Who Won the War in AoT: A Deep Dive into the Eldian Struggle

The question of "who won the war" in Attack on Titan (AoT) is complex, as the narrative doesn't offer a simple, triumphant victory for any single faction. Instead, it presents a devastating conflict with profound and often tragic consequences for all involved. At its core, the war in Attack on Titan is a multi-faceted struggle for survival, freedom, and the eradication of historical grievances. It's a story that delves into the cyclical nature of hatred and the immense cost of war.

The Central Conflict: Paradis vs. The World

The primary conflict that dominates the latter half of Attack on Titan is the war between the nation of Paradis, home to the Eldians and the Titans, and the rest of the world, often referred to as the "Marleyan Empire" or simply "the world." This war was ignited by Eren Yeager's decision to unleash the Rumbling – the activation of the Colossal Titans residing within the Walls of Paradis – as a preemptive strike against the nations that had vowed to destroy Paradis.

The Goals of the Combatants:

Paradis (led by Eren Yeager): Eren's ultimate goal was to protect his homeland and his friends from annihilation. He believed that by destroying the outside world, he could ensure the survival and freedom of the Eldians on Paradis. This involved a genocidal act of unimaginable scale.
The United Nations of the World: The rest of the world, fueled by centuries of fear and hatred towards Eldians due to the history of the Eldian Empire and their ability to transform into Titans, sought to eradicate Eldians and secure their own dominance. Marley, a prominent nation in the world's military, was the leading force in this endeavor.

The Rumbling: A Devastating "Victory"?

Eren Yeager's activation of the Rumbling can be seen as a Pyrrhic victory, if it can be called a victory at all. His intention was to pave a path to freedom for the Eldians by crushing the enemy nations underfoot. The sheer scale of destruction was unprecedented, with millions of lives lost as the Colossal Titans marched across the globe.

However, this act of mass annihilation came at a tremendous cost:

Moral and Ethical Compromise: Eren, once a hero fighting for humanity, became a genocidal villain in the eyes of many, both within and outside the story.
The Eradication of the Outside World: While Eren might have achieved his goal of removing the threat, he also extinguished countless innocent lives and entire civilizations.
The Seeds of Future Conflict: Even with the world largely destroyed, the historical grievances and the potential for future animosity remained, albeit in a significantly altered landscape.

The Role of the Survey Corps (The Alliance)

A pivotal turning point in the war, and the ultimate determinant of the narrative's conclusion, was the intervention of the Survey Corps, who formed an unlikely alliance with former Marleyan soldiers. Led by characters like Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Jean Kirstein, and Connie Springer, this group actively fought against Eren's Rumbling.

Their motivations were complex:

To Save Humanity: While they understood Eren's desire for freedom, they couldn't condone his genocidal methods. They believed in finding a path that didn't involve the complete destruction of life.
To End the Cycle of Hatred: The alliance sought to break the perpetual cycle of violence and vengeance that had plagued their world for generations.
To Create a Future for All: Their ultimate goal was to create a world where Eldians and non-Eldians could coexist, free from the fear and oppression of the past.

The Final Confrontation and its Aftermath

The climax of the war saw the Survey Corps, in a desperate battle, confront Eren Yeager. Mikasa Ackerman ultimately delivered the decisive blow, beheading Eren and ending the Rumbling. This act, while heartbreaking, was seen as necessary to prevent further devastation.

The immediate aftermath of the war was a world in ruins. The Rumbling had decimated much of the planet, and the remaining nations were severely weakened. The Eldians on Paradis, while spared from immediate destruction, faced an uncertain future. The curse of Ymir, the source of Titan powers, was broken with Eren's death, meaning no new Eldians would be born with the ability to transform into Titans.

"The truth is that the world is cruel, but also very beautiful. That's why I wanted to save it. I will fight." - Eren Yeager

So, Who Really Won?

The answer to "who won the war" in Attack on Titan is **no one** in the traditional sense of a clear victor. Instead, the narrative emphasizes the devastating nature of war and the difficulty of achieving true peace.

Eren Yeager achieved his immediate goal of destroying the outside world and, in doing so, broke the cycle of Titan powers. However, he did so through genocide, sacrificing his own humanity and causing immeasurable suffering.
The Alliance prevented complete global annihilation and managed to break the cycle of Titan powers, offering a glimmer of hope for a future free from that specific curse. They sacrificed many of their own and bore the emotional burden of fighting their former comrade.
The Eldians on Paradis, while their immediate threat was eliminated, faced a future of uncertainty and the potential for continued prejudice from the surviving pockets of the world.
The Rest of the World was largely destroyed, with many nations and civilizations wiped out.

The "victory" is, at best, a hollow one. It's a cessation of hostilities born out of exhaustion and devastation, not a triumphant triumph. The series concludes by showing the slow rebuilding process and the lingering shadows of the past, suggesting that while the immediate war may be over, the struggle for true peace and understanding is an ongoing, generational endeavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How did the Rumbling end the war?

The Rumbling, initiated by Eren Yeager, effectively ended the immediate threat posed by the outside world to Paradis by unleashing an unstoppable force of Colossal Titans. It was a scorched-earth tactic intended to annihilate all life outside the walls of Paradis, thereby preventing any future retaliation. However, its "victory" was in its sheer destructive power, not in achieving a lasting peace.

Why did the Survey Corps fight against Eren?

The Survey Corps, forming an alliance, fought against Eren because they could not condone his genocidal methods. Despite understanding his desire to protect Paradis, they believed that complete annihilation was not the answer and sought a path that would not involve the destruction of innocent lives. They aimed to break the cycle of hatred and build a more peaceful future.

Was there a clear winner in the war?

No, there was no clear winner in the war. Eren Yeager's actions resulted in widespread destruction but at the cost of his own humanity and the lives of millions. The Survey Corps prevented total annihilation but suffered significant losses and emotional trauma. The world was left in ruins, and the future for all involved remained uncertain and fraught with challenges.

What happened to the Titan powers after the war?

With Eren Yeager's death at the hands of Mikasa, the Titan curse was broken. This means that no new Eldians would be born with the ability to transform into Titans. The age of the Titans, a central element of the story for centuries, effectively came to an end with the conclusion of the conflict.