Attack on Titan has been one of the most watched and highly anticipated anime in recent years. The storyline, plot, and everything has almost been set to perfection, and there is no denying that. 

Though not all the episodes can be as exciting and thrilling, here are the 20 best episodes listed that got us off our seats, and had us enjoying them to the fullest. 

20.“First Battle – The Struggle for Trost, Part 1” Season 1 Episode 5 

Five years after the first attack, humanity is preparing for their counterattack, when the Colossal Titan appears once again out of nowhere, and blows a huge hole in Wall Rose. This completely baffles Eren and as well as the cadets. 

Eren faces off against the Colossal Titan as it destroys all the cannons and military armory. The rest of the cadets including Mikasa, Jean and Armin try to fight off the titans that are trying to penetrate the inner wall of Rose. Unable to fight off a titan, Eren comes to help Armin only to be devoured instead.   

This one left the fans screaming as the Titans appeared once again- literally out of nowhere! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• The Colossal Titan appears and destroys the cannons. 
• Eren trying to fight off the Colossal’s immense bouts of steam, only for the Titan to disappear into thin air- AGAIN! 
• Armin watches in horror as a titan eats away Eren mercilessly.

19. “Small Blade – The Struggle for Trost, Part 3” Season 1 Episode 7 

Even though the bell for retreat is heard loud and clear by the surviving cadets, they are unable to do so due to the lack of fuel. The supply soldiers are forced to retreat inside in fear, as titans have surrounded every corner.

On the other hand, cadets such as Jean, Connie are desperately trying to find a solution. A shocked Armin reveals to Mikasa about Eren’s ill fate, as she tries to fight the titans, and make it to the supply area. 

As she calls everybody a coward, and marches on her own, Jean and the rest of the cadets follow under Mikasa’s influence. Alas she runs out of gas, and is about to get eaten by one of the mindless monsters that another, odd titan takes the other out, screaming and growling against the other eaters. 

The mystery of the odd titan is what for sure HOOKED all the viewers to find out the identity of this vengeful titan! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Mikasa’s unflinching courage to fight, despite knowing Eren’s ill fate. 
• Jean realizing his responsibilities and asking the cadets to fight for their lives. 
• Appearance of the mystery titan, fighting head-to-head alongside the cadets. 

18. “Female Titan – 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls: Part 1” Season 1 Episode 17 

After humanity reclaims their territory through Eren’s newly founded Titan abilities, the Scouts head for the 57th expedition outside the walls under Commander Erwin’s orders. 

Armin sees a black smoke being shot in the air, realizes that they are dealing with an Abnormal Titan. The titan is intercepted by Ness and Siss who kill the Titan effortlessly. However, as another Abnormal titan occurs, they try to follow the same tactic, but to their surprise the Titan dodges their attempts and finishes both the soldiers. 

Armin is left puzzled by the Titan’s speed and agility and comes to the conclusion that it is an intelligent one- just like Eren. Jean, Reiner and Armin try to take down the Titan, but in vain. As Reiner is about to be killed in its grasp, he manages to cut through and escape, saving Armin and Jean as well. 

Fans hollered in surprise as it is revealed that there are more of Eren’s kind- operating under human disguise- INSIDE THE WALLS! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Discovery of other types of mindless titans categorized as Abnormal Titans. 
• Revelation of another intelligent Titan like Eren- that too with a female appearance. 

17. “Crushing Below – 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls: Part 5” Season 1 Episode 21 

After letting the other titans eat her body, the Female Titan disappears in the puff of steam. It’s not long before Commander Erwin realizes that the Female Titan is one of the members of the Scouts, and is probably in the same uniform as them. 

The Female Titan in its human form pursues Eren, who is being protected by Gunther and kills him. In a blink of a second- transforms again in its Titan Form, and starts running after Eren in full speed - as the rest of the Levi Squad process their team member’s death. 

Eldo, Oluo, and Petra regroup to fight it, however it outsmarts each one of them, and kills them brutally. Eren- who witnesses all the deaths, transforms into his Titan, in an emotional fit of rage. After an intense hand to hand combat, eventually the Female Titan gets the best of Eren, and rips his human self apart from the Titan’s head, and runs away- with Mikasa watching in complete horror.  

