Attack on Titanhas been a whirlwind of emotions for its loyal fan base. It reached an emotional high point when the main character, Eren, made the ultimate sacrifice in his relentless quest for freedom, aiming to end the age of Titans. A few years after this monumental event,we see Mikasa at his grave.
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She’s talking to him, although he’s no longer there physically. Just as her scarf – an iconic symbol of their bond – starts to slide off her shoulders, a bird suddenly flies in.With a careful maneuver, the bird wraps the scarf back around Mikasa. This surprising event makes fans wonder: Could Eren have somehow reincarnated as this bird? This piece will explain everything you need to know!

Why Fans Think Eren Has Reincarnated?
Attack on Titan has kept its fans on their toes withmyriad plot twists, and one of the most intriguing theories that has emerged concerns the possibility of Eren’s reincarnation. This theory is heavily linked to the recurring motif of birds throughout the series. From the onset, we see birds often, generally at significant moments. For instance, in the initial part of the final season, we have a scene where Falco, lying on the ground, encourages a bird to fly off – symbolizing a longing for liberty. But the clever thing to note is that we see this scene from the bird’s POV.
This bird’s-eye perspective, provided by Hajime Isayama, the series creator, seems to have a deeper meaning. As we proceed with the narrative, there’s an instance where Eren, in his thoughts, is seen flying high above the clouds, a seeming escape from the horrifying destruction hisRumblingis causing on Earth. He identifies this sensation as freedom. Fast forward to the series finale, we find Mikasa laying to rest Eren’s remains under a tree, a spot where he often found solace on Paradis Island.

Interestingly, the series began with a similar scene, weaving a sense of continuity. While this moment stirs an old memory in Mikasa, some fans speculate this could be Eren’s presence being felt in some form. Around the same time, we see Armin and the others on a boat, heading towards the Island for peace negotiations with Queen Historia.Armin notices a bird flying in the same direction, adding to the mystery. Drawing from these clues, fans conjecture that Eren could have reincarnated as a bird.
What Does Birds Symbolize In Attack On Titan?
The most prominent symbolism associated with birds in Attack on Titan is the concept of freedom. Birds are often seen flying freely in the sky, unhindered by walls or geographical boundaries. This is a stark contrast to the humans in the series who live within walls out of fear of the Titans. Eren Yeager and other characters frequently express their longing for the kind of freedom that birds represent. In the series, Eren’s desire for freedom is so strong that he’s willing to go to any lengths to achieve it, paralleling a bird’s boundless flight.
Notably, some fans believe that the bird may represent theParasitic jaeger, an arctic seabird,which shares a multitude of parallels with Eren. Firstly, the name’Jaeger’pops up, which is interesting because that’s the last name of our main character, Eren.In German, ‘Jaeger’ means ‘hunter,’ which really captures the essence of Eren’s relentless quest for freedom. The Parasitic Jaeger has a unique way of getting its food.Instead of hunting, it steals from other birds. It’s so determined to get its meal that it will chase other birds until they’re too tired to hold onto their food.

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This mirrors Eren’s single-minded mission for freedom and his willingness to fight if his freedom is at stake. Throughout the series, Eren even seems to mirror the bird’s disregard for others in its pursuit of food. He’s ready to use his friends and even his homeland as stepping stones on his path to freedom. So, in a nutshell, the bird in Attack on Titan isn’t just a bird. It’s a symbol of Eren’s indomitable spirit, his pursuit of freedom, and the lengths he’s willing to go to achieve it.

Did Eren Reincarnate Into A Bird?
The birds that appear in the series are symbolic. They are not an embodiment of Eren transforming into a feathered creature but rather an artistic device that imparts deeper meaning to the narrative. It’s a metaphorical way of expressing the enduring presence of Eren in her life.
If you win, you live.If you lose, you die.If you don’t fight, you’re able to’t win!Tatakae! - Eren Yeager

It’s as if the series is saying that even though Eren is gone, the essence of what he stood for - his promises, his ideals, his sacrifices, and above all, his love – continues to live on. The frequent bird sightings suggest Eren’s spirit now being as free as a bird, unrestricted by the harsh realities of his previous existence. Eren, in essence, has now become inseparable from the natural world.