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

Attack on Titan had so many theories and mysteries on what the story wants to tell, and whilst thinking back watching the first seasons I daresay nobody thought of that time that this is going to be the closure of all the threads over the long pull. Regardless of the understanding on how the series plot moved onwards Season three. At which point things were still unclear for the most part. You could have pictured the most sophisticated plot and the best show ever that to come. Yet, the way I imagined it was definitely way bigger and much more brighter than how boring andmonotonous it resulted to be.

It was like WIT Studio knew something isn’t going to work out if the story stays how it performed. I believe WIT really gave all their love and passion out on each season’s. Whilst MAPPA became the: “I’ll do it, even if I don’t want to studio”. When there are nicknames to studios like the; “unlimited budget works” for Ufotable. I would give the nickname; “I’ll do, what I love” for WIT. As a hobby artist myself, if I don’t feel any inspiration in something I usually reject it, because you can’t associate with something you don’t see any potential in.

So what was that WIT saw or rather what they didn’t saw? What could have been much greater and much brighter?

I’m not a writer myself, but for me the main reason watching anime is for entertainment. I love mysteries and I also love well-thought out storytelling. My issue with this one is actually goes back to the very beginning of the series. When we see that Eren is actually a Titan himself. This fact was not only surprising, but quickly demolished a huge amount of events that the story could potentially move. Still, this fact alone wasn’t an issue though. The problems started to spread from there by a scheme, an anticlimactic chain of events evolved. Since Eren became a Titan, who he hated and promised to avenge in the future. It basically meant that he, as we clearly know now, he was the key for everything that happened from the very start. He himself killed his own mother, and everyone who have died in the story, it all started with him. Even though that people likes to believe that there wasn’t any other way or choices for him, since Eren didn’t saw a different outcome. (What if the case was that he didn’t want to see it in the first place?) I sincerely think there was other ways though. There was always choice, there was always hope.

It seems Isayama thought otherwise. What people now likes too see it as a mature and realistic approach as on how naturalistically it representing the true nature of humanity. I mean, really? Realistic? You want to tell me that killing 80% of population by not stopping the wars nor proving any point is realistic? Well honestly, the way our minds work as we clearly see 80% of population are totally satisfied with this. So yes, it proves true that our world will always love the pointless wars instead of peace. However, what Eren done is ultimately a middle finger to the whole story. You can’t save your family by sacrificing the world they live in. Code Geas 2.0? Lelounch and Eren can shake hands, both series whould have been just fine and probably 99% less people would have suffered if they used their brains instead of their ego.

I mean it’s sad.. Our neighbours are killing each other at this very moment for absolutely no reason.. Sad to see that people can also found joy in despondency.

In my perspective Shounen anime is meant to extend your fantasies. To push through boundaries. To be happy and to find joy in the slightest details.. To never give up.. Never lose hope.. I might sound soft and immature, but personally Attack on Titan failed to tell or showcase anything new that all the wars in our past did prove multiple times; People will never learn.

Just by making up this once great fiction “realistic”. What remains is a dull and hopeless documentary, rather than any enjoyable medium. If you want to tell me that this is the best you can deliver in a league of this calibre. This is the greatest anime of all time just because it represent history, reality and never ending cycle of war. Out of that logic, miracles do not exist anymore. They aren’t real. Peace is just fairy tail. You can’t fight without hurting, because reconciliation is for kids only.

“Wake up to reality! Nothing ever goes as planned in this accursed world. The longer you live, the more you realize that the only things that truly exist in this reality are merely pain. suffering and futility. Listen, everywhere you look in this world, wherever there is light, there will always be shadows to be found as well. As long as there is a concept of victors, the vanquished will also exist. The selfish intent of wanting to preserve peace, initiates war. and hatred is born in order to protect love. There are nexuses causal relationships that cannot be separated.”

- Madara Uchiha

This has to be one of the most disappointing ending to one of the greatest and most anticipated franchise I’ve seen.

Do I personally think that my favourites like Naruto has the best ending? No, but I still liked it. Do I think Violet Evergarden for example has the ending it deserved? Unfortunately not, but I still enjoyed the journey.. From this standpoint, I can see how so many people will still enjoy this one even if that oblivious thoughts arose deep inside them; it deserved better. It was undoubtedly destined to be more than just an another mirror of our false senses what comes from fear and cowardice.

That-We-Are-Weak.

Those who fight others, can’t befriend themselves.

“Those who forgive themselves, and are able to accept their true nature.. they are the strong ones.”

- Itachi Uchiha

On a final note,

Attack on Titan had every potential to be much more than just a realistic show. Since it was doing great until it doesn’t. So many contradictions happened, and even more plot holes that eventually made this a once great potential source a not-so-great forgettable experience.

Just because it is different, doesn’t mean it’s excellent.

If we look back to the first three seasons, the mood was completely different. If like season one to three and the final seasons are not even the same anime anymore. Up to season three there was myths, easter eggs. There was this impression of anything can happen what screamed immense sequels. Where all this magic went? That scream became an echo, where all the jokes and silly moments are long gone with Sasha and Historia. The hope died with Ervin and the craziness faded with Hange. As our beloved trio that fought through pain, never betrayed each other has ended by Eren’s cowardice.

It’s a real shame.

In the end, the most important factor of this show was to not give away any major clues about the main plot. So people will watch it till the end, but since there is nothing to hide anymore. It basically prove true that the idea of Eren being a Titan and everything about *(how)* he manipulated the timeline. He himself ruined the whole world and plot of the story that we have witnessed.; (Fixed timeline). In which Eren knows that there is only one way, but still himself wants to escape from. It’s crazy to comprehend how this makes sense, let alone be close to somewhat so many people calling it.

Heroes wear many faces.
Just as masterpiece has many value, I guess.

“Heroes and villains are always have the same back story, - Pain. The difference is what they choose to do about it. Villain says “the world hurt me, I'll hurt it back.” Hero says “the world hurt me, I'm not gonna let it hurt anyone else.” Heroes use pain. Villains are used by it.”

- novel

Final scores:

Season One (7/10)
Season Two (8/10)
Season Three (7/10)
Season Three part Two (8/10)
Final Season (5/10)
Final Season part Two (4/10)
Final Season part Three (3/10)

Overall 6/10 ⭐️

Tldr; This is when you overcook your favourite food and still tastes raw.

Thank you for reading!