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Take a look into Hajime Isayama’s masterpiece Attack on Titan and see how the whole story plays in this arcs guide.
Attack on Titan’s complex, intense, dramatic, and decade-long story concluded in early 2024. It imprinted an unforgettable impression on the anime industry. Ever since its adaptation into anime, Attack on Titan has been deemed as the favorite show for many anime viewers. All nine Attack on Titan arcs showcase Isayama’s brilliance and creativity.
When it first came out, the fall of Shiganshina was a tragic event that laid out the tone for the franchise. It’s gritty, dreadful, and gruesome. As the story develops, there are details and plot twists that would astound anyone who watches it. This includes the main protagonist’s metamorphosis into a villain.
Consequently, this turn of events led to an ending that received mixed feelings from fans. Eren’s character becomes increasingly ambiguous, and some events in the anime seem to have drawn inspiration from real historical events. So, how did Attack on Titan grow into a polarizing yet critically acclaimed manga and anime? Let’s take a look at the story as a whole.
Attack on Titan Arcs Guide, with List of Arcs
From the first Titan invasion in Shiganshina to Armin versus Eren epic battle; the story is laid out in the nine Attack on Titan arcs. Each of them is teeming with details woven together into one story. Here’s how the main story arcs play out.
The Fall of Shiganshina – Manga: Chapter 1 and 2 | Anime: Episode 1 and 2 (season 1)
The first few Attack on Titan arcs focus on Eren’s motivation, and the eventual betrayal by Annie, Reiner, Berthold. The story begins when Eren, Armin, and Mikasa’s life changed for the worse as Titans barged into Shiganshina and destroyed everything. Young Eren had to witness his mother being devoured by a titan, scarring him for life and infusing his heart with vengeance and rage.
Battle of Trost District – Manga: Chapter 3 to 14 | Anime: Episode 5 to 13 (season 1)
The main trio enlisted as cadets for the 104th Training Corps. Their first mission was to prevent an unexpected Titan attack from spreading. Unfortunately, Eren was one of the victims that fell into the jaws of the Titans. Unbeknownst to him, he had a power that allowed him and his comrades to push the Titan back, and he turned out to be a Titan shifter.
104th Training Corps – Manga: Chapter 15 to 18 | Anime: Episode 3 and 4 (season 1)
The training period for the cadets was harsh and brutal. However, it also required them to be quick, agile, and stable. In this period, Reiner, Berthold, and Annie made their name known among the cadets. Especially Annie, whose hand-to-hand combat skill dominated even Reiner and Eren. In the end, the cadets enlisted in their desired corps, with Eren, Armin, and Mikasa entering the Survey Corps.
The Female Titan – Manga: Chapter 19 to 34 | Anime: Episode 14 to 25 (season 1)
Eren turning into a Titan proved to be a more troublesome circumstance. First, it was a clear sign that not all Titans are mindless. Second, there could be Titan shifters among the Titans, and Eren was their prime target. This proved to be true with the revelation that the Female Titan was none other than Annie Leonhart. However, in a desperate attempt to escape, Annie encased herself in a hardened Titan diamond, rendering her unconscious for years.
Clash of Titans – Manga: Chapter 35 to 50 | Anime: Episode 26 to 37 (season 2)
The situation grew dire with the appearance of more series of Titan attacks. There was a suspicion of a wall breach along Wall Maria. It was even more strange when Connie encountered a paralyzed Titan on top of his home. Strangely, that Titan resembled his mother. Reiner urged him to retreat and to brush it off.
However, as if they couldn’t catch a break, two new Titans made their debut, the Beast and Jaw Titan. The latter turned out to be Ymir this whole time. This prompted Reiner and Berthold to reveal their true identity as the Armored and Colossal Titan and their true goal of obtaining all Titan shifters.
Royal Government Arc – Manga: Chapter 51 to 70 | Anime: Episode 38 to 49 (season 3)
After freeing Eren from Reiner and Berthold’s grasp, the Survey Corps return, battered and exhausted. However, another problem awaited them inside the walls. It was revealed that Historia’s father, Rod Reiss, wanted to restore the Reiss family’s reign over Paradis Island. He wanted Historia to take Eren’s Titan power and use her to threaten anyone who opposed him.
