‘Attack on Titan’: Do Eren and Mikasa End Up Together in the Manga?
Attack on Titan is far from a love story, but the anime does hint at feelings between two of its main characters. It’s clear from the get-go that Mikasa sees Eren as more than a friend. And Eren has shown glimpses of romantic feelings as well, even if he’s preoccupied with his quest for freedom. Do Eren and Mikasa end up together in the Attack on Titan manga?
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Attack on Titan‘s manga.]
‘Attack on Titan’s manga gives Eren and Mikasa a tragic ending
Attack on Titan fans were rooting for Eren and Mikasa to get together when the manga ended, but that isn’t how things pan out for the anime’s leads. Unfortunately, their story ends in tragedy — although they do share a kiss before the series is through.
Hajime Isayama’s manga concludes with Mikasa killing Eren in order to stop the Rumbling. It’s a heart-wrenching choice for her to make, but Mikasa opts to save the rest of humanity over the boy she loves. Her decision leads to the end of Ymir’s curse and the Titans. Of course, that doesn’t lessen the grief she carries afterward.
As these events are unfolding, Isayama does confirm that Eren and Mikasa love one another. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to secure them a happy ending. And they don’t seem any more likely to get one in the anime.
The anime is building to a similar fate for Eren and Mikasa
Although Eren and Mikasa’s story hasn’t fully played out in the Attack on Titan anime, season 4 seems to be building to a similar end for the two characters. Eren has already made the effort to push Mikasa and Armin away. He’s also moving full speed ahead with the Rumbling.
Mikasa is already questioning where she stands in the first episode of Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2. And with the anime sticking to Isayama’s script almost flawlessly, it’s looking like she’ll be forced to make the same devastating choice that she does in the manga.
Does anyone end up together when ‘Attack on Titan’ ends?
Although Eren and Mikasa don’t wind up together as Attack on Titan‘s manga comes to a close, the latter does start a family with someone else. Hajime Isayama’s epilogue reveals as much, showing Mikasa visiting Eren’s grave at various stages of her adult life. She’s eventually accompanied by a husband and children, all of whom she grows old with.
The silhouette of Mikasa’s new partner looks strikingly similar to Jean, though the two are only ever shown from behind. The anime and manga have both emphasized Jean’s feelings for Mikasa, so it wouldn’t be totally out of left field for them to end up together following Eren’s death.
In addition to Mikasa settling down with someone, Armin also appears to find love once Attack on Titan‘s final battle is through. After hinting at sparks between Armin and Annie, Isayama has Armin confess his feelings during his final conversation with Eren. And although the two aren’t shown as an official couple, they do wind up traveling the world together.
With the anime wrapping up, viewers are likely to see some of these relationships play out on-screen. Of course, Eren and Mikasa’s ending may evoke some negative reactions from anime-only fans.
New episodes of Attack on Titan drop on Crunchyroll and Funimation every Sunday.
