Rating: 5/5 stars
Director: Yuichiro Hayashi
Total Episodes: 10 episodes in Part 4
Studio: MAPPA
Genres: Action, Drama, Dark Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
“Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 4” brings the epic and emotionally intense saga to a close, delivering one of the most anticipated anime finales of the decade. The series, based on Hajime Isayama’s groundbreaking manga, has been a rollercoaster of shocking revelations, brutal warfare, and moral complexity. Directed by Yuichiro Hayashi and animated by Studio MAPPA, this final segment ties up years of intricate world-building and character development, cementing Attack on Titan’s place as a modern masterpiece.
Story & Setting
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to giant humanoid creatures known as Titans, Attack on Titan has always stood out for its dystopian vision, and its intricate political and philosophical themes. By the time of The Final Season Part 4, the story has evolved beyond its original premise, revealing the larger political struggles between the nations of Eldia and Marley, and delving into the deeper mysteries of the Titans’ origin.
In Part 4, the conflict reaches its climax as Eren Yeager, once the protagonist, has now fully embraced his role as an anti-hero. His plan—referred to as “The Rumbling”—involves using the power of the Founding Titan to unleash millions of colossal Titans to trample the world, effectively committing global genocide in order to protect Eldia. The remaining members of the Survey Corps, including Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Reiner Braun, and others, are forced to grapple with their former friend’s terrifying decision and decide how they can stop him, if at all.
The setting shifts from the island of Paradis to the outside world, with much of the season taking place on the mainland of Marley. The show’s world-building reaches its peak as it portrays the scale of Eren’s destruction, the desperation of the world’s governments, and the moral ambiguity faced by every character.
Characters
Attack on Titan’s characters are some of the most compelling in anime, and the final season gives each major player their moment in the spotlight, exploring their emotional depth and growth.
Eren Yeager: Eren’s transformation from idealistic hero to world-shattering villain is one of the most complex character arcs in anime history. In this final part, he is almost a mythical figure, coldly determined to complete his genocidal plan. However, glimpses of his inner conflict—particularly his love for his friends and his deep-seated anger at a world that has never given him peace—keep him from being a one-dimensional antagonist. His motivations, while horrific, are driven by a sense of tragic inevitability.
Mikasa Ackerman: Mikasa’s relationship with Eren has always been at the heart of the series, and in this final chapter, she struggles to come to terms with the person Eren has become. Torn between her love for him and her duty to stop him, Mikasa’s emotional journey is one of the season’s most poignant threads. Her ultimate decision in the climax delivers a heart-wrenching resolution to their complex bond.
Armin Arlert: Armin, now the inheritor of the Colossal Titan, is positioned as the moral center of the series. His intelligence, compassion, and desire for peace contrast sharply with Eren’s brutal pragmatism. Armin’s role as a strategist and leader is put to the test as he faces the reality that stopping Eren might mean sacrificing the very friend he once admired.
Reiner Braun: Reiner’s journey from a conflicted enemy to a reluctant ally of the Survey Corps is one of redemption. He has been haunted by guilt and self-hatred for much of the series, and Part 4 finally allows him to confront his past and make peace with his actions, offering a sense of closure to his arc.
Levi Ackerman: Despite being severely injured, Levi continues to play a significant role in the final battle. His pursuit of revenge against Zeke Yeager, and his struggle with the loss of his comrades, humanize him even more, showing that even the strongest can be broken by war.
Animation & Art
Studio MAPPA delivers breathtaking animation throughout The Final Season Part 4, capturing the sheer scale of Attack on Titan’s epic story. The action scenes, particularly the sequences involving The Rumbling and the final confrontation with Eren, are awe-inspiring in their scope and intensity. The animation seamlessly combines traditional hand-drawn techniques with CGI, creating a fluid and dynamic visual experience.
The Titans themselves, particularly the Colossal Titans marching during The Rumbling, are animated with a sense of overwhelming weight and menace, emphasizing the apocalyptic scale of Eren’s plan. The character designs, while maintaining the gritty realism that has defined the series, also carry a sense of weariness and despair, reflecting the toll that the endless fighting has taken on everyone involved.
MAPPA’s use of color is especially notable, with dark, muted tones dominating the scenes of destruction, contrasted by the vibrant, almost serene moments in flashbacks or character-driven scenes. This contrast enhances the emotional impact of the story, particularly in the quieter, reflective moments that break up the action.
Soundtrack & Music
The music of Attack on Titan has always been one of its defining elements, and The Final Season Part 4 is no exception. Composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto, the soundtrack perfectly complements the intensity and emotion of the final battles. The orchestral score, filled with soaring strings and thunderous percussion, heightens the drama of the Titan battles, while quieter, melancholic tracks underscore the emotional weight of the characters’ struggles.
The opening theme, “Under the Tree” by SiM, captures the dark, apocalyptic tone of the final season, while the ending theme offers a reflective, bittersweet contrast, reminding viewers of the series’ thematic core of loss and survival.
The voice acting is exceptional, with standout performances by Yuki Kaji (Eren), Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa), and Marina Inoue (Armin). Each actor brings raw emotion to their roles, particularly during the season’s most emotional moments, where years of character development culminate in tearful confrontations and farewells.
Themes & Social Commentary
Attack on Titan has always been a series that explores heavy themes, and the final season brings these to the forefront with devastating clarity.
Cycle of Hatred and Revenge: One of the series’ central themes is the cycle of violence and how revenge perpetuates endless conflict. The final season highlights how both Marleyans and Eldians are trapped in a system of hatred that stretches back centuries. Eren’s plan to destroy the world reflects this cycle, as he believes that only through total destruction can peace be achieved.
Moral Ambiguity: The show refuses to present simple good vs. evil narratives. Eren’s actions, while monstrous, are driven by his desire to protect his people, while those trying to stop him are forced to confront the moral cost of their decisions. This moral complexity is what makes Attack on Titan such a gripping and thought-provoking series.
Freedom vs. Control: Eren’s quest for freedom has been a driving force throughout the series, but the final season questions whether true freedom can ever be achieved without causing harm. The cost of freedom—both for individuals and nations—becomes a central philosophical question as Eren and the Survey Corps face their final showdown.
Criticism
While The Final Season Part 4 is largely seen as a fitting conclusion to the epic story, some fans may feel that the ending—particularly Eren’s fate—leaves certain questions unanswered or is overly ambiguous. The fast pacing of the final battle also leaves little time for reflection, which may feel rushed for viewers wanting more character introspection.
However, these minor criticisms do not detract from the overall impact of the series, which remains emotionally and thematically resonant until the very end.
Final Thoughts
Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 4 is a monumental achievement in anime, delivering an unforgettable conclusion to a series that has redefined the genre. With its intense action, complex characters, and exploration of deep themes, it cements Attack on Titan’s legacy as one of the greatest anime of all time.
For fans who have followed the series from the beginning, this final season offers a satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion to the story of Eren Yeager and the world of the Titans. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves anime that challenges the boundaries of storytelling, and a fitting farewell to a world that has captivated millions of viewers for over a decade.
