To You, in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1

To You Two Thousand Years Later is the first episode and the beginning of the Attack on Titan anime adaption. It, along with the rest of the series, is produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G. The episode introduces the Attack on Titan world and tells the viewer of how humanity needed a grim reminder of the fact they lived in fear of titans.

Summary
The story opens with the Scouting Legion finding a dangerous target heading towards the city. Closing in, they break into five groups and start using their 3D Maneuver Gear. Just as they are about to attack, what appeared to be a dream sequence ends. As his eyes open, we are introduced to Eren Jaeger, who is crying for an unknown reason, and Mikasa Ackerman, two of the central characters of the manga.

Walking through the Shiganshina District city, Eren and Mikasa encounter Hannes and a couple of soldiers guarding the gates while also lounging and drinking on the job. Eren, voicing his concerns that the soldiers won't be ready in the event of an emergency, is reassured that the Walls are 50 meters high (taller than any known Titan at this point in the manga) and there hasn't been an incident in the past 100 years. After speaking his mind on the situation, Eren and Mikasa continue on their way. Just as Mikasa starts to discourage Eren from joining the Scouting Legion in the future, bells begin to ring, signalling their return from a mission.

Their parade through town leaves Eren commenting on how so few have returned. Soon after, a mother starts to look for her son among the survivors only to find that his arm was all that was recovered. Trying to rationalize the sacrifice, she asks if his death contributed to humanity, even if in a small way. Sadly, the commanding officer says that their expedition accomplished nothing. As bystanders start to give their opinions about the deaths and the waste of tax money, Eren retaliates by throwing a stone at one of the complaining citizens. Mikasa quickly drags him away from the crowd and throws him into a nearby woodpile. Continuing the conversation she started earlier, she asks Eren if he still wants to join the Scouting Legion. After a brief pause, Eren asks Mikasa to help him pick up the scattered wood.

Now at home, we are introduced to Eren's family; his father Dr. Jaeger and his mother Carla. Not long after their return, Dr. Jaeger announces that he has to go to town for a couple of examinations. Against Erens wishes, Mikasa tells the family about his plans to join the Scouting Legion, leading to a sharp objection from his mother. With his father asking why he wants to go outside, Eren tells them he wants to know whats going on and to pick up where others left off so their sacrifice wouldn't be in vain. At this, Dr. Jaeger says he must go. Eren's mother asks him to talk some sense into him, to which he replies, "When some body's on a quest, there's no such thing as talking them down". He then tells Eren that he will finally show him the room in the basement which he has kept secret when he returns. With Dr. Jaeger gone, Eren's mother insists that he must not join the Scouting Legion and that only a fool would do so. Eren replies that to buy your safety at the cost of living like cattle is even more foolish. With this, she asks Mikasa to watch out for him.

Now we are introduced to Armin Arlelt, who is being bullied by a group of boys. The more Armin uses reason, the angrier the boys get. Finally, Eren shows up which seems to get their attention off of Armin, until they catch sight of Mikasa which causes a full retreat. As they sit by a stream, Armin gives the reason for his assault, saying that humans would eventually need to leave the city. The three then begin to talk about the social stigma of even mentioning leaving the city and its reasons. The conversation then circle back to Eren asking Mikasa why she told his parents about the Scouting Legion. Armin voices his concerns as well, but also his curiosity. As soon as the words leave his mouth, the ground starts to shake leaving the three worried about what has happened. Running out of an alley, Armin is the first to see it...the Colossal Titan attacking the city's wall.

However, Eren, noticing the damage to the residential areas, begins to worry about his mother and heads back home with Mikasa following. Despite seeing the widespread damage, Eren hopes for the best.

Turning the corner, he sees that a boulder has landed on his house with his mother still inside. Finding her pinned under some rubble, he and Mikasa try to pull her out. A roar from a nearby titan adds more stress to the situation. Eren's mother insists that Eren take Mikasa and run. Eren still struggling with debris, objects and continues his efforts. His mother then tells him that her legs are crushed, even if he manages to get her free, she won't be able to run and to listen to her last request. The exchange is cut short when a titan is seen moving closer to their position. After more pleading from his mother and the titan bearing down on them, Hannes attempts to intervene by going after the titan. Eren's mother stops him and begs him to take the children and run instead. At first, Hanneth refuses, saying that he must repay his "savior" by rescuing his family. He tries to rationalize what the right course of action is. Should he definitely save the children and leave Carla? Or, face the the titan with the slim chance of saving all of them? Whether through fear of the titan, who is now right in front of him or deciding on the sure thing, he chooses to save the children. With Carla grateful and Eren protesting, Hanneth leaves. The titan now directly over top of her, Carla momentarily questions her decision. In full view of Eren and Mikasa, the titan devours her. In shock, Eren attacks Hanneth who then throws Eren to the ground. He insists with a little time, his mother could have been saved. Hanneth delivers the hard truth that Eren just wasn't strong enough to save her, then admits that even he didn't have the courage to face the titan and asks for forgiveness.

Next, we see Eren and Mikasa in a large crowd of refugees trying to get to safety. Military officials are debating whether they should close the gate and leave people outside or leave them open for the refugees while the titans are closing in. The debate is short-lived as an Armoured Titan that seems impervious to their weapons crashes through Wall Maria. The gravity of the situation dawns on Eren when he realizes he can never go home again. Seeing the weakness of humanity, he vows to erase the titans from this world.