#snk chapter 133

[ourmondobongo]

This is the real life----- *crying in angry canon language*

[0aurelion-sol0]

SNK keeps on being amazing. ( A rant that is not really one. )

133.

Just this panel alone is able to confirm everything that I wanted from this manga.

Eren's condition has always been what I suspected.

Ever since he sided with his brother Zeke, who manipulated Marley in attacking Eldia to retrieve the founder and other titans. Something THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO, because they were being pressured by many other countries and were not as powerful as before due to their lack of powerful weapons like the ones in the Middle Eastern Alliance which were able to PIERCE through the fucking Armored Titan.

THIS resulted in the fucking festival and we know what happened then. Dozens of people died including children continuing the cycle of hate that has been started for god knows how long. And Eren WILLINGLY took a part in it because he wanted his actions to be a little easier while he was going to genocide the whole fucking world.

INCLUDING his own island because let's be honest when Eren is done with the Rumbling, destroying every ecosystems. EVERYTHING that keeps a planet alive, his little island won't live for long.

"The ground... It's crying." CHAPTER 131 said by one of the goddamn kids he fucking killed.

Marley is now sure, let's fucking kill all Eldians.

He did his attack on Liberio, he betrayed everyone. Crushing Hange's every possibilities of finding a peaceful way of settling things down after having been hidden MANY useful informations by Eren, Zeke and his group but also the Azumabitos.

Sparking a civil war inside Eldia, leading to an Eldian supremacist group cause let's be honest when Floch killed that Marleyan and than gave his little first king Fritz speech, it was like seeing Hitler all over again and the Klux Klux Klan.

I MEAN... FLOCH OF ALL PEOPLE! A guy who has PTSD after seing dozens of his comrades died, their faces exploded by fucking thrown rocks. He bastardized Erwin's ideologies and no matter how good willing he was, he was just a dead man walking acting like a fool.

He also betrays his own party now, the Jeagerist by allowing the very people they tried to stop the power to stop him. By activating the Rumbling, he also caused the death of Eldians inside the walls as we've been shown with Hitch.

AND THE WORST... destroy every connection he has with his friends. Hurting them, putting them in danger by the very group he created and the Titans.

Oh but that's not all...

He uses the titan the same way Marley did it, with oppression and violence. He is not stopping the cycle of hate, he is continuing it. And it will have repercussions inside the very group of people he tried to defend.

People killed each other inside the walls and they will kill each other without it. Mikasa as shown us that when her parents got murdered and she almost became a slave.

And he killed Hange with these same titans. I don't care if they sacrificed themself. He didn't live up to what he preached. They died and Hange was someone close to him and was concerned with his well being. Maybe it was too late but they also had many other priorities as Hange was commander. They also fell into depression because of their position. One of his mentors and friends, one who tried to talk with him while he was in that cell planning to destroy the world...

talking to himself...

At this point, you know where I'm going with this. We've all suspected it, we all know it. Let's not be blind about it.

Eren is influenced by the Attack Titan. Not Ymir (at least I hope so and I think so), not Kruger and certainly not Grisha.

It's pretty clear now.

I mean Eren's change happens off screen, every time we see him he is completely different from what we used to know of him.

He barely cares about his friend and don't give me the bullcrap of (hE dOeS tHiS fOr tHeM.) If he was he would have secured them and put them in a place where they wouldn't interfere, he would have tried to convince them. HE WOULD HAVE COMMANDED FLOCH NOT TO HURT THEM.

He would have not commited genocide after knowing what it led to with Reiner, Annie and Bertholt.

That's not Eren. And the stupid argument of "hE's aLwAyS bEeN vIoLeNt". That's just bullcrap and it just destroy every bit of beautiful empathy we have seen of him. With Mikasa, Armin and Historia. Levi who he respected a lot.

It just isn't coherent. Every action he does is not coherent since the timeskip.

NOW HE'S CHALLENGING HIS FRIEND ? WTF ?

I mean is no one questionning this, doesn't it seem off from what we've seen of him.

Eren is no strategist BUT... he isn't stupid. Every sane person would know that these actions will not benefit anybody.

But... they still happened.

If we look back again, here is Eren being positive trying to put Armin in a good mood.

The outside world... endless possibilities. It's a man who wonders.

Yet, AT THE RIGHT MOMENT... he has a flashback of Faye. And his face just change.

Isn't it just weird ? Like at the right moment where he can have a positive outlook on thing. NOPE.

And this has been going and going and going...

Here:

Chapter 130.

Eren arrives in Liberio what does he see.

A flashback of his mother's death

I mean it's pretty clear now.

_________________________________________

Eren has been influenced and convinced by the Attack Titan that there's no way out. He's been reliving past memories of his and others, past memories that were traumatic. It put him in a state of depression and dread through 5 FUCKING YEARS. On top of that, he is able to see the future and what he saw will happen and has happened hence his reaction to Sasha's death.

