#attack on titan aoe

[girlwtdragontattoo]

okay aot is over

i am genuinely happy with the entire story of aot. what a show and what a wild ride this has been!

i had some hopes that the anime would clear up a few things that were either mistranslated or hastily written in the manga (i def think the scene with armin and dummy eren has been massively improved)

BUT

wtf did this scene mean

idk man i am still so confused why this was in both manga and anime bc i don‘t get it and maybe someone who‘s smarter than me can explain???

look i thought isayama was gonna pull a „ymir will be reborn and given a chance, a life where she is finally free“ type of thing bc historia kind of looks like her and eren has ymir like in him pff idk so they were gonna reincarnate ymir this way

hey eren can literally loop and manipulate time itself this is not super out of the scope of possibility alright?! if he can scare his dad to kill kids, he can find a way to reincarnate someone!

also i think it would’ve been more poetic, like a part of him still lives on and is free of this titan shit world.

and yes i also see that it would be kinda weird for ymir to be born again in the fritz fam bc they were shit and awful but historia is not like that at all and proves that there is good within the family line (which is also part of ymir)

i also get that isayama probably didn‘t want to ruin the eren/mikasa dynamic by having him be the baby daddy of historia lol

and maybe historia wouldn’t be too happy to have her baby daddy be a mass murderer… ok i get why he chose not to go that route

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEEEEEEEEAN why are they talking like this and what is the point someone free me

mikasa lol

[onigiri-dorkk]

Attack on Titan AOE vs. Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth Parallels

Alright fam. This is my ultimate multi-fandom post! This will go out to fellow AOT x FFVII fans -- especially those who have been looking into the AOT/ANR theories regarding AOE.

Obviously there will be heavy spoilers for both Attack on Titan as well as for Final Fantasy VII (OG and Remake).

Recently I've dived into the theory and lore to FFVII and a LOT of it lines up with what's been theorized for AOT regarding different medias being different timelines for one entire story:

For AOT, the manga is theorized to be a different timeline than the anime.

For FFVII, the original game (OG) is now officially implied to be a different parallel timeline than the current Remake.

In AOT, Eren and Paradis Island's fate from the Manga ending is death, that Paradis is still destroyed despite everything he does to prevent that. In the Manga, he reaches 80% Rumbling and then dies by Mikasa's hands; a sacrifice he was willing to make in order to allow Mikasa, Armin and friends to be heroes and live long lives (which they do) and for Paradis to survive -- however the cycle of hatred still continues on when Paradis is bombed, negating most of what he acted towards.

Before I get into this next part, let me also mention that the Cabin dream is implied to be a previous or parallel timeline -- in this, we see Eren die; his eyes slowly close, fading to black to his peaceful death as Mikasa says, "See you later, Eren..." which directly reflects the beginning pages of the manga of the moments and words he sees just before he wakes up underneath the tree. In other words, when Eren dies in Cabin timeline, he awakens to what we know to be the Manga timeline. It's a peaceful wakeup, sitting up against the tree as he had been sitting at the Cabin during death. He doesn't cry -- he only wonders why Mikasa's hair was long (because when he saw her last in Cabin timeline, her hair was short). Then the manga story ensues, leading up to his inevitable death by Mikasa beheading him -- a violent, gruesome death in the Manga...

...To which he wakes up in the Anime, in fright and shock, laying down on the ground with his head laying directly where Mikasa had laid his headstone in the Manga post-war, as if he'd just woken from his violent death in manga.

This is very similar to what is actually happening (not just theorizing) with FFVII right now.

In the original (OG) game, Aerith is killed by Sephiroth while trying to save Midgar/the world from Meteor destruction, then her soul is essentially absorbed into the Lifestream. In the end, Cloud defeats Sephiroth (who also goes into Lifestream), but in the process, Midgar is still completely destroyed by the Meteor as it was too late to completely save everything, even if the rest of the world was saved.

There are already some parallels here:

Rumbling = Meteor. The world is saved, but still experienced mass destruction. Lifestream = somewhat like Paths, allowing people to transcend time/space/etc.

However a big thing paralleling AOT theories is that the FFVII OG game ends with Aerith (remember, she was killed), surrounded by Lifestream energy, closing her eyes... Then the Remake game opening with Aerith, surrounded by Lifestream energy, opening her eyes as it leads to the new game unfolding.

