TLDR;
This is a comprehensive summary of the Attack on Titan anime series, covering the key events, character developments, and plot twists from the first episode to the series finale. The summary is structured chronologically, with each chapter focusing on a specific set of episodes or a major arc within the series.
- Humanity's struggle against the Titans
- Aaron's journey and transformation
- Political intrigue and betrayals
- The search for truth and freedom
- The cycle of hatred and violence
- Sacrifices and difficult choices
- The rumbling and its consequences
- The ending and its implications
Episode 1: To You, 2000 Years From Now [1:06]
The last human civilization lives within three walls to protect themselves from Titans. Eren Yeager, a young boy, dreams of joining the Scout Regiment to explore the world beyond the walls. When the Colossal Titan breaches Wall Maria, Titans invade, and Eren witnesses his mother being eaten. He vows to kill all Titans.
Episode 2: That Day [5:41]
Following the attack, Eren blames Hannes for failing to save his mother. Wall Maria is lost, leading to a food shortage and a military campaign to retake it, resulting in many deaths. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin join the 104th Cadet Corps. Eren dreams of his father injecting him with a mysterious syringe and giving him a key to the basement.
Episode 3: What Did You Do in Our Midst? [7:55]
Keith Shadis, the Commandant of the 104th Cadet Corps, trains the new recruits. Sasha Blouse is punished for stealing a potato. Eren expresses his determination to join the Scout Regiment, clashing with Jean Kirstein. Christa Lenz gives Sasha bread. Cadets practice with ODM gear, and Eren struggles. Reiner and Bertholdt offer Eren tips.
Episode 4: The Night of the Graduation Ceremony [10:57]
Two years pass. Cadets continue training. Reiner explains the importance of hand-to-hand combat. Annie demonstrates her fighting skills. Eren and Jean almost fight again. The top 10 graduates are revealed, including Mikasa, Eren, and Annie. Eren declares he will join the Scout Regiment, and Armin and Mikasa decide to join him.
Episode 5: First Battle [13:49]
The Colossal Titan reappears, attacking Trost District. Eren engages the Colossal Titan but fails. Pixis divides the cadets into groups. Jean is annoyed he didn't make military police. Eren and Armin are waiting for orders when a Titan eats Thomas. Eren tries to save Armin but is swallowed by a Titan.
Episode 6: The World the Girl Saw [16:14]
Armin is traumatized. Mikasa takes down a Titan to protect evacuating civilians. Flashbacks reveal Mikasa's past, where Eren saved her from kidnappers. Eren gives Mikasa his scarf. Mikasa decides to help the Vanguard.
Episode 7: Small Blade [18:10]
Titans attack the HQ building. Mikasa goes to HQ, motivating Jean to rally the others. Mikasa runs out of gas and is about to be eaten when a new Titan saves her.
Episode 8: I Can Hear His Heartbeat [20:24]
Armin plans to lure the new anti-titan to HQ. The cadets fight Titans inside HQ. The anti-titan punches the actual Titans attacking HQ. Eren emerges from the Titan's nape.
Episode 9: Whereabouts of His Left Arm [22:14]
A flashback introduces Commander Erwin, Hange Zoë, and Captain Levi. Titans are moving North. Eren wakes up inside a Titan's stomach and transforms into a Titan.
Episode 10: Response [24:31]
Daz freaks out. Sasha, John, Christa, and Ymir try to figure out where Eren and Mikasa are. A cannon fires inside Wall Rose. Eren's half-formed Titan protects Mikasa and Armin. Eren plans to use his Titan powers to get back to his house in Wall Maria.
Episode 11: Idol: The Battle for Trost, Part 2 [25:51]
Pixis explains the plan to retake Trost. Soldiers are discouraged. Pixis tells Eren about a legend. Pixis and Eren address the soldiers. Armin explains the plan. Ian Dietrich, Rico Brzenska, and Mitabi Jarnach guard Eren. Eren transforms into his Titan form but attacks Mikasa.
Episode 12: Wound: The Battle for Trost, Part 3 [29:01]
The plan to lure Titans to the corner of Trost continues. Mikasa dodges Eren's punches. Armin decides to head over to Eren. The elite team is still arguing about retreating but decide to follow the plan. Jean, Connie, and Annie head out to lure Titans to the corner of the wall. Armin stabs Eren's nape trying to wake him up.
