Wondering when the epic Attack on Titan manga saga finally reached its conclusion? You’re looking for a clear, definitive date to mark the end of this nearly 12-year journey.
The Attack on Titan manga concluded on April 9, 2021, with the release of its final chapter, Chapter 139. This chapter, published in the May 2021 issue of Kodansha’s monthly Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, brought the monumental story created by Hajime Isayama to its official close.
Based on official publisher data and publication records, this guide will provide the complete timeline of the manga’s run. You’ll also discover a summary of the controversial ending, a direct comparison to the anime finale, and answers to the most common questions surrounding the series’ conclusion.
Key Facts
- Definitive End Date: The manga officially ended on April 9, 2021, as confirmed by publisher Kodansha.
- Final Chapter: The concluding installment of the series is Chapter 139, titled “Toward the Tree on That Hill”.
- Total Publication Run: The manga’s serialization lasted for 11 years and 7 months, beginning in September 2009.
- Final Collected Volume: The final chapters were collected into Volume 34, which was released in Japan on June 9, 2021.
- Original Publication: The series was serialized in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine for its entire run.
When Did the Attack on Titan Manga Officially End?
The Attack on Titan manga officially ended on April 9, 2021. This date marked the publication of the final installment, Chapter 139, in the May 2026 issue of Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine. The conclusion brought an end to the nearly 12-year-long saga crafted by the creator, Hajime Isayama, cementing its place in manga history.
This final chapter [Entity: Chapter 139] serves as the definitive end to the source material, providing the canonical conclusion to the story of Eren Yeager and the world of the Titans. Its release was a major event for the global fanbase, which had followed the dark fantasy series for over a decade. The release in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine [Related Entity: Publication] represented the end of its monthly serialization before the story was compiled into its final collected volume.
What Is the Full Publication Timeline of the Attack on Titan Manga?
The Attack on Titan manga began its serialization on September 9, 2009, and concluded on April 9, 2021. The series ran for a total of 11 years and 7 months, a significant period that allowed its complex narrative and world to unfold. While the final chapter was released in April, the final collected volume, known as a tankōbon, was released later.
The complete publication journey of the manga series [Primary Entity: Attack on Titan] can be broken down into several key milestones:
* Serialization Start: The first chapter was published in the inaugural issue of Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine on September 9, 2009.
* Final Chapter Release: The final chapter, Chapter 139, was released in the May 2026 issue of the same magazine on April 9, 2021.
* Final Volume Release: The final collected edition, Volume 34, which includes Chapter 139 and the other concluding chapters, was released in Japan on June 9, 2021.
* Total Run Time: From its first chapter to its last, the series was in active publication for 11 years and 7 months.
How Does the Attack on Titan Manga End in Chapter 139?
The Attack on Titan manga ends with Mikasa Ackerman killing Eren Yeager to stop the Rumbling. Eren reveals that he initiated this cataclysmic plan to destroy 80% of humanity, ensuring his friends would be seen as heroes for stopping him. This ultimate act of sacrifice also serves a deeper purpose: to free the founder Ymir from her 2,000-year curse, which permanently removes the power of the Titans from the world.
The conclusion of the manga series [Primary Entity: Attack on Titan] resolves the central conflicts and character arcs in a tragic but definitive manner. The key events of the final chapter include:
- Eren’s True Plan: In a conversation with Armin through the Paths, Eren reveals his true intentions. He orchestrated the Rumbling to make his friends the saviors of humanity and to eliminate all Titans from existence.
- Mikasa’s Choice: The pivotal moment of the ending is Mikasa’s decision to kill Eren, the person she loves most. This choice is what ultimately frees Ymir Fritz, who was bound by her own inability to defy her love for King Fritz. Mikasa succeeds where Ymir could not.
- The End of the Titans: With Eren’s death and Ymir’s release, the source of all living matter—the mysterious spine-like creature that created the Titans—vanishes. All Titans revert to their human forms, and the curse is broken forever.
- The Aftermath: The world begins to rebuild, though the scars of the Rumbling remain. The surviving members of the Survey Corps, now hailed as heroes, become ambassadors for peace. Mikasa takes Eren’s head and buries it under a tree, where she visits him for the rest of her life.