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Discovery of the Female Titan being one of the Scouts members. 
• Female Titan’s ruthless killing spree of the Levi Squad. 
• Eren’s emotional transformation, that puts even the Female Titan in shock. 

16. “Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3” Season 1 Episode 25 

After it is revealed that Annie Leonhart is the Female Titan, the Scouts try to capture her but in vain, as she transforms causing destruction in Stohess. As chaos and panic ensues, Eren and Annie battle head-to-head, as Titans in a gruesome and bloody fight. 

At one point, Annie almost beheads Eren by pounding her hardened fist on his head. As she tries to run and climb the wall, Eren gets on his feet again- this time in complete rage causing his emerald green eyes to turn into ice blue. 

Eren tears apart Annie’s Titan in fury as Mikasa cuts Annie’s hardened fingers- causing her to fall to the ground. However, as he is about to detach her human self from the Titan’s body, Annie crystalizes herself in an ice cage, causing the mission to fail. 

Episode 25 marked the end of Season 1 in a banger! Commander Erwin highlights the fact that there could be more enemies inside the walls, and that they could be anyone of them! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Eren’s exciting transformations as it got us screaming in utter excitement.
• Annie’s shocking truth of being the Female Titan - they encountered at times in Wall Maria. 

15. “Soldier” Season 2 Episode 4 

The Scouts take refuge in the Utgard Castle, as they are unarmed and overwhelmed by the number of titans that are moving at night time. Connie also spots a Beast looking like Titan- that seems to be controlling all the titans that are attacking the old castle. 

As these titans penetrate the walls, Reiner gets bitten by one of the titans while trying to save Connie. Nanaba and the rest of the squad try to kill the monsters using their ODM gears, but are unable to due to the number of titans that don’t seem to stop coming. Unfortunately, they end up dying with only Reiner, Bertolt, Connie, Christa, and Ymir surviving. 

At the very last of the episode, Ymir and Christa share an emotional moment, before Ymir jumps off the wall with a knife that she cuts her hand with, and transforms into an ugly, looking titan that seems to have some history with Reiner and Bertolt. 

Another intelligent Titan! The excitement went off the roof, people! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Reiner’s bravery while fighting the titan that almost eats his hand. 
• Nanaba’s will to battle the titans. 
• Ymir’s heroic transformation to save Christa and the rest of the Scout members. 

14. “Warrior” Season 2 Episode 6

The Scouts barely manage to regroup atop the wall after the events at Utgard Castle, after it comes to light that Ymir is also one of the intelligent titans. 

After the Garrison’s advance squad led by Hannes, inform Hange and the rest of the members that there is no hole in the wall, and that the place isn’t swarmed with titans, they decide to retreat to Trost to tend to Ymir’s medical injuries. 

In that moment, Reiner and Bertolt reveal that they are the Armored and Colossal Titans in the most serious tone, that for a moment even Eren doesn’t believe them- and let’s be honest we didn’t either! It’s when Reiner’s arm begins to reform on its own, and Bertolt flashes a guilty expression, that Eren realizes the ugly truth. 

In a flash, Mikasa delivers bloody injuries to both Reiner and Bertolt- and to everyone’s surprise, the warriors transform into their mighty Titans! Eren is in his human form when he cries tears of betrayal, and transforms into his Titan too. 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Reiner and Bertolt’s mighty transformations- sending all the viewers, and the Scouts in utter excitement and shock. 
• Eren’s Titan transformation- while being in Reiner’s clutches, and delivering a superman punch! 

13. “Close Combat” Season 2 Episode 7 

With new enemies unveiled, Eren and the Scouts try their best to use the techniques, and military weapons, to fight and hold their ground. 

The episode starts off with the Hange and the rest of the squad trying to take out the Colossal Titan- who allegedly eats Ymir and another soldier. However, all their attacks prove futile, as the Titan releases huge puffs of steam to keep off any who would try to slice his nape. 

Meanwhile, Eren battles with the Armored Titan but with no luck- as he doesn’t have any idea how to cut through his strong armor. During the bloody fight, he uses Annie’s grapple technique to make him fall and crushes his armor. As he is about to rip Reiner from its Titan’s armor, he unleashes a blood curdling scream, and the Colossal Titan falls on top of them. 

Turns out their plan was only to kidnap Eren after all! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Reiner and Eren’s head-to-head, brutal brawl. 

