Attack on Titan has been lauded as one of the best animes to come out of Japan in recent years, a winning blend of mecha anime, horror, and fantasy with strong political overtones in later episodes. The story stars Eren Yeager, a brash soldier fighting to defend his home city from man-eating Titans. It sounds like a straightforward premise at first -- until the show challenges Eren and the viewers with political intrigue, sinister conspiracies, betrayal, and stunning revelations about the Titans and where they came from.

Having finished airing its final episode, Attack on Titan is a fully-fledged story with dynamic and interesting characters driving the plot forward, which has led to some truly memorable anime episodes for fans. Some of the best episodes have hard-hitting action scenes of Titans vs humanity, while other great episodes have shocking, even brutal plot twists or have intense character drama.

Updated on March 14th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This list of the best Attack on Titan episodes has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards and now includes two episodes from the final season as well.

10 "From You, 2000 Years Ago" Shows the Origins of the Titans and Ymir

Season 4, Episode 4, Episode 21: "From You, 2,000 Years Ago" (February 27th, 2022)

"From You, 2000 Years Ago" ranks among one of the best flashback episodes in any anime series. In Attack on Titan's fourth season, "From You, 2000 Years Ago" shows Zeke Yeager learning the bizarre truth of his younger half-brother Eren's manipulations, and Zeke tries to launch his euthanasia plan. Then, a flashback unfolds, finally showing where the Titans came from.

"From You, 2000 Years Ago" scores:

• IMDb: 9.7
• MAL: 4.8/5

Two millennia ago, a blonde girl named Ymir was a slave, but then she rose to power as King Fritz's favorite and bore him several children. At one point, Ymir stumbled upon the supernatural power that turned her into the Founding Titan, which ensured the continued power of Eldia for many centuries to come. In the present day, meanwhile, Ymir listens to Eren and chooses to side with him rather than with Zeke, which has masive consequences in the story. It's fascinating to see, though this episode has little action, so it actually ranks a bit low among the best Attack on Titana episodes, though it's still important story-wise.

9 "Thunder Spears" Shows the True Power of Anti-Titan Weaponry

Season 3, Episode 14: "Thunder Spears" (May 6th, 2019)

This episode debuted one of Attack on Titan's most deadly weapons, The Thunder Spear. But, before the story get around to that, the episode opens on Reiner's Armored Titan, who's being distracted by a now transformed, Eren Yeager. Reiner decides to go after Eren instead of attacking the horses.

"Thunder Spears" scores:

• IMDb: 9.6
• MAL: 4.7/5

As he's doing this, Captain Erwin reminisces on the past in the midst of battle. Eren's new hardening ability gives him the edge over Reiner in one on one combat. Reiner manages to temporarily escape before Hange and the other survey corps members decimate the armored Titan with the Thunder Spears. This episode will be remembered for the use of some interesting tactics and the use of a weapon that might be game-changing.

8 "Attack Titan" Tells the Full Story of Eren's Titan Shifter Form

Season 3, Episode 21: "Attack Titan" (June 24th, 2019)

This is an episode of Attack on Titan filled with lore and answers to questions the fans have waited on for years. In "Attack Titan," viewers learn about Ymir's curse and more about Eren's coordinate ability and its origins. Not only that, viewers also learn about a previous wielder of the Attack Titan and what purpose it usually serves throughout the years.

"Attack Titan" scores:

• IMDb: 9.7
• MAL: 4.8

This is a well-handled episode that, though exposition-heavy, it moves along at a nice pace. "Attack Titan" also witnesses Historia Reiss learning more about Ymir via the powers of the bloodline.

7 "Scream" Shows a Heroic Sacrifice and Hints at Eren's True Powers

Season 2, Episode 12: "Scream" (June 17th, 2017)

Hannes stands in front Eren and Mikasa yet again as they face the threat of Dina Fritz in her Titan form. This time, however, Eren doesn't plan to run and escape. This time, it’s a battle to the death and, unfortunately, Hannes dies here. Eren, now a bit broken, cries out in pain before a beautiful speech from Mikasa brings back his courage.

"Scream" scores:

• IMDb: 9.7
• MAL: 4.7/5

What a moment this was. Eren, now back onto his feet and ready to go on the offensive. Luckily for him, he accidentally makes use of The Coordinates ability to command Titans and allows the scouts to escape home. Ultimately, "Scream" ends on the shocking revelation that all Titans might originally have been humans.

6 "Warrior" Shocks Fans With the Truth of Reiner and Bertholt

Season 2, Episode 6: "Warrior" (May 6th, 2017)

Berthold looks

After being rescued at the last moment, fans meet the main cast atop the walls as they focus on regrouping. Talks of Historia and Ymir quiet as Reiner decides that it is finally time to reveal his true goals to Eren.