Episode 13: Primal Desire: The Battle for Trost, Part 4 [30:51]
The elite soldiers continue to defend Eren. Rico's squad is wiped out. Jean, Connie, and Annie distract a Titan. Armin finally gets through to Eren, and he awakens with a fury.
Episode 14: Can't Look Away [33:19]
Eren is imprisoned, and news of a Titan siding with humans spreads. Nile Dawk wants to eliminate Eren. Dhalis Zachary arrives at the trial. Erwin and Pixis discuss the situation. Hange Zoë and Mike Zacharias lead Eren to his trial.
Episode 15: Special Ops Squad [36:01]
Eren makes it out alive after the trial. Erwin apologizes. Levy asks if Eren hates him for the beating. Hange thinks Levy went too far. Eren becomes an official member of the Scout Regiment and heads to their old headquarters. Levy's Elite Squad has the task to kill Eren if he ever loses control. Hange pulls Eren aside for an experiment involving two captured Titans.
Episode 16: What Needs to Be Done Now [38:09]
Soldiers are investigated for unauthorized use of ODM gear. Connie asks Annie what she thinks. Eld and Gunther wonder about new recruits joining the scouts. Erwin outlines the reality of Scout Regiment life. John, Sasha, Connie, Mikasa, Armin, Reiner, Bertholdt, Ymir, and Christa decide to stay. The new recruits begin training. Eren reunites with Mikasa and Armin. The 57th Expedition begins.
Episode 17: Female Titan [39:52]
The Scout Regiment's expedition begins. Mike Zacharias picks up on a Titan nearby. Armin spots a black flare signaling an abnormal Titan. An intelligent Titan is showing signs of intelligence.
Episode 18: Forest of Giant Trees [42:31]
Reiner asks Armin about his ODM gear. Reiner, Armin, and Jean find themselves with one horse. Christa shows up bringing two horses. The formation shifts East. They reach a forest of giant trees.
Episode 19: Bite [44:12]
The scouts' main job is to protect Eren. Eren struggles with following orders. The story flashes back to a test with Hange and Levy. Eren needs a clear goal to transform. The squad realizes how hard they've been on Eren. They reach a trap that was set up to catch a Titan.
Episode 20: Erwin Smith [45:50]
After capturing the female Titan, everyone's excited but also on edge. Scouts start asking why no one told them about the plan. Hange uses its own regenerative abilities against it. Levy and Mike try to penetrate its hardened skin. The female Titan screams and invites all nearby Titans to come and eat her.
Episode 21: Crush [47:39]
Irwin and Hange debate how the female Titan escaped. Eren and his squad are running away from the female Titan. She transforms again. Eld, Petra, and Oruo face her but are killed. Eren transforms to fight the female Titan himself.
Episode 22: The Defeated [49:11]
Mikasa and Levy try to rescue Eren from the female Titan. Levy injures his ankle. They rescue Eren. The female Titan is crying. Levy gives Oruo a Scout Regiment emblem. As they make their way back to the walls, Eren wakes up.
Episode 23: Smile [50:13]
Annie has a dream about her father. In the Stohs District, the military police are supposed to escort a Scout Regiment convoy. Armin asks Annie for her help to smuggle Eren out of the capital. Armin confronts Annie, accusing her of being the female Titan.
Episode 24: Mercy [52:13]
Annie transforms into the female Titan. The Scouts try to stop her. Annie is in full Titan mode. Eren transforms causing a huge commotion.
Episode 25: Wall: Assault on Stohess District, Part 3 [53:30]
Chaos erupts during a church ceremony. Eren is determined but controlled. Hange and the crew are worried about Annie being headed to an open area. The battle between Eren and Annie gets intense. Mikasa chops off her fingers. Aaron proceeds to beat her. Annie hardens into a crystal.
Episode 26: Beast Titan [55:37]
As Annie's crystal is wheeled away, the Scout Regiment soldiers see a colossal Titan staring back at them. Hange is losing her mind. Pastor Nick tells them to keep the Titan out of sunlight. Wall Rose has been breached. Sasha and Connie are bored out of their minds. Titans are approaching. The Beast Titan smashes its face in.
