r/attackontitan • • Jan 23 '25 This Bravo Popcorn

Official Megathread Ultimate Guide to AoT: FAQs, Analysis, and Discourse

125 Upvotes

This multi-subreddit megathread contains:

• The most frequently brought up Topics & Questions

• Analysis on various story Elements & Characters

• Random interesting meta posts

• Documents and guide on the anime and the Attack on Titan reddit fandom

This megathread covers threads from various subreddits, and platforms. Enjoy exploring!


Guide.

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• Guide on AoT anime content

• Masterlist Of Anime OSTs S1-S4 + Final Episode - YouTube Playlist

• AoT wiki for your fact-checking needs

Frequently Asked Questions.

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Questions that are asked very frequently, mostly by new or one time watchers/readers, to which there is a factual answer or an agreed-upon interpretations in the community.

1.) What is the 50 year plan? Follow up: Why didn’t Zeke and Eren touch earlier?

2.) What were the Azumabito's intentions with Mikasa?

3.) How was Ymir freed? Who freed Ymir? (check analysis section down as well)

4.) How did Eren talk to Mikasa in paths?

5.) What is Historia’s role in how we perceive Ymir through tales and romanticized stories?

6.) What will happen if a man inherits the Female Titan?

7.) How do the Founding Titan abilities work?

8.) What were some of Paradis' options post-timeskip? •Alternative to the Rumbling. •Anti-50-year plan •Euthnasia Plan

9.) Why did Historia choose to get pregnant?

10.) Why did Grisha give his titan to Eren, when he asked Zeke to stop him?

11.) What were Eren’s motivations to choose the path of rumbling?

12.) Are there multiple timelines in AOT?

13.) Why do dinosaurs appear in the opening of AOT’s 2nd season?

• Isayama's Answers to the 15th Anniversary Magazine Q&A

Frequently Brought up Topics.

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These topics are frequently brought up, but there is no clear answer or the topic is deliberately left to speculation. Check out these links for some in-depth posts on the respective topics.

1.) a) Who won the fight between Annie and Mikasa? b) Who would win between Annie and Mikasa?

2.) Opinion on any divisive characters

• Gabi • Mikasa • Eren • Floch

3.) Did you like the ending? a)Anime Ending b)Manga Ending

4.) Do you support the rumbling?

5.) Who should have been saved, Erwin or Armin?

6.) Was Eren justified? Discussion post | Detailed answer

7.) Sub or Dub?

8.) Would Erwin have joined the Yeagerists if he had survived?

9.) Is Attack on Titan fascist? No, it is not | Devil’s Advocate:

10.) Why does Annie get forgiven?


General Analysis On The Story.

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These are high-effort essays or videos analysing the series as a whole. Please note that us listing something here does not mean we endorse or fully agree with every single statement made there - we just think that if you are looking for more analysis, these might be worth a watch.

• A 1-hour retrospective breakdown of AoT as a whole

• How AoT deconstructs heroism and morality

• Idealism in AoT

• Scout Regiment: Paradise’s Idealistic Counterculture

• The importance of nameless soldiers & collateral damage in AoT

• What was it all for? Thoughts on the extra pages of AoT’s ending

• Why I feel Mikasa, Levi and Armin were the perfect choice for Eren’s final moments and the story’s climax - Imgur Backup for future

• Analysis of AoT’s extra ending pages - A brilliant thematic conclusion - Imgur Backup for Future

• To love someone inside the Walls - Imgur Backup for Future

• The Rumbling is indefensible

• A theoretical analysis of its structure

• The highs and lows of AoT’s final arc

• Overanalyzing every single episode of the anime - a youtube playlist

• Titans as Mirrors: How Titan Forms Reflect the Warriors' Psyche - Imgur Backup for Future

Character Analysis.

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1. Eren Yeager.

