Attack on Titan’s Ending Teased the Confirmation of a Controversial Mikasa Ship

Attack on Titan’s stunningly devastating conclusion cleared up a number of controversies and fan questions, but left many other aspects of the series up for interpretation. After Eren’s death and the end of the Rumbling, the Eldians, Marleyans, and the rest of society had to begin recovering from the disaster and working towards building a better world. The finale was indeed heartbreaking and resulted in not only Eren’s death, but the deaths of countless others caught in the crossfire.

The violence of the Titans and senseless deaths of millions undoubtedly brought immense devastation into the lives of everyone in society, especially the ones who fought the Titans firsthand and lost many loved ones in the process.

However, at the end of the series, the Eldians and Marleyans seemed to have called a truce in their previous fighting and preconceived notions about one another. Instead of bickering or misjudging each other, they banded together in hopes of seeking peace and convincing the rest of the world that war and violence are only causing harm and driving people apart.

The Losses Suffered During The Rumbling Were Significant, Especially For Mikasa

Mikasa had to kill her best friend and the only person she had ever loved in order to save humanity

Aside from this continual effort at achieving world peace, a lofty goal that will likely take lifetimes to reach, the Eldians and Marleyans had to rebuild their lives while grappling with intense grief. In particular, Mikasa Ackerman struggled greatly since she had to move on from the loss of the most important person to her, with the knowledge that he died at her hands. Even if it was for the greater good, Mikasa had to kill Eren to stop the Rumbling, giving her a heavy burden to live with. Her connection with Eren was irreplaceable and deeper than anyone else’s with him.

Throughout Attack on Titan, Eren and Mikasa’s bond was evident. Although he began to push her away, his love for her never faded, as proven through Eren’s heartfelt confession to Armin that he selfishly didn’t want Mikasa to move on and find somebody other than him after his death, since his love for her was so deep. Mikasa grew up trying in vain to protect Eren from danger, so it’s tragically ironic that she was the one to end his life. Her affection for him was all-encompassing, which brings up the question: did she ever find love again after his death?

Jean Could Have Been A Potential Love Interest For Mikasa

There is much speculation that Jean and Mikasa got together after Eren’s death

At the very end of Attack on Titan, there was a scene where Mikasa visited Eren’s grave in the future, when she was an older adult. Standing next to her and offering her comfort was an unidentified man, who many speculate was Mikasa’s partner. Due to his lightly colored hair and similar build, many viewers believe this person to be Jean Kirstein, another prominent character in the franchise who expressed incredible romantic interest in Mikasa throughout the series. Jean’s crush on Mikasa went unrequited for years due to Mikasa’s unceasing love for Eren, but perhaps that changed after Eren was gone.

This scene strongly hints at Mikasa and Jean’s romantic involvement. Mikasa was fairly young when the events of Attack on Titan occurred, so it is quite understandable and plausible that she formed another romantic bond at some point during her life. However, she never forgot Eren and continued to wear the signature red scarf he gave her and visited his final resting place frequently. In spite of Eren’s tearful declaration that he wanted Mikasa to love him always, it is plausible that she would wind up with Jean, while still holding Eren in a cherished place in her heart forever.

The Man Standing Next To Mikasa Resembled Jean In Appearance And Stature

This detail of the series’ ending strongly suggests that Mikasa and Jean wound up with one another

Mikasa rebuffed Jean’s advances adamantly in the past, but evidence strongly suggests she and Jean became a couple later. This is a controversial and widely debated topic in the fandom, but a number of people take the final scene with Mikasa and a man in a suit standing by Eren’s grave as confirmation of this ship becoming canon. Whether Mikasa went on to date Jean or not, it is irrefutable that she never truly forgot Eren or recovered from his profound impact on her life. The two will always remain one of Attack on Titan’s most beloved couples, long after Eren’s death.