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The mysteries surrounding the fantasy world are so complex and enticing, and the action scenes are better than most in shonen anime. It’s nearly impossible to rank the top episodes since there are so many immaculate scenes and intense moments that impact viewers across the globe. These top picks are only a small handful of the best Attack on Titan episodes that have been delivered to fans over the years.
Updated on December 28, 2022, by Suzail Ahmad: After almost a decade, Attack on Titan is nearing its end. The news has saddened the fans, but there is still a lot to look forward to. The final part of the fourth season of Attack on Titan is scheduled to be released in early 2023. There is still some time left before the final part comes out, so fans might want to take a trip down memory lane. The easiest way to refresh one’s memory is by rewatching the best Attack on Titan episodes. So, the list has been updated with a few more entries that deserve to be on it.
18 From You, 2000 Years Ago (S4, Episode 21)
For a long time, the origin of the Titans remained a mystery. Thankfully, in the final season, the anime delved into the past of Ymir. It was revealed that she was a slave who was put through a lot of torture and abuse.
Ymir’s life changed when she met an unknown creature who gave her the ability to transform into a Titan. When King Fritz came to know about Ymir’s new ability, he decided to use her to increase the might of his empire. The episode tells the gruesome story of Ymir and how power isn’t always a blessing
17 Memories of The Future (S4, Episode 20)
Zeke and Eren spent more of their lives away from each other, but fate did unite them. There was a lot that the two brothers didn’t know about their father. When the opportunity finally arose, the two of them explored Grisha’s memories together.
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Zeke was surprised to see Grisha reacting to their presence in his memories, but the surprises didn’t end there. The warrior from Marley soon found out that the Attack Titan had implanted memories from the future inside Grisha’s head.
16 Two Brothers (S4, Episode 19)
The Two Brothers is a very emotional episode that focuses on four characters: Eren, Zeke, Colt, and Falco. Colt begs Zeke not to use his scream, as he didn’t want to lose his brother Falco, however, his pleas fall on deaf ears. Zeke lets out a massive scream that not only affects Falco but also transforms every single person who drank his spinal fluid.
After a turn of events, Zeke and Eren wake up inside the Paths. At this moment, Eren reveals that he has his own plan for the world, and he will not stop until he achieves his goal.
15 The Dawn of Humanity (S4, Episode 28)
Nostalgia can be dangerous sometimes, especially when one of your closest friends ends up becoming a mass murderer. When Eren finally set out to destroy the enemies of Paradis Island, Mikasa couldn’t help but think about if there was anything that she could have done to change things.
For Eren, the past was not important because he was fully focused on being committed to destroying Marley. He marched on with his army to Marley and readied them to wipe out the entire nation. The episode emphasizes the opposing viewpoints of two of the main Attack on Titan characters.
14 To You, in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1 (S1, Episode 1)
There’s no better way to get into an anime than by watching the very first episode. It introduces the sweet, young tritagonists and the ominous world they live in. Additionally, it sets the viewers up with so many questions that they have to keep watching to find out more.
Events follow each other in quick succession, and many deaths occur before the first episode even ends. It’s memorable, iconic, and a truly wild first episode of an anime, sure to hook viewers fast.
13 Historia (Season 2, Episode 5)
The shocking backstories of both Ymir and Historia Reiss (originally introduced in the series as Christa), both came totally unexpected to viewers. In this episode, the scouts are trapped in a castle surrounded by bloodthirsty Titans, and Ymir reveals her Titan powers to save them.
Ymir and Historia’s relationship is powerful and beautiful, and it is strengthened even more in a detailed flashback to when the two young women exchanged a promise during training. The couple allows themselves to be vulnerable with each other, something they both struggled their entire lives to do.
12 Declaration of War (Season 4, Episode 5)
After what felt like a century-long detour from the Eren and the Scouts story, the feisty main protagonist is finally revealed as the wounded war veteran that Falco had been speaking to in the first four episodes. This episode came with a deep breath of relief, as fans were able to see a grown-up Eren ready to confront the enemy country.
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It’s full of delicious suspense and features a bone-chilling conversation between Eren and Reiner. The entirety of this episode builds up the massive question: “What’s about to happen next?” until the tension is broken by Eren’s incredible first attack on Marley.
11 The Other Side of the Wall (Season 3, Episode 22)
It’s rare to see a moment of peace and happiness in this gritty, dark series full of murder and blood. At the end of the third season, it finally seems like things are looking up. The truth of the world is revealed, the last of Paradis’ Titans are killed off, and the lands outside of the walls are ready to be explored.
The Scouts head out to the edge of the island and see the ocean for the first time, a lifelong dream of Armin and Eren. Seeing the Scouts splash and play in the beautiful blue water is heart-wrenchingly pure, until of course, Eren brings up the gloominess of their situation. It was a nice moment while it lasted.
