When it comes to modern anime, few have become as popular as Hajime Isayama's smash hit, Attack on Titan. The series debuted in 2013, and after a four-year gap between its first and second seasons, it quickly cemented itself as one of the most iconic (and darkest) shonen anime of the 21st century.
Attack on Titan's narrative follows Eren Jaeger and various other characters as they attempt to save humanity from the threat of Titans — giant, humanoid monsters that exist for the sole purpose of devouring humans. Their battles against these creatures are highly dangerous, and on many occasions, they result in the deaths of multiple characters, including some whom Attack on Titan fans would have loved to see survive until the end of the series.
10 Carla Jaeger's Death Radicalizes Her Son
The majority of Attack on Titan's narrative follows Eren Jaeger's attempts to save humanity from the oncoming Titan threat, but if not for the death of his mother, Carla Jaeger, he may never have started his journey. In the series' very first episode, the outer wall separating humanity from Titans (Wall Maria) is breached, taking Eren and his loved ones by complete surprise.
Unfortunately, Carla Jaeger is trapped in the debris of Wall Maria, and before anyone can rescue her, she is devoured by the Smiling Titan. Although her death plays a major role in Eren's motivations, it's a shame that she isn't around to talk some sense into her son during Attack on Titan's finale, as she is one of the few characters he may have listened to.
9 Petra Rall Gave More Depth To Levi's Character
When Attack on Titan's narrative begins, humanity is far from equipped to wage war against the Titans outside the Walls. Very few members of the Scouting Regiment are capable of killing the monstrosities, making talented soldiers like Petra Rall stand out even more by comparison.
Petra Rall is hand-picked by Levi Ackerman to battle Titans, and the pair seem to develop an especially close bond during their time together. However, they never could have predicted the appearance of the Female Titan, who makes short work of Petra and her allies. Her death isn't nearly as significant as some of the others that happen in Attack on Titan, but it does take away one of Levi's most important relationships fairly early in the story.
8 Hannes Deserved Better Than Dying To Carla's Killer
When Grisha Jaeger first arrives outside Wall Maria, he's placed under arrest while the Paradis residents try to figure out his origin. While in custody, Grisha is watched by Hannes — a captain from the Garrison Regiment. The pair quickly hit it off, and over time, Hannes proves to be one of the Jaeger Family's closest friends, even saving Mikasa and Eren from the breach of Wall Maria.
However, like many of Attack on Titan's supporting characters, Hannes eventually finds himself on the wrong side of fate. During the series' third season, Hannes joins Eren Jaeger and his allies in battle against Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, and Ymir, and in a cruel twist of fate, he's killed by the same Titan that ate Carla Jaeger years before. His presence may not have changed much in Attack on Titan's final season, but it would have been a fitting reward for the Grisha Family's closest ally.
7 Kenny Ackerman Would Have Been A Major Asset In The War Against Marley
As far as Attack on Titan's antagonists go, few are more universally loved by fans than Kenny Ackerman. The villainous figure has a dark past, having previously plied his craft as a serial killer who targeted members of the Military Police Regiment. As Levi Ackerman's uncle, Kenny was also galvanized by his upbringing in the crime-ridden Underworld, but rather than channeling his efforts toward killing Titans, he took up life as a gun-for-hire.
Kenny Ackerman's character arc is one of the highlights of Attack on Titan's third season, and his death at the hands of Rod Reiss is a fitting end to his story. However, it would have been fascinating to see him react to the true history of Titans, even if he didn't survive to see the end of Eren Jaeger's tragic story.
6 Grisha Jaeger Shouldn't Have Given His Son The Power To Destroy The World
The death of Eren Jaeger's mother, Carla, sets the entire narrative of Attack on Titan into motion, but even her significance pales in comparison to that of Eren's father, Grisha. Grisha Jaeger was born in Marley, and as a result, he is completely aware of the true nature of Titans. After receiving the powers of the Attack Titan, he manages to enter the Walls of Paradis where he slowly develops a plan to change the course of history.