A fucking mental breakdown.

Jesus Christ, I don't know if I've ever cursed that much in my life.

It's impossible to stop what is going to happen, because what is going to happen, needs to happen.

But as we know Sasha is in the afterlife with Erwin, Hange and the others. And we have been confirmed that this is the afterlife. So we have time-travelling, afterlife, 13 years curse, people who can turn into titans, parallel dimensions and Eren who can see through birds.

But the fandom said, no, the prospect of him being manipulated by the Attack Titan is impossible even after knowing it has special abilities.

I MEAN...

Umm... This has happened before. And I saw no one complain.

So why this ?

Is impossible ?

Especially when Eren's whole arc is about questionning his perspective of the world and becoming in control of his violence and rage. Having an agency. HELLOOOO!!!????

What better way of having the main threat of that being the very thing that causes all of his problems and his powers.

Doesn't this remind anyone of anything ?

Yep. The Uprising Arc. And who ? Historia, the girl whose all life, she couldn't act as herself or have any real agency.

Yes, you know the girl whose pregnant and decided to live the rest of her life Little House On The Prairie style. ( I mean I don't think it's her but... that's what it's looking right now. )

And who is a descendent of Ymir Fritz. With too much uncanney similarities between the two.

They could have said the Founder, Eren Jeager or something else but no they said... "It's the Attack Titan."

And it's not Ymir, if she was the one to control Eren. Why wouldn't she free herself on her own if she's able to do that ?

And in 131, she was clearly in a position where she was questionning her choice.

And perhaps she probably tried to stop Eren but the Attack Titan took over him and her. Using her powers as she is the founder.

And now just like Eren, she has no eyes. She is still a slave. Why ? I thought Eren freed her. So ? This is the only logical explanation right now.

I mean when is the last time we saw Eren.

He was sleeping inside his titan in 131. Having a dream about seeing his "sight" of freedom as a kid. And also potentially watching things with birds.

It's just weird. If he was fully in control, the characters wouldn't have questionned it and none of this weird shit would be happening.

He clearly doesn't have a free will.

This requires too much energy and Eren is a normal Eldian, not one of Royal Blood. Being both in Paths, watching this " sight ", communicating, watching with birds, moving his titan which is enormous and the thousands of colossal titans is clearly hard and too dangerous for only one person to do.

Isayama has fooled us all and me in the process.

All this time, it was that goddamn thing pulling the strings. And with the help of Isayama since he is the goddamn author of this series

In chapter 88, we learn the true meaning of Shingeki No Kyojin.

The beauty of the japanese language, as confusing as it is, can be translated by Attack On Titan, at least for us american and western audiences.

( yes because as someone pointed out in the comments, it's a mistranslation but since I don't understand how to give credit by linking because I don't understand how it works, i can't credit. So you can find the person in the comments. DO NOT JUDGE ME, tumblr is not the best place to post sometimes. )

But it's not the Attack on Titan anymore.

It's the Attack Titan.

( piece of shit is it's surname. )

[rivaille-13]

RIVAMIKA Development

Chapter 132: (Small details)

"Everyone start inspecting your equipment."

From R-L panel: Could be that Mikasa assisted Levi with the inspection of equipments?

Chapter 133:

"Just... Lend me your strength."

Mikasa's face expression. Helping each other out.

Chapter 133: (Paths - Silent interaction)

Needless to explain the way Levi looks at her and agree with her.

Chapter 134 & Chapter 135

Protection and Guidance.

Chapter 135:

Levi: "... Even if I was in top shape... I still wouldn't choose to charge into that. So stay calm. Mikasa. Don't rush. Wait for me to get their attention. I'll act as bait."

Mikasa: "Captain!!"

Trust and concern.

Desperation.

Chapter 136:

• Realizations.

I did include the others' faces. I think it's a great way to let the readers know that Connie and Jean realized that both Levi and Mikasa felt the same way when accepting that it's time to let their lieges go.

Chapter 137:

Acceptance and care.

Parallels showing that only the two of them are looking in the same direction.

----------------------------------------------------

There is so many more I like to mention, so many RivaMika panels and interaction that happened since Chapter 132 up to date... But shitty tumblr only allowed me ten pictures for a post. So I chose the most important ones (Cause hell, every RM panel for me is fucking important) and yeah. Here it is. If RivaMika still not canon, I don't know anymore ahah.

[h0estar]

xcuse me while i just

[temple--ghost]

SNK Chapter 133 - Levi on Eren’s Eventual Death

An analysis of Levi’s emotional state in SNK’s recent chapter.