12. “Charge” Season 2 Episode 11 

Whilst Reiner tries to flee with Eren, Ymir, and Bertolt in his Titan form, Commander Erwin comes up with a plan to knock him over, and retreat with Eren as he is humanity’s only hope against the titans. 

Commander Erwin- with immense bravery, charges with his army that is being chased by the titans, towards Reiner in hopes that the titans would prove as a distraction while the cadets would rescue Eren. However, as the cadets try to talk to Bertolt, he doesn’t give up. He does so, when Armin lies about Annie being tortured, as Bertolt has feelings for her. 

In the heat of the moment, Erwin’s one hand ends up being eaten by titan, despite that he advances, and frees Eren who is then taken by Mikasa. Just as then, Reiner starts to throw the titans swarmed around him, causing Mikasa to lose her balance, and she and Eren fall to ground. 

The ultimate cliffhanger was as Mikasa and Eren look up, there comes the horrifying Smiling Titan- yes, the very same one who ate Eren’s mother! Goosebumps. 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Commander Erwin’s valor and heroism, despite his one arm literally being chomped off by a freaking titan. 

11. “Scream” Season 2 Episode 12 

As Eren attempts to save Mikasa from the Smiling Titan, Hannes comes just in time in order to protect Eren, and also avenge his mother’s death, as she too was eaten by the Smiling Titan. 

Once again, Eren is forced to watch in utter horror, as the monster devourers Hannes too. Frustrated, he finds emotional solace in Mikasa- the simple act of wrapping her scarf around. Just as the monster is about to reach for them, he screams and delivers a punch, causing a strike of lightning and all the other titans attack and kill the Smiling Titan. 

Now having discovered a new power, i.e. the Founding Titan’s power, he saves Mikasa and runs with her on his back. Commander Erwin and the rest of the remaining scouts are able to safely retreat, as Ymir makes the difficult decision of going back with Reiner and Bertolt. 

Season 2 ends with the Scouts realizing that titans are humans too, - just like the ones fighting them! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Eren’s discovery of the Founding Titan’s powers. 
• Disclosure of the real identity of terrifying titans.

10. “Thunder Spears” Season 3 Episode 14 

 

 

 

The Scouts headed by Commander Erwin become skeptical of the enemy’s whereabouts, since they don’t interfere with the outer gate being plugged. Soon, both the Beast Titan and the Armored Titan appear, commencing the battle between humanity and Titans. 

Now in his Titan form- Eren decides to battle with the Armored Titan, as the rest of the Scouts with Levi, protect the horses, and keep an eye on the Beast Titan’s movements. It is for the first time in the anime that a new weapon is introduced against the Armored Titan’s skin since it isn’t flesh. “Thunder Spears” are the only way to take down Reiner. 

As the Scouts corner and hit Reiner with their spears, the battle has officially begun! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Eren’s and Reiner’s intense brawl of power. 
• The Scout’s immense courage to take down a Titan who was once their friend. 

 

9. “Perfect Game” Season 3 Episode 16

 

Following Bertolt’s gigantic transformation, the Scouts face a shower of arrows and boulders from both sides. The Beast Titan starts bombarding the houses, where the Scouts headed by Erwin Smith have taken refuge. 

Meanwhile the Scouts with Eren try their best to stop Bertolt from reaching the wall. As they come up with a plan, Eren marches forward to stop his legs, but he swings him atop of the wall- while the rest watch in horror. Erwin and Levi realize the dangerous situation they are in, and decide to charge at the Beast Titan with a plan, whilst Levi takes him down. 

Commander Erwin shares an emotional moment with Levi- as he tells about his dream he shared with his father that he wanted to fulfill- that was going down to Grisha Yeager’s basement where all the secrets of their world supposedly lie. He goes on to give an inspirational speech as courageous soldiers, and ends up dying on the battlefield as a proud soldier. 

We weren’t ready to see Commander Erwin go so soon! Indeed, a highly emotional and sad ending. 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Commander Erwin’s heroic, final speech. 

 

8. “Hero” Season 3 Episode 17

As the Scouts charge to their death and fall one by one, the Beast Titan feels escalated. In a blink of an eye, Levi appears- having slaughtered all the tall Titans and brutally takes him down with his blades and agility. 

