Ah, the finale of Attack on Titan, a rollercoaster of emotions that left some claiming it was a “happy and safe” ending. Let’s unravel this paradoxical conclusion and see why it’s more of a bittersweet symphony.
Firstly, 80% of the population meeting their untimely end is hardly the recipe for a joyous finale. Paradis, despite millennia of technological progress, went up in flames. The yeagerists took the reins, warping the symbol of freedom into an unrecognizable form, likely fading into oblivion for the majority.
Paradis, once a beacon of hope, now potentially transformed into a fascist state with the ominous absence of free speech. The main character, Eren, met his demise, and a haunting cycle of hatred looms over the horizon.
Now, some argue that the ending feels happy, but the reality check lies in the closing scene featuring Armin’s group gearing up for another round of the fight for peace. It’s not the end; it’s a new beginning in the perpetual struggle against conflict.
Conflict, the ever-persistent specter, refuses to bow out, but that doesn’t negate the importance of the fight for peace. Sure, true peace might be as elusive as a cat avoiding a bath, but that doesn’t invalidate the necessity to strive for it. It’s like pursuing perfection – a lofty goal, acknowledging you won’t fully attain it, but worth the effort.
The ending’s not a stark binary of happiness or grimness; it’s a realistic portrayal of the complexities of life. Loss is undeniable, but so is gain. The main cast emerged relatively unscathed, striking a delicate balance that avoids tipping into excessive tragedy.
And oh, the “80% is just a statistic” comments? Wild indeed. It’s a reminder that the value of human life is often overlooked when it’s reduced to mere numbers.
Let’s not forget Levi, standing alone in his grief, a poignant and tragic note in the story’s crescendo. His solitude becomes a silent elegy for the friends he lost.
So, was it truly a happy and safe ending? Perhaps for the main characters, but the world and the story’s themes beg to differ.
Isayama had the audacity to dismantle Paradis, refusing a conventional ‘safe‘ conclusion. It’s a testament to his commitment to the narrative he envisioned.
Now, could a few more key characters have bitten the dust to amp up the tragedy? Perhaps, but the story, even without additional casualties, steered clear of a gleeful resolution.
In the end, Attack on Titan’s finale leaves us with a taste of realism – a complex tapestry of happiness, sorrow, and the relentless march of time. It challenges us to question what constitutes a happy ending, proving that even in the face of tragedy, the fight for a better future must go on.