When Annie Leonhart encased herself in a crystalline cocoon at the end of the first season of Attack on Titan, it seemed like a temporary measure — dramatic but logical in the context of a lost battle. However, four years passed, and she remained trapped in the crystal. No signs of life, no explanations from Isayama — and yet, when Eren activated the Rumbling, the cocoon suddenly cracked, and Annie emerged… as if nothing had happened.
Fans still wonder: how could she possibly survive in a sealed crystal without food, water, or air? Unfortunately, Isayama never directly explained this. There are theories that Annie was in a state of suspended animation, her functions slowed, with her Titan regeneration keeping her body intact. But these are just guesses — neither the manga nor the anime provide a clear answer.
The most plausible explanation involves "stasis," similar to hibernation: Annie's body seemed to "freeze" through her will and the power of the Titan. Psychology could also play a role — Annie might have locked herself away, escaping pain and fear, clinging to the image of her father. But all of this is speculative, a crutch that doesn't resolve the main issue: one of the key details of the series remains unexplained.
For a world with such an intricate mythology, this is arguably one of the sloppiest plot holes. Even amidst far more fantastical events in Attack on Titan, Annie's mystery remains a narrative cheat that lacked sufficient explanation.