"Warrior" scores:

• IMDb: 9.8
• MAL: 4.8/5

The timing for this was horrible, but the actual revelation was world-shattering. Bertolt and Reiner are the Colossal and Armored Titans, respectively, and try to recruit Eren to their cause. Of course, this doesn't go down well and Mikasa quickly tries to murder them. This episode will always be remembered for the news Reiner revealed during yet another moment of mental anguish for this tortured "warrior," which was intriguing to see.

5 "Declaration of War" Shows Eren Launch His Great Plan to Destroy Marley From Within

Season 4, Episode 5: "Declaration of War" (January 11th, 2021)

Season 4 of Attack on Titan really got the plot moving with "Declaration of War," a talk-heavy episode where two characters, Willie Tybur and Eren Yeager, both spoke dramatic words to explain their bold intentions. Before a great crowd in Liberio, Willy Tybur explained more about Paradis Island and its people, and intended to fight the Eldians.

"Declaration of War" scores:

• IMDb: 9.8
• MAL: 4.8

At the same time, Eren Yeager got himself ready to strike as well, speaking to Falco about his plan and the nature of the Marley vs Paradis conflict. When everything reached a dramatic high point, Eren manifested his Attack Titan form near the end of Willy's speech, which was his own declaration of war, no words needed. That made "Declaration of War" rank in the middle among the best Attack on Titan episodes of all.

4 "Midnight Sun" Shows Levi Ackerman Making a Tough Choice With Little Time to Spare

Season 3, Episode 18: "Midnight Sun" (June 3rd, 2019)

This episode mainly focuses on the beloved character Levi Ackerman as he makes the decision on who to revive, via the Titan Serum. It balances given reasons for reviving both characters along with showcasing the reactions of those who'd be most affected by his decision. Levi decides to use the serum on Armin, though fans are not given a concrete reason as to why, only vague hints.

"Midnight Sun" scores:

• IMDb: 9.9
• MAL: 4.8/5

He does, however, comment that he chose not to use it on Erwin because it was finally time for him to rest. Despite ending here, the story started with Zeke Yaeger promising to rescue a then confused Eren Yaeger.

3 "That Day" is a Compelling Flashback of Grisha Yeager's Childhood in Marley

Season 3, Episode 20: "That Day" (June 17th, 2019)

This episode deep dives into Attack On Titan lore and background. Viewers to witness get Grisha Yeager's backstory unfold on the screen, starting from his childhood as a minority race being suppressed. We see the unjust death of his little sister swept under the carpet by a racist governmental system. Eventually, Grisha joins the rebel forces, but it isn't until he meets Dina Fritz that things really begin to make sense. Dina's royal blood made Grisha and the rebels truly believe that they would be able to succeed.

"That Day" scores:

• IMDb:9.9
• MAL: 4.8/5

Grisha and Dina then have a son named Zeke, and they make him a cornerstone of their plans to rebel. Zeke would later side with the Marleyans, rather than his own bloodline. This betrayal would eventually lead to the demise of the Yeager family, at least for the time being. Grisha would escape to Paradis Island, where he would start a new family and give Zeke a younger half-brother, Eren.

2 "Perfect Game" Depicts the Beast Titan's Deadly Rock-Throwing Powers

Season 3, Episode 16: "Perfect Game" (May 20th, 2019)

One side of Wall Maria is on fire following the transformation of the Colossal Titan and, on the other side, the scouts are being bombarded by boulders that are being thrown by the Beast Titan.

"Perfect Game" scores:

• IMDb: 9.9
• MAL: 4.8/5

Eren tries to stall the Colossal but is easily tossed away onto Wall Maria where he slowly regenerates. The situation is bleak and the music in this episode really helps to create a hopeless mood. If that wasn't enough, Erwin starts to lament his impending death. He manages to shake that off before giving one of the best anime war speeches. This gave the scouts the motivation they needed to make one last charge for victory.

1 "Hero" Turns the Tide Against the Colossal and Beast Titans

Season 3, Episode 17: "Hero" (May 27th, 2019)

This episode opens on the scouts bravely charging against, a now enraged, Zeke Yeager in his Beast Titan form. He laments their apparent senseless charge at him, before pummeling them with more of his boulders. During this time, Levi expertly executed the Titan's in the surrounding area. Levi then sets his sights on the Beast Titan.

"Hero" scores:

• IMDb: 10
• MAL: 4.9/5

His speed and power are too much for a surprised Beast Titan to react. Levi defeats the Titan, but cannot execute him on the spot, as he thinks of stealing his Titan ability. This provided Zeke’s comrades with the opportunity to rescue him. Armin then comes up with a plan that allows Eren to defeat the colossal Titan, while the rest of the scouts work together to take down the Armored Titan. This is an absolutely sensational episode that does everything well, making "Hero" the single best Attack on Titan episode of all.