___________________________________ Boring Disclaimer: I’m Ereri trash. However, in terms of Isayama’s intention for the series and these characters, I believe Isayama has sought to depict their relationship as one completely without romantic or sexual undertones. 

However, there are enough "blank spaces" and "building blocks" in his work that a reader can conceptualize and read given scenarios in many ways. In aspects of film and media theory, characters and narratives are often treated as if they aren't just blots of ink hitting paper, but as a hypothetical reality in which to judge character morals and meaning. When we intake any piece of fictional media, the ideal is an engagement with the characters and the story. We can consider the author’s intent, while also acknowledging multiple, theoretical “realities” of this created world as it is portrayed to us using media-driven language. 

That said: I cannot argue that there is a romantic undertone between these characters; instead, I believe there is a significant relationship here that is vague enough to be twisted by interpretation. 

___________________________________

Introduction

This is where we begin:

Hanji has been left behind to die. Eren’s rumbling has slaughtered thousands. Countries and cultures have been left to ruin. 

And, our group of protagonists are unsure how to stop Eren. 

We have two crucial suggestions from Armin: try to talk with Eren and, as a last resort, kill Eren.

Coming off of Armin’s mention of this “last resort,” Levi says:

We know there are a multitude of reasons for Levi’s death-wish against Zeke, 

So, in trying to understand his motivation here, I can see Levi’s words being read in two ways:

1. Going after Zeke in place of Eren may prove a simpler solution, while also fulfilling Levi’s desire to kill Zeke. Furthermore, if both Mikasa and Armin are hesitant in killing Eren, logically, Zeke could be the substitute. Levi’s suggestion is made out of intelligent convenience. His main priority with this suggestion is Zeke. 

or

2. Replying directly to this “last resort,” Levi offers up an alternative TO this last resort. “I’m fine with us having a last resort BUT...” and he offers Zeke’s death in the place of Eren’s. Simply put: he, personally, does not want Eren to die. 

My following argument and theory correlates to what is stated in #2: 

Based on the way in which Levi is portrayed in chapter 133, it is clear he remains emotionally invested in Eren’s life. 

And, notably, this is not the first time Levi has offered this solution...

Substitution 

Chapter 112: the Jaegerists are uprising. Eren has now not only forced the Survey Corps into action by attacking Marley on his own, but has also begun an uprising within Paradis himself. Soldiers find Levi and relay the information; Levi is told of the plan to kill Eren.

His reaction...?

To offer up Zeke. 

He goes on to admit:

“I don’t know if Eren’s really being controlled by Zeke or not. But we just need to end Zeke and they’re done for.”

There’s an obvious parallel to chapter 133, in which:

- Levi seems aware that Eren’s actions are likely his own. Eren is likely guilty in being a provocateur of destruction and yet...

- Levi acknowledges that Eren’s life is threatened. He offers Zeke to save Eren from death.

(For the sake of length, I’ve omitted a few panels. Eventually, I intend to address this entire moment in a future meta post, wherein I want to discuss if Levi’s desire to protect Eren stems from a personal attachment, or if his only concern is the concept of the “wasted” lives that have died for Eren’s sake). 

Let’s return to chapter 133.

Eren’s Answer 

Levi’s suggestion to kill Zeke with the help of the others prompts a discussion point from Reiner.

“Eren might want us to stop him, no?”

A scene change occurs soon after; our protagonists are transported to PATHS. Levi is the only character to realize:

In this moment, Levi acknowledges the possibility that Eren may have been listening and reacting to the idea that he (Eren) wants to have someone kill him. Levi is putting the pieces together -- Eren has heard them and this will be his response.

Our characters call out to Eren. Levi is the last to speak.

Somehow, in this moment, there’s still a sense of humor in Levi’s dialogue.

Despite Eren causing the deaths of thousands... despite the loss of Hanji, Levi’s comrades, and of the hope Eren was supposed bring... Levi’s greatest “threat” is to “let [Eren] off with an ass-kicking.” 

Through the lens of the odd and physical nature of Eren and Levi’s relationship, the threat is sentimental, almost. 

His final callout (”Why don’t you speak up for a change?”) brings to mind a fantastic meta done by @yaboylevi​, in which they explore Eren’s process of verbally retreating from Levi and the others. As well as how, in multiple instances, Levi tries -- and seemingly fails -- to speak to and understand Eren, but Eren would not let him in.

Directly following Levi’s words, Eren appears -- seen first by Levi -- and Eren’s monologue begins.

This is it. Eren has heard and is responding directly to our protagnoists’ question. And it is here that Eren not only confirms but takes it a step further by threatening further destruction unless he is destroyed. 

And it is only after this moment, after Eren has given them no other choice but to kill him, does Levi's knees hit the sand

The monologue continues. We see a close-up of Levi's face, while all of the others are in the background or not made purposely distinctive -- his is the face that sticks out.

