The Attack On Titan universe is defined through its breathtaking and memorable battles, especially those which follow the series’ titular giants. Oftentimes, the outcome of a skirmish dramatically alters the course of the story and the behavior of its characters, for better or worse.
However, there have been many instances where one individual’s victory didn’t make logical sense considering the circumstances. Through identifying what fights should have borne different outcomes and why, we can better appreciate how logic is sometimes sacrificed for the sake of a fluid and seamless narrative.
10 Annie Never Should Have Been Able To Escape Levi In The Forest
By all accounts, Annie Leonhart should have been doomed after falling prey to Hange’s trap, becoming completely restrained and at the mercy of two Ackermans (Mikasa and Levi).
Conveniently, there were enough pure titans in the area for her body to be devoured so that she might have an expedient distraction and escape. Considering the Scout Captain’s unparalleled experience and attention to detail (contrasted to Leonhart’s relative lack thereof), her retreat never should have been possible.
9 Zeke Never Should Have Been Able To Defeat Reiner In Close Quarters
To determine whether or not the Warriors would attempt to rescue Annie before the second battle of Shiganshina, Zeke and Reiner had an off-screen battle, the details of which were unexplored. However, it was later revealed that Yeager’s primary means of bringing the Armored Titan down was by slinging rocks at him (as seen through the Marleyan invasion of Paradis).
This shouldn’t have been possible in their earlier fight, considering that Reiner realistically would never give the Beast Titan an opportunity to find a boulder, crush it, and fling it at him.
8 Eren Shouldn’t Have Survived Getting His Head Blown Off By Gabi
During the invasion of Marley into Paradis, Gabi procured a titan-killing rifle and used it to attack Eren Yeager. She landed a successful shot at his neck, decapitating him and sending his severed head flying into Zeke’s hands.
Though this would provide the physical contact the brothers needed to begin their plans for the Rumbling, it should have killed Eren immediately since it effectively obliterated his brain’s connection to the rest of his body.
7 The Warriors Should’ve Stopped Ymir From Murdering Marcel
During the Warriors’ earliest foray into Paradis, they had to survive the rigors of titan country. Though Reiner was placed in dire peril by the pure titan who would later become known as Ymir, Marcel offered his life in lieu of Braun’s.
Realistically, neither of them should have had to die. It has been illustrated on numerous occasions that titan shifters can transform while in the clutches of larger enemies (such as during Eren’s fight against Reiner). If Marcel simply triggered his titan transformation before being eaten, Ymir never would have stood a chance against him.
6 Eren Was Able To Defeat Annie During Their Second Battle Despite Having Only Fought Her Once
The first fight between Eren and Annie had only recently concluded before their rematch. After Armin exposed her identity and forced her to transform, she battled Yeager inside the walls of Paradis itself.
Inexplicably, Eren was able to defeat her even though he hadn’t had a meaningful chance to train since their last encounter. Though he claims to have learned from her fighting style, he realistically could not have employed it better than she did after only a single match.
5 Miche Shouldn’t Have Been Defeated Easily By Zeke
Miche was the first scout to glean Zeke’s presence in Paradis. Since he was surrounded by monsters that the Beast Titan controlled, his demise was one of the fastest in the entire series.
However, the man was allegedly humanity’s second strongest warrior. He should’ve been able to use Zeke’s own body as a point by which to anchor his ODM gear. Considering how well he dominated Levi in their first encounter and Ackerman’s own success against the monster, it follows that Miche should have won against Zeke as well.
4 The Scouts Shouldn’t Have Been Successful Against Kenny’s Soldiers
During the mission to retrieve Eren from Rod Reiss, the Scouts were forced to contend with the anti-ODM squad under the command of Kenny Ackerman. There are a number of reasons why this should not have portended the heroes’ success.
In addition to the villains’ superior ranged arsenal, they were also trained to fight and kill human targets. Though the 104th is decently versed in hand-to-hand combat, the bulk of their experience comes from fighting titans.
3 The Scouts Never Should Have Let Pieck Shoot Down Zeke
When the Marleyan invasion of Paradis began, Pieck was perched atop a wall with a giant cannon mounted on her back. She took several shots at Eren and Zeke before actually finding success.
Though Floch, Armin, and the other Scouts would confront her, it wasn’t before much of the Beast Titan’s backside had already been obliterated, effectively neutralizing him. It was an oddly uncharacteristic oversight on the heroes’ part, especially considering how vigilant they usually are regarding Eren’s safety.
2 Eren Should Have Dodged Bertholdt’s Colossal Corpse To Defeat Reiner
During Eren’s first battle against Reiner shortly after the siege of Utgard Castle, he managed to lock the Armored Titan in an armbar and effectively wrangle him to the ground. Just as it seemed that the heroes would be successful, Bertholdt’s titan corpse fell on Eren, defeating him instantly.
There were a number of ways this could have been avoided. Not only could Eren have rolled out of the way by utilizing the Attack Titan’s mobility, he also could have put Reiner in the path of the plummeting Colossal so that he’d take the brunt of the impact instead.
1 Mikasa Shouldn’t Have Simply Watched While Hannes Was Eaten
Hannes was a veteran scout who had been of service to Paradis even before Shiganshina fell. Considering that Dina Fritz was not any more powerful than a typical pure titan, it’s unusual that he was caught and devoured by her.
It is more inexplicable still that Mikasa did not attempt to intervene, especially given the feats of incredible strength she has demonstrated when tapping into her mysterious Ackerman lineage. Between these two factors, Hannes’ death was among the most preventable fatalities of the series.
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