How Was the Attack on Titan Manga Ending Received by Fans and Critics?
The reception to the Attack on Titan manga ending was deeply divided among fans and critics. While some praised the emotional weight of the character resolutions and the thematic conclusion of the cycle of hatred, a significant portion of the audience criticized it for what they perceived as rushed pacing and unsatisfying character choices. This polarization made the finale one of the most debated conclusions in modern manga.
The creator, Hajime Isayama [Related Entity: Creator], has since acknowledged the controversy and expressed his own difficulties in crafting a satisfying ending for such a complex story. The differing viewpoints can be summarized into several key points of praise and criticism.
✅ Common Points of Praise:
* Emotional Climax: Many readers found the final moments between Eren, Mikasa, and Armin to be emotionally powerful and a fittingly tragic end.
* Thematic Resolution: The idea that Mikasa’s choice breaks Ymir’s 2,000-year curse was seen as a brilliant thematic conclusion, tying the series’ personal relationships to its core mythology.
* Bittersweet Realism: The ending avoided a simple “happily ever after,” showing that peace is fragile and must be continuously fought for, which many felt was true to the series’ dark tone.
❌ Common Points of Criticism:
* Rushed Pacing: Some felt that major revelations and character resolutions were crammed into the final chapter, leaving little room for them to breathe.
* Eren’s Motivation: The reveal of Eren’s true plan was seen by some as a retcon that undermined his development into a complex anti-hero, reducing him to a more conventional tragic hero.
* Plot Conveniences: Certain plot points, such as why the other characters only remembered their final conversations with Eren after his death, were viewed as clumsy or unexplained.
How Does the Manga Ending Compare to the Attack on Titan Anime Finale?
The main difference is that the anime finale adds extended scenes and dialogue to clarify character motivations and expand the epilogue. While the anime, which aired its final episode on November 4, 2023, is largely faithful to the manga’s plot, it uses its medium to expand upon the source material. These additions were seen by many as an attempt to address some of the criticisms leveled against the manga’s pacing and clarity.
Here is a direct comparison of the key scenes between the manga’s Chapter 139 and the anime’s final special.
| Feature / Scene | Attack on Titan Manga Ending (Chapter 139) | Attack on Titan Anime Finale (Special 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Eren & Armin’s Conversation | The conversation in the Paths is present but more concise. Eren’s emotional breakdown is a key moment. | The dialogue is significantly extended, with Eren providing a clearer (though still tragic) explanation for his actions and his desire for his friends to live long lives. |
| Character Fates | Largely the same. Main characters survive, and the world begins to rebuild. | Identical character fates, but with more visual and emotional emphasis during final moments and goodbyes. |
| The Epilogue | The epilogue shows Mikasa visiting Eren’s grave and a time-lapse of Paradis developing and eventually being destroyed by future wars. | The epilogue is expanded. It includes more detailed scenes of the surviving characters growing old and acting as peace ambassadors. The destruction of Paradis is shown in a more detailed, cinematic montage. |
| Final Scene | The final panel shows a boy and his dog approaching a large tree resembling the one where Ymir gained her power, suggesting the cycle may continue. | The final scene is identical, showing the boy and his dog discovering the giant tree, recreating the panel from the manga. |
FAQs About when did attack on titan manga end
What chapter does the Attack on Titan manga end on?
The Attack on Titan manga ends on Chapter 139, titled “Toward the Tree on That Hill.” This single chapter serves as the conclusion to the entire series, wrapping up the main plotlines and character arcs. It was published in the May 2021 issue of Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine.
Did Hajime Isayama change the manga’s ending?
No, the creator Hajime Isayama did not officially change the published ending of the manga. While he has expressed some regrets and discussed the difficulties of writing the finale, the ending in Chapter 139 is the single canonical conclusion. The anime adaptation added scenes but did not alter the fundamental outcome.
Does Eren die at the end of the manga?
Yes, Eren Yeager dies definitively at the end of the manga. In a tragic and climactic moment, he is killed by Mikasa Ackerman, who enters the mouth of his Founding Titan form to deliver the final blow. His death is the catalyst that ends the power of the Titans.
