Eren Yeager began Attack on Titan as the embodiment of a driven protagonist, fueled by a fiery resolve to obliterate the Titans and avenge his devastating losses. His passionate entry into the Survey Corps signaled a heroic journey, yet his narrative took a shocking detour, spiraling into anti-heroism and ultimately, villainy. By the manga’s conclusion, Eren had morphed into Attack on Titan‘s formidable antagonist.
His ultimate decision plunged humanity into chaos, compelling his closest allies to confront him. Despite their initial reluctance, figures like Mikasa and Armin were forced to oppose Eren, especially after he initiated the Rumbling, an apocalyptic event that decimated a vast portion of the global population. While this transformation may seem abrupt, the seeds of Eren’s dark trajectory were subtly sown throughout his journey, hinting at his eventual fall from grace.
1. A Predisposition for Recklessness and Violence from a Young Age
Early Violent Tendencies Were a Stark Warning Sign
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Eren’s inherent recklessness and disregard for those around him were evident early on, serving as a significant red flag. His impulsive nature frequently propelled him headfirst into perilous situations, a trait often associated with Shonen protagonists, but taken to an extreme. Even Erwin’s strategy to engage the Female Titan within Stohess District, fraught with potential collateral damage, didn’t deter Eren, highlighting his narrow focus.
A flashback to Eren and Mikasa’s childhood reveals a disturbing incident where Eren eliminates Mikasa’s kidnappers, urging her to embrace violence as well. Although motivated by defense, Eren’s readiness to resort to brutality at such a tender age is unsettling. Looking back, this incident foreshadows his descent into becoming a violent antagonist in the latter stages of Attack on Titan.
2. The Ominous Declaration: “I’ll Destroy the Entire World!”
Future Memory Inheritance Could Be the Cause
In Attack on Titan‘s inaugural season, Eren’s Titan transformation led to a berserk state, marked by a chilling pronouncement. Following his victory over Annie in Stohess, Eren relentlessly assaulted her unconscious form, displaying excessive force. Despite pleas from his comrades to cease his attack, Eren remained consumed by a surge of power and adrenaline, reveling in the violence.
It was during this intense moment that Eren exclaimed, “I’ll destroy the entire world!” Some fans speculate that this outburst was an early manifestation of Future Memory Inheritance, a power acquired from the Attack Titan. This interpretation suggests Eren was already subconsciously aware of his future role in triggering the apocalypse, casting this event as a significant foreshadowing of his dark path.
3. Fueled by Hatred for Titans After His Mother’s Tragic Demise
The Ironic Twist: Eren’s Indirect Role in Carla’s Death
The invasion of Shiganshina by the Colossal Titan unleashed a wave of Titans within the walls, resulting in widespread carnage and numerous casualties, including Eren’s mother, Carla Yeager. Despite Eren and Mikasa’s desperate attempts to save her, Carla insisted on their escape, sacrificing herself. Hannes intervened, forcibly removing the children from the scene, but Eren’s last glimpse was of his mother being devoured by the Smiling Titan.
This horrific event initially ignited Eren’s resolve to join the Survey Corps and become a hero. However, this initial motivation ironically paved the way for his eventual descent into darkness. The revelation of his Titan Shifter abilities fundamentally altered his perspective. Upon learning that most mindless Titans were once humans, Eren’s worldview became increasingly complex. Disturbingly, the manga’s conclusion revealed Eren’s indirect responsibility for Carla’s death, adding a layer of tragic irony to his motivations.
4. A Shifted Perspective After Becoming a Titan Shifter
The Profound Impact of Titan Shifters’ Existence
Initially, Attack on Titan presented Titans as the singular antagonists. The inhabitants of Paradis Island had endured decades of terror, leading the Eldians to believe they were the last vestiges of humanity, besieged by monstrous creatures. However, the introduction of Titan Shifters complicated this simplistic narrative. Eren’s transformation into a Titan Shifter irrevocably changed his understanding of the world.
Although Eren inherited the potent Founding and Attack Titans from his father, Grisha, he was initially unaware that this power transfer occurred through consuming his father. After his time in the Cadet Corps, Eren began to grasp the true extent of his Titan abilities. Initially employed to aid the Survey Corps, these powers were later channeled towards destructive ends after the time skip. It’s plausible that Eren might not have embraced violence had he not become a Titan, highlighting the transformative and corrupting influence of this power.
5. Hardened by the Relentless Deaths of Comrades
Cumulative Loss Contributing to the Rumbling’s Genesis
Witnessing his mother’s gruesome death was a deeply scarring event, but the continuous loss of allies in battle significantly contributed to Eren’s descent. The Titan invasion of Trost claimed the lives of several of his comrades, including Marco Bott, Thomas Wagner, and Mina Carolina. Later, joining Levi’s squad, Eren carried the weight of guilt after his entire squad perished in the confrontation with the Female Titan.
