How is your week going so far? Your pleasant day could have been made complete the moment you peered out the window to catch a glimpse at the sunrise were it not for the oncoming hordes of 160-foot-tall monsters bearing down on the horizon. Ahh, I hate it when that happens! But how did we get here, exactly? Welcome, friends, to the Attack on Titan Watch Order Guide! 

Attack on Titan Final Season Part 3 will continue one of the most spectacular anime of all time: Attack on Titan, a tale that has brought us thrills, agony, mystery and a delicious potato to share with our superior officer.

 

RELATED: Anime of the Year Nominee Spotlight: Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2

 

If you haven’t taken the dive yet to see what it’s all about, we recommend you strap on your ODM gear and launch right on in. If you’re the kind to consider your strategy before barrelling headlong into the fray — is that you, Armin? — you might enjoy this arc-by-arc breakdown of the series up to this point.

 

As a wise woman once said… This world is cruel. And also, very beautiful.

 

Please note, there will be some spoilers throughout this article, and the names of each arc listed below are only official for Season 1! Everything following that is titled thematically, based on its content.

 

Attack on Titan Season 1

 

 

The Fall of Shiganshina (Episodes 1 – 2)

 

After a century of tenuous peace within the walled kingdom of Eldia, everything comes crashing down both literally and figuratively when a 50-meter-tall Titan breaks open a hole and brings the town of Shiganshina to its knees. Among the victims are the young Eren Jaeger, who must watch on helplessly as his mother is consumed before his very eyes.

 

Alongside his friends Armin Arlelt and Mikasa Ackerman, Eren joins the survivors as they board a boat toward a community within one of the interior walls. He vows that he will not rest until he has wiped every last Titan from the planet.

 

Humanity Rises Again (Episodes 3 – 4)

 

Five years after the disaster in Shiganshina, Eren, Mikasa and Armin have enlisted with the Military Training Corps in an effort to combat the ongoing Titan threat. His fellow recruits include Reiner and Bertholdt, a reliable duo who are somewhat standoffish at first; the arrogant Jean Kiersten, who seeks a cushy position of power with the Military Police; bumbling but well-intending Sasha Braus and Conny Springer; the abrasive Ymir, the reserved Christa Lenz; and Annie Leonhart, a stoic, no-nonsense soldier.

 

After a brutal training period they prepare for their graduation and to decide which of the three regiments they will join, only for matters to take a shocking turn when the Colossal Titan returns to invade for a second time.

 

RELATED: Which Attack on Titan Military Job Is Right for You?

 

Battle of Trost (Episodes 5 – 13)

 

Taken by surprise, the cadets struggle to fend off the incoming Titans now flooding into Trost District. As a border town on the second wall, failure to defend it would drive the Eldians even further inward.

Despite their best efforts, the cadets are outmatched and picked off by the beasts one by one — including Eren! When all seems lost, something most unexpected happens; a lone Titan begins to fight back against the others, brutally clobbering them with animalistic strength.

 

As it turns out, it is none other than Eren himself, and he is just as sadistic toward the Titans as he was in human form, albeit significantly taller. After thinning out their numbers and reverting back to his original form, the military uses his newfound powers to launch an operation that blocks the hole in the wall exposing Trost District to the Titan influx.

 

Night Before the Counteroffensive (Episodes 14 – 16)

 

Despite completing a successful mission that saved Trost from the same fate that befell Shiganshina, Eren is sent to trial for his fate to be decided; will he become a puppet of the Scout Regiment, or a captive of the Military Police and sentenced to execution?

 

Ultimately, Eren is assigned to the Scout Regiment under the supervision of Captain Levi. Though the other cadets have their misgivings, many of them end up enlisting with the Scouts as well, with the exception of Annie, who goes on to join the Military Police.

 

 

57th Expedition Beyond the Walls (Episodes 17 – 22)

 

Under the leadership of Commander Erwin Smith, Eren and the Scout Regiment head out on a dangerous mission to retake Shiganshina. En route, they encounter an abnormal Titan who displays unprecedented intellect as it hunts out a specific target.