Aerith woke up in a new timeline.

And there is plenty of evidence throughout the Part I that shows that she knows what is fated to happen based on the OG game/previous timeline:

She knows details about Cloud even though he didn't share/she acts like she already knows him well.

She gives him a flower because he's a 'special' customer, and says that the flower is a symbol for when lovers reunite.

She knew that the Plate would fall and destroy Sector 7, even though Tifa and Cloud were doubtful, but she couldn't tell them. (Tifa: "Aerith... What are you not telling me?")

She knew Tifa wanted her to save Marlene, even before Tifa even said it

In the special cut scene between Cloud and Aerith, she tells him with sadness that everyone dies eventually. And she advises Cloud to never fall in love with her (because she knows how that tragically ended in the original). She KNOWS she's fated to die.

And these are ALL differences from the OG game -- Aerith didn't have any of these reactions, dialogue, thoughts, sentiments before. She is implied to be operating in Remake with the knowledge of how things ended before: that she would be killed, that Midgar would still be destroyed, that Sephiroth would still be alive.

Except this time, with all that knowledge of OG fate, Aerith is now trying to actively veer things away from the tragic fate and destiny laid out before them. (Side note, Whispers are also game-original and are trying to reel things back to fate/destiny. Also, Sephiroth, being part of Lifestream from OG, is also operating with the knowledge that he failed in the OG. Like Aerith, Sephiroth is trying to change destiny.)

And if that isn't enough yet to convince you that it's a different FFVII timeline... ZACK IS ALIVE. They show him make it out of the battle that killed him before. It is an entirely new journey. (I will cry if/when Zack and Aerith reunite)

Now we circle around right back to AOT.

Like Aerith, Anime Eren is theorized to know how things ended in the Manga: his death, Paradis' destruction, etc. He gained this knowledge when he kissed Historia's hand (in both anime and manga), gaining access to memories of the future... and of the past. But not just memories of the Anime timeline. Founding Titan Eren is interconnected with Paths, the way Aerith is to Lifestream, both of which surpass time itself, as we've seen with Eren/Zeke traveling through his memories. (There's a lot of imagery alluding to Manga art intertwined with Anime, but that's a sub-sub-sub-theory)

There is also a side theory that Aerith transferred memories to Red XIII (as she pressed her hand to his forehead upon meeting) because he was already most attuned to the Lifestream itself, and he becomes her aid almost. Likewise, there is a fun theory regarding Eren using Falco as a messenger/Falco receives memories from Eren (which is why in Anime, Falco recalls memories of 'flying around with swords'... Which couldn't have come from Ymir Freckles. You can only see memories once you HAVE the Titan shifter; Falco at the beginning of S4E1 was still just Falco. Falco has also already been used as a messenger of Eren's letters. Falco is also one of the most neutral characters who shows empathy and understanding of both sides. He is a special character. If AOE happens as theorized, many think Falco will play an important role)

Now there is a certain tragic ending that we think Isayama has been alluding to for forever. I'm not gonna say it here because some of you will get triggered over attachment to certain characters/ships and whatnot. But the core of it is that we think Eren is going to do things very differently to change the fate and destiny -- that maybe, instead of choosing others over his freedom, instead of only committing 80% Rumbling (leaving enough people to lead to the demise of Paradis)... Maybe Eren will even choose his freedom this time via 100% rumbling, etc.

Honestly, who knows! There may be an entirely new ending that's the best of both worlds for every single fan. (...Sarcastic, though, because not everyone can or will be pleased. Even for FFVII, OG purists are frustrated by it veering off.)

I do not believe AOT Anime is going to end the same way the Manga did even if I have reasons for wanting it to stay the same (y'all know me and why I would NOT want it to end different; there are special scenes between my OTP I need to see, especially post-war) but it's because we've seen many consistent things throughout the anime -- through the story, dialogue, recurring imagery, etc. all for a separate detailed post -- that Isayama could have potentially been foreshadowing since 2013 towards a new ending.

"What's the lie? What's the truth?"

The fact that Tetsuya Nomura (maker of FFVII) is already doing this meta-narrative of having one media/game being an entirely different timeline than the original content is SO cool, and affirms that if Isayama is pulling this same stunt, it's not because of fans trying to riot and change an ending, but because that's... well, that's what could've been planned from the start, and because it's a really unique storytelling technique that would elevate a work by making many pieces come together as one, singular, consistent story in a brilliant way.

