Attack on Titan's controversial ending could cause problems for the upcoming season 4, part 2. Premiering in 2013, Attack on Titan achieved a level of international mainstream popularity precious few anime and manga franchises have managed. Team-ups with Marvel, car commercials, live-action adaptations, and major video games all followed, and while the mammoth 4-year gap between Attack on Titan seasons 1 & 2 certainly dulled that momentum, the anime has continued to earn acclaim from its cross-border fan base. That all comes to an end in January 2022 with the premiere of Attack on Titan season 4, which adapts the final chapters of Hajime Isayama's original manga.

Alas, there's something in the air ahead of Attack on Titan season 4, part 2 - something that wasn't there when part 1 premiered in December 2020. Between the final episode of Attack on Titan season 4, part 1, and the January 2022 release of part 2, Hajime Isayama's manga dropped its divisive final chapter. Though some walked away satisfied, Attack on Titan's ending courted plenty of controversy - albeit for two very different reasons. As the Attack on Titan anime prepares to dedicate its heart one final time, does the shadow of a misfired manga ending affect the TV show's finale?

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Some Attack on Titan readers were simply unhappy with how the final chapters shook out. Avoiding spoilers, a handful of Isayama's biggest questions bow out ambiguously, preferring subtle imagery and metaphor over clear answers. At the same time, an influx of plot contrivances muddle the chronology of the final battle. The closing chapter's critics also argued that the landscape of Attack on Titan's ending renders major elements of what came before meaningless, such as Eren Yaeger's transformation into a villain. The other side to Attack on Titan's finale controversy, however, is the alleged problematic messaging. Isayama's story has been criticized for its militaristic tones before, and the conclusion arguably leans into that, both in the truth behind King Fritz's relationship with Ymir, and through the fate of Paradis Island. Attack on Titan's ending, therefore, has the impressive honor of angering two entirely different sets of readers for two entirely different reasons.

Eren Yeager confronts Reiner in Attack on Titan season 4

Attack on Titan's anime now has a major headache as season 4 swings rapidly toward its continuation. A large portion of those who follow the manga and anime will be notably less enthused about the TV show's return, knowing inevitable disappointment lies ahead. Though the preceding chapters were broadly applauded, appreciating the buildup becomes tricky for those who dread the destination - similar to how Game of Thrones season 8 has marred rewatching the older seasons, however excellent they might be. Even the anime-only viewer who somehow avoided spoilers over the past 8 months is surely aware of Attack on Titan's controversy, meaning season 4, part 2 comes with a negative caveat for all but the most casual audience. That can certainly be felt in the muted buzz. Considering Attack on Titan season 4, part 2 marks the ending to such an epic, popular anime series, anticipation is surprisingly restrained.

The bitter taste is even more prominent thanks to Attack on Titan's accused political message. Leaving fans dissatisfied is one thing - art is subjective, after all, and the ratio of TV endings that disappoint far outweighs those that satisfy. But with Attack on Titan's conclusion also standing accused of stirring up imperialist history - regardless of whether those criticisms are justified or not (an issue more complex than can be discussed here) - that's an entirely different level of backlash Attack on Titan season 4 is heading toward.

With this in mind, will the Attack on Titan anime be tempted to deviate from the manga ending - both in order to address criticisms and dodge triggering any potential political debate? Likely not. Attack on Titan has faithfully adapted its source material until now, and that's unlikely to change in the closing run of episodes. There may be subtle tweaks to directly address specific criticisms (similar to how Attack on Titan season 2 improved the manga's pacing), but the broad strokes will almost certainly be animated authentically. Get ready to ride the roller coaster of Attack on Titan finale controversy all over again.

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