10 Savagery (Season 4, Episode 14)
This episode is one of the best of the entire series, simply for the altercation between Levi and Zeke. Their battle in the trees is one that had fans screaming at their televisions, terrified that the beloved Ackerman would finally be offed by the Beast Titan.
When all of the Scouts guarding Zeke are suddenly transformed into Titans, Levi has to kill off all of them without hesitation while also tracking down Zeke. Seeing Levi beat the living heck out of his enemy was fantastically satisfying.
9 Warrior (Season 2, Episode 6)
This episode changed everything in the story. Among other beats, it reveals that Reiner and Bertoldt are the Armored and Colossal Titans who broke into the walls and caused the deaths of thousands, including Eren’s mom.
This reveal is both out-of-the-blue and surprisingly casual, which is what makes it amazing. Reiner so nonchalantly explains to Eren the truth of his identity. He doesn’t take this news lightly, and the episode ends with Eren and the other two shifters getting revved up for a massive battle. The humorous manner in which Reiner revealed the truth has since been made into a popular meme online.
8 Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3 (S1, Episode 25)
After the Female Titan’s identity comes to light, Eren transforms into his Titan form and is ready to take her down. The fight is out of control, action-packed, and deadly.
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When Eren finally gets the upper hand against his opponent, fans get to watch the satisfying moment of the Female Titan being defeated once and for all. After she killed off so many characters in her rampage, it’s a nice win for the Scouts.
7 That Day (S3, Episode 20)
After three entire seasons of the wild mystery surrounding the Titans, the walls, and the shifters, all is revealed. Through the memories of Grisha Jaeger, fans finally get some answers in this mind-blowing episode.
It shows Grisha’s life outside of the walls in high detail. The secrets of the Titans finally become clear to both the main characters and the viewers. It’s a reveal fans had anticipated for a long time, but it’s not predictable at all. The episode met with a fantastic reception from fans.
6 Scream (S2, Episode 12)
The final episode of Season 2 leaves fans truly fearing the worst. With no resources left to protect them and their enemies getting away, Eren and the Scouts are left in a terrible position, surrounded by Titans.
The major plot twist revealing Eren’s Attack Titan abilities is so memorable in this episode. Viewers watched as his passionate scream held the power to control the Titans around him, and the episode had people biting their nails in anxiety.
5 First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1 (S1, Episode 5)
This episode was a true rollercoaster. It made viewers swing from “Okay, I think I know where this is going” to “Wait, no I don’t” in a span of a minute.
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Seeing the main character get eaten by a Titan and die in the 5th episode is not what most people expect from any show. To this day, it remains a huge plot twist that always surprises new audiences. The episode also highlights the true horror of the monstrous Titans, and how young and scared the protagonists really are.
4 Midnight Sun (S3, Episode 18)
If viewers weren’t already crying over Armin’s death in the previous episode, this epic episode will definitely have them sobbing. The characters find Armin alive, but before Levi can administer the Titan serum to save his life, they realize Ermin is on the brink of death as well.
Seeing the pure desperation and grief in Mikasa, Eren, and Levi’s eyes is too much to handle. It’s an emotional whirlwind that concludes with Eren getting an up-close encounter with the foreign Titan shifters.
3 Assault (S4, Episode 7)
The massive battle between the Warriors and the Scout Regiment is one that fans highly anticipated since the first episode. Fans got to watch Levi once again take down the Beast Titan, Mikasa severs some Titan limbs, and Titan Eren uses the Jaw Titan to crack open the War Hammer Titan’s crystal like a nutcracker.
The episode ends with Reiner joining the fight against Eren to help out his fellow Marleyans. This episode had everyone on the edge of their seats!
2 Pain (S3, Episode 2)
If there’s one fight to rule them all in this series, it’s the rooftop fight between Levi and Kenny. The two Ackermans face off in a deadly battle throughout the town. Beautifully animated and constantly intense, it is one of the most memorable scenes in the entire series.
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After taking out a group of Kenny’s soldiers, Levi targets his old mentor to stop him before he can hurt anyone else in the Scouts. For fans who haven’t watched this scene lately, it’s time to revisit it and feel that rush again.
1 Hero (S3, Episode 17)
Fans went through nearly two seasons riddled with confusion over the identity of the Beast Titan, wanting him to be taken down after all the damage he caused across Paradis. In this episode, fans get the ultimate satisfaction of seeing Levi take down the Beast in a series of radical attacks.
The fight between Levi and the Beast Titan is the peak of the high-intensity episode, accompanied by the deaths of nearly everyone in the Scout Regiment. This includes the main tritagonist Armin, who makes the heroic decision to sacrifice himself to defeat the Colossal Titan alongside Eren.
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