‘Attack on Titan’ Finally Filled in the Blanks of Season 4’s Time Skip
Attack on Titan Season 4 opened with a time skip, and the anime’s most recent episode has finally filled viewers in on the major developments that happened off-screen. Attack on Titan Episode 87 revealed when and how Eren Yeager left his friends to travel to Liberio. It also shed light on his plan to enact the Rumbling, as well as who knew about it beforehand.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Attack on Titan Episode 87, “The Dawn of Humanity.”]
‘Attack on Titan’ Season 4 Part 2 filled in the gaps from the time skip
The finale for Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2 dropped on April 3, and it proved a slower installment that the previous episodes. However, it offered more insight into what occurred between season 3 and season 4. Viewers came to understand why Eren left his friends and traveled to Liberio, as well as how his departure unfolded.
Episode 87 brings fans back to the Survey Corps’ first journey abroad, which cements Eren’s disappointment with the world outside the walls. The group meets with Kiyomi Azumabito and later attends a presentation by the “Association to Protect the Subjects of Ymir.” Hange hopes they can share their desire for peace during or after the forum. However, the organization’s leader spews hatred about the people of Paradis Island, dashing any such hopes.
Eren departs right after that plan goes south, later sending a note in his wake. “The Dawn of Humanity” then shows how he snuck into Liberio, as well as one of his early meetings with Zeke. It seems Eren planned for the worst well before leaving his friends. Episode 87 also sees him telling two other characters about his true intentions.
‘Attack on Titan’ Episode 87 reveals who knew about Eren’s plan
In addition to showing how Eren wound up in Liberio in Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 1, “The Dawn of Humanity” reveals who knew about Eren’s plan to enact the Rumbling. The anime’s main character didn’t fill his closest friends in on his intentions. However, it seems he shared them with two characters: Floch and Historia.
Floch alluded to as much in previous installments, and it seems Eren really did keep him updated on his reasons for working with Zeke. Historia’s involvement is a bit more surprising. As expected, she protests the Rumbling at first. However, Eren convinces her there’s no other way to break the cycle of violence. He also persuades her to get pregnant to buy herself more time so she won’t have to inherit the Beast Titan.
With all of this out in the open, it seems Eren was meticulous about his plan to save Paradis Island. And these flashbacks serve as a fitting segue into the end of episode 87. They also help set up season 4 part 3.
How does the season 4 part 2 finale lead into the next chapter?
So, how does Attack on Titan Episode 87’s journey into the past set up the next chapter of season 4? The finale concludes with the Rumbling beginning in full. Viewers witness the devastation caused by the Wall Titans as they reach the outside world, and it’s not a pretty picture.
With Eren’s friends planning to confront him in future episodes, “The Dawn of Humanity” emphasizes just how much thought went into Eren’s plan — meaning he’s unlikely to deviate from it. It’s also clear he already expected the Survey Corps to fight the Rumbling. Why else would he tell Floch and Historia what he intended, but not the people he grew up with?
With that in mind, the events from the time skip offer insight into where the anime is headed. We’ll have to wait to see if the alliance is forced to fight Eren. But after this episode, the possibility of a peaceful resolution isn’t looking good.
Attack on Titan returns with season 4 part 3 in 2023.
