Understanding the Attack on Titan timeline can feel overwhelming. The story constantly jumps between eras, reveals hidden histories, and introduces memories that travel across time. What seems like a simple post-apocalyptic anime slowly becomes a complex narrative about destiny, history, and cause-and-effect.
This guide explains the entire Attack on Titan timeline, from ancient history to the final events, in clear chronological order, while also breaking down how memories, Paths, and time paradoxes work.
Why the Attack on Titan Timeline Is So Confusing
Unlike linear stories, Attack on Titan reveals information out of order. The audience learns the truth only when characters do, and sometimes through memories that originate in the future rather than the past.
Three elements make the timeline complex:
- Inherited memories
- The Paths dimension
- The ability of certain Titans to access future events
Once these concepts are understood, the timeline becomes much clearer.
How Time Works in Attack on Titan
Before diving into history, it’s important to understand how time functions in this universe.
Paths and Memory Inheritance
All Subjects of Ymir are connected through a metaphysical realm called Paths. This dimension exists outside normal time and space, allowing:
- Memories to be inherited across generations
- Certain individuals to see events that haven’t happened yet
Future Memories
The Attack Titan can access memories of future inheritors, creating a closed loop where:
- The future influences the past
- Characters act based on events that are yet to occur
This is the foundation of the story’s time paradox.
Ancient History: Ymir Fritz and the Birth of the Titans
Over 2,000 years before the main story, Ymir Fritz gains the power of the Titans after coming into contact with a mysterious source of life.
After her death:
- Her power splits into Nine Titans
- Her descendants become known as Subjects of Ymir
- Eldia rises as a global superpower
This moment marks the true beginning of the Attack on Titan timeline.
The Rise and Fall of the Eldian Empire
For centuries, the Eldian Empire dominates the world using Titan powers as weapons of conquest.
Key events during this era:
- Expansion through military force
- Oppression of other nations
- Growing hatred toward Eldians
Eventually, internal conflict leads to the Great Titan War, where the Nine Titans are divided among rival factions.
The Great Titan War and the Creation of the Walls
The Great Titan War changes the world forever.
King Karl Fritz’s Decision
King Karl Fritz abandons global dominance and:
- Retreats to Paradis Island
- Creates the three Walls (Maria, Rose, and Sina)
- Uses the Founding Titan to erase memories
The world is divided:
- Eldians on Paradis live in ignorance
- Eldians outside the island are persecuted
- Marley rises as the new global power
This event sets the stage for everything that follows.
Life Inside the Walls (Before Episode 1)
For over 100 years:
- Humanity inside the Walls believes Titans wiped out civilization
- Technology stagnates
- The government hides the truth
People live in fear, unaware that:
- Titans originated from humans
- The outside world still exists
This artificial peace is fragile—and temporary.
The Fall of Wall Maria and the Beginning of the Present Timeline
In the year 845:
- The Colossal Titan breaches Wall Maria
- Shiganshina falls
- Eren Yeager witnesses his mother’s death
This moment ignites the central narrative and motivates Eren’s obsession with freedom.
From here, the story follows a more traditional timeline—until secrets begin to unravel.
The Discovery of Titan Shifters and Hidden Truths
As the story progresses:
- Titan shifters are revealed
- The military uncovers government lies
- The true nature of the Walls is exposed
Each revelation pushes the timeline closer to its historical roots, preparing the audience for the biggest turning point.
The Basement Revelation and the Shift in Perspective
Inside Eren’s basement lies the truth:
- The outside world exists
- Marley oppresses Eldians
- Titans are tools of war
This moment redefines the timeline, turning a survival story into a global political conflict.
The Marley Arc and the Global Timeline
The story expands beyond Paradis Island:
- Marley is shown from a civilian perspective
- Warrior candidates are introduced
- Eldians are revealed as victims and perpetrators
The timeline now operates on a global scale, with multiple nations moving toward inevitable conflict.
Future Memories and Time Paradoxes Explained
Eren gains access to future memories through the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan.
This creates a causal loop:
- Future Eren influences past events
- Past decisions lead to the same future
Key question:
Did Eren change the future—or was it always destined to happen?
The story leans toward determinism, where free will exists, but only within a fixed outcome.
The Rumbling and the Final Timeline
The final phase of the timeline begins with The Rumbling:
- Wall Titans are released
- The world faces extinction
- Former allies become enemies
Every event converges here—past, present, and future collapsing into a single outcome.
Attack on Titan Timeline in Simple Order (Quick Recap)
- Ymir Fritz gains Titan powers
- Eldian Empire dominates the world
- Great Titan War begins
- King Fritz creates the Walls
- Memory erasure on Paradis
- Fall of Wall Maria
- Titan shifters revealed
- Basement truth uncovered
- Marley conflict escalates
- Eren accesses future memories
- The Rumbling begins
- Final confrontation and ending
FAQ: Attack on Titan Timeline Explained
Is the Attack on Titan timeline linear?
No. The story uses non-linear storytelling through memories and future visions.
Did Eren change the past?
No. The series implies a closed causal loop where events were always meant to happen.
What are Paths?
Paths are a metaphysical dimension connecting all Subjects of Ymir beyond time and space.
When does the Rumbling happen?
The Rumbling occurs at the very end of the timeline, after global tensions peak.
Is Attack on Titan a time loop?
Yes, but not a repeating loop, more a fixed cycle of cause and effect.
Final Thoughts: Why the Timeline Matters
The Attack on Titan timeline isn’t complex for shock value. It exists to reinforce the story’s central themes:
- Freedom vs destiny
- The weight of history
- The cost of inherited hatred
By understanding the timeline, Attack on Titan transforms from a dark action anime into a tragic, philosophical examination of humanity itself.
Also read: Attack on Titan Story Explained: Complete Guide to the Anime
