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As an anime only fan of Attack on Titan, in this thread I’m going to be explaining my perspective and interpretation of Eren’s character writing in season 4 and what message Isayama sensei is conveying. I hope this thread can help some people understand him better. #AttackOnTitan
In this thread I’m going to be focusing on morals and how Isayama sensei is portraying them through Eren’s character since Eren is getting a lot of hate in my opinion.
I have seen many anime only fans disliking the fact that Eren started this war and having such an opinion is completely fine. Whether they be reactors on YouTube, or just casual fans on twitter. The problem, however, is when you don’t understand the writing. +
Eren Yeager’s character’s core is freedom. Since the very first episode, he wanted to fight for freedom and has saved humanity many times due to his one track mind of not wanting to stop fighting for freedom. However, things have changed since he crossed the sea. +
After crossing the sea, sleeping on the same land as the “enemy”, eating the same food as the “enemy” has made him realize that there are good and bad people everywhere. Within the walls or outside the walls. Hence, the reason he sympathized with Reiner. +
But why did Eren start a war like this? Why do so many innocents have to die? What did they do to deserve death? The answer is quite simple. They don’t deserve death.
But then... why did Eren kill them? +
But then... why did Eren kill them? +
Let’s ask ourselves. What does Eren possess? The Founding and Attack Titan. Why did countless people in Paradis, in the survey corps... die? What did they sacrifice themselves for? The founding Titan and for survival. Where there sacrifices meaningless? +
Absolutely not. Their sacrifices are the reason humanity within Paradis is alive. Their sacrifices are the reason Eren didn’t wanna give up on their dreams. Their sacrifices are the reason Eren has come this far. He can’t sit back and give his life away. They all didn’t die +
For that. They all gave up on their dreams for his sake and for survival. After all that, a nation which caused them so much damage, isn’t going to negotiate. Most people have been indoctrinated and Willy painted Eren as the real enemy of humanity to save their own skin. +
Think about it from this perspective.
Eren isn’t going to give himself away to a nation and it’s people who are nationalists. There is no guarantee that if he gives himself away, his people will survive. Him and his people are seen as devils by the whole world. +
Eren isn’t going to give himself away to a nation and it’s people who are nationalists. There is no guarantee that if he gives himself away, his people will survive. Him and his people are seen as devils by the whole world. +
Everyone isn’t gonna be like “oh, you gave us the founding Titan? Ok, we will stop being racist towards you and , treat you equally and give you freedom”. That’s very wishful and immature thinking. I’m glad Eren looks at reality from a more mature look. +
The world isn’t black and white. In our world, we have countries and people always fighting for rights and freedom. Injustice and hatred are 2 things which will never disappear no matter the era. I don’t wanna mention any countries but you surely already know.
In my opinion, Isayama is portraying these realistic issues in the show but with no answers. At least not for now. Eren isn’t the generic main character who will bring stability, peace and freedom for EVERYONE. That in itself is unrealistic. So, Eren Yeager chose to fight. +
Because if he doesn’t fight, him and his people are gonna die. Eren doesn’t need to pay for the sins his ancestors committed. Ymir Fritz’s story and the origin of conflict will give more clarity on this but for now, what Eren is doing is justifiable. +
Do innocents have to be sacrificed for the greater good? Is such utilitarian thinking right? In the context of survival, who exactly is the minority? It is Eren and people on Paradis and they have no other choice. This dilemma was very clear to us. Or at least I hope so. +
I’ll say it again, the act of sacrificing innocents is immoral. This is why I disagree with Floch. But is it justifiable in this particular context? Yes, in my opinion it is. Eren KNOWS he is in the wrong for killing innocents. But he is justified for doing so. +
I believe this is what Isayama is conveying through Eren’s character. Sometimes, people have to be immoral for survival. An example of this would be a poor man stealing food for survival. You can blame the government, the individual or the people around him. +
But it doesn’t change the fact that this person has to take the only option available in order to survive. The world is cruel, and the people who suffer due to it’s cruelty have to sacrifice their morality. “If you can’t sacrifice anything, you can’t change anything”. -Armin +
I know this thread was pretty long but if you made it till the end, I thank you. If you disagree with anything I said, you are more than welcome to have a discussion. I love this anime and Eren from the bottom of my heart and I hope you can too if you disliked him.
