While the absence of Eren and the Survey Corps is strongly felt, Attack on Titan Season 4 explores the road not taken – the other side of the sea. It brings forth an interesting storyline to its viewers with perspective as the key focus.
The intensity of the initial wave of questions such as “Where is Eren?” are dissipating as Studio MAPPA gets down to expand Attack on Titan’s worldbuilding and characters.
However, Episode 2 of the season provides a cheeky call-back to those beloved characters that we’ve known and loved, giving more power to these questions. Where is Eren? When will we see him? Our last look at Eren further cements our curiosity of seeing how these 4 years have treated him.
It seemed as if all the enthusiasm and rage had oozed out of him to be replaced with internal pain and conflict. Let’s go over when Season 4 will introduce him and where he has been.
Short Answer
With Jean’s cameo in Marley, it’s safe to assume that Eren is in Marley. His next course of action has deliberately been kept from the viewers and believe us, it’s worth the wait.
Considering how MAPPA is adapting the chapters, we predict that Eren will be introduced at the end of Episode 4 or in Episode 5 of the season.
1. Where is Eren?
Attack on Titan’s return to the screen was met with mixed reactions from fans. Fans seemed to be extra vigilant regarding the animation quality, sound and adaptation after the news of studio change.
While many applauded Studio MAPPA for working fabulously under time limitations and immense pressure, several fans were dissatisfied by the change in style and vibe of the anime.
This change was further established by the story’s migration from Paradis Island to the nation of Marley. Unfamiliar faces and the change in setting brought forth a great buzz amongst the anime-only fans.
The majority of the first episode dealt with what’s on the other side of the sea, i.e, who really are Reiner and Zeke? And what is life like for Eldians over the other side of the sea? Well, the answer was definitely heart-breaking.
Eldians in Marley were limited to ghettos and sub-par treatment. And worse, their worth was reduced to their tactical value in Marley’s pursuit of power and colonial expansion.
As fans were familiarized with the horrors Eldians were subjected to, their attention was steered back to the old gang with Jean’s cameo at the end of the episode.
As privileged Marleyans celebrated the news of their nation’s victory, we witness a familiar figure in the crowd. The hat he wears covers his face however his face structure and hair colour give away his identity. It was established then that Jean had infiltrated Marley in that teaser.
Fans further pieced together the fact that the rest of the Survey Corps member, such as Eren, would likely be in the same place. However, their purpose of infiltration remains a mystery.
Episode 2 provides a look at Eren’s shocking new appearance. Disguised as a wounded Eldian soldier of war, Eren looks almost unrecognizable in his new garb and look. This cameo is merely meant to set a build up to his actions and serve as a surprise for anime-onlys later. But it indeed confirms that Eren is in Marley.
2. When Will We See Eren? – Prediction!
Episode 2 of The Final Season explores the lives at Liberio – Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie’s hometown. The change of environment is self-explained once we get to look at the lives Eldians at Marley lead.
Isayama does not intend portray them as heroes but rather as humans with their personal ambitions, beliefs and people they hold close.
One of the key aspects of Attack on Titan lies in that thought. We’ve seen our favourite characters indulge in morally wrong actions for what they believe is the greater good.
So, a peek into the flip side of the story was warranted. A look at Liberio’s lifestyle is enough to cement the gray moral areas in this story.
It is amazing how Isayama makes you understand and even care for these new characters. And what Isayama is intending to do with this is extremely important for the re-introduction of the Survey Corps in the Final Season.
The wait will be worth it so sit tight and indulge the new characters. But when will be see Eren? Soon.
Eren makes his re-appearance in Chapter 98 of the manga. Currently, the anime has adapted the first 4 chapters (Chapter 91 to 94), i.e, two chapters per episode.
It is likely Episode 3 will adapt Chapter 95 and 96 which in the manga is Reiner’s backstory. As seen from the preview, that seems to be the case. Going by this logic, Eren will appear at the end of Episode 4 or in Episode 5.
The above prediction is regarding the disclosure of his true identity. Technically, his first appearance is in Episode 2 itself where he appears as an injured war veteran that Falco helps. He’s even seen observing Reiner and the warrior candidates from a distance.
In the manga, this happens in Chapter 94. Fans aren’t meant to know his identity until he’s revealed as Eren later on. Therefore, let’s protect the sanctity of that experience for anime fans!
3. About Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. Kodansha publishes it in the Bessatsu Shonen Magazine.
The manga began serialization on September 9th, 2009 and continues to date with 30 tankōbom formats.
Attack on Titan follows humanity settled within three concentric walls to protect themselves from the terrifying titans that prey on them.
Eren Yeager is a young boy that believes that a caged life is similar to that of cattle and aspires to go beyond the walls one day, just like his heroes, the Survey Corps. The emergence of a deadly Titan unleashes chaos.
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