5 Years Ago Today, One of Attack on Titan’s Darkest Battles Began & Changed the Anime Forever

by

Today marks the five-year anniversary of a pivotal battle in Attack on Titan. While the series featured even larger conflicts later on, this one fundamentally altered the course of the anime. Attack on Titan is more than just action; it’s known for its complex, well-developed characters, detailed world, and meaningful themes. The show does have plenty of exciting battles, but with so much continuous action, they can sometimes feel similar to one another.

A few key conflicts really shift the direction of the story, with one dramatically changing everything as the final season of Attack on Titan begins. This conflict hits hard as the anime builds towards its climax, and looking back, it actually sets the stage for how Season 4 ultimately ends. While the conclusion of Attack on Titan remains controversial, this particular battle feels unavoidable – it makes it impossible to imagine any other ending. It’s amazing to think it’s been five years since this event completely flipped our understanding of Eren Yeager’s journey.

5 Years Ago Today, Attack on Titan Kicked Off the Raid on Liberio

Episode 5 of Attack on Titan Season 4, titled “Declaration of War,” originally aired on January 10, 2021, and dramatically changed the direction of the series. While much of the episode focuses on dialogue and important conversations, it culminates in the start of the Raid on Liberio. Following a strained reunion between Eren and Reiner, Eren transforms into the Attack Titan, interrupting Willy Tybur’s speech. The next episode then shows Eren launching a large-scale attack, which is soon joined by the Scout Regiment, making this one of the most intense and surprising battles in the entire anime.

The Season 4 Battle Is One of the Darkest Moments in Attack on Titan’s Run

The Raid on Liberio features action and animation similar to other battles in Attack on Titan, but it’s a pivotal moment in the story. For the first time, we see the main characters taking the initiative and actively attacking, rather than just defending themselves or responding to threats. Throughout the earlier seasons, they mostly reacted to events or Marley’s actions. But after the “Declaration of War” episode, everything changes – they launch a direct attack on enemy territory, even if it means harming innocent people in order to achieve Eren’s goals.

It’s especially striking how Attack on Titan Season 4 begins by showing things from the perspective of characters from Marley, like Reiner, Falco, and Gabi. This was a deliberate decision to make us understand their side. Once the season’s conflict starts, it’s hard to see the show’s heroes the same way. We’re pushed to realize they aren’t simply good or evil, but fall somewhere in between. This change in perspective is crucial as the story unfolds. While the Survey Corps members may rethink things after the Liberio raid, Eren’s path continues to darken, and you can actually see the beginnings of his descent into villainy right at the end of the first episode, “Declaration of War.”

The Raid on Liberio Fully Kicks Off Eren Yeager’s Villain Arc

By the end of Attack on Titan, it’s clear that Eren Yeager becomes a villain – arguably as terrible as the enemies he initially fought against. While we see glimpses of his anger and desire for revenge earlier in the series, the Raid on Liberio is where his descent into villainy truly begins. It’s the first major move in his plan to commit genocide, making it one of the darkest and most important battles in the anime – even more impactful than the final, more graphic, confrontation. The Raid on Liberio fundamentally changes the story, marking a clear turning point between the first three seasons and the final arc. Looking back, it’s easy to see the entire series as a villain origin story.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/10-greatest-attack-on-titan-episodes-of-all-time-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-10 23:44