Exploring Attack on Titan's Cultural Influences

Mangaka often include funny side stories in their volumes, and Isayama is no different. At the end of each volume of Attack on Titan, two-page fake "previews" were added to add a touch of humor.

This tradition started back in 2013, during the initial airing of the series. The fake previews featured scenarios like Hange "bonding" with a Titan that sacrifices itself to save her from a car, and Armin befriending a Titan only to have to tragically kill it. These strange scenarios may seem odd, but they are still quite amusing. In 2017, a new series of fake "previews" was released under the title Attack on School Castes.

Through The Looking Glass

Levi and Eren - Through The Looking Glass

In an alternate universe, Attack on School Castes is set in a high school based in the United States. Each character in the story belongs to a specific group based on a ranking system similar to the one American high schools are known for. The highest group includes the Queen Bee or Jock, while the lowest group is called Target, where Nerds, Goths, or "Other" students may end up. Eren is categorized as a "Target" due to his lack of ambition, goals, and overall apathetic attitude - a stark contrast to his character in Attack on Titan.

After Eren tries to intervene in a bullying incident involving Armin (Nerd) and makes a pass at Jean (Bad Boy), he quickly gains the friendship of Armin and Mikasa (Goth). One day, Eren accidentally walks in on what he thinks is a shady deal between Levi and members of the Survey Corps. It turns out that Levi is actually a teacher at the school, and the "deal" was simply him purchasing cleaning products. The story takes an unexpected turn as fake "previews" for School Castes become the main focus in volumes 21 to 34.

Eren after apologizing to Historia AoSC - Each "preview" has a misadventure of Eren's that is loosely paralleled to events in the manga

Each "preview" showcases a mishap involving Eren that somewhat mirrors events from the manga. For example, in the preview for volume 28, Eren apologizes to Historia for a rumor she fabricated out of jealousy to protect herself. Interestingly, in the actual volume, it is revealed that Historia is pregnant with a child, a decision influenced by Eren sharing information from Yelena.

AoSC Ouija Board - Essentially, in AoT, he told her the truth, which upset her

In Attack on Titan (AoT), he told her the truth, which upset her, while in School Castes, he told her a lie, which cheered her up. The next scene shows Eren, Mikasa, and Armin using an Ouija board to ask it what Eren likes. Ouija boards are believed to help users communicate with spirits and gain knowledge. When Mikasa asks what Eren likes, the board spells out her name. In a similar scene, Eren tells Mikasa that he hates her during a table scene with Armin and Gabi. It's important to note that in both scenes, there was a fourth person being ignored: Marco in School Castes and Gabi in AoT.

Where Did That Come From?

Eren and Zombies - Where Did That Come From?

Isayama mentioned in a previous interview that Attack on School Castes is connected to the main timeline of Attack on Titan. Despite being parallel timelines, there is an intriguing page that caught the attention of viewers. In the previews for volumes 30 and 31, Eren has a dream about a zombie apocalypse triggered by one of Hange's experiments gone wrong. He wakes up in tears, expressing his desire to escape his mundane life and contemplating becoming a threat just to shake things up. This mirrors his actions in the main timeline, where he initiates a war against the world with a similar motive. This led to a fan theory suggesting that the Eren in School Castes is the same as in AoT. As Eren reflects on his thoughts, Gabi and Falco try to recruit him into a cult devoted to Ymir, but Eren is the only one who can see her.

Falco and Gabi in a cult-1 - In the coming chapters, Eren gets kidnapped, but is rescued by Historia and Reiner as thanks for saving her reputation prior

In the upcoming chapters, Eren is kidnapped but later rescued by Historia and Reiner as a gesture of gratitude for his previous actions. Despite feeling guilty for involving everyone in the chaos, Eren is approached by Ymir, who helps him realize the need to surrender in order to protect his friends. He claims to have gained enlightenment in the process. Some fans speculate that Ymir, portrayed as a deity, may have granted Eren's wish to enter the world of Attack on Titan. However, Eren learns that he is actually living in a parallel universe after gaining future memories.

According to the time-loop theory, Eren is stuck and can only return to his world by somehow freeing Ymir. In the recently published work, "Arc of the Ashes" by Kohta Yamamoto, there is a nod to Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-glass and what Alice Found There," where Alice explores a parallel universe. Towards the end of season 4, flashes of scenes from School Castes appear in Eren's memories before he awakens in Paths, hinting at a possible connection between them.

Too Many Plot Holes to Ignore

Eren and Friends - Too Many Plot Holes to Ignore

An intriguing theory, but there are still some inconsistencies in the storyline. Ymir, originally a supernatural being, was portrayed as a regular girl in the original universe. It is possible to argue that Ymir desired to be human but found herself trapped in a world of slavery. In the final chapters of both universes, Eren comes to terms with the fact that his friends are all he needs, suggesting that this universe may simply be following a similar path to the main timeline. Additionally, the reunion of Mikasa and Eren in death raises questions about whether Eren is unable to return to his original world or if there is nothing more to the story of School Castes.

Some fans may argue that the ending of the story both aligns and diverges, with the events of Attack on Titan continuing. In one scenario, School Castes Eren returns to his world while AoT Eren is able to reunite with Mikasa. It is also possible that Isayama intentionally left room for speculation, allowing Attack on Titan to live on and keeping the fan base engaged.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the intriguing world of "Attack on School Castes," a parallel universe to the main timeline of "Attack on Titan." It explores the amusing and often bizarre "fake previews" that Isayama has included at the end of each volume, adding a touch of humor to the intense and often grim world of the original series.

The article also examines the fan theories surrounding the connection between the two universes, particularly the possibility that the Eren in School Castes and the Eren in Attack on Titan are the same. While the article acknowledges the inconsistencies and plot holes in this theory, it also presents compelling evidence to support it, such as the dream Eren has in the previews for volumes 30 and 31 and the flashes of School Castes scenes in Eren's memories in season 4 of the anime. Ultimately, the article leaves it up to the reader to decide whether the two universes are connected and leaves room for further speculation and discussion.