What happens to the other characters like Mikasa, Armin, and Levi?
The main surviving characters live out their lives after Eren’s death. Mikasa lives a long, peaceful life and is buried next to Eren. Armin becomes a peace ambassador for Paradis. Levi, though injured, survives and is seen with Falco and Gabi in the epilogue. The ending gives them a peaceful, if bittersweet, resolution.
Is the manga ending happy or sad?
The manga ending is widely considered bittersweet and tragic. While the main characters survive and the world is saved from the immediate threat of the Titans, this peace comes at the cost of Eren’s life and the destruction of 80% of the world’s population. The epilogue also suggests that conflict eventually returns to the world, making it a somber conclusion.
Why did Eren start the Rumbling?
Eren started the Rumbling as part of a complex, self-sacrificial plan. His stated goals were to eliminate external threats to Paradis and to turn his friends into heroes who would be celebrated for stopping him. He also wanted to break the 2,000-year curse of Ymir, which he accomplished through Mikasa’s actions.
What is the significance of the final panel of the manga?
The final panel shows a young boy and his dog approaching a giant tree that has grown where Eren was buried. This tree is visually similar to the one where Ymir Fritz first obtained the power of the Titans. The scene is ambiguous, suggesting that while one story has ended, the potential for a new cycle of power and conflict may exist in the distant future.
How many volumes does the Attack on Titan manga have?
The Attack on Titan manga is collected into a total of 34 volumes (tankōbon). The final volume, Volume 34, was released in June 2021 and contains the concluding chapters of the series, including the final Chapter 139.
Is there a sequel to the Attack on Titan manga?
No, there is currently no official sequel to the Attack on Titan manga. Creator Hajime Isayama has stated that the story is complete with Chapter 139. While a new short story called “Bad Boy” was released, it is a prequel focusing on Levi’s childhood, not a sequel.
Did the manga explain the origin of the Titans?
Yes, the manga explains the origin of the Titans in its final arcs. The power originated from a mysterious, spine-like creature (the “Source of all living matter”) that fused with a slave girl named Ymir Fritz 2,000 years ago. Her descendants, the Subjects of Ymir, were able to inherit the power to become Titans.
Key Takeaways: Attack on Titan Manga Ending Summary
- The Definitive End Date – The Attack on Titan manga officially concluded on April 9, 2021, with the release of Chapter 139 in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine.
- A Long and Storied Run – The series ran for 11 years and 7 months, from September 2009 to April 2021, and is collected in a total of 34 volumes.
- A Tragic, Sacrificial Ending – The story ends with Eren Yeager’s death at the hands of Mikasa Ackerman, a calculated sacrifice to end the Rumbling and free the world from the Power of the Titans.
- Controversial Fan Reception – Upon release, the ending divided the fanbase, with praise for its emotional weight and criticism aimed at its pacing and the resolution of Eren’s motivations.
- Anime Expands, Not Changes – The anime finale (November 4, 2023) remained faithful to the manga’s plot but expanded key scenes, offering more dialogue and a more detailed epilogue to provide greater clarity.
- The Cycle Continues? – The manga’s ambiguous final panel, showing a boy discovering Eren’s burial tree, suggests that while the story of Eren Yeager is over, the potential for conflict and power to re-emerge remains a core theme.
Final Thoughts on the End of an Era
The conclusion of the Attack on Titan manga on April 9, 2021, marked the end of a significant era in modern storytelling. For over a decade, Hajime Isayama’s masterpiece captivated a global audience with its dark themes, intricate plot, and unforgettable characters. The final chapter provided a definitive, albeit controversial, end to a story that pushed the boundaries of the shōnen genre.
Understanding the specific date, the events of the finale, and the context of its reception provides a complete picture of how this landmark series concluded. Whether you found the ending to be a perfect tragedy or a flawed conclusion, its impact is undeniable. The manga’s legacy lives on, not just in the anime adaptation but in the endless discussions and analyses it continues to inspire among fans worldwide. The story of Eren Yeager is complete, leaving behind a rich and complex world for audiences to explore for years to come.
Last update on 2026-02-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
