Attack On Titan Timeline Explained Simply For Confused Viewers

If you've watched Attack on Titan and felt lost between flashbacks, time jumps, and centuries of hidden history, you're not alone. The series weaves a complex narrative across generations, blending political intrigue, ancient powers, and devastating war. To make sense of it all, here’s a clear, chronological breakdown of the Attack on Titan timeline — from the origins of the Titans to the final fate of Eldia.

The Founding of the Walls (743 Years Before Present Day)

Long before the fall of Wall Maria, the world was ruled by the Eldian Empire, a dominant nation led by King Fritz. Using the power of the Titans, particularly the Founding Titan, the Eldians conquered much of the globe. However, after decades of tyranny, other nations rebelled. Facing defeat, King Fritz made a fateful decision: he led the remaining Eldians to Paradis Island and constructed three concentric walls — Maria, Rose, and Sina — using hardened Titans as building material.

He then used the Founding Titan’s power to impose a \"Rumbling vow\" on his descendants, forbidding them from using the Rumbling (the ability to awaken all Wall Titans) as penance for past atrocities. This act erased most memories of the outside world from the minds of the people inside the Walls, creating an isolated society that believed Titans were a natural disaster.

“Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding.” — King Fritz’s recorded message, revealed in later seasons.

The Modern Era: Key Events in Order

The main story begins over 700 years after the walls are built. Most characters have no knowledge of the outside world or their own heritage. Here's the timeline of major events in chronological order:

Year 845: Fall of Wall Maria

The Colossal Titan breaches Wall Maria, allowing Pure Titans to flood into Shiganshina District. Among the victims is Eren Yeager’s mother, Grisha Yeager, who is devoured before his eyes. This moment ignites Eren’s lifelong hatred of Titans and desire for freedom.

Grisha, however, has a secret mission. After escaping with Eren and Mikasa, he infiltrates Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, and Annie Leonhart — Marleyan warriors posing as refugees. Later, during a covert operation, Grisha kills the current holder of the Founding Titan (his brother-in-law), injects Eren with the Attack Titan serum, and passes on both the Attack and Founding Titan powers.

Tip: Remember: Eren inherits the Attack Titan at age 9, but doesn't gain the Founding Titan until much later — when he touches Historia while within the Paths.

Year 847: Training Corps Graduation & Female Titan Arc

Eren, Mikasa, and Armin graduate from the 104th Training Corps. Shortly after, the Female Titan appears, leading to a manhunt. It is revealed that Annie Leonhart is the culprit. She captures Eren in an attempt to extract information about the Founding Titan but is eventually incapacitated and crystallized beneath Stohess District.

This arc marks the first real exposure to the truth: Titans are humans transformed by spinal fluid injection, and some can control their Titan forms. The Survey Corps begins to suspect there’s more to the world than they’ve been told.

Year 850: Return to Shiganshina & Revelation of the Truth

The Survey Corps launches a mission to retake Wall Maria. During this campaign, Eren is captured by Reiner and Bertholdt, revealing them as the Armored and Colossal Titans. In a pivotal scene inside the cavern beneath the church, Eren reads Grisha’s journal and learns the full truth:

• Titans were created by Ymir Fritz, the first Titan, who lived 2,000 years ago.
• The power of the Titans is passed through consumption.
• Paradis is home to the last Eldians, and the outside world sees them as monsters.
• Marley manipulates Eldian children into becoming Warrior candidates to infiltrate Paradis.

This revelation shifts the entire narrative from a simple fight for survival to a tragic cycle of revenge and dehumanization.

Timeline of the Great War: Marley vs. Paradis (Years 852–854)

After the truth is uncovered, Paradis prepares for war. Under the leadership of Zeke Yeager and the Warriors’ alliance, they launch a preemptive strike against Marley during the Liberio Festival in Year 852.

Using Eren’s Coordinate ability and the Jaw Titan to breach the city, the operation results in mass casualties and the death of numerous Marleyan military leaders. This event is known as the \"Liberio Massacre\" and turns global opinion sharply against Paradis.

In response, Marley begins assembling a fleet to invade Paradis. Meanwhile, internal conflict grows on the island. Zeke proposes a euthanasia plan — sterilizing all Eldians to end the cycle of hatred peacefully. Eren, however, wants to use the Founding Titan to initiate the Rumbling and destroy the rest of the world.

Year 854: The Final War and the Rumbling

Eren breaks free from Zeke’s control, activates the Founding Titan, and awakens the Wall Titans. The Rumbling begins — millions of stone colossi march across the globe, obliterating continents. But Eren is opposed by his former friends, now allied with Marley and global forces.

