The Meaning of Strength in Attack On Titan, a Thread: https://twitter.com/MezuEko/status/1289777255665692672
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CONTAINS SPOILERS UP TO S3P2
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These past few episodes touched on the 'strong eats the weak' narrative as well as figuring out the rules or inner workings of the world and whether it's all hopeless tragedy or not.
At first, our characters are confronted with differing viewpoints on moving forward. Armin thinks he doesn't have the right to live because he's weak, as if this goes against the natural order of the world. He believes that the only reason he's alive is that he got saved by his..
At first, our characters are confronted with differing viewpoints on moving forward. Armin thinks he doesn't have the right to live because he's weak, as if this goes against the natural order of the world. He believes that the only reason he's alive is that he got saved by his..
At first, our characters are confronted with differing viewpoints on moving forward. Armin thinks he doesn't have the right to live because he's weak, as if this goes against the natural order of the world. He believes that the only reason he's alive is that he got saved by his..
At first, our characters are confronted with differing viewpoints on moving forward. Armin thinks he doesn't have the right to live because he's weak, as if this goes against the natural order of the world. He believes that the only reason he's alive is that he got saved by his..
strong friends over and over again, and that he should've been abandoned because he cannot move forward. On the other hand, Mikasa thinks that it's inevitable that the strong win, and that nothing can help change this cruel "truth"
This "truth" is subverted time and time again for Armin and Mikasa. First, in Mikasa's flashback, we saw a small Eren save Mikasa from kidnappers without being especially strong or employing any unique powers but by merely having an unrelenting will; suggesting that physical...
strength isn't as significant to one's worth/potential as Armin thinks it is. And hence, the "strong" are only relatively strong because they don't outnumber the "weak". That's why Eren was able to save Mikasa. He took one of the kidnappers by surprise, then evened the numbers...
out, and finally, slowly, cultivated a chance, an advantage against the last kidnapper. The "weak" can stand a chance if they cultivate themselves and their resources. Humanity is far more numerous and resourceful, and thus, shouldn't give up the fight to the Titans.
Later, Mikasa laments the supposed truth that the "weak" are destined to be terrorized by the "strong", and contemplates giving up at the face of inevitable suffering. Is tragedy all that awaits in the end? Is struggling and enduring worth anything in the grand scheme of things?
Later, Mikasa laments the supposed truth that the "weak" are destined to be terrorized by the "strong", and contemplates giving up at the face of inevitable suffering. Is tragedy all that awaits in the end? Is struggling and enduring worth anything in the grand scheme of things?
Later, Mikasa laments the supposed truth that the "weak" are destined to be terrorized by the "strong", and contemplates giving up at the face of inevitable suffering. Is tragedy all that awaits in the end? Is struggling and enduring worth anything in the grand scheme of things?
The answer lies in her past as well. You endure to live, if you don't, you die. And more importantly, astonishing beauty can only exist if humanity endures.
The answer lies in her past as well. You endure to live, if you don't, you die. And more importantly, astonishing beauty can only exist if humanity endures.
The answer lies in her past as well. You endure to live, if you don't, you die. And more importantly, astonishing beauty can only exist if humanity endures.
The answer lies in her past as well. You endure to live, if you don't, you die. And more importantly, astonishing beauty can only exist if humanity endures.
Similarly, the trio's beautiful friendship and likely the reason Eren pursues freedom can be traced back to Armin showing Eren the book about the outside world, cultivating a relentless sense of wonder about the unknown and a desire to explore the outside, which in turn brought..
about Eren's fearless attitude while facing Titans; and since his goal lies behind larger hurdles (Titans), Eren would never cower in the face of mere "beasts". Thus, coming full circle in Armin unknowingly cultivating a will in Eren that saved Mikasa, and in turn Armin himself.
And with that, the story tells us that strong physicality isn't what matters, instead, a strong will is what differentiates those who move forward (Eren) and those who relinquish themselves to powerlessness and fear(Armin), as it is only useful when a person steels their resolve.
"For what?" Mikasa asks.

For the seeds that have been sown by those who have come before her, as only the living can reap the fruits cultivated by their late comrades. And so, Mikasa stands to honor the late Eren.
"For what?" Mikasa asks.For the seeds that have been sown by those who have come before her, as only the living can reap the fruits cultivated by their late comrades. And so, Mikasa stands to honor the late Eren.
"For what?" Mikasa asks.For the seeds that have been sown by those who have come before her, as only the living can reap the fruits cultivated by their late comrades. And so, Mikasa stands to honor the late Eren.
"For what?" Mikasa asks.For the seeds that have been sown by those who have come before her, as only the living can reap the fruits cultivated by their late comrades. And so, Mikasa stands to honor the late Eren.
"For what?" Mikasa asks.For the seeds that have been sown by those who have come before her, as only the living can reap the fruits cultivated by their late comrades. And so, Mikasa stands to honor the late Eren.
The appearance of a Titan-killing Titan is proof that one can never be sure of how the world works or if a situation is truly hopeless. Unexpected abnormality is enough reason to not succumb to despair.
This is prevalent throughout the story. The strength of all Shifters & Ackermans is a result of cultivation. Eren's strength was cultivated through the will of the Eldians and/or generations of The Attack Titan, while Reiner's and his group was cultivated by the Marleyans' will.
So to conclude, physical strength is merely a result of cultivated will. What decides tragedy from peace is conviction. Our characters must not think of strength as a harbinger of misfortune, lest they forget that it saved Mikasa, Armin, "Mankind", and created astonishing beauty.
So to conclude, physical strength is merely a result of cultivated will. What decides tragedy from peace is conviction. Our characters must not think of strength as a harbinger of misfortune, lest they forget that it saved Mikasa, Armin, "Mankind", and created astonishing beauty.
So to conclude, physical strength is merely a result of cultivated will. What decides tragedy from peace is conviction. Our characters must not think of strength as a harbinger of misfortune, lest they forget that it saved Mikasa, Armin, "Mankind", and created astonishing beauty.
So to conclude, physical strength is merely a result of cultivated will. What decides tragedy from peace is conviction. Our characters must not think of strength as a harbinger of misfortune, lest they forget that it saved Mikasa, Armin, "Mankind", and created astonishing beauty.
I'd like to also recommend two great pieces of analysis from Replay Value on AOT:

"Attack on Titan's First ED - A Universal Truth Made Personal"

&
"Why Mikasa's Reunion in Episode 8 Works - Attack On Titan"
If you've come this far, thank you very much for coming to my TEDx Talk. I hope you enjoyed my (hopefully non-messy) write-up.
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