Now that Assault on Titan has formally concluded its anime saga, it’s possible you’ll be inclined to look again within the collection to seek for Isayama’s many prognosticate moments. Regardless that I knew about these iconic scenes, I used to be nonetheless baffled at what number of there are, making me really feel like I ought to’ve noticed them within the first go round. So, if you wish to be a part of me on this nostalgic prepare, listed here are 12 epic foreshadowing moments in Assault on Titan.
To You, 2,000 Years within the Future
At first look, you could have forged off the primary episode’s title, like I did, till it lastly circles again in Season 4’s “From You, 2,000 Years In the past.” The episode lastly brings all the pieces collectively, showcasing the true mastermind of all of the catastrophic occasions and Ymir Fritz’s heart-wrenching origins.
There’s nonetheless some thriller surrounding the identification of who these episode titles are written from and to. Some imagine it’s Ymir talking to Mikasa resulting from their connection within the latter half of the season, whereas others are satisfied it’s solely to Eren to set off the inevitable. Regardless of the case, it’s the proper strategy to begin the collection, and it’ll definitely really feel like a slap within the face when you notice what it means.
Marley Map
You’ll suppose that Isayama would cease making a gift of all of AOT’s juicy secrets and techniques from the sly titling of the primary episode, but by some means, one foreshadowing second wasn’t sufficient for him. If you happen to look even nearer on the intro’s art work, you’ll discover the map reveals the notorious nation of Marley as they ship their ships to Paradis Island. I virtually didn’t imagine that one thing like this might exist, particularly because it outright reveals you one of many collection’ greatest reveals, and I used to be as soon as once more confirmed unsuitable.
To prime it off, the outro seemingly reveals the Rumbling because the lethal Titans can now be seen on Marley’s aspect. It might be a coincidence, however with the way in which Isayama works, I extremely doubt it was put in there only for present.
Bertolt Virtually Bites His Hand
Not solely is Utgard Citadel overrun with Titans, however it’s additionally full of a bunch of foreshadowing moments. Considered one of them might be seen throughout Season 2 Episode 30, when Bertolt seems as if he’s going to chunk his hand to rework into the Colossal Titan, a secret we don’t learn about till a lot later. I imply, was this man really keen to obliterate his whole group, even together with his therapeutic talents? what… don’t reply that.
Returning to the prior episode, one other Marley cloak-and-dagger happens throughout Ymir and Reiner’s dialog when she finally provides away her origins from a mere can of meals. You see, the label is presumably written in Marlyean, and Reiner shortly notices how Ymir can simply learn it as a result of, nicely, he’s a traitor, too. Much more so, you can say that the herring canned meals might be an indication of a Purple Herring to distract viewers from realizing the true wielder of the Armored Titan.
“You Play the Dangerous Man Subsequent”
In Season 1 Episode 4, Reiner tells Eren to play the dangerous man subsequent throughout their sparring observe, hinting on the predominant protagonist’s darkish future. I suppose you can say that Eren took these directions actually, as he finally spirals into the sinister Founding Titan by the narrative conclusion.
However for those who thought that was the tip of it, you’re useless unsuitable since we additionally see a correlation between this scene and what’s proven throughout Season 4’s Declaration of Warfare. The identical interplay of Eren holding his hand out for Reiner happens, solely this time, it’s used as an act of betrayal when Yeager instantly makes use of it as an opportunity to alter kinds. It proves how a lot the tables have turned for the reason that first season, the place Eren has now change into the very factor he sought to destroy.
Ymir’s Origins
Season 1 isn’t the one arc to exhibit an AOT foreshadowing second, with the second season’s outro art work of the notorious feast scene, which was later disclosed within the final season. Up till this level, we had solely recognized obscure hints about Ymir’s again story, whether or not they have been constructed on a lie or small glimpses of the reality. Then, Season 4 lastly dropped the ball, or on this case, a human physique, to permit followers to expertise the horrors of King Fritz’s wrath.
It’s a second that’s each unforgettable and exhausting to swallow as you see the youngsters feasting on the stays. I solely want I hadn’t been consuming whereas watching the scene, however I suppose it’s my very own fault for even pondering I may.
The Birds of Freedom
With every passing episode and manga chapter, you could have observed a theme of birds, ranging from the primary scene depicting them hovering by way of the skies. You’ll then get a glimpse of them all through the opening episodes of every season, together with the various different instances they’ve appeared.