This attempt failed, however. In his desperation, Rod Reiss consumed his own Titan injection and turned into a massive Titan, even larger than the Colossal Titan. Thankfully, he was taken down and Historia rose to be the true ruler of Paradis Island. While paying respect by kissing the newly crowned Queen, Eren received an unexpected revelation of the future. That vision led him to be sure that his father hid the Titans’ secret in his basement, prompting the Survey Corps to go back to Shiganshina.
Return to Shiganshina Arc – Manga: Chapter 71 to 90 | Anime: Episode 50 to 59 (season 3)
Unfortunately, the Survey Corps’ venture to Shiganshina was not without surprise. Reiner and Berthold rejoined with their true commander, Zeke, who was the Beast Titan. With the help of their other comrade, Pieck the Cart Titan, they pinpointed the Survey Corps location and an intense battle ensued.
Thanks to Commander Erwin’s sacrifice, a few of the Survey Corps managed to survive and pushed Zeke’s force to retreat, though with a casualty on their side too. The Survey Corps managed to capture Berthold, the Colossal Titan shifter. Arwin and Commander Erwin were both critically injured. However, it was decided that Armin was the one to save. The survivors fed Berthold to Armin in his Titan form, making him the Colossal Titan holder.
Marley Arc – Manga: Chapter 91 to 106 | Anime: Episode 60 to 68 (season 4)
The last two Attack on Titan arcs showcase Eren’s complex shift into a villain. With the knowledge that there were other nations aside from Paradis Island, Eren slipped into Marley and planned his invasion. Throughout the preparation, he secretly met with Zeke and began concocting their plan to end Eldian’s existence.
By the time the elaborate plan was launched, Eren delivered the first attack against Marley, supported by his comrades from the Survey Corps. The War Hammer Titan fell into Eren’s possession, Zeke successfully snuck to the Eldian side, and they quickly retreated. This led to Reiner facing Eren once more.
War for Paradis – Manga: Chapter 107 to 139 | Anime: Episode 69 to 89 (season 4)
Back to Paradis Island, Eren gained a radical loyal following who aimed to establish a new Eldian empire, the Yeagerist. Eren secretly informed he was planning to betray Zeke, seizing the royal lineage power and commencing the Rumbling.
Eren’s Rumbling didn’t sit right with the remaining Survey Corps. Destruction of the world was not what they wanted. However, Eren had already been on his way to trample the whole world. So, they had to catch up to him and stop him by any means.
Should You Skip any Attack on Titan Arc?
Whether you are watching for the first time or giving it a repeat watch, it’s better if you don’t skip any Attack on Titan arc. Events that happen near the end still affect the early parts of the story and vice versa. Skipping any main story arc will cause confusion and you may miss critical details in the plot.
However, Attack on Titan does have a couple of spinoffs and OVAs. The majority of them are minor details that relate to the main plot. So, it’s safe to skip the story arcs in these spinoffs.
Which are the Longest and Shortest Attack on Titan Arcs
The War for Paradis arc is the longest arc in Attack on Titan. Being the final and the climax, this arc serves as the resolution for the story. The arc focuses on the consequences Eren had to face for his invasion of Marley, and his attempt to bring down the world with his Rumbling.
The shortest arc is the Fall of Shiganshina and the 104th Training Corps arcs. This part of the story sets the general premise for Eren’s early motivation and the cadets’ early journey into slaying Titans, respectively. However, there are some details and foreshadowing that later prove to be highly relevant to the climactic end.
Which Attack on Titan Arc is the Most Controversial?
Attack on Titan’s War for Paradis arc sparked controversy by the time it came out, especially towards the end of the story. For the majority of the arc, Eren has been a menacing villain who seems to be detached from his closest friends and his past. However, the ending reveals his vulnerable side. The drastic drop in his characterization was nothing short of surprising.
On top of that, Eren’s Rumbling also stirred some polarizing debates. It’s no secret that Attack on Titan is full of bleak themes, including the massacre of mass population. Considering Japan’s political history, fans who are familiar with it might take a parallel between that and what Eren did at the end of Attack on Titan final arc.
Conclusion
How intertwined all Attack on Titan arcs are is a display of Hajime Isayama’s talent for writing fiction. The story as a whole is no less than a masterpiece recognized by fans and the mainstream media.
Although it is set in a world of fiction, several conflicts found in Attack on Titan draw parallels to the existing in the world, leading to some uproars. The controversy surrounding the ending didn’t last for long, though. After all, the story is more than just conflicts and fans continue appreciating this masterwork by Isayama.
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