The Final Battle takes place in the Paths — a metaphysical space connecting all Titan shifters. Armin, Mikasa, and others confront Eren in his Founding Titan form. Armin, transformed into the Smiling Titan, defeats Eren in a brutal fight. With Eren’s death, the Rumbling stops, and the power of the Titans vanishes.

“We wanted freedom… but maybe we just became the villains of someone else’s story.” — Armin Arlert, reflecting on the cost of war.

Complete Chronological Timeline Table

Year	Event	Significance
-1300	Ymir Fritz gains Titan powers	Origin of all Titan shifters; serves the Eldian Emperor
-743	King Fritz builds the Walls	Isolates Eldians on Paradis; imposes anti-war vow
845	Fall of Wall Maria	Eren witnesses mother’s death; Grisha gives him the Titan
847	Annie’s capture	First major clue about Titan shifters
850	Shiganshina Cavern Revelation	Truth about Eldia, Marley, and the outside world revealed
852	Liberio Attack	Paradis strikes first; global war begins
854	The Rumbling & Final Battle	Eren destroyed; Titan powers vanish; peace begins

Understanding the Paths and Time Loops

One of the most confusing aspects of the finale is the existence of the Paths — a spiritual dimension where past, present, and future Titan inheritors coexist. Eren accesses this realm multiple times, including a crucial conversation with Ymir Fritz.

Ymir, having endured centuries of servitude, only seeks love and acknowledgment. When Eren asks her to help stop the Rumbling, she does so not for humanity, but because Historia (a descendant of the Fritz line) finally shows her kindness. This breaks the cycle of obedience.

The series also hints at a soft time loop: Eren claims he saw all possible futures and chose one where his friends stop him. While not a literal reset, it suggests destiny and free will are intertwined. As Zeke puts it:

“The paths stretch endlessly forward… but we still choose which one to walk.” — Zeke Yeager

Mini Case Study: How Armin Changed the Course of History

Armin Arlert starts as a frail boy who can’t fight. Yet, by the end, he becomes the hero who halts global annihilation. In Year 854, despite being severely injured, Armin volunteers to become the next inheritor of the Colossal Titan. His transformation during the battle of Liberio allows him to burn Eren’s Founding Titan long enough for the alliance to reach him.

Later, in the Paths, Armin appeals to Eren’s humanity, reminding him of their childhood dreams. Though Eren refuses to back down, Armin’s persistence enables the final confrontation. His journey exemplifies how intelligence, empathy, and courage can outweigh brute strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Eren decide to destroy the world?

Eren believed true freedom for Paradis was impossible as long as the outside world feared and hated them. He thought initiating the Rumbling would force peace through fear — even if it meant becoming a villain. His actions were driven by love for his friends and a twisted desire to protect them from future wars.

Can Titans still exist after the Rumbling ends?

No. When Ymir dies in the Paths, the source of all Titan powers vanishes. Every shifter loses their abilities, and no new Titans can be created. This is confirmed in the epilogue, set four years later, where characters live normal lives without Titan threats.

What happened to Mikasa after Eren died?

Mikasa visits Eren’s grave under the tree they played near as children. She ties her scarf — a gift from Eren — around the tree, symbolizing both closure and enduring love. She continues living, honoring his memory while moving forward.

Actionable Checklist: Understanding Attack on Titan’s Timeline

To fully grasp the series, follow these steps:

1. Watch in release order: Seasons 1–3 cover immediate mysteries; Season 4 shifts perspective to Marley.
2. Map the key revelations: Note when each character learns the truth (e.g., Eren in Shiganshina, Armin in Liberio).
3. Track Titan inheritances: Who had which power and when? Use a timeline chart.
4. Study the Paths concept: Accept that time works non-linearly in the metaphysical realm.
5. Revisit the final episode: Much of the ending only makes sense after seeing it once.

Final Thoughts: Why the Timeline Matters

The brilliance of Attack on Titan lies in its layered storytelling. What begins as a monster survival story evolves into a meditation on war, propaganda, and inherited trauma. The timeline isn’t just a sequence of battles — it’s a reflection of how history repeats itself unless someone chooses to break the chain.

Eren, Zeke, Armin, and Ymir each represent different responses to oppression: vengeance, resignation, diplomacy, and silent suffering. By placing their choices in chronological context, we see how one decision — King Fritz’s vow, Ymir’s devotion, Grisha’s legacy — ripples across centuries.

The ending may not offer clean answers, but it offers something more valuable: the idea that understanding the past is the first step toward changing the future.

🚀 Ready to rewatch with clarity? Bookmark this timeline, share it with fellow fans, and dive back into Paradis with a deeper understanding of every twist and turn.