Attack on Titan isn’t just about humanity fighting giant monsters—it's a story that digs deep into what it really means to be free, to seek revenge, and to break free from cycles of violence.
From the shocking first breach of the walls to the heartbreaking decisions that follow, the series challenges us to reflect on the choices that shape our world and the consequences of those choices.
In this timeline, we’ll walk you through the key events of each season, breaking down the twists and turns that make Attack on Titan one of the most unpredictable and thought-provoking anime out there.
Along the way, we’ll also dive into the evolution of the characters, especially Eren, whose journey from idealistic hero to tragic anti-hero.
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The Epic Timeline of Attack on Titan: Humanity's Final Struggle
In a world where humanity's survival hangs by a thread, Attack on Titan weaves a story of colossal giants, dark secrets, and moral dilemmas that span generations. This is not just a story of Titans versus humans, but of the choices that shape history, and whether humanity can break free from the chains of its past. Let’s break down the key events across each season (and part) of this epic journey.
Season 1: The Shocking Awakening
Year 845 – Year 850
The first season throws us headfirst into chaos. Imagine a peaceful world protected by enormous walls, only to have it shattered by a giant foot—literally. The Colossal Titan breaches Wall Maria, and what follows is a brutal Titan onslaught. Eren Yeager, our hot-headed protagonist, loses his mother to the Titans, setting his course for vengeance and survival. Alongside his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman and childhood friend Armin Arlert, Eren enters the military.
The real kicker? Eren discovers that he’s not just a regular soldier—he can transform into a Titan himself. That’s right. Humanity’s last hope is a kid with the power to become the very thing they fear. Oh, and there’s a mysterious Titan shifter on the loose—the Female Titan, who turns out to be none other than Annie Leonhart, one of their own.
Season 2: Secrets Beneath the Surface
Year 850 – Year 851
Now, things start to get a little freaky. The truth is out there, and it’s not just about Titans attacking humanity—it’s about the Titans being inside the walls! Yeah, you read that right. Turns out, the walls that protect humanity are not just solid structures—they’re hiding secrets that date back generations.
In this season, we also learn about the Titan shifters within the ranks of the Survey Corps. Reiner (Armored Titan) and Bertholdt (Colossal Titan) reveal their true identities as enemies. But it doesn’t stop there—the Beast Titan, a new threat, enters the scene. What’s the deal with him? And what is his connection to Eren’s father and the Founding Titan?
Season 3: Conspiracies and Revelations
Year 851 – Year 854
The truth is finally starting to emerge from the shadows, but it’s not what anyone expects. This season is a rollercoaster of political intrigue, betrayals, and, oh yeah, more Titans. Part 1 introduces a coup d'état within the government, as a corrupt monarchy is overthrown. Historia Reiss, Eren’s long-lost half-sister, is revealed to be the true heir to the throne.
Part 2 reveals the big secret that’s been teased since the very first episode: Eren’s basement. When the Survey Corps finally access it, they uncover a photograph of the outside world and Eren’s father’s journal. Turns out, the walls weren’t built to protect humanity from Titans—they were built to hide them from the truth of the world. The Marley Empire, the real enemy, has been oppressing Eldians for generations, using them as weapons. And the Titans? They were created by the Eldians themselves.
Season 4: The World Beyond the Walls
Year 854 – Year 857
Here’s where things get truly wild. Season 4 opens with a new world: Marley—a militaristic empire that uses Titan-shifters as weapons of mass destruction. Gabi Braun and Falco Grice are introduced as Marleyan soldiers who are indoctrinated into the belief that they’re the “superior race,” only to be thrust into the chaos caused by Paradis Island.
Part 1 introduces Eren’s new plan—he’s not just fighting for freedom anymore; he’s preparing for the Rumbling, an apocalyptic event that could destroy the world outside Paradis Island. To do this, Eren has joined forces with his half-brother Zeke Yeager, the Beast Titan, who has his own plan to "liberate" Eldians. Meanwhile, Marley is preparing for war, and the tension builds as the battle between Marley and Paradis is about to explode.
Part 2 sees the Survey Corps come face-to-face with the might of Marley’s army. Eren’s character takes a dark turn—he's not the same idealistic kid we once knew. Now, he's willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his vision of freedom. As the war intensifies, we see familiar faces, like Mikasa, Armin, and Levi, questioning their loyalty to Eren and their own moral compasses.
And in Part 3, it all comes to a head. The Rumbling begins—Eren activates a massive army of Colossal Titans within the walls, and the ground shakes with the threat of worldwide destruction. The fate of humanity rests in the hands of those who must decide: can they stop Eren before it's too late, or is the world doomed to end in a fiery apocalypse?
How To Make A Timeline Using EdrawMax?
Interested in making a timeline of your own? Try EdrawMax—a powerful diagramming tool that's perfect for both beginners and pros. With more than 1,500 built-in templates and over 20,000 symbols, creating a custom diagram with EdrawMax is easy and fun.
If you want to make a timeline quickly, use one of its templates to get started. Prefer to build one from scratch? Just download EdrawMax, launch the app, and follow the steps below to create your own timeline.
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Step 1Get started
- Create or log in with any social media account to get started
- After logging in, click Basic Diagram > Timeline > Blank Drawing.
Step 2Insert Background
- Click Insert on the top toolbar.
- Select Picture and then Local picture.
- Now, upload a background image for the timeline.
Step 3Add Heading
- Upload a title image by following these steps: Insert > Picture > Local picture.
- Click the image for more editing options.
- Select Adjust to fine-tune the image’s brightness, contrast, and transparency for a better fit.
Step 4Make A Timeline Using Connectors
- Click Home on the top toolbar
- Select Connectors.
- Draw a vertical line in the center of the page.
- Next, draw smaller horizontal lines for timeline events.
Step 5Add Extra Connectors
- Insert smaller lines on the timeline to add details about each season.
- Select the line to reveal the editing panel.
- Choose Line from the menu and navigate to Line styles.
- Pick style 09 from the options.
Step 6Insert Text
- Go to the Text section on the left panel to see more features.
- Select Click to Add Title and write the timeline heading in the text box.
- Repeat the same steps to add more text boxes for season titles and details..
Step 7Upload Images
- Follow the steps: Insert > Picture > Local picture to upload season thumbnails.
- Select the uploaded image to reveal editing options.
- Choose Crop to shape and pick an outline for the image.
Step 8Download Timeline
- Complete the timeline with all season titles and details.
- Next, click Export on the top toolbar and choose Graphics from the drop-down menu.
- You can now download the timeline in the image format of your preference.
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