Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2 places Eren Yeager at the center of the story, but Reiner Braun remains one of the most important characters driving the conflict forward. As the holder of the Armored Titan and one of Marley’s strongest Warriors, Reiner enters the season carrying years of guilt, trauma, and responsibility. His journey is no longer about defeating Paradis or capturing the Founding Titan. Instead, it becomes a struggle to stop Eren from destroying the world.
Season 4 Part 2 continues the War for Paradis arc, where Marley launches an attack on the island in a final attempt to prevent Eren and Zeke Yeager from carrying out their plans. Reiner stands at the forefront of this invasion and serves as Eren’s primary rival. However, what makes his role compelling is that he is no longer motivated by loyalty to Marley alone. His actions are increasingly driven by a desire to protect the younger generation, including Gabi Braun and Falco Grice. This shift transforms Reiner from a former antagonist into one of the series’ most complex heroes.
Reiner Leads Marley’s Counterattack on Paradis
At the beginning of Season 4 Part 2, Reiner joins the Marleyan assault on Shiganshina District. The mission’s objective is simple: stop Eren before he gains complete control of the Founding Titan’s power. Reiner personally confronts Eren in another brutal Armored Titan versus Attack Titan battle, continuing a rivalry that has defined much of the series.
Unlike earlier seasons, Reiner is no longer fighting because he believes Paradis residents are enemies. Years of warfare and personal suffering have shattered many of his old beliefs. Instead, he sees Eren as a direct threat to both Marley and the rest of humanity. This makes their conflict more tragic because both characters understand each other’s pain better than anyone else.
The battle also highlights Reiner’s persistence. Despite suffering countless injuries throughout the series and struggling with severe emotional trauma, he repeatedly puts himself in danger to protect others. His determination reflects how much he has changed since the early seasons.
Reiner’s Connection to Eren Defines the Story
One of the most important aspects of Reiner’s role in Season 4 Part 2 is his connection to Eren. Both characters were shaped by war, manipulation, and the burden of impossible expectations. They began as enemies, but the final season reveals how similar their experiences actually are.
Reiner spent years believing he was saving the world by serving Marley. Eren eventually reaches a point where he believes only extreme measures can secure freedom for Paradis. Their opposing ideologies become the emotional core of the season. Rather than representing good versus evil, they symbolize two individuals trapped by the consequences of their choices.
This dynamic gives Reiner a crucial narrative purpose. He is one of the few characters capable of understanding Eren’s mindset, making him an essential figure in the struggle to stop the Rumbling.
Reiner’s Redemption Arc Reaches Its Peak
Season 4 Part 2 also serves as a major step in Reiner’s redemption story. Throughout the series, he carries immense guilt over his role in the fall of Wall Maria and the countless deaths that followed. The burden of those actions leaves him emotionally broken long before the final battle begins.
As the Rumbling starts, Reiner faces a new challenge. Instead of fighting for Marley, he begins fighting for humanity as a whole. This change allows him to move beyond the propaganda and hatred that defined much of his life. His willingness to work alongside former enemies from Paradis demonstrates just how far he has come.
The season does not erase Reiner’s past mistakes, but it shows him actively trying to make amends. That effort is what makes his redemption arc resonate with many Attack on Titan fans.
