Marley's invasion of Paradis has failed, and the Rumbling has begun. Amid the chaos and carnage of the battle, a new Titan Shifter has emerged. After Falco was transformed into a Pure Titan by Zeke, Porco nobly sacrificed himself to save the young boy. Now the Jaw Titan has been passed down to Falco. Like many other shocking events in Attack on Titan, Falco becoming the new Jaw Titan has been foreshadowed since the very beginning of Season 4.
It's not surprising that Falco would become a Titan Shifter. He was a part of the Warrior program and was determined to become a Titan Shifter so Gabi would be spared that fate. Few people expected that it would be Porco to give up his life since Reiner had been much more protective of the boy. Despite Reiner appearing to be the clear choice, the connection between Porco and Falco has been hinted at for a long time now.
Falco Was Foreshadowed to be the Next Jaw Titan
The first time that Porco is introduced is when he saves Gabi and Falco from enemy troops. Porco uses his Jaw Titan to shield the two children from gunfire then rushes off to fight the troops. From the beginning, Porco has shown a willingness to protect Falco even when he doesn't have to. During that scene, Falco stares in amazement at the power of the Jaw Titan.
Later on, in the season, Reiner is watching Falco and Gabi talk to their friends. He suddenly has a flashback where he envisions his friends from the Warrior program in their place. Reiner sees a younger Porco in Falco's place. A strong connection has been continuously drawn between the two characters. In hindsight, it was obvious that Falco would succeed Porco as the next Jaw Titan.
Falco and Porco Parallel Each Other
Besides the imagery and visual connections between Falco and Porco, their characterization is another connection. Both Titan Shifters have a similar background and driving motivation. Although Reiner is the one who repeatedly swears to protect Falco even at the cost of his life, the young boy has far more in common with Porco. The parallels between them strengthen their connection.
Both Falco and Porco are boys in the Warrior program who have an older brother in the program as well. Falco's brother Colt is supposed to inherit the Beast Titan after Zeke, and Porco's brother Marcel was the Jaw Titan before Ymir. Both of their older brothers were desperate to prevent them from becoming Titan Shifters. Colt didn't want Falco to surpass Gabi in training so that she would be chosen as the next Titan Shifter instead of him. Marcel tricked the military into making Reiner the next Titan Shifter so that Porco would be spared. In the end, both brothers demonstrated that they were willing to do anything to protect their younger siblings.
Both Porco and Falco were originally supposed to be the next Armored Titan. Porco was next in line to inherit the Armored Titan before Marcel made Reiner take his place. Reiner only has a little bit of time left before his 13-year time limit is up. Gabi originally wanted to be chosen as his replacement, but Falco was working hard to surpass her.
What Will Falco Do With Porco's Sacrifice?
All of the hints and foreshadowing surrounding Falco becoming the Jaw Titan have finally come to fruition. Porco has given Falco another chance at life while also giving him the power of the Jaw Titan. Falco has always wanted the power of a Titan so that he could protect Gabi, and now he possesses it. How will Falco use the power of the Jaw Titan, and will his addition be enough to stop the Rumbling?