Obviously there's no IRL link between FFVII and AOT, but again, Nomura doing this makes it less crazy and more probably for another Japanese mastermind storyteller to do this, too. (And I won't even START on Muv Luv/Muv Luv Alternative! But it's the same thing, too!)

I'll stop there for now. Any AOT AOE x FFVII fans out there?! PLEASE tell me I'm not alone LOL

[luckychi7]

ATTACK ON TITAN Livestream Discussion: ATTACK TITAN"S BERSERK MODE RETURNS = AOE??

A lot of chatter has arose within the Attack on Titan community regarding The Final Season Part 3 with the key visual that came out teasing a certain return, and Isayama had some things to share when he was at NYC as he reflected back on the series and a certain take about his main protagonist Eren Yeagar.  Joining me on this livestream discussion are Jada and MADS. Do you think AOE will still happen in Attack on Titan's Final Season Part 3? IS That Berserk Mode's return to the anime?

[kylermalloy]

I have many, many thoughts on the aot finale but the thing that sticks out to me the most is Armin’s gut-wrenching scream when he sees Eren

[aengelren]

Huge news from Isayama

[lenok993]

[dyingstreetmouse]

AOT is finished, time to death charge toward hurling rocks

[sexy-motorcycle-wroom-wroom]

oh no no no no

[tribal-chief-reigns]

Another new illustration with the Founder’s eyes glowing blue and fire surrounding it. With each new image it confirms more and more that the anime’s outcome is not matching the manga.

[twinhood-2dot0]

Attack On Titan's Anime Original Ending

I have an unhealthy obsession with this animanga. There, I said it. No, but really, it’s more than just love. You know I parade it around like it’s a gift to humanity from god and it’s the perfect work of fiction, but it’s not (UNLESS you scrap everything past chapter 90 in which case yes it is perfect. I’d rather have a partial conclusion than an awkward one.), because we got Game Of Thronesed. With the release of the final chapter, the fanbase was extremely divisive, and with the 8 extra pages included later on because only god knows why, everyone just hated the whole thing. And that gave birth to AOE, Anime Original Ending, because you know, AoT, AoE, you get the point. When I caught up to the manga in 2021, it was at 137 and I read every chapter (2) since then in the few minutes since release, and I was pretty much okay with it. Like it was not the masterpiece I expected from Hajime Isayama (I also have a huge problem with idolisation. Like every single person I idolized has let me down terribly. Thank god I still have Toby Fox and Tatsuki Fujimoto.), but still, it was just fine. I just went two years pretending that never happened and Attack On Titan is still the same perfect manga that inspired me to pursue writing. 

That was until last Wednesday, when I went down the AOE rabbit hole and spent like 24 hours doing nothing but that. I slept like 2 hours in between I think. And now I have crippling anxiety about the last episode of the anime. As a redditor aptly put it

 “If it happens Yams will turn into one of the greatest creators of fiction in history

If it doesn't he will turn into one of the greatest clowns in fiction history”.

I’ve read every theory that people have written in the subreddit, and it’s pretty compelling. There are some subtle differences between the anime and the manga that could either be just because he forgor or foreshadowing, and knowing Isayama, it’s highly likely the latter. Seriously, the plot consistency and subtle symbolism and foreshadowing and the storytelling quality of everything up till chapter 90 is unparalleled, so as awkward as the rest of it was, I’m still holding out hope. If the last episode just turns out to be a straight adaptation I am going to be so pissed because with how much evidence there is it just feels like the dumbest freaking thing to do. I would agree that some parts are a bit of a reach but like, the rest? Impeccable. I kinda wish I didn’t read the theories like before when I thought this was just delusional because if this happens, this is going to be like the biggest thing to happen in anime history. It would be flipping game changing.