Let’s talk about scene framing or, in a more common term used by those in media criticism: mise-en-scene.

Per Dictionary.com, we can define this term as:

The arrangement of scenery and stage properties; the setting of surroundings of an event or action.

In visual media, story-boarders and artists use the placement of characters to communicate messages to an audience. Mise-en-scene is often one of the first and most important concepts taught to those within the industry. Why? Because how these characters are placed within a frame manipulates an audience; there are, across all aspects of visual media, certain “tricks” a director or artist may use in order to convey a message through the visual representation of a scene.

If you wish to understand this aspect further, I highly suggest this article. But, let’s move on and apply this concept to Levi within this chapter.

I would argue that it’s significant that, within all the ‘PATHS panels,’ he is not only portrayed on the left-hand side, but also at a lower elevation than the rest of the characters. Characters portrayed at a lower elevation often intend to display ‘weakness, defeat, insecurity.’ The left side of the scene is also reserved for this indication. I’ll quote filepicker.io for this:

“Left: weaker side of the frame, reserved for villains, powerless or insignificant characters”

I want to bring up this page:

Where the others stand together in (what I see as) the same level of awe and shock, Levi’s differing in his placement and emotions is made purposely distinct. 

With Levi in the foreground, he is made completely separate from the homogeny of the rest of the group. The reader's eyes go to him on the ‘weaker’ side of the frame. While all others stand and look at the same point, he is the only one sitting and staring downward, listening and in thought.

He feels weak. Defeated. Powerless. I read the downward tilt of his head and the slump of his body as conveying a deep and thoughtful sorrow. 

The audience is told not only in Levi’s expression, but in the author’s entire use of framing, that what Eren has communicated in PATHS has a very significant effect on him and we, as an audience, are meant to see this. 

Levi’s Response

Immediately after this page, we return to the plane. 

Note Levi, whom remains in the similar crestfallen state as before --  still, obviously, in the same state of emotions and thoughts he was in just prior. 

One panel later he states:

He is back on the other side. He has been told, by Eren himself, that Eren’s death is the only option.

He has been given a straight-forward answer. He has obviously ruminated on this. He must now have an inkling of doubt that killing Zeke will stop Eren. He must understand the further depth of terror that will happen should Eren not be stopped. He must understand the loss of lives lost in Eren’s wake.

And yet, his emotions remain tethered to Eren. Despite his original promise in chapter 19. 

At this point, after all that has taken place between them, between then and now...

 Once again…

“...Now what?”

He does not consider the option of killing Eren.

[kuchenackerman]

It's interesting that Eren's face shows up deliberately "incomplete" in this panel, where he seems to exchange a glance with Mikasa, hence her reaction. She caught a glimpse of "Eren" right before Ymir showed up and his eyes turned dark and expressionless.

[lampurpleart]

Ereri Week 2020: Paths

“If you want to stop me...”

This was originally gonna be angsty but I accidentally made it more spooky. :o I just keep going back to Levi’s defeated look when Eren tells everyone that there is no negotiation that will work...this ship is going to destroy me

this may also work for day 6 but I’m still holding out on one (1) more convo

*puts on clown shoes*

[momtaku]

To those who criticize Levi and say he's only fighting to kill Zeke. What Levi and Jean say in the official translation is slightly different. In fact it's more reason Levi's fighting for humanity and he said this idea comes from Hanji. Jean agrees with him and Levi clearly asks Armin "what to do next?" Levi's not the person doing the betrayal here, Eren is as you said.

Yeah I noticed that too. I encourage everyone to read the official translation. Jean is agreeing with Levi, not questioning him.

[falcon94ssy]

What

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[snkpolls]

SnK Chapter 133 Poll

This month's poll brought to you by /u/berthototototo, /u/_Puppet_, Humble, Shifter-lines, momtaku and /u/staraves. We’d all like to say a big thank you to everyone for supporting the community poll!

Take the Poll

(to see previous responses, click here)

[kyojean]

[SPOILER ALERT] AOT CHAPTER 133

Im not into theory making but let me just--- They're talking about the Female titan can mimic another titan's power if she eat a part of them. SO,,, READ THIS CAREFULLY.

AND THIS.

IDK WHAT ELSE TO SAY. I dont trust Isayama with the little details like this anymore.

[bluebellhairpin]

(I wasn’t going to post this, ‘cause it’s a sketchy af draft, but I know I wont get the ‘real’ thing done, so have my offering~ (And I’ve never done ‘comic’ things before, so be gentle. Please.) - Nemo) 

I haven’t actually read Chapter 133 yet, so idk if this would fit, but I thought it would be nice anyways. 

