While the other Survey Corps warriors were having the difficult conversation about possibly taking Eren down, Mikasa stubbornly insisted the Attack/Founding/War Hammer Titan could still be talked around. Since the marginally more troublesome Jaeger brother went rogue in Attack on Titan season 4, Mikasa Ackerman has staunchly stood by her oldest friend. Losing the scarf may also mark a grave shift in Mikasa's intentions for Eren. Even if he was lying to protect her, Mikasa has been devastated by Eren's tirade, and leaving behind his scarf proves - regardless what reasons he might've had - that their bond of trust has been forever dented. On the other, she can't conceive a possible end that would justify his ruthless means. Instead, Mikasa asks, " If Eren's hiding his intentions, why did he push us away? Why would Eren say that he hates me?" On one hand, Mikasa is entertaining the horrible possibility that Eren was being truthful. With Armin (whose judgement is more reliable than the Japanese bullet train) casting doubt upon the fidelity of Eren's verbal assault, Attack on Titan fans might've anticipated Mikasa would cling desperately to Armin's explanation as an excuse to keep faith in her beloved Eren. But Armin assures Mikasa that Eren must've been keeping his two best friends safe by pushing them away through insults and lies about Ackerman biology. Naturally, Mikasa was devastated by her one true love's stinging words - as anyone in her position would be. The clearest message behind Attack on Titan season 4's scarfgate is that Eren's harsh words have irreparably damaged his relationship with Mikasa. Related: Attack On Titan Justifies Levi Reviving Armin Over Erwin Why does she leave the scarf behind? And what does this single action reveal about her future with (or, indeed, without) Eren Jaeger? Mikasa abandons Eren's scarf in very deliberate, considered fashion, and even fellow soldiers are surprised the item has been ejected from Mikasa's Attack on Titan wardrobe. Mikasa has reached a point of distinguishing the memory of compassionate Eren from the monster he's become – so no, she doesn't have a kind goodbye for the girl who represented her alternate self.By the time Attack on Titan season 4, part 2 begins, Mikasa has already removed the scarf, carrying it in her hand, unsure where the item belongs after Eren's stunning revelation. She finally decides in episode 77 ("Sneak Attack"), leaving the scarf neatly folded in a supply room before heading out to battle with her neck uncharacteristically bare. Mikasa shows in that moment that she's not a programmed machine, but a woman choosing her own fate. So back to the final scene between Mikasa and Louise: Louise's misguided following of Eren leads to her doom, but by holding onto the scarf (even after Eren told her to trash it), Louise gives Mikasa an opportunity to symbolically reclaim her own agency, and prove she is not Louise. Louise valued Eren's strength and brutality in killing Mikasa's attackers when she was a child however, Mikasa values that moment (and the scarf) as a symbol of Eren's compassion, reassuring her that he would protect her. Lousie's blind adoration of Mikasa led her to also align with Eren and the Jaegerists – but for misguided reasoning. Louise was a young girl inspired by Mikasa's strength as a warrior, which led her to adopt a "might is right" view of life, where the ends justify the means. Louise is a character that Attack On Titan introduced for one clear purpose: serving as a counterpart/foil to Mikasa – the sort of programmed follower that Eren accused Mikasa of being.
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