The Complex Legacy of Eren Yeager: A Hero or a Villain?

In the News article "Attack on Titan fans adamant controversial character 'did nothing wrong'," the author discusses the controversial choices made by the protagonist Eren. As the story progresses, Eren discovers that outside the walls, humanity not only survives but also fears and despises those within the walls because of their ability to transform into Titans. This constant state of war fuels the conflict. Eren possesses the power to initiate the "Rumbling," which can destroy all of humanity outside the walls. This is the source of the controversy. If Eren chooses to unleash the Rumbling, ending the war and ensuring the survival of his family and friends within the walls, he will become a ruthless mass murderer. Ultimately, Eren decides to destroy 80% of humanity outside the walls, rendering them incapable of waging war again. He chooses to be stopped and killed by his friends, allowing them to be hailed as heroes.

In this news article, the author discusses this topic, highlighting the divided opinions among Eren's fans. Many believe that everything Eren did was to protect his family and friends and that the war was instigated by those outside the walls. Even if it meant annihilating everyone, they argue, it was their just desserts. On the other hand, some believe that regardless of the reason, what Eren did was genocide, an act that should never be condoned.

"Attack on Titan" is a manga series created by Japanese manga artist Hajime Isayama. It has also been adapted into various forms such as anime, novels, and movies. The manga was serialized in "Bessatsu Shonen Magazine" starting in September 2009 and concluded in April 2021, spanning a total of 34 volumes.

The story is set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. In this world, humans live in towns surrounded by massive walls to defend against the mysterious Titans. These Titans possess immense strength, astonishing regenerative abilities, and they consume humans as food. The protagonist, Eren Yeager, along with his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and friend Armin Arlert, decides to join the Survey Corps, vowing to fight against the Titans, uncover their secrets, and reclaim the lost freedom for humanity.

I cannot fully agree with either viewpoint. While Eren's actions were indeed to protect his loved ones, they also resulted in a horrifying massacre. On the other hand, the war had already begun, and the conflict could no longer be resolved peacefully. Thus, destroying the outside world was the only option; otherwise, the land where he grew up would be completely annihilated. Even in such a situation, Eren spared 20% of humanity outside, showing his final act of mercy. At the end of the story, by make his friends believe he was mad, Eren is killed by his closet friends he wanted to save, and making them became the hero who save the world. In the end, he sacrificed himself to save his partner's future, showing his selfless spirit.

"Attack on Titan" is renowned for its gripping storyline, profound themes, and complex character relationships. The story explores deep themes such as freedom, sacrifice, and human nature, and is beloved by readers and viewers worldwide. Both the manga and the anime have achieved great success and widespread influence.

Creating such a controversial character showcases Hajime Isayama's creativity, and I believe the debate surrounding Eren's choices will never truly end.