Let’s Talk About Those Extra Pages – SnK 139 Discussion

Update for 01/13/2022 – Hey everyone, since this post consistently gets a lot of traffic I just wanted to mention that I don’t really feel this way anymore. I’m pretty sure we are getting an Anime Orignal Ending, and am working on a huge theory post with evidence.

If you’re interested, you can check out my thoughts on Jean and Mikasa‘s OVAs to see my research process and where I’m going with all of this.

And let’s be clear – I only love them because they showed consequences for The Alliance’s actions. 

In the end, Floch was right – the enemies outside of Paradis Island needed to be destroyed.  

The talk-no-jutsu of Armin Uzumaki may have worked during his lifetime, but long after Paradis was bombed by outside forces. Which for the record, I don’t know why some ‘fans’ are trying to reconcile this as a civil war destroying the island.  

Last time we checked (I.e. ch 139), it seemed the island was still united under the Yeagerist faction, despite Eren’s death. He’d essentially become a martyr, and had a shrine that was still upkept at least in Mikasa and the Alliance’s lifetime. 

So Eren Yeager’s will was still felt, even if he physically was not there. 

Speaking of which…it appears that titans still exist? 

Eren’s tree is looking very similar to Ymir’s Founding Tree that we saw back in ch 122. 

Paradis is in ruins, and I am guessing this kid (collectively called ‘Beren’ on Reddit and Twitter) ventured out to the ruins of the Eldian civilization with his trusty canine friend.   

The kid also appears to be wearing pants similar to the old survey corps outfit – suggesting that he might be of Eldian descent. 

Some have theorized that he or she may be from Mikasa and Jean’s line due to the eyes, but I honestly can’t tell due to the shading. 

Which reminds me – I am glad that out of everybody in The Alliance, Jean got a happy ending. 

He always wanted Mikasa (even if for superficial reasons), and Armin told Eren that a good guy might come and swoop up Mikasa, anyway.  

I am totally fine with this ‘ship’ being endgame, because it makes the most sense to me. 

It also, unfortunately, makes sense that Mikasa would want to be buried with that ratty scarf Eren wrapped around her as a kid.  

Because Isayama never fully developed her, (or attempted to drive her character toward independence in the allegedly cut arc) – it is completely logical that Mikasa would have an unhealthy, lifelong obsession with Eren. 

I’m just glad that she didn’t sit by his grave each and every day, and essentially “never move on” which is what Eren’s implied wishes were in Chapter 139…despite the whole ‘dream sequence’ where Eren running away with Mikasa was the wrong PATH, and Eren flat out telling Mikasa to move on and let him go… 

Not to mention Eren’s last canon words being “Mikasa…I’ve always hated you” which is why Mikasa had the whole hallucination/dream in the first place because she stated it “could not end like this”. 

But….let me stop speaking on logic and facts. I can already hear the deranged EM shippers tapping at my window and making bird noises for pointing out flaws in an otherwise thematically sound 11-year saga. 

Hmm let’s see…I think that was it for now. 

I am aware that I never posted a proper review of Chapter 139. Mainly because, I was cycling through the seven stages of grief and trying to meme the pain away. Then it became a waiting game for Isayama’s author statement.  

Then I heard about these extra 8 pages and decided to read them today. 

I’m really hoping Beren: Shingeki the Next Generation doesn’t happen – although it seems the author has made room for that, now.  

Notice, I keep saying author and not mangaka because I am in the camp still under the impression that Isayama received pressure to change his initial ending, and final panel for the manga series. 

I’ll go into all of this….soon. 

The dust is beginning to settle on the train wreck of the fumbling, War for Paradis arc, and the Attack on Titan manga in general.  

You’ll hear from me again soon regarding this story, even if it doesn’t make a good lot of you happy. 

But for now, I will again, leave it here. 

Was the AOT ending rushed? 

Do you think the extra 8 pages harmed or helped the Shingeki no Kyojin manga overall? 

And, Did Isayama receive pressure from publisher Kodansha to change the series ending at the last minute? 

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, I’d love to hear from you! Also be sure to follow us for more Shingeki no Kyojin! 

Recommended: Hallucigenia – the Primordial Spinal Creature from Attack on Titan – Anime Anthology 

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