As Attack on Titan viewers try in vain to hold back the tears, here's why the anime's latest death had to happen. Across three seasons and over 100 manga chapters, Attack on Titan has earned a reputation as a bloody and ruthless series, never afraid to kill off a main character in brutal fashion. From poor Bertholdt to the leader of the Survey Corps himself, Erwin Smith, the grim reaper's presence in Attack on Titan provides a constant reminder of the horrors that exist in Hajime Isayama's world.
Having said that, season 4's first major casualty is a devastating one, even by Attack on Titan standards. As the Survey Corps roll out following a successful (if risky) assault on Marley, young Warrior Candidate Gabi refuses to accept defeat. Dragging a reluctant Falco along with her, Gabi nabs a set of 3-D maneuver gear and steals aboard the Paradis Island escape blimp. Bursting onto the ship, Gabi fires at the first foe she sees. The bullet hits Sasha Blouse square in the stomach. One of the original Attack on Titan gang, Sasha found fame and popularity as "potato girl" and was beloved by fans throughout every season.
Sasha's death ticks off several narrative boxes ahead of Attack on Titan's climax. The growing divide between Eren and his friends is emphasized. Were it not for Eren Jaeger's bloody-minded determination to end Marley for good, Sasha would still be alive. Watching Sasha die in such tragic fashion also ignites the audience's smoldering resentment for Gabi. Since her introduction in the season 4 premiere, Attack on Titan has been turning the screw on Gabi, making her the Marleyan parallel of Eren - focused on the opponent to the expense of all else. Killing Sasha sets up the devastating moment Gabi realizes the Paradis Islanders aren't the devils she thought they were and redeems herself.
But the biggest reason Sasha had to die before Attack on Titan season 4's final battle is to mark the story's dramatic change of tone from here on. From the beginning, Sasha has represented the lighter side of Attack on Titan - stealing meat, munching potatoes and acting goofy in the face of danger. Sasha has been one of the few rays of light in Attack on Titan - and that's precisely why she had to go. In the battles to come, there's no room for the optimism, innocence and joviality Sasha brought to the story. The upcoming final act is one with no winners and no true victory. As Eren becomes increasingly villainous, all that awaits the warriors of Paradis Island is tragedy and misery.
While Sasha's death has provoked a predictably emotional response from fans, it's difficult to argue this isn't the right time for her to bow out. Her character arc is complete and one of the main group needed to go, both to raise the stakes and to narrow the focus ahead of the finale. The main group contained only two realistic candidates to be culled, and with all due respect to Connie, Sasha was always going to inspire the bigger emotional outpouring. Attack on Titan wrung every drop of emotion out of the scene to provide a poignant reminder not to have favorites in the world of Titans.