 

The losses at the hands of the Female Titan are catastrophic, and though they almost successfully apprehend the foe, they are ultimately outwitted and forced to flee before she can abduct Eren. Once again, the Scout Regiment must return to Eldia with their tails between their legs, subject to ridicule and scorn from the disillusioned townspeople. With the Scouts discredited, Erwin is summoned to the capital and ordered to relinquish Eren to the custody of the Military Police.

 

Raid on Stohess District (Episodes 23 – 25)

 

In a bid to free Eren from the Military Police, Armin asks Annie for assistance. Though the extraction is a success, it is soon revealed that Annie is the Female Titan that had decimated the Scouts on their previous mission.

 

Annie and Eren battle through the affluent Stohess District in their Titan forms. After a bloody fracas, Eren gains the upper hand, only for Annie to conceal herself in an unbreakable chamber of crystal. She is apprehended and Erwin uses this turn of events to position himself favorably with the top brass and put his next plan of action into effect.

 

RELATED: Revisiting The First Episode Of Attack on Titan

 

BONUS: Attack on Titan OADs (Episodes 1 – 5)

 

Trying to work out where to slot in OADs can be a tricky bit of business. Technically speaking, several of these stories take place previously in the timeline, meaning that chronologically they might make more sense much earlier. With that being said, they are presented in such a way that it is assumed that you have already been introduced to these characters, fleshing them out and allowing you to better understand their motivations.

 

More specifically, Ilse’s Notebook: Memoirs of a Scout Regiment Member, The Sudden Visitor: The Torturous Curse of Youth and Distress all take place during the period of time where Eren is still in training as a cadet, while No Regrets occurs earlier still when Erwin and Levi first met. Between seasons seems as logical a placement for these tales as any, so take an opportunity to watch the first five now! Don’t go any further than that just yet, though. Trust us on this one.

 

Attack on Titan Season 2

 

 

Utgard Castle (Episodes 26 – 30)

 

When Titans begin appearing in areas thought to have been unbreached, the Scouts are sent to investigate and warn the populace. There, a hideous Titan unlike any seen before lurks; the well-spoken, hirsute Beast Titan. Its intentions are unknown, yet it is clear that it poses a great threat.

 

A battalion of Scouts takes refuge at the derelict Utgard Castle, under siege from Titans in the night. In a desperate attempt to fend them off, Ymir reveals that she too has Titan powers, morphing into the diminutive Jaw Titan to even the odds. 

 

Warrior (Episodes 31 – 37)

 

The Scouts regroup, but the peace is short-lived as it is revealed that Bertholdt and Reiner were the Titans responsible for the fall of Shiganshina all those years ago. Bertholdt is incapacitated before he can successfully transform, but Reiner is able to assume the guise of the Armored Titan in order to duel with Eren.

 

The traitors succeed in capturing Eren, forcing the Scouts to launch a daring rescue mission as more Titans begin to gather. In one last show of defiance, Eren lets out a blood-curdling shriek that causes the Titans to focus their attacks on Reiner.

 

RELATED: Which Attack on Titan Character Are You?

 

In the confusion the Scouts are able to escape, leaving only Ymir behind, who elects to stay and protect Reiner and Bertholdt from the ravenous horde.

 

Important: At one point Armin waves a sword at a Titan to fend it off. It is completely ineffective, but worth mentioning because he was trying his very, very best.

 

BONUS: Attack on Titan OADs (Episodes 6 – 7)

 

Annie’s past has been something of a mystery up to this point, including why she, alongside Reiner and Bertholdt, betrayed Eldia. In the first two episodes of the Lost Girls OADs titled Wall Sina: Goodbye, we garner a better awareness, showcasing her stint as a Military Police officer and providing further insight into her personality.

 

Though chronologically, this occurred much earlier in the series (prior to Annie turning herself into a popsicle), it also reflects on the treachery of her partners-in-crime, and as such, should not be watched until this point of the series.

 

Attack on Titan Season 3

 

 

Royal Government (Episodes 38 – 47)

 

As fearsome as things seem outside of the walls, the situation is no less ghoulish on the inside where political unrest and an unwelcome face from Levi’s past make their presence felt. Now the Scouts must come to grips with the reality of turning their blades toward humans instead of Titans.