I’ve heard things about why Levi’s sitting, I know it’s safe to say he’s going through more than a bit right now too. He’s in pain, no doubt mentally as well as physically and emotionally - sometimes it hurts just to see it. Technically speaking, even if he wasn’t dealing with the death of the last chapter, he’s still probably got fracture fever and whatever pain has come from his fingers and the stitches on his face (there ain’t no painkillers guys), so,,,, 

I just know that if I were there, or in his position, having someone to help keep me on my feet without having to ask for it would be greatly appreciated. 

And sand. It’s a bit dirty. He probably wouldn’t want to be sitting in it. 

Also I cannot draw backgrounds so

[rivaille-13]

I'm technically bored in my life so I did a few observations... I am a RivaMika shipper, so these mostly focus on Levi and Mikasa.

This is the last panel we have seen the Alliance on Chapter 133. Sorry, I needed to replace Pieck with a watermelon.

The last line ended with Levi saying "...Now what, Commander?" His face appeared to be somewhere in the middle of disappointed and sad. Plus the fact that Levi only call people in their ranks whenever he wanted a quick response and solution to a problem.

While judging from the face of Mikasa, she appeared to be very frustrated and anxious.

Take note: Frustrations and anxiety cannot be wiped out in just a few minutes or an hour, it all depends if someone would talk to you about it just to ease it even if it's just a bit. YKWIM

Take note II: Look at their positions

Ok, next. This is the first panel in Chapter 134 where the Alliance first appeared.

This is the part where it gets really tricky. First, notice their present positions. It is very different from the last chapter (well, ofc we could predict that they are moving and planning) and

Just look at the quick transition of Mikasa's face. In Chapter 133, she was left all sweaty and frustrated but we see her again in the latest chapter now looking READY to shed guts and glory. Her expression looked like she's been eased even just a little... It's just a hunch but Ackertalk something DID really happen off screen.

Then next panel is this:

Another parallel for the Ackersenses which happened in a lot of panels in the manga that in the end, these two Ackerman succeeded by teamwork.

I won't dig in deeper the parallel between Levi and Mikasa as our fellow RivaMika blogger already tackled it (Berserk Mode/God Mode)

But what really amused me is this:

The part where the plane was being attacked by the fucking monkey, and they all go anti gravity mode, my curiosity leads me thinking that why the hell did Levi and Mikasa got so close to each other literally that when the plane go brr brr they ended almost crashing to each other?

Notice that Levi was not included in the first panel where the Alliance appeared in Chapter 134. (Or other words, we do not clearly know where was he positioned, is he still sitting or standing? Did he talk with someone?)

Notice that Mikasa's doesn't look that much frustrated anymore in the earlier panels.

Notice how everyone switched positions. (Jean with Armin and Onyankopon off screen, Levi and Mikasa, then Reiner with Pieck and Connie) we could assume that they built strategies off screen

Notice how Levi looked protecting Mikasa with his arms here, oh shit, I crossed the line I think

Next part is the gorgeous face of Levi Ackerman. I mean, just going to point out some few things here. Of course, Levi is mad because that fucking monkey is still alive and we all know that Levi is really itching to kill it. That explained his expression right there, while right here...

Notice the quick transition of his I'm-going-to-fucking-kill-you-bearded-bastard face then to a somehow worried/sad/weary face. Just maybe a hunch and opinion, but I do think it has something to do with Mikasa's expression in the same panel.

I'm guessing that maybe Armin let them talk for a short moment because Armin knew from the start that of all people, Levi is the one who understand Mikasa the most.

So another hunch is that it may have the possibility that Levi talked to her about killing Zeke... then maybe Eren for the better good.

Because her face clearly say it in this panel. That she looked like she had a discussion with Levi someone about saving humanity and freeing herself from always saving Eren's flat ass.

And oh, just look at how cute Levi is there... Hello tiny boi Levi

So that's just it... That's just my messed up observations and it's only just a hunch at the same time my opinion about the latest chapter. Pardon for my shitty explanations, I am still frustrated... I may be right or I may be really wrong, but I appreciate if we would all respect each other's opinion. Thank you!

And oh, the last picture somehow connects it... "However... If those two (Levi and Mikasa), they could beat it..." -Armin Arlert

[h0estar]

so it's finally here

this is probably my new favorite chapter. mostly because the moment i've been anticipating for finally happened:

they understand one another.

no one's hating who. no one's accusing who. they're all lost, depressed, and confused. and they finally understand one another. even Eren.

Eren never took away their freedom because he understands them. He understands their resolve and he would never be able to live with the guilt if he took their freedom away from them. They're special to him, after all. (i also love how Reiner's the one who understands him the most. great character development from Isayama once again).