In the meantime, the Armored Titan also gets on his feet, which puts immense pressure on the Scouts to come up with a counterattack to stop them.  As the Scouts divert the Armored Titan, Armin and Eren take on the Colossal Titan on their own. 

The Scouts are able to blow Reiner through his nape, and Eren tricks the Colossal Titan through Armin’s plan, but with a great price. Armin gets completely burnt while trying to stall time for Eren, and thus puts Eren in complete anguish by the end of the episode. 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Levi and Beast Titan’s fierce battle. 
• The Armored Titan’s and Scout’s battle. 
• Eren and the Colossal Titan’s showdown. 

 

7. “Midnight Sun” Season 3 Episode 18 

The outcome of the battle takes a toll on the Scouts as they receive countless casualties. It is revealed that both Armin, and Commander Erwin are barely alive- and are taking their last breaths. It is when Levi realizes that he has the Titan serum, but there are two people in need of it. 

Though at first he is about to inject the Titan serum in Erwin, Eren and Mikasa react emotionally towards it, and that leaves Levi with an impossible choice to make. Nevertheless, the serum is injected into Armin- who transforms into a tall, mindless eating titan, and consumes Bertolt- hence inheriting the powers and memories of the Colossal Titan. 

Mikasa, Eren, and the rest of Scouts feel relieved when they see Armin emerging from the Titan’s nape. However, it is a bittersweet moment for Levi and Hange- who truly loved and trusted Erwin. 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Armin consuming Bertolt and inheriting his Titan powers. 

 

6. “The Other Side of the Wall” Season 3 Episode 22 

Not long after Grisha’s journals found from the basement- are analyzed, the people in the walls realize that there are humans- just like them on the other side of the wall, as Grisha Yeager was from the other side of the wall as well. 

After the discovery is made, the council decides to go public with the information- and not keep the people of the walls in the dark anymore. The Scouts receive medals for their bravery, by the newly appointed Queen- Historia. 

Eren realizes the connection of the Founding Titan with the royal family, as he starts getting glimpses of the past through his Attack Ttian’s powers. By the end of Season 3- in the last episode, the Scouts head out of the walls to confirm the accounts mentioned in Grisha’s journals. 

The Scouts finally get to see the sea below the clear sky, as Eren points beyond the wall, and the reality of more enemies being out there! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Attack Titan’s history. 
• Recognition of Grisha Yeager’s journals. 

 

5. “The War Hammer Titan” Season 4 Episode 6 

With Eren operating secretly in Marley, he meets Reiner face to face, before blowing up Willy Tybur’s stage with his transformation and eats him. 

As Eren continues to rampage on the people of Marley, his attention is diverted because of Lara Tybur- as she transforms into the War Hammer Titan, and battles Eren. As both of them go head-to-head, Lara -is almost able to defeat Eren- that the fight is interfered by Mikasa who blows off the nape, while the rest of the Scouts battle with the Marley military. 

Though it is quickly realized that the War Hammer Titan can’t be killed with Mikasa’s act of blowing up the nape, Eren thinks of a way to consume Lara. After vigorously pulling Lara’s crystal from under the stage, he is about to eat it, when Porco appears with his Jaw Titan and bites through the nape. 

Just in time, Levi appears and cuts through the Jaw's nape as well as the Scouts who attack him all together!  

What I liked most about this episode; 

• The War Hammer Titan’s epic transformation. 
• Eren and Lara’s ruthless battle. 
• Levi’s spot-on entrance. 

 

4. “Assault” Season 4 Episode 7 

As the forces of Paradis engage in a cruel war against the Marley warriors, chaos grips the city. With all the Titans on the ground, and in full fighting mode- Eren tries to topple the War Hammer Titan’s defenses. 

In the sea, where the navy battleships are residing, Armin comes on a little boat and transforms into the Colossal Titan- like a freaking nuclear bomb explosion. This proves to be an excellent distraction- as Levi is able to take Zeke out of his Titan, while Pieck gets bombarded with Thunder Spears in her Cart Titan form. 

In a face off against Porco's Jaw Titan, Eren witnesses the interesting power of the Jaw- that it can cut through Lara’s crystal, whilst his teeth didn’t even leave a scratch. With the help of Mikasa, Eren crushes the Jaw Titan, crippling his arms- and then proceeds to consume Lara in the most barbaric way. 

