Attack on Titan: Did Eren Yeager Truly Control All Titans? A Deep Dive
The Foundation of Power: The Founding Titan and the Realm of Paths
The Abilities of the Founding Titan
The power of the titans is central to the conflict within *Attack on Titan*. These monstrous beings, seemingly unstoppable, pose a constant threat to humanity. However, behind the terror lies a complex system of powers, origins, and dependencies. The Founding Titan is the pinnacle of this power structure, the key to unlocking the ultimate control.
This Titan’s abilities are vast and far-reaching. First and foremost, the Founding Titan possesses the ability to access the memories of all Subjects of Ymir. This includes past, present, and future memories, granting the user a comprehensive understanding of their ancestry and the events that have shaped their lives. Furthermore, the Founding Titan can control Pure Titans, the mindless, monstrous beings that relentlessly pursue humans. This control extends to manipulating their size, form, and behavior, turning these destructive forces into weapons or tools. Finally, the Founding Titan has the power to create titans, essentially giving the user the power to mold and shape life itself.
Eren’s journey to acquiring the Founding Titan was fraught with trials and tribulations. The initial contact with the Titan’s powers came through his father’s actions. The full power, however, became accessible only through a specific lineage and, most importantly, through contact with someone of royal blood. This requirement was crucial, as it was the royal blood that allowed the user to fully utilize the Founding Titan’s capabilities.
The nexus of all Titan paths lies within a mysterious realm known as The Coordinate. This is a space where all Titan paths converge, allowing the Founding Titan access to the history, the past, present and future of all Titans. This space, a plane of existence, is where the very fabric of Titan power is manipulated. It’s here, in the Coordinate, that the Founding Titan’s true power is unleashed.
Early Manifestations: Eren’s Control of Pure Titans
Early Demonstrations of Command
Before Eren fully grasped the scope of his powers, he was already demonstrating a degree of control over Titans. During key battles, he exhibited the ability to command Pure Titans. This level of control was not always perfect and was often limited by the necessity of royal blood.
Early examples of this control are visible in the defense of the Survey Corps, where Eren unknowingly ordered Titans to attack other Titans. In a critical battle, he even turned Titans against the formidable Beast Titan, showing glimpses of his command capabilities. These moments were pivotal, demonstrating that Eren possessed a latent ability to influence and direct the actions of these monstrous beings.
However, limitations existed. The dependence on royal blood meant that Eren’s control was incomplete. Without contact with someone of royal lineage, his control was often sporadic or limited. This restriction played a significant role in how his power developed and shaped his ultimate actions. He often struggled with full control, but his resolve and desperation consistently allowed him to push past these constraints.
The Rumbling: A Display of Unprecedented Power
Unleashing Destruction
The Rumbling, Eren’s ultimate act, represents the culmination of his power and the most significant demonstration of his ability to manipulate Titans. This apocalyptic event involved the unleashing of countless Colossal Titans, which had been dormant within the walls of Paradis Island, to march across the globe and crush all life outside the island.
In the Rumbling, Eren’s direct command was undeniable. He stood at the forefront, a beacon of destructive power, orchestrating the actions of the Colossal Titans. He was not just commanding them; he was, in a sense, *controlling* them on a massive scale. Their relentless march was a direct consequence of his will. This act was the ultimate expression of his power.
However, the question arises: was he truly “controlling” every single Colossal Titan? This is where the complexities of Titan power come into play. The influence of Ymir Fritz, the original Titan, and the nature of the Paths system adds another layer to the question of who was truly the driving force behind the Rumbling.
The Enigmatic Role of Ymir Fritz
The First Titan and Her Influence
Ymir Fritz is the foundation of all Titan power. She was the first to gain the power of the Titans, and her story is shrouded in mystery and suffering. Her connection to the Titans and her position within the Paths system raises profound questions about the nature of control.
Eren’s interaction with Ymir is a critical piece of this puzzle. Through a complex and deeply emotional connection, he influenced her, subtly, over time. It was through his persistent desire for freedom that he convinced her to act against the world. Her actions are tied with his, through a strange bond.
The ultimate question is not just whether Eren controlled the Titans, but whether he was the puppet master, or if it was a collaboration. Ymir’s past experiences, her bondage, and her own desires shaped her actions. Eren, by aligning himself with her desires, had a great influence. So, did he control them entirely? Or was he influencing them to fulfill a destiny set in place long ago? The answer remains open to interpretation, adding more nuance to the central question.
Free Will, Destiny, and the Paradoxical Nature of Power
The Intersection of Choice and Fate
The themes of free will and destiny are integral to *Attack on Titan*’s narrative. Did Eren have the power to choose his own path, or was he bound by the future he witnessed through the Attack Titan’s abilities? The very nature of the Attack Titan is tied to looking forward, and Eren possessed this power. It is important to note his choices could have been heavily influenced by the knowledge of the future.
Did he actively make decisions, or was he simply following the path that was predetermined, by future sight? The question of whether Eren could control all titans is inseparably linked to his understanding of the future. His knowledge of the events ahead, and the limitations set in place, complicates the idea of control. It adds another layer of the paradox.
Navigating the Nuances: Counter-Arguments and Alternative Views
Debates and Interpretations
The discussion surrounding Eren’s control is rarely straightforward. Many arguments and differing perspectives exist. The debate often centers around whether Eren was truly in control, or if he was a tool of a greater force.
Some argue that Eren’s power was limited, that he was a victim of fate, or even manipulated by other forces. Others believe that he was the architect of his own destruction. The series has presented countless opportunities for open debate.
Acknowledging these different interpretations is critical. Considering the complex relationships within the story is necessary. The lack of a definitive “yes” or “no” answer is what makes the question so captivating. *Attack on Titan* thrives on exploring the gray areas, and the extent of Eren’s control is no exception.
Conclusion: The Weight of Command
The Final Assessment
So, did *Attack on Titan was Eren able to control all titans*? The answer is complex. Eren undeniably had extensive control over Titans. He could command Pure Titans, orchestrate the Rumbling, and influence the actions of colossal titans. However, the nature of his control was intertwined with Ymir’s will and the influences of predestination.
He was not simply a puppet. He was an active participant in shaping the events that unfolded. His desire for freedom, his suffering, and his profound understanding of the world around him fueled his actions. His control was a product of immense power, but not without restrictions and entanglements.
Ultimately, his legacy is one of profound complexity. He was a powerful figure, capable of unprecedented acts of destruction and influence. But the full extent of his control is a matter of interpretation, a testament to the enduring power of *Attack on Titan*’s narrative.
Further Reading and Related Topics:
Exploring the Universe of Titans
The symbolism of the Founding Titan
The themes of freedom and determinism within *Attack on Titan*
The impact of the Rumbling on the world
The ethical implications of titan power
A deep dive into the origins of the titans