Caution: spoilers ahead for Attack on Titan's manga series
Does Attack on Titan episode 82 tease a fresh conflict ahead of a potential sequel series, while also clearing up a mystery from Hajime Isayama's manga ending? Attack on Titan season 4 marks the final chapter in an anime series that has blended political intrigue and horror, whilst completely changing how we feel about potatoes, but as the anime draws to a close, a sequel isn't completely out of the question. Hajime Isayama's manga ends in a such a way that the door is left firmly open for more - potentially a whole new generation of Titans arising decades in the future.
Attack on Titan's anime isn't quite at that stage yet. As of episode 82, Eren Jaeger is leading an army of giant Wall Titans on a world tour, eradicating populations until only his Paradis homeland remains standing. While some Eldians revere Eren as a savior, others decry him as a genocidal maniac. Either way, Eren's Jaegerist faction - led by the punch-in-the-face-worthy Floch - is currently in control of Paradis Island. Floch personally took command of the Training Cadet Corps back in Attack on Titan season 4, part 1, forcing the recruits to beat Instructor Keith Shadis half to death. Evidently not holding a grudge, Keith saved those same youngsters from finding out what the inside of a Titan's stomach looks like. Understandably, they're now feeling a touch guilty.
In Attack on Titan episode 82, the Cadet Corps soldiers apologize to their former instructor, but Keith assures them obeying Eren's Jaegerists is the smart course of action. In one final lesson, Keith advises his students to lay low, follow Floch's orders, and stay alive above all else. Curiously, he then adds, "There may come a day for you to rise... until then, try not to lose yourselves." Essentially, Keith wants these soldiers to form their own secret rebellion, similar to the Eldian Restorationists within Marley. They'll assimilate into the Jaegerists, go with the Floch, and wait until the right time to strike. Eventually, they'll wrestle Paradis Island back from the Jaegerists. Keith is planting for the seeds for yet another coup.
As Attack on Titan manga readers will know, that's not a coup we'll see in season 4; when Hajime Isayama's narrative ends, Paradis remains controlled by Eren Jaeger's supporters. Thanks to Keith, however, there'll be an undercurrent of dissension among their ranks - the former Training Cadets Corps who were saved by their instructor and secretly plotted against Eren's fan club from inside.
Keith sparking the embers of revolution in episode 82 might also explain a mystery from Attack on Titan's extended final chapter. Although the Jaegerists retain command of Paradis Island, that's not where Attack on Titan's story ends. The final chapter shows another war against a mystery enemy, bringing destruction and ruin to the Eldians, and (arguably) rendering Eren's Rumbling pointless. Though Attack on Titan implies this opponent hails from another country, it's possible Keith's rebels made contact with outside forces - similar to the Survey Corps contacting the Hizuru clan. From those early foundations laid by Keith, a fully-fledged revolution might've instigated all-out war all over again.
A Jaegerist vs. Keith Rebels conflict could well be explored in a potential Attack on Titan sequel. Judging from the final panels of Attack on Titan's manga series, any continuation would be set on what remains of Paradis Island. Flashbacks may then explain how the island was destroyed by an uprising against the Jaegerists, where those who revere Eren fought against those who denounce him, and both sides destroyed each other. A conflict on such a scale would certainly speak to Keith's importance to Attack on Titan history. The Training Corps instructor found Grisha beyond the walls, trained Eren to become a soldier and now, potentially, incites the rebellion that will one day bring down Paradis Island completely.
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