The whole chapter was sad (as always). and really, the last option left now is to fight. what a fucking sad solution but still a very beautiful one. neither stepped down in their convictions and they chose to dedicate their hearts in the end. i wonder how all of this is going to end. again, PROPS TO YAMS FOR MAKING AOT ABSOLUTELY UNPREDICTABLE.

I give up on theorizing and speculating every single detail in AoT. i just want to witness and experience this crazy (and fucking depressing) adventure. i mean, the sudden transition from the emo plane shit to them being transported to the paths had me walking around the room for 3 minutes.....................

btw, it's the "You, Bertholdt, Annie... It must have hurt" for me :'))))))))))))

[arlingtonpark]

SNK 133 Review

Kiss my ass, @ghostmartyr​! I’m not a bullheaded moron like you! Now I

Oh, the chapter’s out and they already posted.

...

>.<

Attack on Titan is about people who chase their dreams.

Everyone has a dream that motivates them and pushes them forward.

Eren’s dream of freedom.

Armin’s intellectual curiosity.

Mikasa’s love of Eren.

Connie’s desire to honor his mom’s memory.

Jean’s desire to honor Marco’s memory.

Levi’s desire to honor Erwin’s memory.

Reiner’s dream to amount to something.

Etc.

Everyone has a dream, and they throw themselves into hell to attain it.

Eren betrays his friends and murders humanity.

Mikasa, Armin, Connie, and Jean kill their fellow countrymen to get this far.

Levi got blown up, but he’s still kicking. He’s cheated death and he’s ready to fight with only some fingers left on him.

Reiner, like Eren, also betrayed his friends and (tried to) murder them all.

They do this because they see something on the other side. A light at the end of the tunnel.

Is it their wildest dreams come true?

Or is it another hell?

The only people who know are the ones who push on through.

What the series has to say on this is that chasing your dreams, at best, is a messy affair.

Maybe, after you’ve stepped on God knows how many people, you’ve reached your dreams only for the reality to fall flat compared to your fantasies.

Or maybe your dream wasn’t so great to start with, and by the time you’ve realized, it’s too late.

In SNK, characters are never really rewarded for chasing their dreams. They either fail completely or have their dream corrupted right in front of them.

When Kenny spoke about dreams to Levi, he compared them to enslavement or, alternately, alcoholism.

Setting the nihilism implicit in that aside…

In this chapter, the dream the characters are chasing, especially Mikasa, is the hope of getting the old Eren back.

Whether or not Eren truly is different from his old self, or he’s just showing his true colors, the point is that his friends believe the Eren they know is in there somewhere and they can bring him back by talking to him.

So they end up in PATHS realm and see Eren in the distance.

They chase after him and call to him.

When they get closer, they can see it’s child!Eren, the Eren they know and love.

Not the violent murderer, but the innocent, rambunctious twerp.

They struggle towards him, to the light at the end of the tunnel, but the closer they get.

 The farther he is.

Getting a closer look, they see his eyes are blackened.

This scene is geared more towards Mikasa, but the underlying principle is the same for everyone.

The Eren they know was never real. He was a figment of their imagination: the result of their attempt to make out an object too far to see.

He was always like this. A violent murderer.

…

Like, no shit.

Can we just admit that Eren and Mikasa are in an abusive relationship already?

Eren saved Mikasa.

Mikasa and her OG fam were living a nice rustic life. They had a log cabin and subsisted off the fat of the land. (Because they were in hiding from the lynch mobs)

Her parents were murdered, and but Eren saved her.

She would be a slave right now if it weren’t for that, and she would’ve been an orphan if the Jeagers hadn’t taken her in.

She was a helpless kid with no home or family.

So the Jeager household became her new home, and Eren became her new family.

But it turns out the kid who went on his own to vigilante kill some slavers was a real trouble maker!

Eren acts without thinking. He’s A Guy With An Opinion And No Filter. He spoke his mind, got bullied, and picked fights with bullies; come what may.

Mikasa played a big role in her own rescue, but she still credits Eren with rescuing her. She wants to pay that debt.

Eren was a dumb, rambunctious twerp, but he still wrapped a scarf around her, so it was only fair.

That’s just how it is with Eren and Mikasa.

Eren gets into trouble and Mikasa bails him out.

Eren brought her to a new home in one piece, so she’s going to bring him home in one piece too, no matter how often or how bad it gets.

That’s how love works, right?

…Right?

No.

It’s not.

Eren’s a literal child this chapter, but he’s not the only child there.

After 133 chapters, Mikasa still thinks she and Eren are kids in Shighanshina.

“Welp, Eren’s went and got himself in trouble again, gotta bail him out!”

She still thinks it’s her job to bring him home in one piece. Eren is the one causing the trouble as much as anything else, but the dynamic is the same: bad shit happens involving Eren, Mikasa protects him.

But the truth is when your family gets in trouble involving murder, genocide, and revolution, it’s not your job to bail them out.