With the War Hammer Titan being eaten, Eren shifts his attention to Porco, however, Gabi and Falco’s screaming wakes Reiner up- as he mans up to face Eren refusing to let Porco die! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Colossal Titan’s entrance in the series after 2 seasons. 
• WarHammer Titan being devoured.  
• Reiner waltzes in to save Porco. 

 

3. “Savagery” Season 4 Episode 14 

A conversation with Eren, turns into a complete emotional disaster for Mikasa and Armin, as they realize that Eren has changed- and no longer is that friend they believed in. 

In the forest where Levi is keeping an eye on Zeke, along with his many soldiers, comes up with a plan to have Zeke eaten by someone else to shift the Beast Titan’s powers. However, that moment doesn’t last very long. As Zeke lets out a horrific scream, all the cadets- having consumed Zeke’s wine laced with his spinal fluid, turn into human eating monsters. 

Levi manages to battle courageously and gets to Zeke- who now frustrated with Levi turns into the Beast Titan to fight. Being the skillful soldier he is, he defeats Zeke and captures him, to take back to the Scouts. 

Meanwhile the Jaegerists, headed by Floch, have Keith Shadis heinously beaten by the new cadets after brainwashing them into believing that they are following the same path as Eren – towards freedom.  

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Levi and Beast Titan aka Zeke’s high-sounding showdown.

 

2. “Two Brothers” Season 4 Episode 19 

Caught off guard by Marley’s surprise attack, Eren tries to fight the other Titan holders all by himself. With the city in flames, the Beast Titan also comes just in time to save Eren, and keep his promise. 

As Eren desperately tries to reach and make contact with Zeke, to everyone’s surprise, through a fake death act- Pieck and General Magath shoot a bullet on Zeke’s nape, which causes him to fall down from atop the walls.  

Meanwhile, Porco gets ambushed by Eren’s punches, and has no energy left to heal himself. In an attempt to wake him up, a severely beaten Reiner touches him- that leads both of them to see Marcel's memories aka the first holder of the Jaw Titan. With Falco on the brink of becoming a Titan-as Zeke is about to scream, Colt pleads him to stop but in vain. 

With Zeke’s chilling scream, all those who ingested his spinal fluid turn into titans, including Falco. As Reiner lays down to pass on the Armored Titan to Falco, Porco comes in and is devoured- thus transferring the power of the Jaw Titan to Falco Grice. 

Such a heartbreaking moment for Reiner! 

Not to forget, the cliffhanger ending! With Eren being only a few steps away from Zeke, Gabi shots Eren- BEHEADING HIM! 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Falco’s inheritance of the Jaw Titan. 

 

1. "From You, 2000 Years Ago” Season 4 Episode 21

 

As Zeke comes to realize how his father- Grisha Yeager was able to steal the Founding Titan many years ago, he is put into utter disbelief. 

The episode shows a horrifying glimpse of Ymir’s (the first Founding Titan and the discoverer of that power) past. How she was so in love with King Fritz, that she obeyed all of his commands like a slave- thinking it was love. She goes on to bear three of his children- the walls were named after; Rose, Maria, and Shina. 

It is also shown how she dies an underserved death- and that with the power of the Titans she could have never died. Hungry for Ymir’s power, King Fritz forces his daughters to eat the remains of their mother to preserve the titan powers. 

Although Ymir is a slave to all those of royal blood, and has been waiting for 2000 years to be free - is moved by Eren’s determination for freedom, and grants him the power to activate the Founding Titan. 

This was THE moment fans had been waiting for since they realized that Eren possessed the Founding Titan too! 

A dash and spark of mighty lighting is seen as Eren transforms in the ENORMOUS Founding Titan, alongside the wall titans that are as tall the size of a Colossal Titan. The Rumbling is finally set in motion, as all hardening is undone, and the walls that once protected humanity become mere dust. 

What I liked most about this episode; 

• Ymir’s unfortunately horrible past. 
• Eren’s colossal transformation into the Founding Titan. 
• The Rumbling finally being activated. 

 

Conclusion 

All these episodes from each season of AOT had us jumping and screaming for sure. 

This anime has gathered a ton of fans in recent years and it is no shock why. Each episode listed, and overall episodes have been written excellently with zero loopholes! 

That’s our list of the 20 best episodes. Which ones are yours? Don’t forget to leave your thoughts down below! 

 

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