Review of Attack on Titan: Final Season - The Final Chapters

In my review, I won't delve into every plot hole or flaw; that would take far too long, given the disappointing finale of the series. Instead, I'll concentrate on what I believe is the series' most egregious writing misstep: the character development of Eren. Many argue, following the series conclusion, that Eren's character was consistent throughout—that he was always destined to be the character we see in the end. However, even assuming this was actually the intended trajectory, it does not equate to it being a well-executed narrative choice. Eren's journey throughout the series is marked by significant change. He evolves from an emotional crybaby, somewhat naiveyoungster into a symbol of freedom—a stoic warrior prepared to make grave sacrifices for his people's sake. This transformation is central to the story and to Eren's role within it.

However, the abrupt reversal in Eren's character in the final chapter is jarring and unsatisfying. Author Hajime Isayama had carefully crafted Eren's image as a determined, unyielding leader, only to dismantle this perception abruptly at the series' climax. Eren reverts to his earlier, more vulnerable self, which feels like a regression rather than a progression of his character. This change is so drastic that some fans speculate that Eren's previously depicted stoicism was merely a facade, suggesting that his internal monologues were a form of self-deception. However, this interpretation seems implausible and contradicts the depth and complexity of Eren's character development up to that point.

Compounding this issue is the introduction of a romantic subplot involving Eren and his childhood friend Mikasa, despite there being no previous indication of romantic interest between them other than two or maybe three act of normal brotherly love. In fact, Isayama himself has stated in various interviews that he viewed their relationship as exclusively familial, stating that he would find any romantic development extremely weird, thus making the sudden romantic turn feel more like unplanned fan service than a thoughtfully developed story element.

While subverting expectations can be a powerful storytelling tool, the effectiveness of such a twist depends on how well it aligns with the established narrative and character arcs. In the case of Eren, the last-minute revelation is forced and inconsistent.

Although Isayama has the creative freedom to take his characters in unexpected directions, the lack of foreshadowing or subtle build-up to Eren's final emotional state detracts from the impact of this twist. The abrupt change from a determined warrior to a tearful, conflicted figure creates a sense of dissonance that seems more like a narrative oversight than a deliberate, meaningful choice in storytelling.

This lack of convincing writing stems from a flawed premise: that the series' conclusion inherently justifies the journey leading up to it. The idea that the end result is a validation of the entire narrative process is a fallacy, especially when the path to that conclusion lacks coherency and fails to resonate with the character developments previously established. In the case of Eren, the final chapters unravel the intricately built character arc, leaving fans with a sense of betrayal rather than closure. It's not just about the destination but also about the journey, and in this journey, the seams of rushed and inconsistent storytelling become glaringly evident.