Decoding the Mystery of the Colossal Titan

Article Key Points

The Colossal Titan is a main antagonist in Attack on Titan, responsible for the Fall of Wall Maria and numerous deaths.

The transformation is incredibly powerful, capable of causing immense devastation and forming a mushroom-shaped cloud.

Due to its colossal size, the Titan possesses unparalleled physical strength; however, it is limited in mobility and has weak defenses in its upper body.

The emblem of the series, the Colossal Titan, represents the dark and morally ambiguous world of Attack on Titan. It symbolizes the human race's vulnerability against Titans, with its imposing size and ability to overlook the Walls of Paradis. The Colossal Titan played a significant role in the Fall of Wall Maria, making it one of the primary antagonists of the series. However, its allegiance shifted from Marley to the Eldians of Paradis, with both Bertholdt Hoover and Armin Arlert possessing its power. It made its first appearance in Paradis in 850, preceding the Fall of Wall Maria, and later reappeared in the Battle of Trost, sparking the conflict that revealed Eren's Attack Titan.

An Explosive Transformation

The Colossal Titan possesses a distinct trait in its transformation and the level of control the user has over it. Unlike other Titan transformations that involve minor explosions, the Colossal Titan triggers a much more powerful blast. This blast can range from a strong gust of wind to the impact of a small nuclear weapon. With sufficient training, the user can regulate the intensity of the blast, contributing to the widespread fear of the Titan's power.

In extreme cases, this transformation has resulted in the complete destruction of the surrounding area, including the leveling of built structures and the extinction of all life nearby. Additionally, the blast produces a massive mushroom cloud, further emphasizing the resemblance to a calculated nuclear strike.

The God Of Destruction

Bertholdt Hoover maximized the impact of this explosion during the Battle of Shiganshina, obliterating the surrounding area and causing countless casualties among the Survey Corps. Similarly, in Liberio, Armin Arlert harnessed the destructive force of the Colossal Titan to annihilate the Marleyan Naval Fleet, enabling the Survey Corps to invade the city and launch their mission to recapture Eren.

Not only is its explosive transformation terrifying, but what follows is equally horrifying. Towering at a monstrous height of 60 meters, the Colossal Titan surpasses the size of most of the other Nine Titans by almost four times. Only certain iterations of the Founding Titan have the capability to overshadow it in terms of sheer magnitude. Although the Wall Titans on Paradis Island bear some resemblance in stature and appearance, they still fall slightly short in comparison to its towering presence.

The Titan's enormous size gives it unparalleled physical strength, making it nearly unbeatable by other Titans. For example, Bertholdt's Colossal Titan easily launched Eren's Attack Titan to the top of Wall Maria with a single kick. Additionally, the Colossal Titans can effortlessly trample any type of terrain, making them highly effective in wiping out large groups of soldiers or vehicles without anti-Titan weaponry.

However, the Titan's size is also its greatest weakness. The sheer force required to move its limbs severely hinders its mobility, making it slow to react or defend itself. Furthermore, the upper body of the Colossal Titan is weaker compared to its lower half, primarily because of its slender arms. On the other hand, its legs are incredibly muscular and sturdy, often used to deliver devastating blows through powerful kicks. These kicks can range from demolishing entire houses to breaking down the outer gate of Wall Maria.

A Titan Like No Other

The Colossal Titan stands apart from the other Nine Titans due to its unique physical characteristics. Unlike its counterparts, it lacks skin on its face and body, baring its muscles. Its skeletal structure is also exposed in certain areas, particularly on its face. Bertholdt's Colossal Titan has a disfigured appearance, with skeletal ears, no lips, and a facial structure that greatly deviates from his human form. On the other hand, Armin's Colossal Titan has some skin around its lips, but lacks ears altogether. Additionally, Armin's Titan exposes its windpipe, which is a distinctive feature.

Aside from its explosive transformation and immense size, the Colossal Titan possesses a special ability to control the amount of steam it emits from different parts of its body. When other Titans are dealt a killing blow or are in the process of regenerating wounds, they disintegrate and release steam. However, the Colossal Titan can produce even greater volumes of steam to fend off enemies, particularly those approaching its nape. The force of the steam is incredibly powerful, capable of sending opponents flying or completely incinerating them if they come too close. However, overusing this ability can result in the evaporation of all muscle throughout the Titan's body.

Attack on Titan is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find the Colossal Titan to be a fascinating and terrifying creature. Its immense size and destructive power make it a formidable opponent for any of the other Titans, and its unique transformation sequence is one of the most iconic scenes in the entire series.

I also appreciate the way that the Colossal Titan represents the dark and morally ambiguous world of Attack on Titan. It is a symbol of the human race's vulnerability against Titans, and its allegiance has shifted from Marley to the Eldians of Paradis, making it a complex and unpredictable force in the story.

Overall, I think the Colossal Titan is a well-designed and memorable antagonist, and I look forward to seeing what role it will play in the final season of the series.