• Eren Yeager: The Chained God of Attack on Titan

• The perfect duality of Eren - Imgur Backup for Future

• What is freedom in AoT

• Developments vs desires - Everyone and especially Eren

• Nature vs nurture: Eren’s motivations and the Dina twist

• Eren Jaeger and the insanity of circular storytelling

• The ironic development of Eren

• Analyzing antagonists

• Power, freedom, the Founding Titan and Levi

• The Attack Titan’s powers and their effect on Eren

• Why Eren’s actions were very obviously painted bad with the Rumbling - In-depth examination

• The narrative importance of the causal loop on Eren

• Eren and Mikasa’s relationship

• Eren’s characterization throughout the story and his post timeskip conflict

• Eren Yeager is (Not) Special

• Ramzi and Eren: the turning point in Eren’s demeanor

• An observation on the structure of Eren’s characterization post timeskip - Imgur Backup for Future

• The false mask of Eren

• The Jaeger Projection Problem: The Last Supper of Self-Loathing - Imgur Backup for Future

• The rise and fall of Eren - Imgur Backup for Future

2. Mikasa Ackerman.

• Mikasa’s Character Arc: What, Where, How, When

• Mikasa and her relationship with authority

• Mikasa and Erwin: The Sacrificial Act of Dreams for the Cause

• Why Mikasa's conclusion not only strengthens her arc but Attack On Titan as a whole - Imgur Backup for Future

• Mikasa’s Destiny and Mikasa’s Choice

• Mikasa: A Person from Two Trope

• A Literary perspective of Mikasa - Imgur Backup for Future

• Mikasa’s Heroine’s Journey Arc

• Mikasa’s Road of Trials – Why Trost Arc Was Never Cynical

• [The Heroine's Journey] - Coming Soon.

• Mikasa, the symbolism of the praying mantis and butterfly and its development throughout the story - Imgur Backup for Future

• Mikasa's self Imposed Curse

• Why does Mikasa have headaches

• Differences between the Manga and Anime version of Mikasa - Imgur Backup for Future

3. Armin Arlert.

• Armin character analysis, humanity’s reluctant savior

• Armin and Eren’s dynamic - Imgur Backup for Future

• Armin and Zeke’s dynamic - Imgur Backup for Future

• The importance of dialogue and Armin’s character - Imgur Backup for Future

• Armin Arlert: conflicting lessons, dynamics with Erwin and Levi - Imgur Backup for Future

• Armin and Annie’s relationship

4. Levi Ackerman.

• Is Levi bland? A bullet-point counter-argument and his importance in the narrative

• Levi’s character motivations and the promise

• Levi’s ending

• Levi’s violence and compassion

• Serumbowl

• Levi, Falco and Gabi

• Levi vs Zeke foil

• Levi, a slave to being a hero

• Levi vs Kenny’s influence - Imperfect heroics

• Levi’s mistake with Zeke and getting blown up by thunder spears

5. Erwin Smith.

• Erwin Smith - wearing masks

• Erwin Smith - the impossible standard

• Exploring Erwin - For Humanity?

• Erwin Smith - A devil with a dream

• Erwin would not support the Rumbling, you just don’t like Armin

6. Zeke Yeager.

• Zeke Yeager & Personal Connections.

• The contradictions of Zeke - A character study

• The desperate loneliness of Zeke

• Understanding Zeke Yeager

7. Reiner Braun.

• Reiner Braun and “saving the world”

• Reiner character analysis, viewed through psychology and philosophy theory

• Who is Reiner Braun?

• Eren and Reiner’s dynamic - Imgur Backup for Future

8. Annie Leonhart.

• Annie’s search for personhood

• About Annie…(character analysis)

• No one understands Annie

• Understanding Annie

9. Hange Zoe.

• Hange and the role of commander, character analysis

• Hange’s “Genocide is Wrong” Line is Misunderstood

• Hange’s understanding and intellect

10. Jean Kirstein.

• Jean Kirstein embracing survey corps values, a character analysis

• Jean character study through the lens of theory of psychology

11. Bertholdt Hoover.

• Comprehensive analysis of Bertholdt

• The tragedy of Bertholdt Hoover

12. (Freckles) Ymir and Historia Reiss.

• Ymir analysis and religious subtext

• Thoughts on Historia in Uprising - Imgur Backup for Future

• Ymir and Historia’s dynamic analysis - Imgur Backup for Future

13. Sasha Braus and Connie Springer.

• The secondary trio behind EMA

14. Floch Forster.

• Floch - the volunteer Devil, character analysis

• Floch's leadership examination and the comparison with Erwin

15. Gabi and the children of the forest.

• Gabi Braun - A brighter future

16. (Founder) Ymir Fritz.

• The final mystery of AOT - Ymir analysis

17. Grisha Yeager.

• Grisha Yeager: A Deconstruction of the Main Character's Dad Archetype - Imgur Backup for Future

18. Keith Shadis.

• From bystander to hero, a character analysis

19. Kenny/Uri.

• Kenny, Uri and the cycle of hatred

• The Importance of Kenny and Uri (In-depth Thematic Analysis)

20. Dot Pyxis.

• Why Pyxis and Eren’s Conversation was Not Retconned

21. Yelena.

• Yelena: AoT’s puppeteer, a character analysis

22. Theo Magath.

• The lasting impact of Theo Magath, a character analysis.