You don’t owe them that.

Eren is a grown ass adult now. He’s his own person who can do what he wants.

As Eren himself says in this chapter, he is free.

Mikasa is a grown ass adult too, and the final challenge for her character, I hope, is realizing this and what it means.

When Eren was a kid, he’d get into trouble and Mikasa would bail him out. That’s a fine dynamic for kids to have.

But adults?

Eren fucks up, and Mikasa has to do. All. the work. Of cleaning things up?

That’s very abusive.

This is an irretrievably broken relationship.

Eren verbally abused Mikasa until she cried. He demeaned her, called her a slave, mocked her, said he never loved her.

And still, Mikasa is the one begging him to come home.

That is pathetic.

Mikasa needs Eren to come home.

She needs that to happen because she’s still chasing the dream.

Her and Eren living together. A quaint, peaceful, happy life. A life of simple peace with the one she loves.

She’s desperate to keep the dream alive, and that’s heartrending.

Unfortunately for Mikasa, this is SNK, where dreams emphatically do not come true.

Her love is a deranged murderer. And he doesn’t love her.

Her dream is dead.

Armin, Jean, and Connie don’t have massive man crushes on Eren, but the dynamic is the same.

Arriving in PATHS realm, they ask Eren to stop the Rumbling because he’s already made the world his bitch, so why continue?

That’s reasonable.

Then they start blaming themselves for what Eren’s doing.

DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE. DOES NOT COMPUTE.

They’re blaming themselves.

For what Eren is doing.

Armin was working towards peace between Paradis and the world. He and Hange were traveling abroad, meeting with potential allies, trying to gain support for Paradis and build a lasting peace.

All Eren did was bum around, not doing anything.

Eren did fucking nothing to help. Not one bit.

Once again, it’s the same abusive dynamic.

Eren does fucking nothing to help, or even makes things worse, and his friends have to do all the work for him.

Now we get to this chapter, where Eren’s victims blame themselves.

Classic abusive relationship.

“I’m sorry I made you hit me. It’s all my fault. I was so mad that you hit me, but I wasn’t thinking about you and how you were feeling. I’m so sorry.”

These people are gaslighting themselves.

They’ve made themselves think they’re to blame for Eren’s actions.

Eren chose to rumble the world.

That was his choice. He was not forced into it.

I know Eren’s been torn up inside about doing this. We all saw how much he cried in 131.

Who fucking cares?

Billions of people are dead.

Who fucking cares if Eren has to live *checks notes* the next year or so of his life with guilt.

We’re supposed to be thinking about Eren’s feelings?

What about the feelings of all the people he killed?

This is a common problem with talking about awful things.

When people talk about things like a school shooting or a murder, there’s always that one neckbeard who turns up their nose at people and says:

“Haven’t you thought about how the shooter feels?”

They ask us to turn our attention away from the victims, and to sympathize with the murderer.

Lots of people go through shit. They live shitty, miserable lives, but they don’t end up killing people.

Spare no sympathy for Eren. He was agonizing over the rumbling because from the very beginning he saw it as a reasonable option.

So from the very beginning he failed.

He had genocide as an option, and he didn’t reject it out of hand immediately. That’s all you need to know about him.

If you take genocide to be a reasonable thing to do, you are a shitty person.

That’s all there is to it.

It’s incredible that this fucking twerp does literally the most awful thing imaginable and his friends bend over backwards to accommodate him.

But that’s how most cases of abuse play out.

The perpetrator takes advantage of the victim, and whether intentional or not, the victim is cowed into accepting it.

Everyone here is tired.

Their hands are bloodied, their will is worn down, they want this nightmare to be over.

So they’ll say anything to make Eren stop. They’ll deny reality. They’ll claim it’s all their fault. If it’ll stop the rumbling, whatever.

It’s another sign of an abusive relationship.

The Alliance is tired, but Eren is the guy who keeps on going. That gives Eren the advantage while making the Alliance desperate.

Relationships like that, where one has all the power and the other is just glad to make it through the day, is ripe for abuse, and we see that here.

They know it’s not their fault, but what else can they say?

They’re desperate to make it stop, so if they have to degrade themselves by apologizing for a crime they did not do, they’ll do it.

That doesn’t make it right.

I think it’s bullshit that the Alliance compares itself to Eren.

And it’s bullshit that we’re supposed to compare the Warriors to the 104th.

The warriors are not the same as Eren are not the same as the 104th.

Reiner and co. were kids. Kids who’d been beaten into believing that Paradis was a threat. Children cannot be morally responsible. They simply lack the capacity for it.

Armin, Connie, Jean, and the others killed their fellow countrymen because they were actually trying to save the world! Funny how that is, huh? Everyone thinks they’re the good guys…and sometimes they actually are.