I know I shouldn’t care this much, it’s just a dumb anime, who cares, right? But as I alluded to before, I have sort of a personal connection to this, even when I joined at like the very end of it. I was born too late :(, I would have been 7 when the first season aired. It meant so much to me even when I joined this late, imagine how much more it would have been if I had been reading it as it aired (emphasis on read, because Season 2 came out a whopping 4 years after Season 1.) I really hated doing art as a child. Not because I had a distaste for it, but I was kind of a perfectionist. I didn’t want to make anything that wasn’t a masterpiece. It’s dumb, and I still have that feeling, but seeing Isayama make such a storytelling marvel at his first shot at a serialized manga, that was really inspiring (and caused me to set a nigh-unattainable goal :P). It is dumb, but I hope you see now why I want to see it become the best that it can be. There is just so much freaking potential in all the theories that I have read. I know I’m hoping for too much but I just can’t accept the fact that it has such a mediocre ending. \*sigh\* I really need to get a life don’t I?

[karizard-ao3]

AI Eren and I Stopped the Rumbling!

This one is a link because it was just too long. We came up with an alternative to the Rumbling and we both went on dates!!! Jean is in love with me now!

[girlwtdragontattoo]

SPOILERS: AOT ENDING

so i am a big fan of the AOE theory, it would honestly be genre altering if isayama really pulls it off. but i‘m faced with a dilemma:

in the manga, mikasa kills eren. a lot of ideas for AOE are the reversal - that mikasa dies and eren lives. i think honestly, that this is a big problem for the story as a whole and isayama. the actions that eren took are unforgivable, despite all the things that have happened to him and despite his reasoning. there is a moral problem with letting eren live after the rumbling… i kinda get why he ended the manga the way he did.

as much as i am hopeful for AOE, i am unsure how he is going to pull it off. if eren lives after the rumbling… it‘s a hard pill to swallow.

i love the idea of time loops and this being eren‘s way, but how can we leave mikasa undeveloped and have eren live out the rest of his remaining life?

do you guys have any thoughts or am i alone with this?

would love to start a discussion!

[onigiri-dorkk]

Just reached S4P2 where the ED changes to Akuma No Ko and for the first time I noticed the parallels to AOT’s ED 1 of Mikasa.

I think I did a mini breakdown of some AOE theories than can be linked to ED1. To Mikasa, that knife must represent the one she used as she unlocked her Ackerman powers — it also can be as much a symbol of her love for Eren since her love started the day he saved her life (knife). So the multiple, countless bloodied knives surrounding Mikasa could represent the many timelines in which she has met and fallen in love w Eren (kill kidnappers, be saved, wrap scarf, etc).

On Eren’s side in Akuma No Ko, though, he’s holding the same bloodied knife in the same position, even similar starry background, but instead he is surrounded by grown white flowers in place of the field of knives shown in ED1.

The color white represents purity — unstained, untainted. Could these white flowers represent the timelines (aka all) in which Mikasa survives? But then, in the midst of the field of white flowers, there is ONE which blood is dripped upon. Maybe this single bloodied flower represents the one timeline in which Mikasa is killed.

I also noticed in ED1, mikasa’s scarf unfurls and it transitions to 3 birds, whereas in Akuma no Ko, Eren’s scarf unfurls and transforms into a single phoenix-like bird. Phoenixes represent rebirth… new life… restarts. The phone is bird is flying but then is kept in a cage of darkness, shattering the bird to fragments and sprinkling below before another Kid Eren suddenly is surrounded by beautiful COLORFUL flowers… and an ABANDONED Paradis (rather than a destroyed modernized Island). Is this the timeline in which a new ending is born — one where Paradis survives and Eldians are free to roam the world?

So many cool theories but it’s fascinating that these parallels I’ve never seen would still line up w the AOE theories. Again… we’ll never know if this was all intentional, until the very end. 😭

Until then…

We keep moving forward 😉🤣

[elrieltwit]

WARNING: MANGA ENDING SPOILERS & THEORIES ON THE AOT ANIME ENDING

Just stating for the record that I am an AOE believer and yes I will be hopeful and “delusional” till the wheels fall off 🤌🏼 all my irl friends haven’t read the manga ending so I don’t have anyone to discuss these theories with and I’m trying so hard to keep my mouth shut around them 😭 feel free to slide in my inbox if you’re also a believer!

If you have read the AOT ending and you’re also open to the idea of an AOE then these explanation videos are extremely well done:

[aengelren]

22 days left til we see this</3

[lenok993]

VOW/CURSE ~ Eren’s respawn ~ Time loop ~ AOE foreshadowing