 

With the government again turning its attention on the Scouts, Eren and Christa are kidnapped, the latter of whom discovers her true identity as Historia, the heir to the Eldian throne. Eren is just especially good at getting kidnapped.

 

Historia’s father, Rod Reiss, attempts to convince her to inject Titan DNA to consume Eren and continue their legacy. In doing this, she would take control of his Attack Titan power. When she refuses, Rod ingests the concoction himself, turning into potentially the biggest, ugliest Titan of all time. While fending off Rod’s transformation, Eren discovers he is capable of hardening his Titan body into a defensive carapace.

 

RELATED: How Much Do You Know About Attack on Titan?

 

Return to Shiganshina (Episodes 48 – 55)

 

Inspired by Eren’s newfound ability, the Scouts return to his hometown of Shiganshina, determined to close the hole that the Titans had opened in Wall Maria all those years ago.

 

Upon their arrival, they are ambushed not only by Bertholdt and Reiner but the Beast Titan as well, who decimates Erwin and his troops with a barrage of projectiles. The Scouts are able to stall the Colossal Titan long enough for Eren to get the drop on Bertholdt, though it comes at a grizzly cost, mortally wounding Armin in the process.

 

With only one Titan serum at their disposal, the Scouts must decide who they will inject to devour Bertholdt and become the new Colossal Titan, Erwin or Armin. Eren also learns the true identity of the Beast Titan; Zeke Jaeger, his older half-brother. 

 

 

BONUS: Attack on Titan OADs (Episode 8)

 

Trying to find an ideal point for this OAD becomes a balancing act, as it originally debuted roughly around the time of the preceding Return to Shiganshina arc. Technically speaking, it slots itself within that tale, but it may be preferable to wait until this point to check it out so as not to disrupt the narrative flow.

 

In Lost Girls: Lost in the Cruel World, Mikasa takes a moment to reflect on what kind of life she could have had with Eren had things been different. Just like Annie’s Lost Girls chapters before, this is a great opportunity to unravel more of the psyche behind this tortured soldier.

 

The Basement (Episodes 56 – 59)

 

In the basement of Eren’s childhood home his father, Grisha, held many secrets. Finally able to access it, the Scouts learn the full, sordid history of Paradis Island’s past and how their ability to transform into Titans has made them vilified by the rest of the world.

 

More specifically, they become aware of the Marleyan Empire that lies across the sea; the place where Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt came from, and the ones who want to see the people within the walls wiped out. With Eldia at last secure once again, the reconnaissance team move further than ever before, their eyes now turned toward the coastline.

 

Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1

 

 

The Marleyan War (Episodes 60 – 64)

 

We are now taken to the other side of the conflict where we see the Marleyan forces fighting another nation for a strategic fortress. Among their ranks are several Eldian children, each vying to be the next successor for the powerful Titan forms wielded by Reiner and his ilk. This is the only way they can rise above their station, otherwise reviled as monsters by the rest of society.

 

Among the Marleyan forces wielding Titan powers are Zeke, Reiner, the quadrupedal Cart Titan Pieck, and Galliard, the newfound carrier of the Jaw Titan previously wielded by Ymir. Possessing these abilities shortens their lifespan to only 13 years, so it is imperative that a new generation be trained up, from the plucky Gabi to the mild-mannered Falco.

 

Falco befriends an injured soldier who he takes to the Marleyan capital city of Liberio to meet up with Reiner. Much to their horror, this soldier turns out to be Eren, who launches his assault on the people of Marley.

 

RELATED: Attack on Titan Final Season Part 3 Documentary Takes Viewers Inside MAPPA Anime Studio

 

Assault on Liberio (Episodes 65 – 67)

 

Eren’s plan to strike at the heart of Marley is now in full force as he rampages through Liberio, taking lives at every turn. He is challenged by Lara Tybur, an Eldian noble residing in Marley and the wielder of the versatile War Hammer Titan.

 

Though it at first looks as though Eren may have bitten off more than he can chew this time, he is aided by the Scout Regiment, who had been summoned to join his assault by letter. Even the Beast Titan himself, Zeke Jaeger, seems to have allied himself with Eren. That doesn’t stop Levi from carrying out his grudge by roughing him up, of course. Once Eren has successfully swallowed the War Hammer Titan, the Eldians flee via airship, unaware that Gabi and Falco have stowed away. 