Episode 27: I'm Home [1:00:03]
Connie races to his own village. He finds a Titan laying on top of the roof. The Titan says "welcome home".
Episode 28: Southwestward [1:00:59]
In the devastated Village of Rako, Connie stands near his house. Elsewhere in Wall Rose, Naaba's squad prepares to scout for the breach. At the Eastern line, the Garrison holds off Titans. As night falls, Gelgar's squad hasn't found any breach. In Wall Sina, the Stohs Scouts ride toward Irmick District. Reiner and Ymir are in the storage room. A group of Titans led by the Beast Titan begin an unexpected nighttime assault on the castle.
Episode 29: Soldier [1:02:57]
At Utgard Castle, Naaba and the senior Scouts gear up as Titans approach them. The Beast Titan climbs Wall Rose. Reiner and the recruits get trapped inside. Reiner gets bitten. Naaba and Gelgar fend off as many as they can.
Episode 30: Historia [1:05:07]
A flashback shows Christa, Ymir, and Daz missing during a training exercise. Ymir confronts Christa about her self-sacrificing tendencies. Ymir knows about Christa's true past. Ymir pushes Christa into a snowbank and takes Daz herself in Titan form. Ymir tells her secret to Christa in exchange for a promise. Ymir transforms into a Titan to save Christa and the rest of the scouts. Christa reveals her real name, Historia, to a severely wounded Ymir.
Episode 31: Warrior [1:06:52]
A steady rain begins to fall, and the Scout Regiment regroups at Wall Rose. Ymir is severely wounded. Historia discusses Ymir's hidden Titan powers with Hange. Reiner confides to Aaron and Armin about his stress and says he wants to return to his hometown. Hange promises an investigation into Connie's village. Reiner and Bertholdt claim to be from the same town Annie was from. Reiner pulls Aaron aside for a shocking reveal: he's the Armored Titan, and Bertholdt is the Colossal Titan.
Episode 32: Children [1:09:04]
A flashback shows Reiner, Bertholdt, Aaron, and Armin hiking through the woods. On Wall Rose, Aaron transforms into his Titan form. Hange calls for a strategic retreat. The Colossal Titan swallows Ymir. Aaron recalls his training with Annie.
Episode 33: Retaliate [1:11:59]
Bertholdt's Colossal Titan falls on Aaron and Reiner. He bites Aaron out of his nape. Bertholdt and Reiner escape with Aaron and an unconscious Ymir. Armin shouts after Aaron in despair.
Episode 34: The Town Where Everything Began [1:13:12]
In Trost District, Dot Pixis is informed about a low Titan presence. Commander Erwin arrives. Hange plans to Ambush him when he exits his Titan form. Aaron wakes up in a forest.
Episode 35: Ruler of the Walls [1:15:29]
Hange wants to go to Connie's Village. Commander Erwin leads the combined forces of the Scout Garrison and military police regiments. Aaron wakes up as a captive. Ymir advises against trying to transform. Reiner tells them they'll move at night.
Episode 36: Friends [1:17:39]
In Rako, Moblit checks out the scene at Connie's house. In the forest, Reiner and Bertholdt hold Aaron and Ymir captive. They debate their next moves. Reiner slips between personas. Ymir realizes Reiner has a split personality.
Episode 37: A Strike [1:19:37]
In Rako, Moblit finds the Titan on top of the ruins. In the forest, Reiner and Bertholdt plan to transport their captives. Ymir threatens to defect to the scouts with Aaron. The scouts catch up. Ymir grabs Historia in her mouth. Reiner transforms into the Armored Titan.
Episode 38: Wish [1:22:04]
The elite soldiers continue to defend Aaron. Rico's squad is wiped out. Jean, Connie, and Annie distract a Titan. Armin finally gets through to Eren, and he awakens with a fury.
Episode 39: Night of the Battle to Retake the Wall [1:23:31]
Eren is haunted by memories of his mom's death. Reiner is chucking Titans. Ymir is fighting them. Historia reminds Ymir of her own advice. Hannes steps in to avenge Eren's Mom.
