So I started watching Code Geass based on something I heard continually tossed around the fandom: “Eren will pull a Lelouch – he won’t kill everyone.”
Series spoilers for both Attack on Titan and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion after this point.
Well, as of Chapter 130 of the manga, that has been rendered null and void.
Eren and the Yeagerist Movement
In my Shingeki no Kyojin manga reviews, I make it no secret that I support the Yeagerists. I support Eren. I even felt like shedding a tear when Floch died. Which is ironic, because I actually kind of hated him before. I credit that change of heart to Isayama-sensei’s fantastic storytelling and writing.
I don’t support Zeke Yeager, though. He is an absolute clown and unworthy of any praise, in my own opinion.
During the course of the manga, we see firsthand Eren’s evolution.
From an annoying crybaby, to a slightly stoic soldier, to the Warlord of Paradis. We’ve witnessed the Yeagerists cult-like rise to power, the coup d’état of the military, and the Marley Arc.
Eren Yeager tried every method possible not to enact The Rumbling.
When the Survey Corps and upper military brass failed to formulate a plan after years had passed – he acted.
Floch Needed a Devil to Protect Paradis Island
Eren was even able to win Floch over to his side, who was determined to save and serve the island devil that would lead Paradis and the New Eldian Empire to freedom.
Floch was a true patriot to the very end.
Thinking of his mother…the people on the island…his unborn child with Historia, Eren harmed himself in the most painful ways to pose as a wounded Marleyan soldier. Then, at that world summit held by Willy Tybur in the Liberio Ghetto, he met Reiner Braun.
The two talked, and Eren sympathized with Reiner’s plight.
Why Does Eren Say Because I Was Born Into This World?
During his speech, Willy Tybur said the magic words “because I was born in this world.”
The same words Eren mother’s Carla said during a Keith Shadis flashback, “He’s already special, because he was born into this world.”
A light seemingly goes off in Eren’s head and he begins the attack soon afterward.
The phrase “because I was born into this world” is Eren’s core motivation for completing the Rumbling and saving the people of Paradis Island. Because Eren was born into this world free, he believes that he can sacrifice others’ freedom in order to survive.
Through PATHs before warning the global Eldian population of the incoming attack, Eren again reiterates that he wants to protect the island where he was born. Where he grew up.
Finally, in Chapter 131 he achieves that scenery. That freedom.
The scenery his brother Zeke and their father Grisha tried to prevent.
Is Lelouch Better Than Eren?
Opposed to this, we have Lelouch vi Britannia, or Lelouch Lamperouge.
Starting out, he is kind of selfish. Yes, he is initially conducting his rebellion to save Nunnally (and himself) – and even his academy friends to a certain extent.
But, it initially starts out as revenge.
Revenge against his father for abandoning his mother.
Revenge against his siblings for abandoning his mother Lady Marianne’s watch.
Disgust at their suspected contempt for her common birth.
Revenge against the Holy Britannian Empire, and everything generations of his family stood for.
Then, it became a game: turn the Elevens rebelling against the Empire into something worthwhile. Leading to the creation of the Black Knights.
But again, they were just pawns.
Pieces on a chess board Lelouch’s new identity of Zero could move around at will. No one was indispensable.
This all changed when Suzaku came back into Lelouch’s life. Then he met C.C. Then Kallen. Ohgi.
Lelouch grew closer to his academy friends, and even started to acknowledge Shirley’s feelings for him. Even Rolo had a positive impact on Lelouch towards the end.
One by one, these people changed how Lelouch felt about the world around him. He was in too deep to back out, anyway. So Lelouch decided they all deserved to be saved. Even the people he had never met.
Lelouch’s will for rebellion culminated with the meeting of his father, Emperor Charles and long believed to be dead mother, Lady Marianne. After hearing their misguided plan to oppose god and activate an Infinite Tsukuyomi, Lelouch had (rightfully) heard enough.
He bonded with C.C. and learned her true wish was not to die, but to have a true friend. Someone who loved her regardless. After defeating his parents who abandoned the two siblings and with atonement on his mind – Lelouch, Suzaku and C.C. agreed to enact the Zero Requiem.
Will Eren Yeager Pull A Lelouch?
So looking back at these adolescent rebels, given these reasons and many more still left unsaid – I do not think Eren Yeager will pull a Lelouch.
What Is The Difference Between Eren and Lelouch?
Eren at this point in his story is already the world’s enemy, and has shown no signs of stopping – he is all in.
Eren has no interest in uniting the “disappointing” world, but rather to destroy it. To flatten the earth and let the wall titans trample it underfoot for all days.
I fully believe that in the anime timeline, Eren will 100% complete the rumbling.
And if he is indeed the father of Historia’s baby, maybe he will try to survive the fight with his friends ahead and The Rumbling. Just to meet his child, the thing he wanted to leave behind in this world.
All we await now in the SnK manga is Eren’s decision during the presumed final showdown at the Marleyan Aerospace Center in the mountains.
With Attack on Titan Season 4 now slated for December 7th, we don’t have long until the end. I’m so excited to see the anime adaptation, and what Isayama has decided to add, or change along with it. (hopefully not too much studio censorship, though!)
Although in these last Shingeki no Kyojin chapters, I must admit something: if Armin successfully talk-no-jutsu’s Eren back to a popular “redemption” arc , I will scream. Although from the Season 2 Anime Ending, we can assume there will be survivors on the leveled earth.
But what do you think?
Will Eren Yeager survive the rumbling? Are Armin, Miksasa and the Survey Corps really traitors? And how will all of this impact future re-reads of the Attack on Titan story?
Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, I’d love to hear from you! Also be sure to follow us for Attack on Titan Theories and AoT Season 4 Episode Reviews!
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