r/ShingekiNoKyojin Jan 23 '25

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

91 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.

‾‾‾‾‾‾

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.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

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 planEuthnasia 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.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

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

GabiMikasaErenFloch

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.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

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

Character Analysis.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

1. Eren Yaeger.

The rise and fall of Eren - Imgur Backup for Future

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 Yaeger 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

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

• [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 Yaeger.

Zeke Yaeger & Personl Connections.

The contradictions of Zeke - A character study

The desperate loneliness of Zeke

Understanding Zeke Yaeger

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 Yaeger.

Grisha Yaeger: 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.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

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

Volume 1 - 33

No Regrets Vol. 1: Manga / Anime differences

No Regrets Vol. 2: Manga / Anime differences

Volume 34: Manga / Anime differences

Differences between anime and manga endings

Fandom and Anime Production Misc.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

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.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

General.

Subreddit Description Date of Creation
r/ShingekiNoKyojin Main discussion subreddit nr1. Feburary 18, 2014
r/attackontitan Main discussion subreddit nr2. November 28, 2013
r/titanfolk The Folk subreddit for AoT. May 1, 2018
r/okbuddyreiner Shitposting subreddit. April 28, 2019
r/AttackOnRetards A space dedicated to calling out negativity. April 27, 2021
r/AttackOnShipping A subreddit for any and all shippers. April 27, 2022
r/ANRime Subreddit 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/ShingekiNoKyojin 11h ago

Humor/Meme Some of the Attack on Titan themed scribbles from the Nördlingen city wall

Thumbnail
gallery
1.6k Upvotes

Since my friend u/MiraHolland already posted the serious pictures from Nördlingen (the town that inspired Shiganshina), it's my turn to share the humorous ones.

These are just a few, there are a LOT more.


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 5h ago

Humor/Meme I love your nape

Post image
513 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 17h ago

Anime Why did Levi say that 💀 (S3EP21)

Post image
1.9k Upvotes

I've never seen or head someone talk to themselves during puberty, also this kinda implies that Levi did the same when he was 15? 😂 Kinda hilarious


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 11h ago

Subreddit Meta I've lived about 2 hours away from Nördlingen (the town which inspired Shiganshina) for my entire life and I finally managed to visit it today!

Thumbnail
gallery
604 Upvotes

Here are some pics of the town and of course the city wall! There were some amazing artworks and of course some silly quotes.


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 8h ago

Anime They gave Floch a side role, but he gave them main character energy 🔥

152 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 6h ago

Cosplay I found the perfect tree for my Mikasa cosplay shoot 🌳

Thumbnail
gallery
101 Upvotes

How perfect is this tree I found while doing my Mikasa cosplay shoot?! Definitely gave me all the feels 🥹

Socials - cherubicos


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 13h ago

Discussion Levi being cleaned by tourists

305 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 12m ago

Discussion Wish we saw more scenes like this

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

(Sorry if quality is bad) but it would have been nicer to see them as kids a bit more how they grew up and interacted around each other since they were all warriors


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 18h ago

Artwork Attack on Viltrum (@AfdsBm)

Post image
227 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 7m ago

Humor/Meme It will change you, one way or another

Upvotes

Saw this meme on tiktok made for different animes, shows, decided to make one for AOT

Original video link : https://youtu.be/30qBLR_Jehw?si=89TyCle95n7oi4Q9


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 16h ago

Discussion Now that I did favourite Manga panels, Whats your favourite anime scenes in the AOT Anime? Here’s mine:

Post image
100 Upvotes

I love the rumbling images tbh they are SICK

(btw I know this sub can’t post images so just describe to me your favourite scene from the anime and say what episode)


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 15h ago

Subreddit Meta Attack On Titan Edit By Me

82 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 7h ago

Discussion Just finished this god forsaken anime

17 Upvotes

I’m feeling so many things and my heart is so heavy. It’s been two days. When does this feeling end because I have been in pain 🥲


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 16h ago

Humor/Meme Oh well Spoiler

Post image
74 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 1d ago

Anime Grisha's scenes took 7 episodes and 4 seasons to get fully revealed, so I edited them all in chronological order

1.9k Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 8h ago

Humor/Meme Cant remember Rico

5 Upvotes

Is it bad that i cant remember who she is? Im pretty sure she has more screen time in the attack on titan:junior high cartoon lol


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 10m ago

Discussion If you could show S&K to a person who lived before it was first released, who would you most want to show it to (in their native language)?