The idea of fowls might be taken in all types of instructions, from the likes of the Scout regiments’ “Wings of Freedom” to Eren’s presumed reincarnation because the majestic creature within the final chapter. But, when it actually comes all the way down to it, birds are the true illustration of freedom itself, and it’s one thing Eren at all times strives to realize proper till the tip.
The Steaming Titan Wielders
We’ve all gotten used to the Titan steam impact, which many wielders have emitted throughout their regeneration. Nevertheless, for those who return to previous episodes of the collection, you’ll typically catch sight of it regardless of it not being disclosed as of but. Take, for instance, the steam from Eren’s head in Season 1’s third episode after he hurts himself together with his defective ODM gear.
It might be seen as a traditional anime particular impact, however I doubt it could be, contemplating what occurs with Reiner within the Feminine Titan episode. When he saves Armin from Annie’s Titan type, you’ll discover steam coming from his head after he’s been harm, shortly therapeutic his would-have-been deadly blow.
Eren Kruger Mentions Mikasa & Armin
When the Survey Corps lastly reached the long-awaited basement, all the pieces turned clearer with Marley’s monumental reveal. Nevertheless, Assault on Titan followers have been a bit confused in regards to the reasoning behind Eren Kruger’s “save Mikasa and Armin” assertion, particularly since he had come earlier than the time of the collection’ predominant protagonist. That is the place the foreshadowing works its magic once more, on condition that the Assault Titan’s talents hadn’t been mentioned but.
It will get much more profound once we notice that Eren Yeager was the mastermind behind all these future recollections being despatched to previous wielders, and a few followers imagine this scene was one among them. Others have additionally indicated that Isayama confirmed it himself, however I haven’t discovered an official piece of proof.
Erwin Asking Eren Who the Enemy Is
The phrase “enemy” has been persistently tied to Eren Yeager, together with Erwin’s heavy query in the course of the shock Titan killing throughout Season 1. Extra particularly, the commander asks him, “What do you see? Who do you suppose the enemy is?” when the group begins to suspect one another.
Whereas Erwin most likely didn’t know the destiny of our predominant protagonist, it may undoubtedly be perceived as a foreshadowing second to Yeager’s villainous arc. However, if it’s not a foreshadowing of Eren’s downfall, then it’s principally seemingly a touch to Erwin’s suspicions of a traitor amongst the group. An assumption that was, in truth, appropriate on the account of there being 4 secret Titan wielders.
“I’ll Destroy the Complete World!”
Eren as soon as once more takes phrases actually when he makes an intriguing declaration throughout his combat with Annie. For essentially the most half, he’s at all times said that he needs to remove all of the Titans and nothing else, that’s, till he makes a proposition to annihilate the whole world.
In fact, it could have been resulting from his ferocious rage, however since issues have drastically modified with the finale, it nonetheless carried on with him to final season. Though Eren didn’t exactly destroy the entire world, he may as nicely have when he killed 80 % of humanity by way of the Rumbling.
Mikasa’s Complications
Mikasa’s complications have been a typical prevalence all through the Assault on Titan collection, starting from her childhood and on. One might count on them to be linked to trauma, particularly with what occurred to her mother and father, but Eren tells her about its “true” that means. Throughout the heartbreaking dialog between Mikasa, Armin, and Eren, he explains how these complications stem from her woke up powers, finally inflicting her to enter fight-or-flight mode.
Quite the opposite, this accusation was not the reality in any respect, contemplating that it was Ymir who was really the reason for all these complications. Thus, these annoyances foreshadow Mikasa being the one who units Ymir free, not Eren, as the unique Founding Titan peeks into her thoughts.
Beginning & Ending on the Tree
All of it comes all the way down to some of the great foreshadowing moments in Assault on Titan historical past, with the enduring tree scenes coming collectively. Who knew that, in any case these years, it could finish the place it began? The truth is, the primary scene already contained a couple of foreshadowing moments of its personal, with Eren predicting future occasions and talking about Mikasa’s lengthy hair (within the manga).
Not solely is the tree the staple of AOT’s starting and finish, however it additionally showcases what’s to return within the time after the well-known Survey Corps. It’s a bittersweet second that marks the conclusion of the collection, and it simply makes you need to watch all the pieces once more to seek out all these impactful foreshadowing moments.