-The End of Shingeki no Kyojin-
Here is a thread of my sincere thoughts on my favorite manga's much anticipated ending. Obviously, spoilers ahead. (I also added some pictures for emotional purposes HAHA) +1
#aotchapter139
#AOT139SPOILERS
#ThankYouHajimeIsayama

On Eren's Action and Sacrifice:
This is a controversial one. Nothing can justify mass genocide that's why the Battle of Heaven and Earth and Eren's actions were not put on a positive light, and why Armin, Mikasa, and the Alliance went to great lengths to stop him. Eren knew +2

when he said "I'm sure none of them wanted to die either." that he can't be redeemed and won't be able to live with himself for what he has done despite his inner desires. +3

Pic: Eren Scaled Action Figure!

However, his friends deserved to understand or at least, know the reason behind his actions. Armin thanking him will not sit well with everyone but, as readers, we have to comprehend that in their perspective, Eren is someone they still cared for. +4

On Armin, Historia, and the Ambassadors:
As said by Eren, Armin is the saviour of humanity and rightfully so. It is not in the sense of him being revered as the hero of the world, but him, together with the ambassadors, continuing to strive for a better world than the one they +5

previously lived in. This is also where Historia's role as the political figure after Erwin, comes in full circle. They are still fighting, conflicts may arise, but the important thing is now they know better and peace has become achievable no matter how time consuming. +6

On Levi's arc conclusion and the Survey Corps:
Levi's arc has always been about the Survey Corps, of not letting the deaths of his comrades go in vain and he aimed the hardest for that. +7

Pic: Levi! Very Flowy!

We know that in top shape or broken bones, he will do everything he can to attain that goal. Him doing the last Shinzou wo Sasageyo salute in the manga was well-deserved and a befitting one to represent his sacrifices and his fallen comrades. +8

Pic: SnK Volume 20 (Jap. Ver.)

On Mikasa's choice and what Ymir wanted:
I would admit, Mikasa breaking Ymir's curse was something I did not expect but looking back and considering that Mikasa is the heart of the manga, it does make sense. Ymir was shackled by the devotion she felt over a king that abused +9

her and in consequence, she yearned to understand why she kept on doing so. She needed someone to show her that unconditional love and letting go are not mutually exclusive. +10

By choosing to kill and then kiss the man she loved, Mikasa perfectly depicted what Ymir wanted, thus freeing her and vanishing the power of the titans from the world. So, in more ways than one, it was love all along. +11

Pic: Mikasa Scaled Action Figure!

On Eren and Mikasa:
This thread will not be done without me screaming that MY OTP IS CANON! I don't understand why Eren's breakdown was considered out of character by some when it was the Eren we've known from the start. +12

The suicidal blockhead. The low-key tsundere. The tantrum-prone screamer. Only difference now is we got confirmation that he loved Mikasa romantically. Always has tbh. I'm glad to have one last glimpse of this reckless idiot. +13

Truly, the most tragic ship but also one of the best. My heart aches at the thought of their what ifs had they not lived in a world of wars and titans. +14

Pic: Snk Volume 12 (Japanese and English Versions)

I do believe that Mikasa can find happiness and solace in her own way but Eren will always have a special place in her heart. After all, Shingeki no Kyojin started and ended with them sitting peacefully in that tree. +15

Pic: "Muffler wo maite kurete arigatou."

That's it! Shingeki no Kyojin finally ended. I am free! I would be lying if I say that I am completely satisfied with the ending only because I desired for a happy one, the kind Naruto and TG re: had, but who am I kidding, this is SnK. +16

The truth is I know deep in my heart that the ending is valid, earned, and inevitable no matter how open ended and tragic it is. 'Til the end Yams stayed true to the themes of the world he created and for me, +17

SnK is still the manga I fell in love with since that fateful day in 2014. Surely because of this, I have no regrets and the manga's conclusion is something I can stand behind. +18

I will always hold dear the wild ride I've had with this manga, may it be anxiety-inducing or plain-euphoric but the most cherished ones will be those I've shared with my friends. +19

Never going to forget the time we attended a forum and intentionally sat at the back of the room to watch Levi fight the Megata no Kyojin. Yes, the things we do for love. HAHA. +20

Pic: Me, @charleee24, and @elposworld in Japan. Shinzou wo Sasageyo!

New topics and arguments on this manga will definitely arise as time goes by and I am all for it, but for now, I'm going to finish this with the line that most embodied SnK: Kono sekai wa zankoku da, soshite totemo utsukushii. +21 (End)