‘Attack on Titan’s Characters Just Learned the Truth About 1 Devastating Death
Attack on Titan Season 4 is forcing characters on both sides of the anime’s conflict to set aside their differences for the sake of humanity. That means confronting the terrible things they’ve done to one another in the past. And as they lay everything on the table in Attack on Titan Episode 84, the Scouts learn the truth about one devastating death: Marco’s.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Attack on Titan Episode 84, “Night of the End.”]
Marco Bodt meets a tragic end in ‘Attack on Titan’ Season 1
Marco Bodt perished during the Battle of Trost District in Attack on Titan Season 1, but he made an impact on the anime’s main characters before meeting his end. In fact, his friendship serves as a motivating force for Jean throughout the series. He even cites “those ashy bones” as the reason he can’t go along with Eren’s plans in Attack on Titan Season 4.
But while Jean and the other Scouts knew Marco died under suspicious circumstances, they didn’t know the full story behind his death. His ODM gear was missing when they discovered his body, and it was later found in Annie’s possession. That implied she had something to do with it — a fact that was confirmed for viewers in later episodes.
Attack on Titan Season 3 shows the full context of Marco’s death in a flashback, revealing that he was killed for overhearing the truth about Reiner and Bertolt. Reiner forced Annie to remove his ODM gear, then left him for the Titans. It’s just another betrayal from the group, but it’s not one the characters were ever made aware of.
Attack on Titan Episode 84 changes that, revealing the devastating truth of Marco’s death to Jean and the others.
‘Attack on Titan’s main characters learn the truth in episode 84
Attack on Titan Episode 84 sees the anime’s main characters grappling with their new alliance, and it’s a shaky truce considering all they’ve done to one another. Yelena makes matters worse by digging up old grudges. And when she can’t seem to shake the group, she raises the subject of Marco.
When she does, Annie and Reiner admit their roles in Marco’s deaths, giving the Scouts more insight than they had previously. The truth of their friend’s demise cuts deep — especially when Reiner admits Marco wanted to talk things through.
Reiner’s confession leads Jean to snap, and the physical altercation that follows threatens to end the alliance. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen. But will the depth of Reiner and Annie’s betrayal create more complications as they team up with their former comrades?
Will Reiner’s confession threaten the characters’ alliance?
The truth of Marco’s death leaves the characters on edge heading into Attack on Titan Episode 85, and it raises questions about whether they can truly put the past behind them.
Marco’s death isn’t the only thing that could prevent that. However, it underscores how deep the Warriors’ deception went. Combined with all the other grudges, it could make it difficult for them to work together.
For now, the group seems to have a handle on their emotions — even if Yelena briefly provoked them. Whether that will last long enough for them to stop Eren remains a question. They’ll need to have each other’s backs if they want to defeat the Jaegerists and halt the Rumbling — so hopefully they got all their anger out during this week’s episode.
New episodes of Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2 drop on Sundays on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
