The conclusion of Attack on Titan was one of the most hotly debated topics in the anime and manga community. While some found the ending to be a poignant and fitting close to the epic narrative, a significant portion of fans were left feeling disappointed. This article explores ten valid reasons why many anime and manga enthusiasts didn’t embrace the ending of this acclaimed series.
The Death of Eren Yeager
One of the primary points of contention was the death of the main character, Eren Yeager. While some viewed his demise as a necessary and realistic conclusion to his arc, many fans had hoped for his redemption. They felt his character development was undermined by his death, especially after he’d committed genocide through the Rumbling. Many believed that his death didn’t provide a satisfying conclusion for the protagonist they had followed throughout the series.
Unrealistic Expectations
Fans were emotionally invested in Eren and had envisioned a different outcome. Some viewers found it hard to accept that a protagonist who had once strived to eradicate the titans had become the very thing he had fought against. The dissonance between expectations and the grim reality of Eren’s final act caused significant dissatisfaction.
The Inevitability of War
A major point of criticism was the series’ pessimistic message that war and hatred are inevitable. Despite Eren’s actions, the cycle of conflict continued, leaving many to feel that his sacrifices were ultimately futile. Fans felt that instead of using his powers to forge peace, Eren’s decision to initiate the Rumbling, because of “fate”, painted a grim view of humanity’s prospects, which felt like a letdown after all the build-up.
Missed Opportunity for Peace
Many fans believed that Eren, with his vast powers, could have created a more peaceful outcome. They argued that his decision to resort to the Rumbling, essentially a mass genocide, was a missed opportunity to use his powers for good. The cycle of violence that continued even after Eren’s death, left viewers questioning the purpose of his actions.
Plot Holes and Inconsistencies
The ending introduced several plot holes and narrative inconsistencies. The sudden shift in Eren’s behavior, particularly his confession of love for Mikasa to Armin, felt out of character to many. Additionally, the mechanics of Ymir’s love for King Fritz and her connection to Mikasa didn’t sit well with some fans, creating confusion and dissatisfaction.
Unanswered Questions
Several questions remained unanswered, leading to frustration. The nature of the Titan powers, the exact goals of Eren, and other nuances of the world were not fully explained, leaving fans wanting a more cohesive conclusion. The lack of clear answers contributed to the feeling that the ending was rushed and incomplete.
The Underdeveloped Romance
The sudden emphasis on the romantic feelings between Eren and Mikasa was another point of criticism. While hints of their connection existed, the finale’s focus on these feelings seemed out of place and somewhat incestuous to some viewers, considering their upbringing. Some fans felt that the romantic angle was underdeveloped and that their relationship was more about co-dependency than genuine love.
Forced Romantic Angle
Many felt that the sudden romantic angle was forced, particularly given the other complex themes of the story. This abrupt focus on romance, particularly during the emotional climax of the series, felt incongruent with the rest of the story and its deeper themes, such as war, freedom and hatred.
Lack of Powerful Moments
Compared to the rest of the series, the finale was viewed as lacking in significant powerful moments. While previous episodes had jaw-dropping scenes, the final episodes didn’t deliver the same level of intensity. This left some viewers with the feeling that the end was forgettable, despite being the series’ culmination.
Missed Climax
The finale’s failure to provide a grand or epic climax, that many fans were anticipating, contributed to the disappointment. The lack of memorable moments in the final episode felt anticlimactic, particularly given the high stakes that the series had established previously.
The Controversial Redemption of Eren
Many fans found the attempt to redeem Eren at the end controversial, given his heinous actions. After portraying him as a villain who committed genocide, the attempt to humanize him at the last minute felt disingenuous. This sudden shift in character perception was not well-received by a significant portion of the fanbase.
Villain to Victim
Eren’s character shift from a freedom-fighting protagonist, to a villain, and then a tragic victim, was viewed as confusing and unsatisfying. Many felt that it diluted his character arc and seemed like an attempt to soften the consequences of his actions.
The “Talk-no-Jutsu” Moment
The scene where Armin convinces Zeke to sacrifice himself, to stop the Rumbling, was criticized. This “talk-no-jutsu” moment, a common trope in anime where a character is convinced to change their mind through dialogue, felt out of place, given Zeke’s cunning and manipulative nature. Many viewers felt this plot device undermined the gravity of the situation and reduced Zeke’s complex motivations.
Undermined Antagonist
Zeke’s sudden change of heart felt uncharacteristic and unrealistic. He had been a complex antagonist, and to see him succumb to a simple conversation felt like a disservice to his character. This plot point reduced the depth of the conflict and made the resolution feel superficial.
The Unfulfilled Potential
Many fans felt that the ending squandered the potential of the series’ complex themes. The story had set up a world with intricate political and social dynamics, and the ending failed to delve deeper into these aspects. The missed opportunity for a more nuanced and thought-provoking conclusion contributed to the widespread disappointment.
Simplified Resolution
The finale simplified many of the complex conflicts, leaving viewers with the feeling that the intricate world had not reached its full potential. Rather than exploring the nuances of war, freedom, and oppression, the ending seemed to offer a simplistic and rushed resolution.
The Lack of a Happy Ending
While some appreciated the series’ commitment to a bleak and realistic conclusion, many fans felt it was excessively grim and lacked any real hope. The ending did not deliver the warm, fuzzy feeling that some viewers have come to expect from anime. This departure from typical anime conventions was a major cause of dissatisfaction for some fans.
Desire for Optimism
The bleak ending was jarring for some viewers who had become accustomed to more hopeful resolutions in anime. They felt that the series could have offered some semblance of a positive outcome after all the struggles and sacrifices the characters had endured.
Eren’s True Intentions
The revelation that Eren had orchestrated the events, including the death of his own mother, to reach his predetermined outcome, was unsettling for many. His claim of doing it all to protect his friends, coupled with his brutal acts, seemed contradictory and morally ambiguous. Some viewers felt this twist was convoluted and served to assassinate his character.
Contradictory Actions
Eren’s actions contradicted his motivations, making his true intentions unclear and his character inconsistent. The moral ambiguity surrounding his actions left many fans confused and ultimately unsatisfied.
The Post-Ending War
The fact that peace did not last and Paradis was ultimately destroyed felt like a cynical twist that rendered Eren’s actions meaningless. Many viewers felt that his efforts had been for nothing, undermining the entire narrative arc. The seemingly inevitable cycle of war continued, leaving viewers feeling that no real change had been achieved.
Pointless Sacrifices
The post-ending violence made Eren’s sacrifice appear pointless, as the cycle of conflict continued. The destruction of Paradis, after all the efforts to achieve peace, left many fans feeling that the characters had suffered for nothing.
The ending of Attack on Titan remains a controversial topic, with a diverse range of opinions among its fanbase. While the series is lauded for its complex characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes, many fans felt that the conclusion failed to meet expectations. These ten reasons highlight the main points of contention that continue to fuel discussions among anime and manga enthusiasts to this day.
