Decoding Attack on Titan's Armored Titan
The Armored Titan, one of the Titans behind the Fall of Wall Maria, is celebrated for its incredible resilience and immense power With a design influenced by armor and a strength surpassing that of steel, it is a force to be reckoned with However, even this formidable Titan has its limitations
Article Key Points
Reiner Braun's Armored Titan is a major player in Attack on Titan, with a rivalry with Eren's Attack Titan and involvement in major conflicts.
The Armored Titan draws inspiration from the powerful physique of wrestler Brock Lesnar, boasting a robust build and impenetrable armored plates. While it effectively withstands blades and bullets, it remains vulnerable to potent weaponry capable of piercing through. Additionally, harnessing the armor for offensive maneuvers compromises agility, and its defenses can be dismantled by the possessor of the Founding Titan.
Reiner Braun's Armored Titan is potentially the most resilient of the Nine Titans and plays a significant role in the story of Attack on Titan. It shares a rivalry with Eren Yeager's Attack Titan and its actions, including the Fall of Wall Maria, shape the main plot. As the series progresses, the Armored Titan's involvement in major conflicts becomes even more prominent, particularly after a time skip.
Reiner becomes the protagonist from the Marleyan side as he deals with the consequences of his failed mission to retrieve the Founding Titan from Paradis. He desperately tries to prevent Eren from unleashing the Rumbling during the War for Paradis, but his efforts are in vain. Ultimately, Reiner's Armored Titan becomes crucial in the joint effort of the Scouts and Warriors to defeat Eren's Founding Titan and stop the Wall Titans, saving the world from further destruction. This Titan's unique qualities have a pivotal impact on the franchise.
Design And Influences
The Armored Titan shares a striking resemblance to its holder, Reiner Braun, just like the other Titians in the series. This is especially noticeable in the short blonde hair it possesses. According to Hajime Isayama, the physique of the Armored Titan was inspired by the American professional wrestler Brock Lesnar, which is clearly evident in its enormous size, broad shoulders, and muscular upper body.
As its name suggests, the Armored Titan is covered almost entirely in hardened plates of armor. However, the design of this armor evolves throughout the story. Initially, the plating resembled modified battle armor, enhancing the Titan's powerful appearance and leaving little to no exposed skin. As the story progresses, the aesthetic of the armor becomes less refined, taking on a more organic quality.
Previous versions of the Armored Titan varied greatly in the design of their armor, some resembling Marvel's Fantastic Four character, The Thing, while others wore traditional medieval battle armor. Reiner's Armored Titan had a face covered in hardened plating, complete with a noticeable mouth guard that concealed its teeth.
Unlike other Titan forms, Reiner's Armored Titan had difficulty releasing steam from its entire body, often exhaling large amounts of steam when it opened its mouth. This was due to the limitations imposed by its plating. The upper body of Reiner's Titan was mostly covered in plating, with only small areas of the abdomen, chest, legs, and forearms left uncovered. However, during the Raid on Liberio, an incomplete version of Reiner's armor was observed, a result of his diminishing will to live.
Stronger Than Steel
The armor itself is impervious to the ultra-hard steel blades of the ODM gear used by the Eldians of Paradis. Additionally, it can withstand bullets and cannon fire, although it can be pierced by powerful weaponry like the anti-Titan artillery used by the Mid-East Allied Forces. This was demonstrated during the Marley Mid-East War at Fort Slava, where Reiner's Armored Titan suffered significant damage while protecting Zeke's Beast Titan.
In offensive situations, the plating can be used to deliver devastating blows without harming the user's body, as shown when Reiner broke through Wall Maria. Additionally, Reiner's Armored Titan can utilize the crystallized hardening technique used by other Titan shifters to create claws on its hands and feet, allowing it to scale the Walls of Shiganshina District. Like other Titans, it has the ability to regenerate damaged limbs if the user has the will to survive, and any broken plating from a previous transformation will be repaired in the next transformation.
The Drawbacks Of Armored Plating
The Armored Titan's plating, while highly durable, also presents a significant weakness. The hardening reduces mobility and flexibility and adds excessive weight to the Titan's body, resulting in slower sprinting speed compared to other Titans. To address this weakness, Reiner can selectively remove the hardening, typically behind the knees, to enhance the Titan's movement to some extent.
Additionally, the Armored Titan is vulnerable to having all of its hardening undone if the current holder of the Founding Titan wills it, as demonstrated during the Rumbling triggered by Eren. This renders the Titan highly susceptible to attacks. However, if the user exits their Titan form and transforms once again, they can regain all of their plating. Throughout its existence, the Armored Titan has been referred to as "Marley's Shield" because of its endurance and durability. This title aligns well with Reiner's character, as he often takes on immense burdens to protect those around him, embodying the self-sacrificial nature of the Titan.
Attack on Titan is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Editor's P/S
The Armored Titan is one of the most iconic and powerful Titans in the Attack on Titan universe. With its incredible resilience and immense power, it is a force to be reckoned with. However, even this formidable Titan has its limitations.
Reiner Braun's Armored Titan is a major player in Attack on Titan, with a rivalry with Eren's Attack Titan and involvement in major conflicts. The Armored Titan's design is inspired by the powerful physique of wrestler Brock Lesnar, boasting a robust build and impenetrable armored plates. While it effectively withstands blades and bullets, it remains vulnerable to potent weaponry capable of piercing through. Additionally, harnessing the armor for offensive maneuvers compromises agility, and its defenses can be dismantled by the possessor of the Founding Titan.
