Summary
Hajime Isayama’sAttack On Titanis a series filled with intense battles, complex characters, and a richly developed world. Titan Shifters are central to the series narrative as they are humans capable of transforming into powerful Titans with unique abilities.
The immense power and abilities of these Titan Shifters shaped the fate of humanity in the series, and they embody both terror and hope in equal measure. However, a few stand out in the series within this elite group due to their influence in the story. InAttack On Titan, as the Titan Shifters' abilities vary greatly, so do the innate abilities that make them intriguing and impact the storyline.
The Man Who Saw Tomorrow
Accomplishments:
Eren Jaeger stands at the pinnacle of Titan Shiftersbecause he possesses multiple Titan powers. Initially, Eren’s Attack Titan showcased formidable strength and regeneration abilities. However, acquiring the Founding Titan and War Hammer Titan elevated his status immensely. While the Attack Titan and War Hammer Titan possess innumerable abilities,Eren’s Founding Titan holds the most power. The Founding Titan’s immense power to manipulate the memories of Eldians and the power to unleash the Rumbling, a catastrophic event, makes him the strongest.
Also, Eren’s most defining trait from the beginning is his unyielding determination. This relentless drive fuels his actions and decisions throughout the series. One of the most significant demonstrations of Eren’s strategic insight is his orchestration of the Rumbling. By diving into the past and future, he made the most heartbreaking decision despite the unfavorable result. Eren executes a plan that shocks the world by gaining control of the Founding Titan and using its power to unleash millions ofColossal Titans. This move showcases his power and ability to think several steps ahead and manipulate events to achieve his objectives.
The Rhea Of All Titans
Ymir Fritz became the first Titanafter making contact with the mysterious “source of all living matter.” This unprecedented event granted her powers, allowing her to transform into a Titan. After gaining her Titan abilities, Ymir served the Eldian king and helped establishthe Eldian Empire. Her powers were instrumental in Eldia’s conquests, but even with all her power, she was a slave to the Eldian king. Upon her death, Ymir’s powers were passed down to her descendants, splitting into the Nine Titans, and this action shaped the course of history in the series.
As the Titan war rages on, Eren Yeager’s interaction with Ymir in the Pathways in the later stages of the series has a lasting impact. Ymir’s decision to lend her powers to Eren, enabling the Rumbling, shows her importance even after death.While Ymir was alive, she was a slave to a greedy man, but for the first time, she finally decided out of her own free will when she gave Eren her power. As the first Titan Shifter, her legacy and decision had a lasting impact on the world ofAttack On Titan.
The War Chief
Eren’s half-brother, Zeke, and also the Beast Titan, is renowned for his strategic mind and brilliance. Zeke’s intelligence and the Beast Titan’s destructive capabilities make him one of the most formidable Titan Shifters. His strategic genius is evident in his role as a commander in the Marleyan military after he inherited the Titan from Tom Ksaver. His ability to devise and execute complex military strategies makes him a key asset in Marley’s defenses. His keen understanding of battlefield dynamics allows him to outmaneuver and outthink his opponents.
However, his most significant role in the series is his nuance in making long-term plans. His alliance with Eren and their plan touse the Founding Titan’s power to execute the “Euthanasia Plan"demonstrates his ability to think several steps ahead. Even though his Euthanasia plan failed, Zeke’s foresight and meticulous planning cannot be overlooked. Also, as the Beast Titan, Zeke possesses the rare ability to control Titans by injecting his spinal fluid into Eldians and using his scream to transform them into Titans. This ability provides him with a strategic advantage that few can rival, and it came into adequate use during the Jaegerist plan to overtake the wall.
The Strategist
Initially introduced as a timid and insecure character inAttack on Titan,Armin undergoes a remarkable transformationin the series, emerging as one of the strongest humans despite lacking physical prowess in battles. His strength lies in his exceptional intelligence, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities. Armin’s mind is his greatest asset, and his knack for analyzing situations and providing crucial information guidedthe Survey Corps' actions and decisionsin identifying weaknesses in Titan behavior and predicting enemy movements.
One such instance was when he used a strategy to stop Bertholdt Hoover’s Colossal Titan, which he later inherited. Throughout the series, Armin remains committed to protecting humanity. His strong sense of justice compels him to seek peaceful solutions whenever possible, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Coupled with his Colossal Titan abilities, he effectively destroyed the Marleyan Seaports and fought Eren in the final part of the series.
The Armored Warrior
Reiner’s training as a Warrior candidate in Marley equips him with superior combat skills. His proficiency in hand-to-hand combat and tactical warfare allows him to excel in human and Titan forms, thus making him an excellent asset to inherit the Armored Titan. Reiner’s role as an undercover Marleyan Warrior withinthe walls of Paradis Islandplaces him in a unique and taxing position. He constantly balances his mission as a Marleyan soldier with the relationships he forms with his comrades in the Survey Corps.
This duality creates intense psychological strain, yetReiner manages to maintain his facade for years, showcasing immense mental fortitude. Although the sins of the past caught up with him after he returned to Marleyan, it did not stop him from making the right decision after they went back to Paradis to reacquire the Founding Titan. Once again, Reiner fought alongside Levi and the others to stop the Rumbling and ideals of the Jaegerist group. Despite how his actions weigh heavily on him, Reiner continues to fight and fulfill his duties, demonstrating his resilience in the face of overwhelming guilt.