Ultimately, Grisha Jaeger is unable to convince Paradis' royal family to save their people, forcing him to pass the powers of the Attack Titan to his son, Eren. His death may have been necessary, but it enables Eren to commit the unthinkable atrocities that occur in Attack on Titan's final season, leaving many fans to wonder if Grisha would have been better off dying without passing his powers to his son.
5 Erwin Smith Never Sees His Father's Theories Proven Correct
During the first three seasons of Attack on Titan, no character is more instrumental to the survival of humanity than the 13th Commander of the Scout Regiment, Erwin Smith. The charismatic leader stands as the figurehead of the fight against Titans, which is why his death in the Return to Shiganshina is such a turning point in the series' narrative.
Erwin Smith and Armin Arlert are both mortally wounded in the fight to retake Shiganshina, leaving Levi Ackerman with an impossible decision: to use his only vial of Titan serum to revive either Erwin or Armin. In the end, Levi decides to let Erwin die peacefully, and while this is an admirable decision, it's absolutely devastating that the Commander of the Scout Regiment never saw his father's theories about the world outside the Walls proved correct.
4 Ymir Gives Up On Her Life With Historia
Unlike most of the Marleyans who infiltrate the Walls of Paradis, Ymir is not sent to the island as a representative of the Marleyan government. Instead, she arrives after being banished from Marley for posing as the historical figure and Mother of Titans, Ymir Fritz. After an unlikely sequence of events leads to Ymir inheriting the Jaw Titan, she accompanies Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie inside Wall Maria where she eventually befriends Attack on Titan's protagonists, forging an especially close bond with Historia Reiss.
Ymir assists Eren Jaeger and his allies for most of Attack on Titan's first two seasons; however, in a shocking twist, she departs from their side to help Reiner and Bertholdt return home. This guarantees that she will be killed by the Marleyan government, taking away a major ally from the people of Paradis — and, more specifically, Historia — when they need it most.
3 Udo And Zofia Should Have Ushered In A New Age For Marley
Attack on Titan's fourth season begins with a radical change of pace, as it starts its narrative from the perspective of a brand-new cast of characters. These individuals — Falco, Gabi, Udo, and Zofia — are young Eldian Warrior candidates selected by the Marleyan government, and if all goes to plan, they are intended to be the next generation of Titan bearers.
However, before they can assume their roles, Eren Jaeger and his allies launch an all-out assault on Marley, killing two of the four honorary Eldians in the crossfire. While Falco and Gabi survive this conflict and go on to play major roles in Attack on Titan's final season, Udo and Zofia are not so lucky, bringing an abrupt end to their respective stories.
2 Sasha Braus' Death Ends A Beloved Storyline Before It Even Gets Started
Although Attack on Titan is fun to watch, it is by no means a lighthearted show. Eren Jaeger and his allies are fighting for the survival of humanity in almost every episode, so there's rarely time for a quick laugh or throwaway gag. That said, when the series does utilize comedy, it often involves one of Attack on Titan's beloved characters: Sasha Braus.
Sasha Braus is an easy-going, always-hungry member of the 104th Cadet Corps who assists Eren Jaeger throughout Attack on Titan's first three seasons. Unfortunately, in the Battle of Liberio, Sasha is killed by Gabi Braun, bringing an end to one of the series' longest-running characters. While her death makes sense given Attack on Titan's increasingly dark tone, it would have been heartwarming to see her and Niccolo — the Marleyan cook who wins her affection during the series' timeskip —retire to the life they deserve.
1 Hange Zoe Sacrifices Her Biggest Passion To Save Her Allies
The Titans are a horrifying threat that preys upon humanity to survive, so it comes as no surprise that most regular citizens are terrified of these monstrous beings. However, Hange Zoe represents a unique exception to this rule, as her twisted sense of curiosity leads her to become one of the leading experts on Titan anatomy and behavior. Eventually, this obsession leads to her being named the Commander of the Scout Regiment — a position she dutifully holds until Attack on Titan's dramatic finale.
Hange Zoe sacrifices herself to delay Eren Jaeger's army of Colossal Titans, buying her allies just enough time to escape and head to their final battle. While this role is a fitting ending for the Commander of the Scout Regiment, it's a shame that she couldn't see the end of the Titan race that she studied for so many years.
