him. Some fans believe that Eren and Historia had a genuine romantic connection and that their child was his true motivation for his actions. They also think that the child inherited his Titan powers and memories and that he will eventually reunite with him in the afterlife.
Another popular alternative is Eren x Annie, a ship that was hinted at in the earlier chapters of the manga and the anime. Some fans think that Eren and Annie had a mutual attraction and respect for each other, despite being enemies. They also think that Eren could have freed Annie from her crystal and convinced her to join his side. They imagine that they could have escaped together and lived happily ever after.
Other alternatives include Eren x Armin, Eren x Levi, Eren x Ymir, or Eren x no one. Some fans also think that Mikasa could have ended up with someone else, such as Jean, Connie, or even Levi. Some fans also think that Eren and Mikasa could have had a different ending, such as running away together, stopping the Rumbling together, or surviving together.
Conclusion
The question of who does Eren end up with in Attack on Titan is not an easy one to answer. The manga’s ending suggests that he ended up with Mikasa, but in a tragic and bittersweet way. The anime’s adaptation might change or modify the ending, but we don’t know for sure yet. The alternative outcomes are based on fan theories or preferences, but they are not canon or official.
Ultimately, the answer depends on your perspective and interpretation of the story and the characters. You can choose to accept the manga’s ending, wait for the anime’s ending, or create your own ending. You can also choose to respect other fans’ opinions and preferences, even if they are different from yours. The beauty of Attack on Titan is that it allows for different viewpoints and discussions, as long as they are civil and respectful.
FAQs
Q: When will the anime’s final season end?
A: The anime’s final season is split into two parts. The first part aired from December 2020 to March 2021 and covered Chapters 91 to 116 of the manga. The second part is scheduled to air in January 2022 and will cover the remaining chapters of the manga.
Q: Is the manga’s ending canon?
A: Yes, the manga’s ending is canon, as it is the original source material and the author’s vision. However, some fans have criticized or rejected the ending for various reasons. The author has also made some minor changes and additions to the ending in the volume release of the final chapter.
Q: Is there a sequel or spin-off to Attack on Titan?
A: There is no official sequel or spin-off to Attack on Titan as of now. However, there are some unofficial fan-made projects or stories that continue or expand on the story and the characters. There are also some official prequel or side stories that focus on different aspects or perspectives of the world of Attack on Titan.