Each fallen friend chipped away at Eren’s psyche, deepening his cynicism and hardening his worldview. The main characters and the audience alike were taken aback by Eren’s unsettling laughter upon hearing Sasha’s dying words, a stark indicator of his emotional detachment. The cumulative effect of these losses desensitized him to the brutality of the world and fueled the emotional and psychological turmoil that ultimately propelled him towards initiating the Rumbling.
6. The Sting of Betrayal: Friends Revealed as Enemies
The Deep Wounds Inflicted by Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie
While Eren endured the loss of many comrades in combat, the betrayal by Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie struck a particularly deep chord. The revelation that Annie was the Female Titan, uncovered by Armin, led to a plan for her capture. Simultaneously, Reiner and Bertholdt were exposed as the Armored and Colossal Titans responsible for breaching Wall Maria and the devastation of Shiganshina.
Despite not being intimate friends, they had shared rigorous training and forged a sense of camaraderie unique to their shared experiences. Reiner’s audacious request for Eren to abandon his actual comrades further amplified the sense of betrayal. Eren’s shock and profound hurt at their true identities are understandable, solidifying his growing disillusionment and eroding his faith in the world and those around him.
7. The Earth-Shattering Truth of the World Beyond the Walls
Erosion of His Moral Compass and Direction
Eren’s relentless pursuit was always to uncover the secrets hidden within his childhood home’s basement. Following the second battle for Shiganshina, he, along with select Survey Corps members, finally reached the basement. Using his father’s key, he unlocked a truth far more devastating than he could have imagined. Instead of answers about Titans, he discovered that humanity beyond the walls harbored deep resentment towards Eldians, holding them accountable for the ancient transgressions of King Fritz.
The global community sought the eradication of Eldians as retribution for their ancestors’ actions. This revelation was devastating for Eren, as the Eldian people were his family and friends, those he had sworn to protect. Learning of his nation’s global pariah status for historical crimes severely impacted Eren’s moral compass, causing it to waver and lose its steadfast direction.
8. A Terrifying Glimpse into a Predetermined Future
The Inescapable Chains of Destiny
Due to Historia’s royal lineage and Eren’s possession of the Founding Titan, physical contact, specifically kissing her hand, triggered a vision of the future. What Eren witnessed horrified him – the monstrous entity he was destined to become in the coming years. He understood, with chilling certainty, that he was powerless to alter this bleak future. This grim premonition was a pivotal factor in Eren’s tragic downfall. The future self he witnessed was repugnant to him, yet his attempts to avert this destiny proved futile.
The unyielding nature of fate dictated that Eren’s narrative arc would culminate in him becoming the world’s ultimate enemy. This knowledge, coupled with his inability to deviate from this course, became Eren’s profound regret. It was this sense of inevitability that he conveyed to his friends through the Founding Titan, explaining his conviction that triggering a global apocalypse was the only viable path to securing freedom for the Eldians.
9. Manipulation and Deception of Zeke
A Brother’s Trust Exploited
When Eren ventured to Marley independently, he secretly connected with Zeke. Eren feigned brotherly affection and agreement to deceive Zeke, whose plan was Eldian Euthanasia – preventing future Eldian births. While this approach might have served global interests, Eren’s primary focus remained the salvation of Paradis. He strategically pretended to align with Zeke’s objective, successfully manipulating his brother.
This deception enabled Eren to initiate the Rumbling once they reached the Coordinate. Had Zeke been more wary of Eren’s true intentions, he might have realized his goals, and Eren might not have been able to unleash the Rumbling, which resulted in the death of 80% of the global population. Tragically for Zeke, he was forced to witness the apocalyptic consequences of his misjudgment, ultimately meeting his demise at the hands of Levi Ackerman.
10. The Corrupting Influence of the Yeagerists
Floch Forster: A Catalyst for Villainy
Initially, the arrival of Anti-Marleyan volunteers in Paradis sparked widespread skepticism. Authorities initially restricted Eren’s access to them. However, a clandestine meeting between Eren and Yelena facilitated Eren’s connection with Zeke. Subsequently, Eren and Floch covertly collaborated to establish the Yeagerists, aiming to overthrow the Paradis government and enact their radical plan.
Unintentionally, the Anti-Marleyan volunteers played a role in enabling Eren’s descent into villainy. He severed ties with the Survey Corps, becoming resolutely committed to global destruction. Ultimately, the responsibility for the Rumbling rests squarely on Eren and the Yeagerists, whose deliberate extremism directly precipitated the apocalypse. The lingering influence of the Yeagerists would continue to shape Paradis politics in the aftermath of these cataclysmic events.
