Attack on Titan may have concluded its manga earlier this year, but the anime is just gearing up for its epic finale. Mangaka Hajime Isayama has consistently released volumes for over a decade, and the reaction to the manga's conclusion has been an emotional one. The epic series' resolution has been described as realistic, heartbreaking and hopeful. It is just the cathartic ending longtime fans need, and the anime is sure to reinforce this.
With Funimation's recent release of the Attack on Titan Final Season Part Two trailer, fans get an official glimpse of what awaits. Part Two is guaranteed to be a wild ride, complete with gorgeously animated action, thought-provoking politics and disturbing drama. Here are the most crucial pieces of information available, for fans who eagerly await this last season.
Attack on Titan: The Story So Far
Attack on Titan follows the story of Eren Yaeger, Mikasa Ackerman and other members of the Scout Regiment as they battle against Titans for humanity's survival. Season 4, or the Final Season Part One, picked up four years after the end of Season 3, having shed its optimistic tone and replaced it with the realism of war. It was clear that a lot happened in the past four years: The cast had aged and new characters were abruptly introduced. The season began with the Marley Arc, which forced the audience to reevaluate everything, and pushed the Attack on Titan world to an even darker place. With the end now in sight, the audience can start reflecting on past seasons and see how everything fits together.
Season 4 cranked up the pressure, as the Scouts were pushed to their physical and psychological limits. Mikasa and Armin endured heart-wrenching breakdowns while Eren was consumed by his hatred for Marley and thirst for revenge. As twisted as Eren's actions had become, in his mind he was always acting on behalf of Paradis Island. His every action was motivated by a fight for their freedom as well as his own.
Throughout, the series embraces the theme of free will with the walls existing as a metaphor for civilization and its societal pressures. Final Season Part Two will continue this journey, forcing its characters to question how many of their choices are truly their own and how many are byproducts of another's influence. People often assume they have free will, but Attack on Titan encourages the audience to consider whether this is true. It also compels viewers to question the limits of freedom as they stare down its ugliest sides.
Questions about free will are especially pertinent for Eren, whose character has an interesting dichotomy. From the beginning, the audience immediately empathized with his emotional outbursts, considering humanity's dire situation. However, he has evolved into a character beyond his protagonist role, becoming the monster he desired to defeat. Eren's strong feelings, which once gave him the strength to fight, have now become his greatest detriment.
Attack on Titan Final Season Part Two Trailer & Release Date
Over time, Eren's morals have become severely skewed by his emotions, evident in the Rumbling where he led the Wall Titans to kill people from the mainland. If that wasn't enough, his final confrontation with Mikasa and Armin left him looking like a villain. The lines between right and wrong as well as friends and enemies have become blurred. Now, everyone must face what they have become, starting with Episode 76, entitled: "Judgement."
The final season of Attack on Titan is slated for release on January 9, 2022 on Funimation. It will also be available for streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu. Judging from the official trailer, this highly anticipated finale promises to deliver a satisfying conclusion.