Episode 40: From That Day On [1:25:30]
Hannes is turned into a snack. Eren breaks down. Mikasa comforts him. Eren punches The Smiling Titan. The nearby Titans attack The Smiling Titan. The scouts escape.
Episode 41: Trust [1:27:31]
The scouting regiment leaves for a mission. We are introduced to our core characters Commander Erwin, Section Commander Hange Zoë, and Captain Levi. We're shown just how dangerous Titans are as even the best soldiers have a 30% casualty rate. We also see just how much of a badass Levi is as he kills three Titans like it's nothing before consoling a dying comrade.
Episode 42: Charge [1:28:33]
The plan to lure Titans to the corner of Trost continues. Even though soldiers try to avoid combat, a fifth of them end up dying deaths which Pixis says are solely on his hands. Meanwhile, Mikasa is dodging Ain's punches while the elite team discusses whether they should just abandon Aaron. Mikasa jumps on his face trying to convince him, but he just punches his own face.
Episode 43: The Other Side of the Wall [1:29:53]
Eren wakes up from a memory of his mom telling him to keep his cool for Mikasa's sake. Mikasa is right there dozing off by his bedside. Eren thinks about getting her a new scarf, but before they can chat more, Armin bursts in with news about the Titan Invasion. Levy checks in with Irwin ready to join the battle. Cut the Wall Rose where Mike is taking on Titans left and right.
Episode 44: Hero [1:31:59]
Connie stands near his house shaken by the sight of a small Lim Titan lying there, but that's not the only puzzling thing. There are no survivors, but no bodies to be found, which is so strange since the houses are destroyed, but there's no blood, and the horses are all still tied up. Just as they're about to leave, the Titan speaks.
Episode 45: The Rumbling [1:34:17]
The episode starts where two left off in the devastated Village of Rako. Connie stands near his house shaken by the sight of a small Lim Titan lying there, but that's not the only puzzling thing. There are no survivors, but no bodies to be found, which is so strange since the houses are destroyed, but there's no blood, and the horses are all still tied up. Just as they're about to leave, the Titan speaks.
Episode 46: Warrior [1:36:19]
A flashback to a few years ago during a snowy training exercise. Christa, Ymir, and Daz end up missing. Aaron wants to organize a search party to look for them immediately, but the instructor insists they need to wait until the morning to avoid getting lost themselves. Meanwhile, Christa is dragging an unconscious Daz through the snow determined to save him even though Ymir says that they should just leave him behind.
Episode 47: Sunset [1:38:26]
Episode 6 starts as a steady rain begins to fall, and the Scout Regiment regroups a to Wall Rose, lifting an unconscious Ymir, missing limbs and all, to safety. Aaron worried learns about Ymir's severe injuries from Ki but is reassured she's healing she's a Titan after all. Christa who's going by her real name Historia now discuss Ymir's hidden Titan Powers with Hange who's obviously drooling just thinking about Ymir's potential knowledge of Titans.
Episode 48: The Attack Titan [1:40:30]
Episode 7 opens with a flashback to 3 years ago when Reiner, Bertholdt, Aaron, and Armin are hiking through the woods. Reiner mentions his desire to go back home, while Bertholdt dreams of a safer life in the military police, and Aaron's fired up about wiping out all the Titans. They reach a cliff under Moonlight overlooking a lake where Reiner admires Aaron's unbroken Spirit. Fast forward to the present on Wall Rose, Aaron's mad and transforms into his Titan form feeling betrayed by Reiner and Bertholdt.
Episode 49: Bystander [1:42:49]
Episode 8 opens with Bertholdt's Colossal Titan falling on Aaron and Reiner. He uses it to bite Aaron out of his nape, and he and Bertholdt equipped with new ODM gear escape with Aaron and an unconscious Ymir. Meanwhile, in the Trost District, a drunk Dot Pixis is woken up by his assistant and informed about a low Titan presence and possibly new developments from Hannes's team. Commander Erwin arrives pleased about capturing Annie, and they discuss the reactions of the higher ups after they come down.