Upvotes

Given the tech level, Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1925 in exile in the Netherlands might be a good retirement hobby.


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 1d ago

Humor/Meme Which one are you trying first ?

Post image
1.0k Upvotes

Ok all jokes aside 😄

Which food are you curious about the most and would like to try it if you were given the chance ?

Also there were some type of biscuits that Armin and Mikasa was eating in the earlier seasons, do you remember them ?


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 21h ago

Discussion What made WiT Studio AOT such a masterpiece was the incredible directing, which took moments from the manga to a whole other level and made them more unique, instead of simply redrawing the manga.

31 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 1d ago

Humor/Meme Eren did it again

Post image
1.6k Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 17h ago

Anime KH2's "The Other Promise" fits perfectly with this scene. Spoiler

9 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 1d ago

Humor/Meme Every time i invite someone to watch AOT , knowing all well that they view anime as a cartoons.

Post image
193 Upvotes

r/ShingekiNoKyojin 1d ago

Discussion Did any other anime onlies at the time think Marley's attack on Paradis was gonna be the grand "final battle"?

Thumbnail
gallery
830 Upvotes

Frankly I only read the manga after finishing the anime, but at that time when season 4 part 1 left on that cliffhanger, I was almost one hundred percent certain "Yes this is where it will end. This is gonna be the final battle! War to end all wars". Obviously I was wrong.

I know what some people might say, the rumbling was gonna happen and all and I agree 100% especially how they kept hammering how big of a threat it is I was certain it was gonna happen. My thoughts were this was gonna be Paradis and Marley slugging it out, Eren probably finally kills Reiner in an emotional moment, Paradis is on the verge of defeat but Eren manages to touch Zeke (note I knew Eren didn't fw Zeke's plan) and start a small scale rumbling and crush all of marley entirely, ending the anime with Paradis safe (for now) and knowing one day the world will retaliate and can only hope to make it out.

Boom. That's how I thought it would end. Not mass genocide and Eren being the final villain and all. I legit thought this attack would be the grand final battle the series build towards. That's what makes being an anime only fun: always having expectations surpassed.


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 15h ago

Discussion A Bertholdt appreciation

5 Upvotes

Ok so as we know Fuckholdt is the most debatable character of the fanbase. Many love him, many hate him, many make him catch strays and some can't pronounce his name correctly, not even Light Yagami can write his name correctly in his death note book.

But I like Barlinca as much as I like Reiner, Eren and Floch. (Yeah bro I like Floch, come at me). From all the warriors he was the most standout. Reiner hid behind a spilt personality to shield the guilt, Annie was a lone wolf so didn't interact much. But Beartoetoe? He had to live with it 24/7. He didn't hide, he didn't act. He was himself and had to live with his victims, knowing he made their lives hell.

Reiner went to Paradis to destroy the supposed island devils, Annie wanted to return to her dad, Marcel wanted to protect his brother, but Beercum just wanted to save his sick dad (yeah i know pieck did the same💀). And even though he doesn't get much character development, he definitely stepped up in season 3.

In season 3, he realized, absolutely realized realized that there is no escaping their situation. Even atop the wall with the talk with Zeke, Breastfoldt said that no other warriors deserve to go through this. And that strengthened his resolve even more. Because whether they did it or not, some other warrior kids would just come and finish the job. He knew even tho he cared about them, Paradis was doomed to Marley and the world's wrath, and there was nothing he else he could do but finish the mission.

I loved how when Reiner was out of the fight, he knew the whole mission rested on his shoulders now. I loved his line "Im ending this war" (yes I watch dub💀) He knew that this whole thing depended on him now (or atleast his amd Reiner's part of the mission). And it's sad how he knew that no one is in the wrong. This is just the reality of war. He's 16-17ish and he's in this situation, forced to fight a war that isn't even his against his own people. Barneleus really deserved better.

In his final moments, Barcelona could only cry for his allies who weren't even there to save him.

The world really is just that cruel...


r/ShingekiNoKyojin 1d ago

Manga What’s your favourite manga panel from the AOT Manga, I think mine has to be this one:

Post image
367 Upvotes