A key scene in the Stranger Things Season 5 finale has viewers talking, but not just about the fate of Hawkins. Almost immediately after the final episode premiered on January 1, 2026, fans of the hit Netflix series began pointing out what they see as clear and specific parallels between its climax and the ending of the iconic anime Attack on Titan. Social media, particularly Reddit, has become the main stage for this discussion, with users dissecting frame-by-frame similarities in the action and deeper story beats.
The comparison centers on the visually striking moment where Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven takes the fight directly to the source of the Upside Down’s power. This has led to a widespread online debate: is this a case of shared storytelling ideas, a subtle homage, or something more?
The Scene Fans Can’t Stop Comparing
The heart of the fan theory lies in the choreography of the two battles. In the Stranger Things finale, Eleven launches herself through the air, using her powers to tear a massive hole in the body of the monstrous Mind Flayer. Her goal is to reach Vecna, who is hiding and controlling the entity from within.
Fans were quick to link this to a pivotal scene in Attack on Titan. In the anime’s conclusion, the warrior Mikasa Ackerman flies into the gaping mouth of Eren Yeager’s colossal Founding Titan. Her mission is similar: to reach Eren’s vulnerable human form, which is located inside the giant creature, in order to stop him. The visual echo of a hero violently entering a gigantic being to confront the core villain inside is the spark that ignited the online conversation.
“Anyone who has seen Attack on Titan, did you notice these parallels to ST finale?” asked one fan on Reddit, sharing a side-by-side collage of the scenes.
More Than Just Visuals: Story and Character Parallels
For many viewers, the similarities go beyond just the action sequence. Some Reddit users have drawn connections between the central characters and their moral journeys.
A common thread discusses the nature of the main antagonists, Vecna and Eren Yeager. One fan noted that both characters were presented with chances for redemption but ultimately chose to continue with their catastrophic plans. However, they also highlighted a key difference: Eren is often viewed as an anti-villain whose world-ending “Rumbling” was a twisted plan to secure his friends’ safety and future. In contrast, Vecna’s motives are portrayed as more purely aligned with serving the Mind Flayer and the destruction of the human world.
Others have pointed out parallels in the emotional aftermath of both stories. A Redditor observed that both endings feature a “happyish” conclusion for most characters, but leave the central female character—Mikasa in AoT and Eleven in Stranger Things—profoundly changed and grieving. The fan even noted the similarity in the names “Mike/Mikasa” and “Eleven/Eren,” adding to the sense of connection for some viewers.
Fan Reactions: Homage, Coincidence, or Copy?
The online reaction to these parallels has been mixed. On platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), the discovery has sparked a range of responses.
Some fans view the similarity as a flattering nod or an unconscious use of a powerful narrative trope. Others are more critical. One user on X commented, “Stranger Things lowkenuinely tried to rip-off AoT’s ending and failed miserably”. Another Instagram user took a sharper tone, writing, “Every masterpiece has its cheap copy”. This division shows how passionate fan bases can be about the originality of stories they love.
It is crucial to note that the Duffer Brothers, the creators of Stranger Things, have not confirmed any direct inspiration from Attack on Titan. The discussion remains firmly in the realm of fan observation and theory. Many Reddit users analyzing the scenes are not accusing the show of plagiarism but are instead interested in the “shared DNA” of large-scale fantasy storytelling.
“It’s clear that Isayama had his story all written out from the beginning where the Duffers were writing as they went,” one Redditor commented, focusing on the differences in long-term story planning between the two series.
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The Legacy of Attack on Titan
The reason this comparison gained such immediate traction is due to the monumental impact Attack on Titan has had on global pop culture. Since its anime adaptation debuted in 2013, it has risen to become one of the most influential and discussed series of its time. Its complex themes, brutal realism, and epic scale redefined what anime could be for a worldwide audience, building a massive and dedicated fanbase that closely analyzes its every detail.
This deep familiarity with Attack on Titan’s story beats means that when a major western series like Stranger Things features a climactic moment that feels reminiscent, its fans are often the first to notice and dissect the potential connection. The finale of Stranger Things has left several story elements open to interpretation, which has further fueled fan debates and analyses across social media.
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