7 Attack on Titan Mysteries That Keep Fans Arguing Long After the Finale

The climax of Attack on Titan was astonishingly captivating, yet there are numerous aspects that remain unclear even after the conclusion of both the anime and manga. Fans continue to revisit scenes, analyze every word exchanged, and engage in lengthy debates online regarding topics such as character endings and the origins of the Titan affliction. Despite wrapping up its storyline, Attack on Titan has left behind a trail of enigmas that never received a complete resolution.

If you’re deeply immersed in the world of “Attack on Titan,” you’ve likely encountered countless discussions and theories on Reddit, all aimed at solving its most intriguing enigmas. Despite the series providing us with shared emotional moments, there are also instances that remain intentionally ambiguous, which is one reason why it continues to have an active fanbase even after a decade. Herein lies seven unsolved mysteries from “Attack on Titan” that fans continue to ponder and argue over, without any signs of stopping soon.

7. Who Does Mikasa End Up With?

Discussions about Mikasa’s romantic relationships remain a popular topic among fans of Attack on Titan. There’s much speculation over who she eventually chooses as her partner. In the last episode, Mikasa pays a visit to Eren’s grave, wearing the same red scarf he once gave her when they were young. This could be interpreted as a symbol of unrequited love or deep friendship. Later in the end credits, there’s a time-lapse sequence showing Mikasa disappearing for multiple seasons, suggesting she might have sought a new life away from the turmoil. Eventually, she reappears with an unknown man and child, leaving many viewers puzzled about their identities, adding yet another intriguing mystery to the series.

Many fans suspect that the man is Jean, due to his distinctive hairstyle, build, and past feelings for Mikasa from their Training Corps days. However, some fans argue that Mikasa never fully moved on from her relationship with Eren. The anime further complicates this by depicting Mikasa being buried with a ring on her finger, suggesting she may have found love again, although it’s not certain. What is clear is that Mikasa continued to love Eren until the end of their lives together.

6. How Does the Titan Serum Actually Work?

For me, the enigma surrounding the Titan serum in “Attack on Titan” has always been one of its most intriguing aspects. The series only reveals that it’s a concoction of Titan spinal fluid, which transforms Ymir’s subjects into Pure Titans upon injection, yet never delves into the scientific details behind this transformation. Furthermore, there appear to be distinct types of serums, each producing different Titans or abilities, but the show fails to clarify how these variations function or how Marley mastered the art of control. This leaves fans with numerous theories to discuss.

An intriguing aspect to consider is that consuming the serum can produce similar effects, as demonstrated by Eren when he bit into the “Armor” serum to acquire hardening abilities. However, Rod Reiss experienced an unusual transformation into a massive, distorted 120-meter Titan after tasting one intended to grant the “strongest” Titan abilities. This could imply that misuse may lead to unforeseen outcomes. Yet, it’s puzzling why Eren didn’t undergo such a transformation despite performing the same action. It might be that his status as a Titan shifter already shielded him from potential adverse effects, although it appears we may never have a definitive answer.

5. Why Didn’t Reiner and Bertholdt Go After Eren’s Basement?

Despite the fact that Reiner and Bertholdt were aware of some significant details potentially hidden in Eren’s basement, they never made an effort to explore it during their years as undercover cadets. Many viewers speculate that they primarily concentrated on locating and obtaining the Founding Titan, neglecting the importance of the basement. Some also suggest that Marley may have been unaware of the basement or considered finding the Founding Titan a more pressing matter.

It’s plausible that journeying to Shiganshina District became extremely risky following the collapse of Wall Maria, given it was consistently monitored by the Survey Corps. Reiner and Bertholdt disguised as humans could have found any attempt to reach the basement highly conspicuous. The show doesn’t explicitly explain this choice, thus stirring curiosity among fans about how events may have unfolded if they had learned Grisha’s secrets earlier.

4. Why Doesn’t Eren Awaken His Titan During Training?

During my observation of Eren’s time with the Cadet Corps, I noticed that despite the dormant Titan power within him, he never inadvertently transformed into one. From what we know from the series, transforming into a Titan requires both an injury and a clear purpose. Given Eren’s lack of knowledge about his powers, it could be that these conditions were never simultaneously present during his training, which might explain why he didn’t turn into a Titan.

Some supporters propose that Grisha Yeager may have strategically utilized the Attack Titan’s memory alteration to momentarily suppress Eren’s powers until they were essential, such as when he was devoured by a Titan. However, others suggest that Eren’s healing abilities swiftly countered the minor injuries, preventing any significant impact. Regardless, the dormancy of his powers added suspense during the dramatic unveiling of his transformation to save himself; however, fans continue to discuss whether it was all coincidence, part of Grisha’s scheme, or even premeditated by future Eren himself.

3. How Did Eren Manipulate Mikasa’s Memory if She’s an Ackerman?

In the anime, one of the perplexing paradoxes lies in a scene where Eren seems to share a dream or memory with Mikasa, which is puzzling because Ackermans are said to be resistant to the Founding Titan’s ability to manipulate memories. Some speculate that Mikasa’s half-Ackerman heritage might make her an exception due to her being not fully Ackerman and also having ties with the Hizuru clan.

instead of erasing or modifying Mikasa’s memory, Eren might have drawn her into the Paths at the last instant, creating a joint experience with her before she had to revert back to reality and ultimately kill him.

2. What Really Is the Centipede That Gave Ymir Her Power?

The power that underlies all Titans, often referred to as “the Originator of Life” or “the Conscious One,” is a radiant, centipede-like being. This entity latched onto Ymir Fritz when she fell into a tree and bestowed her with Titan abilities, thus setting off the cycle of Titans. After Mikasa kills Eren and everyone reverts to human form, there’s a brief glimpse suggesting that this “centipede” might have been destroyed, yet its true essence remains a mystery.

During a chat with Armin, Zeke proposes an idea: perhaps Ymir merged with the beast to shield herself from agony and demise, resulting in her massive, strong, everlasting form. However, this is merely a hypothesis. Additionally, it’s uncertain if the creature was completely annihilated or simply went back into a resting phase. The show never discloses whether this being had awareness or its own objectives, thus making it one of the enigmas that viewers still ponder over.

1. Could the Titan Cycle Begin Again?

Following Eren’s actions that decimate more than 80% of Earth’s population, it is unclear if this change is permanent, as his demise seemingly puts an end to Titan power. Fast-forward three years, and Armin, Reiner, Jean, Connie, Pieck, and Annie are serving as peace mediators between Paradis Island and the rest of the world – a sign of potential optimism. However, the show’s finale subtly hints at the possibility of the Returner of Ymir, the Source of All Living Matter, making a comeback.

This doubt connects to one of the series’ main inquiries: can humanity ever completely escape the recurring patterns of violence and animosity? Many viewers interpret the final scene, where a boy and his pet dog find a tree reminiscent of the one from Ymir’s tale, as a hint that the Titan affliction may persist. Without a definitive ending, we are left to form our own opinions on whether the narrative has concluded or if it’s merely setting up for history to repeat itself.

2025-04-22 05:11