《進擊的巨人》結局引發廣泛的爭議與不滿，主要原因在於艾連的動機複雜難解、角色塑造存在爭議（如阿爾敏與阿妮的轉變）、故事節奏過於急促，以及部分讀者期待的「美好結局」落空，尤其是艾連與米卡莎的結局，此外作者對歷史循環的悲觀描寫，也讓許多讀者在情感與邏輯上難以接受。然而，也有部分人認為這個結局呼應了諫山創「不諂媚讀者」的創作理念，保留了留白與深度，合理延伸作品的世界觀。

艾連的「地鳴」與動機一直是爭議焦點之一。許多讀者質疑艾連的行為是否過於自私，他發動地鳴的理由包括保護島內的夥伴、追求自由，甚至受到未來影響，這讓人難以判斷他究竟是為個人私利還是大義犧牲全世界。此外，艾連從復仇者到冷血屠殺者的性格轉變，在部分讀者眼中過於突兀，與前期塑造的形象存在落差，也讓他的行動難以被完全理解或接受。

角色塑造與情感結局同樣引發討論。米卡莎殺死艾連的橋段讓許多粉絲心碎，雖然這一行為是為解放尤米爾，但讀者更期待看到一個圓滿或溫暖的結局。阿爾敏在後期淪為「談判巨人」，阿妮的「洗白」過程被批評生硬，讀者認為這些角色並未受到應有的懲罰或獲得合理的發展，進一步加劇失望感。

故事節奏與主題呈現也是爭議原因之一。漫畫後期劇情明顯加速，許多細節與情感鋪陳不足，使結尾顯得倉促。作者強調「只要有人類就有戰爭」，即使巨人力量消失，世界也迅速回到高科技戰爭的現實，這種悲觀循環使部分讀者感到希望破滅，情感上難以釋懷。

諫山創堅持不迎合讀者，留下開放式結局，讓讀者自行思考和解讀，這種理念雖然體現作者的誠實創作態度，但與部分粉絲對角色情感和理想結局的期待形成明顯落差。雖然在邏輯上，尤米爾的解放等情節可解釋劇情安排，但在情感層面上，艾連的命運仍然難以被大多數人接受。

支持這個結局的觀點認為，艾連本質上是衝動、以自己人為重的人，他的行為在特定環境與力量影響下具有必然性。米卡莎選擇殺死所愛之人，也是解開尤米爾枷鎖的關鍵，使她獲得真正的「愛」與自由。整個結局同時反映戰爭的殘酷與歷史的循環，提醒人類衝突永無止境，具有現實映射意義。

總體而言，《進擊的巨人》的結局爭議核心，在於讀者對角色情感的投入與作者沉重主題之間的衝突。這使得作品最終呈現出一種「高開低走」的現象：雖然故事世界觀完整且富有深度，但讀者在情感上難以完全滿足，成為現代漫畫史上極具討論性、同時引發熱烈爭議的經典案例。

The ending of Attack on Titan sparked widespread controversy and dissatisfaction, largely due to the complex motivations of Eren, contentious character developments (such as those of Armin and Annie), rushed story pacing, the absence of the “happy endings” that many readers had hoped for—especially regarding Eren and Mikasa—and the author’s bleak commentary on the repetitive nature of history. Many fans found the emotional and logical conclusions difficult to accept, yet some praised the ending for staying true to Hajime Isayama’s philosophy of not pandering to readers, embracing ambiguity and depth, and providing a natural extension of the story’s established worldview.

Eren’s “Rumbling” and Motivations
One of the most debated aspects of the conclusion revolves around Eren’s decision to unleash the Rumbling. Some readers questioned whether his actions were selfish, as his motives—protecting his friends on Paradis Island, pursuing freedom, and being influenced by glimpses of the future—seemed ambiguous. The moral calculus of sacrificing the entire world for the sake of a small group left many confused and conflicted. Additionally, Eren’s transformation from a vengeful youth to a cold-blooded mass murderer struck some as abrupt, creating tension with his earlier characterization and making it hard for readers to reconcile his actions with the boy they had followed from the beginning.

Character Arcs and Resolution
The emotional stakes of the ending also drew sharp reactions. Mikasa’s act of killing Eren, though narratively necessary to liberate Ymir, left many readers heartbroken, as they had hoped for a more fulfilling resolution to their relationship. Similarly, Armin’s evolution into a “diplomatic giant” and Annie’s late-stage redemption were perceived as rushed and unearned, leaving some fans frustrated that these characters did not face consequences commensurate with their prior actions. These narrative choices, combined with Eren’s controversial end, created a sense of dissatisfaction rooted in emotional investment.

Story Pacing and Thematic Depth
The final chapters accelerated quickly, leaving little room for emotional beats or detailed exposition, which contributed to a perception of a hurried conclusion. Isayama also reinforced a pessimistic view of history: despite the disappearance of Titans, humanity quickly returns to high-tech warfare, underscoring his recurring message that as long as humans exist, conflict will persist. This grim portrayal challenged readers’ desire for hope and resolution.

Authorial Intent vs. Reader Expectations
Hajime Isayama consistently avoided pandering to audience desires, leaving an open-ended conclusion that invited reflection rather than satisfaction. While some logical explanations exist—such as Ymir’s liberation through Mikasa’s choice—the emotional weight of Eren’s fate proved difficult for many to accept. The dissonance between the thematic intent of the story and the readers’ attachment to its characters amplified the backlash.

Support for the Ending
Despite the criticism, the conclusion can be seen as consistent with Eren’s fundamental nature: a passionate, self-centered individual whose choices are shaped by his environment and extraordinary powers. Mikasa’s decision to kill the person she loves is framed as a necessary act to free Ymir, highlighting themes of true love and freedom. Moreover, the ending reflects real-world truths about the cyclical brutality of war and human conflict, providing a sobering commentary on history’s inescapable patterns.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Attack on Titan’s ending stems from the clash between readers’ emotional investment in the characters and the heavy, uncompromising themes the author sought to convey. The conclusion exemplifies a work that, while narratively ambitious and thematically profound, left many fans grappling with disappointment—cementing its place as a “highly anticipated, divisive finale” in modern manga history.