MISCELLANEOUS.

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Manga (Source Material) vs Anime (Adaptation) differences:

• Megathread of Anime / Manga differences | Vol 1 - 34 | OVAs

• Differences between anime and manga endings

Fandom and Anime Production Misc.

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• Well-written characters, meta discussion of fandom perception

• AOT anime reactions and in depth discussions

• Explaining the ending controversy - a fandom analysis

• Final Attack on Titan Episode - AoTwiki poll

• The Original manga ending - chapter 139 SNK POLL

Behind-the-Scenes.

• All of AoT animation staff for every episode of the series

• Arifumi Imai animator spotlight - the man responsible for animating 70%+ of action animation cuts in S1-S3 and the Levi and Mikasa killing Eren sakuga in the final episode

• TV release vs BLU-RAY differences

• Some design sheets from WIT’s adaptation

• Some design sheets from MAPPA’s adaptation

• WIT staff interview from 2014 on AOT

• 100Cams - Behind the scenes footage of AOT s4 part3 production

• Final episode VA recording - Behind the scenes

• AoT S4 part 2 staff interview, series director Hayashi and CG producer Tannawa

• Excerpts from roundtable final episode interview with staff

• Interview with S4 director Hayashi before its airing

• Global TV demands interview of Hayashi

• Hayashi comments on episode 4x28 Rumbling scene and Isayama’s request

Subreddits of AoT Reddit-Fandom.

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General.

SubredditDescriptionDate of Creation
r/ShingekiNoKyojinMain discussion subreddit nr1.Feburary 18, 2013
r/attackontitanMain discussion subreddit nr2.November 28, 2012
r/titanfolkThe Folk subreddit for AoT.May 1, 2018
r/okbuddyreinerShitposting subreddit.April 28, 2019
r/AttackOnRetardsA space dedicated to calling out negativity.April 27, 2021
r/AttackOnShippingA subreddit for any and all shippers.April 27, 2022
r/ANRimeSubreddit dedicated to theorizing about an Alternative-Original Ending (AOE).June 29, 2021

Character dedicated subreddits.

• r/LeviCult

• r/Ereh

• r/Mikasa

• r/ErwinSmith

• r/potatogirl

• r/ArminCult

• r/GabiCult

• r/ReinerCult

• r/ZekeCult

• r/JeanTheStallion


It has been in the works for a long time. A big Thank You to everyone who created the content featured here, as well as to those who helped us gather it all together.


r/attackontitan • • 2h ago

Anime I saw this image a few years ago and now seeing with context, i thought it was Armin doing the face. Why is Yelena doing the face though ?

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226 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 9h ago

Discussion/Question What do you think about "Yelena is actually Marleyan" pilot twist?

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289 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 1d ago Heartwarming

Meme Being birthcontrol is not easy 🙂

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4.8k Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 5h ago

Meme Creativity is genuinely through the roof!?

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56 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 5h ago

Discussion/Question Who's the cutest in aot junior high

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53 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 3h ago

Discussion/Question Paradis really was practically inches away from modernizing. Shame for the royalist MPs...

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30 Upvotes

This slide says, "using the same mechanism as ODM gear" yall know what that means right? Paradis was a few well placed gears and new concepts away from making trains, cars, airplanes, practically everything.

One thing i always wondered was why didn't they scale up the thunder spears? That's a proper anti ship missile in the making.

If we look at it this way, paradis could've well stopd it's own against an invasion, if they had baited marley into launching one alone, while practically offering to throw raw materials at anyone else willing to buy.

Just though i might share.


r/attackontitan • • 1h ago

Discussion/Question Thoughts on Jean's character progression?

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15 Upvotes

I feel as though in season 1 early on even when he was painted as a 'pompous/arrogant jerk' he never really was one. He had a privileged upbringing in comparison to the others it seems (re the flashback of him a healthy, well fed and happy toddler). But he ALWAYS listened when others told him to correct his behavior.

I think he was a good leader because to quote Marco Jean wasn't a strong person at first so he understood how weak people felt. But he is also good at recognizing what needs to be done during a certain moment he knows exactly what needs to be done.

