Attack on Titan, a groundbreaking anime series, is renowned for its unflinching portrayal of trauma and tragedy. From the onset of its inaugural episode, audiences are thrust into a tapestry of devastation and horror as the Titans breach the walls of Shiganshina, leaving a plethora of innocents perished in their wake. This harrowing beginning sets a dark tone that permeates the series, reflecting on the profound impacts of conflict and loss.
The narrative unfolds in a backdrop of ongoing war, where death becomes a mundane reality for the characters. This environment gives rise to some of the most emotionally resonant moments in anime history. While Attack on Titan largely maintains a somber atmosphere, it excels in highlighting the brutal truths of warfare, bringing to light the irrevocable losses sustained by its characters.
10 Armin’s Heroic Sacrifice to Combat Bertholdt’s Colossal Titan
“Hero,”Season 3, Episode 17
One of the standout moments in Attack on Titan showcases Armin Arlert’s unwavering bravery, categorizing him as a hero in his own right. Faced with the overwhelming threat posed by traitors Reiner and Bertholdt, Armin chooses to demonstrate his heroism through an ultimate act of self-sacrifice.
Armin leaps into the searing steam of Bertholdt’s Colossal Titan, suffering horrific burns but ultimately allowing Levi, equipped with a vial of Titan serum, to resurrect him. Although the intense visuals of this scene remain haunting, Armin’s willingness to put his life on the line exemplifies courage in the face of despair.
9 Sasha’s Tragic Demise at the Hands of Gabi
“Assassin’s Bullet,”Season 4, Episode 8
The fraught clash between Marley and Eldia escalates tragically with Sasha’s untimely death, shot by the vengeful Gabi Braun. After the devastating casualties from the Battle of Liberio, Gabi, consumed by grief, infiltrates an Eldian airship with the singular aim of avenging her comrades.
In a moment of chaos, Gabi fires her weapon indiscriminately, and Sasha, valiant and beloved, becomes the unfortunate target. Despite her friends’ frantic attempts to save her, Sasha’s death is a profound loss, further deepening the cycle of violence that enshrouds the ongoing conflict.
8 Armin’s Reluctant Mass Destruction in Marley
“Assault,”Season 4, Episode 7
Although a member of the Survey Corps, Armin despises violence and yearns for peaceful resolutions. However, during the Raid on Liberio, he confronts a moral dilemma that forces him to utilize his Colossal Titan form to inflict mass casualties.
Transforming in the port to confront their foes, Armin’s actions result in widespread death, a stark contrast to his pacifist ideals. The chilling visual of his earless Titan serves as a metaphor for his inability to bear hearing the devastating consequences of his actions.
7 Erwin Smith’s Fateful Charge Against the Beast Titan
“Perfect Game,”Season 3, Episode 16
As the Survey Corps confront the formidable Beast Titan, Erwin Smith devises a perilous suicide charge to inspire his troops. Undeterred by the low chances of success, his motivating speech galvanizes his soldiers to follow him into battle.
Tragically, Zeke Yeager’s tactical prowess leads to catastrophic losses, including Erwin’s own life. This sequence is not only marked by violence but encapsulates the somber reality of sacrifice borne in pursuit of victory.
6 Faye Yeager’s Devastating Fate
“That Day,”Season 3, Episode 20
Faye Yeager, Grisha’s innocent younger sister, faces a tragic fate that epitomizes the senseless cruelty of war. During a routine outing, Faye and Grisha inadvertently stray outside the Eldian internment zone, leading to their capture by Marleyan soldiers.
Grisha’s desperate pleas for mercy go unheeded, as Faye suffers an unimaginably horrific end, torn apart by dogs while Grisha endures a different suffering, forever burdened by survivor’s guilt.
5 Eren’s Disturbing Legacy: Consuming Grisha Yeager
“Sin,”Season 3, Episode 6
The origins of Eren’s Titan form come with a grim revelation: Eren was coerced into consuming his own father, Grisha Yeager, to inherit his titan abilities. This grotesque act unfolded when Grisha injected Eren with Titan serum, inevitably leading to his horrifying fate.
Years later, Eren’s repressed memories surface, causing him to confront the traumatic truth of his past and the twisted lineage of his Titan powers.
4 Carla Yeager’s Gruesome End
“To You, in 2,000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina: Part 1,”Season 1, Episode 1
The series kicks off with one of its darkest moments: the brutal death of Eren’s mother, Carla Yeager. The sudden resurgence of the Titans, after a century of peace, leads to chaos in Shiganshina. As Eren, Mikasa, and Carla flee an unfolding disaster, Carla encounters an inescapable fate.
Pinned down by debris, her poignant final moments are marked by a plea for her children to save themselves. While trying to save her, Hannes is unable to change her fate, and the children watch in horror as a Titan devours her, an event that ignites Eren’s unshakeable hatred towards all Titans.
3 The Horrifying Onset of the Rumbling
“From You, 2,000 Years Ago,”Season 4, Episode 21
The ominous concept of the Rumbling, a cataclysm involving countless Titans obliterating everything in their path, becomes grimly tangible in this episode. The animation captures the horror as humans struggle to escape, only to be met with an overwhelming death toll, exceeding a billion lives lost in mere moments.
2 Mikasa’s Heart-Wrenching Betrayal: Eren’s Execution
“THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2,”Season 4
In an ironic twist, Eren’s insatiable thirst for liberation leads to his demise, ultimately leaving him incapable of experiencing the peace he envisioned. His radical plan to initiate the Rumbling—trampling all non-Eldians—sparks outrage among allies and enemies alike.
In the series’ climactic showdown, Mikasa Ackerman makes the heart-wrenching choice to decapitate her childhood friend, Eren, as the weight of her actions permeates the scene. The haunting aftermath, with friends mourning around Mikasa while she cradles Eren’s lifeless head, encapsulates the deep sorrows and tragedies of war.
1 Ymir’s Heartbreaking Origin Story
“From You, 2,000 Years Ago,”Season 4, Episode 21
The tale of Ymir Fritz unfolds as a tragedy marked by exploitation and despair. After unintentionally gaining the Founding Titan powers, Ymir becomes a pawn in the hands of King Fritz, forced into servitude. Her previous suffering continues as she is reduced to a tool for the king’s ambitions.
Adding to her tragic fate, after her death, Fritz coerces their children to consume her remains, cementing one of the most grotesque and heartrending moments in the rich tapestry of Attack on Titan.
Leave a Reply