After seasons of shocking twists, the final confrontation in Attack on Titan brings the saga full circle. Eren Yeager, who once sought to destroy the Titans who threatened humanity behind the Walls, has become an agent of destruction himself. By unleashing the dormant Colossal Titans from within the Walls, Eren initiated the apocalyptic Rumbling in hopes of eliminating the outside world that despises his Eldian people on Paradis.
This horrific act of genocide was the last straw for Eren’s former allies, who joined forces as the Alliance to stop the march of the Wall Titans. Their bid to reason with someone they once called a friend seems doomed to fail. Eren remains resolute in his genocidal mission, insisting that he will not stop until the outside world is flattened.
But is Eren’s desire for omnicide genuine, or does he have other plans that have yet to come to light? The mystery surrounding Eren’s true motivations persists, even as the final battle draws near. With so many loose ends left hanging, Attack on Titan’s last chapter aims to provide a satisfying conclusion.
One thing is certain – the stage is set for a climactic showdown between Eren and the Alliance that will reshape the fate of their divided world. Beyond who lives and who dies, many await the reveals that will illuminate the larger meaning behind this epic saga.
Introduction to the End of Humanity
A big reason why Eren decided to use the Rumbling was because the outside world refused to talk peacefully with Paradis. After the 145th King Fritz went behind the Walls over a century ago, the people of Paradis became known as evil “Devils” by everyone else.
Even though King Fritz threatened to use the Rumbling if Paradis was attacked, he couldn’t actually do it because of a vow he made to renounce war.
This vow stopped other nations from invading Paradis until Marley sent forces there in 845. After that, the people of Paradis tried to make friends and trade partners but faced hate everywhere except Hizuru. Hizuru envoy Kiyomi even suggested showing the Rumbling to help Paradis get strong militarily, but people disagreed with this idea.
When Eren and the Survey Corps visited Marley, they saw firsthand how distorted the world’s view of Eldians was. It became clear that other nations would never listen to Paradis wanting peace.
With no peaceful options left, Eren secretly planned to take the Founding Titan and unleash the full Rumbling. The world’s refusal to talk left Eren feeling he had to destroy them all to protect his people.
Why Did Eren Start The Rumbling?
After releasing the Wall Titans, Eren sent a message to all Subjects of Ymir explaining his rationale. He stated that the outside world desired Paradis’ destruction, so to defend his homeland, he would eradicate all life on earth outside the island.
Though Eren claimed this genocide was necessary, his actions cannot be justified. The Rumbling would kill countless innocents, confirming Paradisians as the “Devils” they were seen as.
During their Marley visit, a distraught Eren confessed to Ramzi, an innocent refugee who would die in the Rumbling, that learning the cruel truth of the world left him disappointed and desiring an empty world. Eren admitted he felt guilty for wanting the Rumbling, though he still pursued it.
Later in Paths, Eren refused to back down when confronted by his friends, insisting they would have to kill him to stop the Rumbling. Though completing it would eliminate the threat to Paradis, the moral cost seems too high when even Eren’s closest allies oppose his course. The fact that Titan shifters can still transform against Eren’s Founding Titan power may also hint events could take an unexpected turn.
On one hand, Eren sacrificing himself for Paradis would fit his desire to protect those close to him, which could explain him distancing himself from Armin and Mikasa. This may have been to lessen the impact when he enacted his plan.
In this scenario, Eren intends to allow his friends to kill him and stop the Rumbling, making the Eldians who opposed him the world’s heroes. However, the world was already unwilling to listen to Paradis diplomatically, and the Rumbling would not help. So, whether events play out this way remains to be seen.
On the other hand, Eren has a much darker side, driven by hatred when his freedom is threatened. Given his sole aim has been to attain complete personal freedom, it seems unlikely Eren would willingly sacrifice himself.
He has shown himself to be easily consumed by rage when autonomy is at stake. So, while one possibility is Eren martyring himself for Paradis, his dark, obsessive side makes this seem doubtful. Eren’s endgame is still shrouded in mystery and too complex to predict.