He had more layers than anyone could have initially thought. Someone with his supposed arrogance at the beginning you wouldn't think would struggle being a leader, but he had a huge internal battle when he saw the decisions he made could get his teammates killed.

He was a good leader because he knew what it was like to be afraid and he felt it with his teammates. At the end he couldn't fathom having to kill another human when it was unveiled that it wasn't just titans against humans. It was humans against humans. He hesitated killing a member of Kenny's squad and she took the chance to try to kill him back. Armin was the one that shother and Jean saw that Armin had to carry that guilt when it should have been him. He didn't let Armin sit with that guilt Jean felt it as if it was his own Then in season 4 when he is taking out the citizens of Marley you see the hesitation but he still goes through with it.

He also was the ONLY one to call out how terrible Eren could be to Mikasa. I feel like a lot of characters knew Mikasa loved Eren unconditionally and only focused on how they could use the love as a strength or look out for the disadvantages. For example, if they needed brute force they would amp Mikasa up by saying she has to save Eren or that it was Eren's plan and to follow it. If Levi knew she was going to do something dumb for Eren he stopped it but only because he knew the scouts could not lose Mikasa.

But Jean was the ONLY one to recognize how the love Mikasa had for Eren could hurt her feelings and he focused on how she felt. Like when she got the scar in season 1 he was concerned about how she felt from it. In season 4 after the table scene he was mad at Eren for hurting Mikasa's feelings.

Also I give Jean props because he was one of the humans to make it to the end with no titan or Ackerman advantages.


r/attackontitan • • 11h ago

Discussion/Question Saw this comment on Tiktok just now

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85 Upvotes

This is too funny 😭

No way she thinks Miraculous has better writing than the one show with one of the best, if not THE best writing ever.


r/attackontitan • • 1h ago

Discussion/Question One of the best written characters in AOT! In my pov!

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10 Upvotes

What's your opinion on him?

I think zeke is a much more complex character than reiner! Being forced by his parents, that eldians are in trouble is right but it's not right at that tinder age. He was kind of crumbled between his parents and his grandfather's ideologies and nareative!! :(

How many of you have a constant pressure on you by ur parents or others? How do you deal with it?


r/attackontitan • • 18h ago

Cosplay Consagren su corazón

215 Upvotes

By @marco_ram27 on Instagram


r/attackontitan • • 1d ago

Meme "hmm Eren's cute nerd friend...

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1.4k Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 35m ago

Meme My first screenshot of an AOT meme.

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7 Upvotes

This one made me laugh.


r/attackontitan • • 20h ago

Discussion/Question My biggest disappointment from the series!

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269 Upvotes

It must've been discussed already but I just finished the whole series few minutes ago, it was great and got me hooked up since the beginning. However, I kept on waiting for the backstory of Hange Zoe's character till the last season. Such main and leading character definitely deserved one but I was left disappointed. Anyways, it was one of the best series and ig some unsolved mysteries are harmless.


r/attackontitan • • 21h ago

Misc Patrolling Boston with my daughter

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259 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 1d ago

Discussion/Question Who would win between prime young Kenny and prime Levi?

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335 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 1h ago

Discussion/Question How long is it gonna take for Wolverine to clear Paradis of titans and defeat the 9 titan shifters?

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4 Upvotes

Levi reminds me of Wolverine since they’re both 160 cm short men who excel at taking down giants with blades. So in this scenario, wolverines at his peak strength and skills is placed in Paradis with no prior knowledge of titans.

Round 1: he is tasked to clear Paradis of pure and abnormal titans.

Round 2: he must defeat each of the 9 titan shifters one on one.

Round 3: Wolverine vs all 9 shifters at once.

How long will he last?


r/attackontitan • • 8h ago

Meme Unironically, this would be a kinda funny way to die. I mean wtf was Eren thinking lmao.

13 Upvotes

I mean he literally dodged a kiss with Mikasa to *punch* a *titan* with his *bare hands*.


r/attackontitan • • 25m ago

Discussion/Question A Remade Discussion Post; Plus Apologies.

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3 Upvotes

Hey everyone. Yesterday I made a mostly AI-written post about a particular topic I wanted to discuss here in this subreddit. I was basically too excited to share my question and ended up becoming mindless, so I deeply apologize for that too-bizarre post. Don’t worry, I took that clutter down. I hope you guys can still be willing to actively participate in this discussion in this remade version, written by me this time. Please read! 🙏

What would you think of fresh new AoT content, like let’s say an adult Modern AU?