 

Rise of the Jaegerists (Episodes 68 – 71)

 

Here we are given the opportunity to learn what took place between Season 3 and this one, introducing us to Yelena and Onyankopon. These Eldian sympathizers are allied with Zeke and they have proven crucial in advancing the Scouts’ limited technology.

 

Back in the present, the Eldian people learn that Eren has been taken prisoner for his acts in Liberio. An insurrection begins, with those loyal to his principles breaking him free and beginning the Jaegerist movement in earnest. Mikasa and the others now begin to grapple with the reality that their longtime friend may actually have become the planet’s greatest threat.

 

 

The Shriek of Zeke (Episodes 72 – 75)

 

The horrifying truth behind Zeke’s schemes becomes apparent when it is discovered that he has been poisoning Eldian residents with his spinal fluid. Any who consumed the special Marleyan wine he gifted them will transform into a Titan upon hearing his shout. This includes high-ranking officials like Dot Pyxis of the Garrison Regiment, a notorious alcoholic who probably would have drunk it anyway had he been aware.

 

Zeke springs his plot in an effort to escape Levi’s captivity, turning his infected troops against him before the pair engage in a bitter skirmish. Having overthrown the military, the Jaegerists set up a base of operations in Shiganshina, unsuspecting of the surprise attack that awaits. Wouldn’t want to ruin a good surprise, after all.

 

Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2

 

 

Marley Invades (Episodes 76 – 80)

 

Reiner, Pieck and Galliard lead a Marleyan air raid into Shiganshina to confront Eren, forcing the Scouts to pick a side and join the fray. Zeke at last reunites with Eren, erupting in a shout to evoke the Eldians tainted by his spinal fluid and combat the Marleyan soldiers. Falco is among those affected, turning into one of the most delightful-looking Titans you’ll ever see. 

 

When Eren and Zeke make contact, they are able to activate the Founding Titan, taking them to a strange realm inhabited by the first Titan, the Founder Ymir Fritz. The brothers witness the events of history, with Zeke slowly beginning to realize that Eren had been controlling the whole situation from the start.

 

Ymir sides with Eren, awakening the dormant Titans from the walls of Eldia and commencing the dreaded Rumbling that threatens to obliterate all life outside of Paradis.

 

RELATED: Attack on Titan Creator Hajime Isayama Reflects on the Series’ Ending, Game of Thrones and More

 

The Rumbling (Episodes 81 – 87)

 

The 50-meter Titans summoned from within the walls begin their march, advancing toward the outside world and crushing all within their path. Now understanding the sheer horror behind Eren’s ambition, the Scouts mobilize to prevent his mass genocide.

 

Eldians and Marleyans alike put their differences aside to put a stop to the Rumbling, and a bloody battle occurs between the Scouts and the Jaegerists they once knew as allies. The Scouts successfully secure a ship to pursue Eren, leaving us where we are now… on the threshold of a cataclysmic struggle that will determine the fate of all humanity.

 

Additional Content

 

 

That covers all of the mainline series content, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more tasty Titan content for you to sink your teeth into!

 

Attack on Titan: Junior High reimagines the world of Eren Jaeger and his friends in an absurd schoolyard setting. It’s an absolutely wild, slice-of-life spin on the formula, with several clever nods and references to the source material. It is non-canon — you probably could have guessed that yourself — but it has spoilers both major and minor for the first three seasons of Attack on Titan. If you simply cannot wait and don’t mind those plot beats being revealed, at least hold off until you’ve watched the first season to get the fullest enjoyment from its sight gags.

 

RELATED: Counting The Property Damage Costs In Attack on Titan

 

And finally, should you find yourself pressed for time and just want all of the action leading up to the events of Final Season Part 1, Attack on Titan ~Chronicle~ could be just what you’re looking for. It’s a feature-length cut of the first three seasons, condensed to all of the most action-packed moments.

 

My goodness, my gracious, my Grisha! We’re finally all caught up on all of the action of Attack on Titan. We hope you found this to be an elucidating experience (if not, I might just eat you).

 

 

Watch Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll now!