Episode 50: Hero [1:45:34]
Episode 9 opens with Hange still nursing injuries wanting to go to Connie's Village, but she's convinced to stay back, and Moblit heads to Rako to investigate the Titans at Connie's house instead. Commander Erwin leads the combined forces of the Scout Garrison and military police regiments in a long-distance scouting formation towards the forest. Meanwhile, Aaron wakes up as a captive minus his arms, which Reiner tore off during the Escape.
Episode 51: Guilt [1:48:49]
Episode 10 opens in Raco where Moblit checks out the scene at Connie's house and finds the Titan on top of the ruins. He uses a portrait of his parents and realizes that the Titan does look like his mom. What in the world are these Titans? Meanwhile, in the forest of giant trees, Reiner and Bertholdt hold Aaron and Ymir captive. They debate their next moves, planning to transport their captives to their Hometown, but are interrupted by the Scout Regiment's sudden approach.
Episode 52: Descent [1:51:37]
Episode 11 starts on top of the wall Pixis explains the plan to Aaron and Armen. Aaron is way more enthusiastic than Armen who thinks the plan is too optimistic real ball of sunshine this guy but Aaron says Pixis knows what he's talking about which has a lot of faith to put in someone you just met meanwhile the soldiers hearing the plane to retake trust are pretty discouraged and I don't blame them Daz freaks out again things are looking pretty bleak back at the wall.
Episode 53: Perfect Game [1:54:16]
Episode 12 keeps the pace going the elite soldiers continue to defend Aaron Rico's Squad is completely wiped out in the battle leaving only her and one female Soldier alive they're forced to retreat to the boulders location where they see more Titans heading their way meanwhile Jon is trying to take the gear from the dead soldier but gets approached by a Titan thankfully Annie Connie and Marco jump in to distract the Titan and Jon manages to get his ODM gear working and they all manage to escape.
Episode 54: The Other Side of the Wall [1:56:50]
Episode 13 kicks off with the Scout regiment's Expedition beyond the walls soon into the journey Mike Zacharias picks up on a Titan nearby but they let the support Squad handle it to keep the main group safe Sasha watching the action is pretty spooked but her leader reminds her to stay focused and leave it to the support Squad as they travel Aaron remembers Gunther explaining that the support Squad can only back them up until they reach an Old Town beyond that they'll rely on Inn's long-distance enemy scouting formation.
Episode 55: Deception [1:59:34]
Episode 14 opens with Reiner asking Armen about his ODM gear while tending to his wounds after their intense encounter with the female Titan Reiner Armen and Jean find themselves with just one horse Jean tries to call his own horse while they grapple with the tough decision of who they might have to stay behind honestly I'd pass out from the pressure but just then Christa shows up bringing two horses including Jean's what an absolute hero what would we do without you.
Episode 56: Midnight Sun [2:02:33]
Episode 15 opens with a flashback to earlier that morning with a scouting regiment leaving for a mission. We are introduced to our core characters Commander Irwin a headstrong calm and composed leader Section Commander Hange Zoë an extremely intelligent woman whose curiosity for Titans and general Behavior borders on insanity and Captain Levi a strong and Silent badass who's also a clean freak. We're shown just how dangerous Titans are as even the best soldiers have a 30% casualty rate.
Episode 57: That Day [2:04:31]
Episode 16 opens with the soldiers being investigated for an unauthorized use of ODM gear. A soldier is shocked that someone could be punished for killing Titans, but another says these Titans were really important for scientific study saying their loss is a hit to humanity. Connie asked Annie what she thinks, but she encouraged him to think for herself. She then acknowledges armen's courage, which is really out of character for her, and Armen compliments her on her kindness.
Episode 58: The Other Side of the Wall [2:06:56]
Episode 17 kicks off with the Scout regiment's Expedition beyond the walls soon into the journey Mike Zacharias picks up on a Titan nearby but they let the support Squad handle it to keep the main group safe Sasha watching the action is pretty spooked but her leader reminds her to stay focused and leave it to the support Squad as they travel Aaron remembers Gunther explaining that the support Squad can only back them up until they reach an Old Town beyond that they'll rely on Inn's long-distance enemy scouting formation.
