Attack on Titan: Did Eren Yeager Truly Control All Titans?

The Founding Titan Power

The Key to Titan Control

The world of Attack on Titan is a brutal and unforgiving landscape, a realm where humanity teeters on the brink of annihilation against the colossal threat of Titans. From the moment Eren Yeager first witnessed the fall of his home, his life was irrevocably intertwined with the very monsters that terrorized mankind. As the series progressed, Eren’s journey shifted from a desperate fight for survival to a complex struggle for freedom, a journey that saw him grapple with immense power, moral ambiguity, and the very nature of control. But was Eren truly in command? Was he able to orchestrate the movements of every Titan, wielding their power to his will? This article delves into the depths of Eren’s abilities, exploring the intricacies of Titan control and the ultimate consequences of his actions.

The Significance of the Founding Titan

The foundations of the Attack on Titan story are built upon the existence of the Titans, grotesque humanoid beings with an insatiable hunger for human flesh. These Titans, once humans themselves, are the primary antagonists, their existence shrouded in mystery and dread. However, within this world exists a power even more formidable than the Titans themselves: the Founding Titan. This unique Titan possesses an array of extraordinary abilities, most notably the power to control other Titans. It can manipulate their movements, erase their memories, and even alter their bodies. The Founding Titan is the key to both humanity’s survival and its potential destruction.

Eren’s Titan Abilities and the Founding Titan

Acquiring the Founding Titan

Eren’s destiny was forever altered when he inherited the power of the Attack Titan. However, the Attack Titan alone was not enough. To truly understand and wield the power necessary to achieve his goals, Eren needed access to the Founding Titan. The path to acquiring the Founding Titan was a long and arduous one, marked by loss, betrayal, and relentless conflict. It was through his connection with the Reiss family and their royal bloodline that Eren finally gained the power he sought. This act unlocked the full potential of the Founding Titan, giving him the ability to command the Titans with unprecedented force.

Struggling with the First King’s Ideology

From the moment Eren acquired the Founding Titan, he faced a significant challenge: he had to overcome the influence of the First King, the embodiment of pacifism and isolationism that resided within the Founding Titan’s power. The First King’s ideology threatened to bind Eren, preventing him from taking the actions he deemed necessary for the survival of his people. Eren’s struggle against this influence would define his journey and shape the ultimate fate of the world.

Eren’s Methods of Titan Control

Coordinate and the Path

The key to Eren’s Titan control lay in the power of the Paths, a mysterious dimension where all Titan consciousness resides. It is here, in this ethereal realm, that Eren could communicate with and command Titans across space and time. The Paths served as the nexus of Titan control, a bridge connecting Eren’s will to the minds and bodies of countless Titans.

Royal Bloodline and the Reiss Family

Furthermore, the manipulation of royal blood played a crucial role. Royal blood was the key to unlocking the Founding Titan’s full potential and bypassing the First King’s influence. Without the proper connection to royal blood, Eren’s control would remain limited, unable to fully realize his ambitions.

Founding Titan’s Army

Once in control of the Founding Titan, Eren began to weave a web of manipulation, a terrifying symphony of destruction designed to achieve what he believed was the ultimate freedom for his people. He used the powers to marshal pure Titans, the mindless giants, and turn them into weapons of war. The most devastating expression of this control was the Rumbling, the awakening and deployment of a colossal army of Colossal Titans. This cataclysmic event served as the ultimate display of Eren’s power and a testament to the devastating consequences of his actions.

The Extent of Eren’s Control

Control Over Pure Titans

But how extensive was Eren’s reign over the Titans? His command over pure Titans was undeniably effective. He orchestrated their transformation, directed their movements, and used them as a tool of destruction. He molded the pure Titans into weapons designed to decimate his enemies. The Rumbling itself demonstrates his overwhelming control; the sheer scale of this operation is a testament to Eren’s power to mobilize the colossal forces.

Control Over Shifter Titans

However, whether he had complete authority over all Shifter Titans, those who possessed the ability to transform into intelligent Titans, remains an open question. While he may have been able to influence or manipulate them to some extent, the degree of his direct control is less certain. The complex nature of the Shifter Titans and their individual wills and personalities would have made it difficult for Eren to exert complete control.

The Rumbling

The Rumbling stands as the ultimate act of Eren’s power and the most devastating expression of his control. The awakening of countless Colossal Titans within the walls and their march towards the outside world unleashed a wave of destruction. It was a gamble, a plan with devastating repercussions. The Rumbling aimed to obliterate the world beyond Paradis Island and usher in a new era.

Limitations and Boundaries of Control

However, even in the face of such overwhelming power, there were limitations to Eren’s control. His will was subject to external influences, his actions shaped by the memories he inherited and the influence of his friends. Despite his best efforts, the outcome was not entirely predetermined. The plan had the potential to fail.

Consequences of Eren’s Control and the Conclusion

The Impact on the World

The consequences of Eren’s actions reverberated throughout the world, impacting not only the people of Paradis Island but also the entire global population. The Rumbling unleashed a wave of death and destruction, forever changing the course of history. Eren’s decision sparked conflict, as some rallied to his side while others fought to stop him.

Eren’s Motives and Moral Ambiguity

Beneath the surface of Eren’s actions lies a complex web of motivation and moral ambiguity. His desire to protect his friends and secure the freedom of his people drove him to make difficult choices. The ethical implications of his actions are open for interpretation, leading to a heated debate. His willingness to commit such a large act of destruction to reach his goals makes him a deeply unsettling figure.

Analysis of “Control”

So, what exactly does “control” mean in the context of Attack on Titan? It encompasses the ability to manipulate the Titans’ movements, erase memories, and even alter bodies. Yet, it also includes the responsibility for the consequences of such actions. Eren’s control was the source of both immense power and terrible destruction.

Conclusion

The question of whether Eren truly controlled all Titans is complex. He had the ability to manipulate pure Titans and unleash the Rumbling, but his control over Shifter Titans was less clear. While he could influence some of their actions, his overall control did not appear to be complete. The full extent of his control remains a subject of debate.

In conclusion, Eren Yeager’s journey to Titan control was a testament to the series’ complexities and a defining element of the show. He wasn’t simply a man wielding a monstrous power; he was a conflicted figure grappling with the weight of freedom and the burden of responsibility. From his initial struggles to gain power to the devastating consequences of the Rumbling, Eren’s actions had a profound impact on the world. Ultimately, Eren’s influence was undeniable, but his grasp on the Titans, particularly those of greater intellect and will, may have been more nuanced. He was a conductor of destruction, but not necessarily a puppet master with complete and utter control. The story of Eren’s journey to control, like the world of Attack on Titan itself, is a story filled with both power and uncertainty.