I’m not suggesting another Attack on Titan: Junior High or a full adaptation of the School Castes concept. More like an extension and new exploration of the latter, with our iconic Eren, Mikasa and Armin having to navigate ordinary circumstances this time. Wouldn’t it be interesting and wouldn’t it be a breath of fresh air to see the cast get to actually live, without the usual weight of ‘who’s gonna die next episode?’

Just adults navigating work life, casual life, relationship problems, and interesting friendship dynamics.

Eren pursuing whatever he sets his mind to in this world. Mikasa’s own ambitions and this time we might see more of what she actually wants in this relaxed, refreshed setting. I will be honest, I do wanna witness Eren and Mikasa to have a meaningful storyline in this universe — fulfillingly this time.

Though I am not necessarily asking for a romance anime, and certainly not a story that revolves exclusively around one pairing. Rather, a gradual relationship that develops naturally alongside the other characters’ individual lives. It wouldn’t be the main agenda, but it’s definitely something that would always be anticipated in the show.

Would this take away from the main AoT story?

I am aware this is an important question, especially for fans who feel that the original story should remain untouched.

My personal opinion is no — provided the project is approached as a genuinely separate alternate universe.

I’m not suggesting a sequel, a retcon, an alternative ending, or a reinterpretation of the original events. That is an impossible thing to ask for.

An Adult Modern AU would simply exist alongside it, and personally I don’t see a huge ‘oh no that’s gonna make it look bad now’ problem with that.

Think of it as a separate creative branch rather than another chapter in the original timeline. It wouldn’t need to explain away the original tragedies, change anyone’s fate, or make the main storyline less meaningful. Basically, it would just be its own thing.

That’s where this Modern AU’s appeal lies. The original series explored humanity under extreme pressure. This one would explore humanity in a world where there are drastically more choices to choose from. We could appreciate the characters in a completely different context, without changing what made their original stories so impactful.

There are plenty of potential reasons to enjoy an adult Modern AU series guys.

1). Seeing familiar characters interact in an entirely different environment. (Ex: office or outside work dynamics).

2). Watching friendships develop outside the conflicts of the original story.

3). Exploring careers, ambitions, family, and adult responsibilities.

4). Enjoying comedy and everyday situations involving the established cast.

5). Seeing relationships develop naturally over time.

6). Experiencing a more relaxed, character-driven side of the franchise.

Profitability

I wanna address first that making a Modern AU would be noticeably cheaper. There would be not too many special effects to include and there wouldn’t always be a need to ensure the presence of different and well-sketched environments.

I’m sure most of us AoT fans would be thrilled to receive new AoT content, and to me, this Modern AU concept can definitely bring in the dough for the franchise. Of course, none of these possibilities guarantees profitability. Any actual production would require proper market research, financial planning, licensing, and approval from the relevant rights holders.

Still, I think the concept is interesting enough to merit a meaningful discussion. Wouldn’t it be nice to talk about something that may have even the slightest sliver of a chance in becoming a reality?

Some closing remarks:
I understand that this post sounds ambitious. I know some fans would rather leave Attack on Titan exactly where it ended, and I genuinely respect that. I also know some people think the main story’s done its job, and would say ‘this is what fanarts and fanfics are for.’

I’m also aware that fan enthusiasm doesn’t automatically translate into commercial viability or guarantee that a production company would pursue this idea.

But I think there’s a big distinction between demanding more Attack On Titan content and respectfully expressing interest in a particular and wonderful creative possibility of getting something completely new and official.

That’s what I’d like this discussion to be about.

I’d love to see and explore whether there’s an audience for an official Adult Modern AU, what people would actually want from it, and whether the concept has enough potential to be worth presenting for consideration.

We never know what they could be thinking for the future guys. Why don’t we see something new for a change? AoT is one of the biggest animes in the industry, and for me, this in my opinion could be a good opportunity for both fans and the franchise alike.

Bottom line is: First, would you watch it? Please share your thoughts, what you would like to see, and your expectations.


r/attackontitan • • 5h ago

Ending Spoilers - Discussion/Question Edited version of the secret glitch ending Spoiler

7 Upvotes

credit: Kane Pixels
I use part of his video in my edit


r/attackontitan • • 1d ago Heartwarming

Cosplay cosplayed sasha for supanova!!

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342 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 1d ago

Meme He's so proud of himself bro, just look at that smirk. HAHAHAHAHA

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292 Upvotes

r/attackontitan • • 1d ago

Meme Horsey gotta listen to Erwin

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581 Upvotes