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Summary
After finding the truth about the world, Eren walked on the path of becomingAttack on Titan’s antagonist. He caused the Rumbling and trampled across the globe and caused the deaths of billions. But his final conversation with Armin gave a meaning to his actions. It became the conversation that truly defined Eren’s character.
Growing up,freedom was Eren’s only dream. But finding out the truth about Marley and the outside world changed him—or so we thought. Near the end of the series, Armin’s flashback to his final conversation with Eren explains Eren’s actions and thoughts. It was probably the most important detail that redefined the entire series.
When Did This Conversation Take Place?
Armin and Eren’s final conversation was shown in Chapter 4 of theAttack on TitanFinal Chapters (Part 2) Special. After Eren’s death, Armin regained his memories of his conversation with Eren. This conversation happened sometime after their final meeting on Paradis Island. It wasn’t an actual physical conversation, but instead, Eren connected to Armin using the power of the Founding Titan.
Similar to a dream, Eren and Armin are seen walking through various terrains that they once dreamed of visiting. The memories start in Shiganshina District, where Armin first showed Eren the book about the outside world.
The Significance of This Conversation
The conversation alone is significant because it was the last talk between Eren and Armin. The two had been friends since childhood and walked on the same path to free themselves from the hold of the Titans, and chase freedom. But with the turn of events, Eren left Armin and others behind. But the conversation revealed that Eren never wanted to abandon them. He did so to distance himself from others. He wanted to keep them away fromthe inevitable evil path he was taking.
For the Sake of Eldia
Eren went on a path of destruction where he decided to end 80% of the world. He claimed to have done so to protect Eldia. He knew that eventually Armin and others had to drift apart from him and bring an end to his actions. This would make them the heroes of the new world, and the hate for Eldia would at least decrease if not end. Similar to what happened tothe Tybur family in Marley.
The True Nature of the Founding Titan
Eren decided to save his allies at the cost of the world outside Eldia. When he told Armin that he would go on to end 80% of the world’s population, Armin was enraged and asked Eren to stop. But Eren explained that the memories he saw fromthe future were bound to happenregardless of his own wishes. He also disclosed that, during the first episode, it was him who commanded Dina’s titan to devour his mother because he needed to save Bertholdt for the future. The Founder’s power messed up Eren’s mind because he could see the past, the present, and the future, all at once.
Eren’s True Feelings For Mikasa
Growing up together, Mikasa openly expressed her feelings towards Eren. She always protected him and stood by him. But after the Yeagerists took control of Eldia, they started to drift apart. In their last conversation, Eren claimed to hate Mikasa. He even claimed that Mikasa’s attachment to Eren is not love but simply her instinct as an Ackerman to protect him. But all of this turned out to be a lie.
Once again,Eren lied so he could create distancebetween him and Mikasa. It was necessary because if Mikasa continued to hold on to her selfless attachment to Eren, she would be unable to eventually kill him. When Armin suggested that it was better if Mikasa moved on from someone as selfish as Eren. Eren started weeping, confessing that he truly loved her and didn’t want to die. Even if she did move on from him, he wanted it to take at least 10 years.
Understanding Ymir Fritz “The Founder”
Eren and Armin’s conversation finally uncovered the mystery behind Ymir Fritz. It was a known fact thatYmir continued to obey King Fritz for over 2,000 years. But Eren said that he was shocked to find out that it was because she was bound by her “love” for him. Though she continued to follow King Fritz’s command, she suffered endlessly, waiting to be free. Even Eren failed to truly understand the depths of Ymir’s heart. Finally, she saw hope in the form of Mikasa.
“There’s something I felt when I touched her in the Paths.
I couldn’t believe it.
The Founder Ymir… loved King Fritz.
That’s what it is was that kept Ymir bound, even after 2,000 years…
…She kept searching for someone to release her, and finally, they appeared.
That person was Mikasa.”
- Eren, The Final Chapters Special 2
Initially it seemed like Eren was the one saving Ymir,but it was actually Mikasa. Similar to Ymir, Mikasa was selflessly in love with Eren. Even when he went on to destroy the world, she continued to find ways to save him. But eventually, when she killed Eren, she ended the cycle of selfless suffering. This allowed Ymir to do the same, and, as a result, she was finally set free and the Titan’s curse ended.
Eren and Armin’s Acceptance as Sinners
Armin was horrified at what the future held for them. He could not believe Eren had decided to destroy the world and claimed that it was for the sake of the Eldians. While saving Eldia was indeed Eren’s motive, he claimed that he also genuinely wanted to crush the outside world. He could not understand why, but he felt like he always wanted to flatten the world beyond the walls. This confirmed Eren’s true emotions despite his inability to change the future.
“I wanted to level everything.
I wanted to see this sight.
I don’t know why. I just wanted to do it… so very badly.”
Armin soon realized thathe was as guilty as Eren. It was Armin who first told Eren about the outside world. In Eren’s head, he painted a picture of “a free, unoccupied world waiting to be conquered”. Armin held himself responsible for Eren’s worldview and actions. He ended up thanking Eren for showing him the outside world and promised to soon join him in hell, and suffer eternally together.
How Did This Conversation Impact the Ending?
The conversation did not change what Eren did. He was still the personwho caused the death of endless civilians. But it allowed Armin and others to understand what Eren truly wanted. Though they could not agree with what he did, they understood his heart and sympathized with him. They also continued to live as heroes of the new world, especially Armin, who took responsibility for Eren’s death and led others as they became peace envoys in the new world. Mikasa was also able to accept Eren’s loss and continued to mourn him for years to come. She went to live a long life but eventually returned to Eren in death as she was buried next to Eren’s grave.
Attack on Titanwas a complex story of finding freedom. While Eren truly never experienced freedom, he was able to create a free world for his loved ones. The final conversation allowed the characters and the viewers to truly understand who Eren Yeager was.
