Within the domain of anime and manga, few series have stolen the hearts and imaginations of audiences quite like “Attack on Titan.” The intense, gripping tale by Hajime Isayama has enthralled fans with its complex plot, unique setting, and unforgettable characters.
Among these characters, Eren Yeager stands as the central protagonist, whose journey of bravery, determination, and sacrifice has deeply resonated with readers and viewers alike.
As the series reaches its climax, many fans find themselves posing the same question: does Eren Yeager, the courageous hero who has fought so valiantly against the Titans, ultimately meet his demise?
Throughout this article, we will delve into the destiny of Eren Yeager in “Attack on Titan,” exploring the twists and turns of the narrative that leads to his ultimate fate.
We will examine the pivotal events, decisions, and confrontations that shape his journey, and the ways in which his character evolves over the course of the story.
Does Eren Yeager Die in Attack on Titan?
Regrettably, Eren Yeager, the series’ protagonist and antihero, passed away during the final moment of the war. He was decapitated by Mikasa Ackerman in chapter 138 of the manga. His death was confirmed when she kissed, mourned, and buried his lifeless head.
Not all authors are at ease eliminating their main characters, but Isayama is an eccentric breed.
Moreover, we are unable to envision another way for the series to have ended without Eren Yeager’s passing.
The Aftermath of Eren’s Death
Following Eren’s death, humanity is saved (even though 80% of the world population was killed), the source of titan powers dies with him which consequently restores every titan to their human form, and the people of Paradis eventually obtained freedom, but not for long.
The Islanders are anxious about the retaliation from the rest of the world. As a precaution, they established an army under the Jaeger group, focusing on fortifying its armed forces.
Armin, Jean, Connie, Reiner, Annie, and Pieck functioned as peace ambassadors between Paradis and the Allied Nations to promote international peace.
We never discovered if they were successful or not, but the additional manga panel suggests the latter.
The extra panel illustrates a world that is once more at war and in ruins.
We assume that the Alliance may have been successful for a time, but perhaps after their deaths, no one remained to keep the peace.
Overall, the manga came to a rather disconcerting conclusion.
The tree where Mikasa buried Eren’s head has grown into a massive, peculiar size similar to the tree from which Ymir derived her titans’ abilities.
Then we see a boy walking close to the base of the tree, suggesting that history might just repeat itself.
However, Isayama confirmed in an interview that the series won’t have a sequel. Therefore, we are unsure how to label the manga’s final panel.
Read more: Strongest Titans Ranked
How Does Eren Die in The Manga?
In order to free the Eldians, save everyone he cares about, and establish a world free of Titans, Eren initiated the Rumbling and embarked on a rampage to wipe out all other life forces beyond the shores of Paradis Island.
Serving as a threat to humanity, both Eldians and Marley soldiers banded together to stop him.
Eren transformed into the founding titan and fought against the allied soldiers before Mikasa swooped in to complete the kill by severing his head.
Then, after cradling his lifeless head and saying her final goodbyes, she buried him beneath the same tree he usually napped on as a child.
Following his death, most fans began to speculate that Eren is still alive but as a bird due to some references from the manga’s final chapter.
In one of the references, we see Mikasa sitting near Eren’s grave and vocally wishing she could see him once again.
As she finishes her sentence, the scarf Eren gave her comes loose, and a bird flies up in front of her and ties it back. She grinned up at the bird and thanked it, mentioning Eren’s name.
In another reference, we see a similar bird flying past Armin and the other passengers as they journey to Paradis.
It’s also logical to conclude that Eren shares a connection with birds, as he often compared being inside the walls to living in a birdcage.
This reference to birds serves as a clear metaphor for Eren’s deepest desire: freedom.
Whether or not Eren reincarnated as a bird, he will always have a special place in the hearts of his friends and fans.
Is Eren a Hero or Villain in Attack on Titan?
Eren is many things, but evil is far from it. He’s a realist, and realistically, he had no other choice over everything he did. All he ever wanted was to free his people from the cruelty of the world and he’s willing to sacrifice anything for that goal, even his life.
Regardless, Eren has seen the future. So, everything he did till the very end was the best option for the Eldians – better than King fritz’s vow to denounce war and hide inside the walls or Zeke’s slow and painless genocide plan.
Additionally, we should be aware that good and evil are matters of perspective and should always consider the big picture.
Does Eren Loves Mikasa?
Eren loved Mikasa with all of his heart, even though he hurts her with his words and pushed her away throughout the story.
We realize this in the conversation he had with Armin inside the founding paths just before his death.
In their conversation, Eren cried out that he never wanted Mikasa to love anyone apart from him, even if he died. Eren gave up his love for Mikasa to free the people of Paradis.
Does Mikasa Move on With Her Life?
Mikasa did move on with her life as she married and gave birth, but she never stopped loving Eren.
Even after all those years, she never let go of the scarf he gave her.
She also often visits his grave, together with her child and husband who somewhat resembles Jean owing to his hairstyle. What Mikasa had for Eren was indeed