Connie’s a sinner because he has Daz’s blood on his hands?

The same Daz who thought his patriotic duty was to help Eren murder billions?!

That. Daz. ?!

DazwasagenocidalmaniacIhopeConnieuseshisbloodasfacepaint!

(Was that too much? Sorry. I was in the zone.)

Eren is a shitbag because rumbling the world was his idea and he decided to go for it.

I’m sorry, but this isn’t complicated.

Eren was the one who unironically proposed “Let’s just kill everyone” way back when he first learned Zeke had a secret plan that can save Paradis. Before the sense of urgency that supposedly justifies his rogue behavior had set in.

It’s clear Eren had been weighting going through with that plan since then, and eventually decided to do it.

In sum, the warriors were just children, the 104th are doing the right thing, and Eren is his usual evil self.

Oh, but we’re not done talking about Eren. Or even comparing him to other people.

Because now we have to talk about Eren and Reiner.

I think Reiner is on to something about Eren wanting to be stopped, I just think he’s assuming too much.

Eren did say that he was the same as Reiner, and he probably did mean that in the sense that they’re both blood stained people, but what Reiner forgets is what Eren said immediately after that.

“I think we were born this way. I just keep moving forward until my enemies are destroyed.”

Eren is a man on a mission. He will not stop until that mission is complete.

If Eren knew the fight with his friends would come before he’d even left Paradis, would Eren be so lenient towards them?

If he couldn’t bear to wield the power of the Founding Titan anymore, then why is the last thing we see him doing this chapter is him heading to Fort Salta to eliminate a potential threat to him?

Here’s what I think.

It’s not that Eren wants to die, but rather he doesn’t care if he’s killed.

That’s an important difference.

A killing and a death are two closely linked, but nevertheless separate events.

Even though he thinks he’s done what was necessary, he still recognizes that he’s done an unspeakable deed, so once he’s done, if his friends put him out of his misery, so be it.

But.

Once he’s done.

My guess is Eren will do something to keep his friends at bay until he’s finished rumbling.

Dunno what that could be, though. (Aren’t you glad I’m not writing this story?)

I also think an important reason why Eren is letting his friends take a swing at offing him is that he’s just deranged now.

I don’t see why we shouldn’t take Eren’s words at face value.

“In order to gain my freedom, I will take freedom away from the world. But I won’t take anything from any of you. You are all free.”

Eren is a God; his power is limitless

That power’s clearly gotten to him.

For better or worse, Eren believes in freedom.

Freedom to go beyond the walls.

Freedom to live your life as you choose.

Freedom to be yourself.

It’s easy to indulge yourself when you have limitless power.

I think becoming a God has been like chugging a whole gallon of Kool-Aid for Eren. He gone all in on his freedom ideology because the power of the founding titan has given him the freedom to do so.

Do you really think Eren would be acknowledging his friends’ right to kill him if they actually could do it?

Of course not. Not when his mission isn’t complete.

Eren said he’s taking the world’s freedom away because they threaten his freedom.

Him not taking his friend’s freedom away implies he does not see them as a real threat.

He knows his friends are unlikely to succeed, so he’s decided to indulge his freedom boner, and maybe lowkey flex on them by granting them a fighting chance as a curtesy.

At least until the rumbling is over, Eren’s stance is just as he said it was: if you want to stop me, you’ll have to kill me.

That is to say: if you don’t want me to rumble the world, then why don’t you fucking make me?

Maybe Annie can do it, but who knows?

Let me say, right off the bat, that Annie tagging back in does not contradict what I said earlier about her not having a major role in the finale.

I said that because she had no reason to join that fight.

But now her father is at the final battle, and she has a second guy to fight for in Armin.

So, yeah, I’m not wrong. Totally not.

I really hope this flying titan isn’t a deus ex machina.

A titan that can fly would be a big help, but for this story element to work, it can’t take down Eren singlehandedly. I trust Isayama will come through on that.

But mostly I’m just glad Annie isn’t done yet.

She was tired of fighting like the rest of them, and the series didn’t thumb its nose at her for it, but in the moral code of SNK, Annie was a quitter.

SNK is a story about people who fight.

Annie, having chosen to tap out, had turned her back on what the story considered to be the right path.

Now she’s back, and I don’t know how, but maybe she can kick Eren’s head off again?

I demand satisfaction.

[annie-wake-up]

I really like latest snk chapters but what’s up with the main cast refusing to kill Eren ? He literally started genocide and refuses to stop it even tho they talked to him. Survey corps already sacrificed hundreds of people including Hanji and Erwin and countless important soldiers and they were okay with it but nooooo we can’t kill Eren because ....??? This really irritates me, Annie is the only one sane here and even though she liked him as well she knows that he needs to be killed