Episode 59: Attack Titan [2:09:12]
Episode 18 opens with Reiner asking Armen about his ODM gear while tending to his wounds after their intense encounter with the female Titan Reiner Armen and Jean find themselves with just one horse Jean tries to call his own horse while they grapple with the tough decision of who they might have to stay behind honestly I'd pass out from the pressure but just then Christa shows up bringing two horses including Jean's what an absolute hero what would we do without you.
Episode 60: From You, 2,000 Years Ago [2:11:21]
Episode 19 the scouts main job is simple protect Aaron even if it kills you this Revelation hits Aaron like a truck he thought they were just keeping tabs on him despite his objections and seeing more soldiers just ride into their death Levy says they need to keep moving Aaron who always struggles with following orders and seeing people eye almost transforms into his Titan form before Petra catches him she reminds him he swore to only transform when it was absolutely necessary.
Episode 61: The Other Side of the Sea [2:28:53]
Episode 1 starts with a shift in perspective we're in Marley now and we're viewing things from the enemy's POV four years after the end of season 3 it's the year 854 and Marley's been stuck in a grueling 4-year war with the mid East Allied Forces the battle has kept Marley from their main goal getting the founding Titan from parody Island their forces which are mostly eldians directed by marayan officers are now focused on capturing Fort Slava to control the mid East fleet's base and end the war.
Episode 62: Midnight Train [2:25:29]
Episode 2 it kicks off with Theo Magath Zeke and Colt finding themselves in a critical meeting with a general frustrated by how the World Views Marley's near defeat as a win for the mid East Allied Forces Magath admits the undeniable the age of Titans is coming to an end they're being outpaced by rapid advancements in aircraft technology and here I thought the Titans were Invincible Zeke proposes a bold plan to revive the parody Island operation and retrieve the the founding Titan buying Marley time.
Episode 63: The Door of Hope [2:28:43]
Episode 3 opens with a flashback man there's a lot of flashbacks recently rainer's mom Karina is trying to explain to little rer why his dad isn't around no it's not because he went to get milk and never came back it's because he's Marlan they're not allowed to mix with eldians it's a huge bummer and kin's really wishing they could all just be Marlan Flash Forward and rainer's lying around in his old room thinking about his childhood dream of becoming a warrior so he and his mom could be Marans and live happily ever after so that's why he joined them going to be honest maybe I've been a bit too harsh on Rainer.
Episode 64: From One Hand to Another [2:32:38]
Episode 4 starts off with hitch Dy and Marlo fenberg going on a bit of a scouting mission in the forest near stoes District looking for any Scouts gone Rogue they stumble upon Armen arlett and just as they're about to take him in Levy and maaza swoop in and take hitch and Marlo captive instead that was a sneaky one over over in the Tross District there's a bit of media drama with Roy and pure interviewing Commander Nile Dawk Nile's all vague and cautious hinting at the interior police's Shady dealings but stop short of spilling too much.
Episode 65: Declaration of War [2:36:55]
Episode 5 opens backstage at the big event as Willie Tyber gears up for his theater production kiomi boosts his spirits praising his courage meanwhile Aaron invites rer to sit with him in a basement right under the stage showing him that his hand is injured so he can transform into a Titan anytime he wants outside kiomi and her guards leave the area and Karina chats with Mr leanard in the audience discussing their children's lives as Warriors now that is what I call a depressing conversation.
Episode 66: Assault [2:41:40]
Before Willie Tyber heads out to the festival, he has a heart-to-heart with his family and gives a touching goodbye to his wife and children knowing full well that this might be his last. Earlier, he had a serious chat with Magath about using himself as bait during his speech to draw out the enemies hiding in Liberio. Despite Magath's worries about the risky plan and the potential loss of lives mostly eldians Willie set on making a dramatic statement to get the world sympathy.
Episode 67: Assassin's Bullet [2:46:49]
Episode 7 opens with Annie she has a dream about her father training her before she wakes up in her room inside wal CNA she joined the military police so she gets to live inside the innermost wall over in the stohos district the rest of the lazy and corrupt military police including an's colleagues hitch and Marlo are supposed to escort a Scout regiment Convoy Marlo who's disgusted by the corruption and joined the MP to make changes catches their bosses selling equipment on the black market.