Grisha's Vital Role in Eren's Master Plan

Grisha Yeager's impact on the events of Attack on Titan is undeniable, despite his early demise in the second episode. As the previous holder of the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan, Grisha played a crucial role in securing his son Eren's fate of triggering the Rumbling, even if it was not his desired outcome. He was driven by his desire to avenge the death of his sister Faye and to restore Eldia to its former glory, starting with his time as an Eldian Restorationist in Liberio where he forced his son Zeke to become a Warrior. Grisha's actions were motivated by his guilt over Faye's death, and he made it his life's mission to punish those responsible for it.

The question of whether Grisha acted of his own accord or was influenced by future holders of the Attack Titan is complicated by the Titan's ability to transfer memories across time. Eren's manipulation of his own father was crucial in his plan to protect Paradis Island from the rest of the world, but it also raises questions about Eren's own agenda and free will. Regardless, Eren could not have achieved his goals without Grisha's assistance, and his influence on the events of Attack on Titan is undeniable.

Heir To The Owl

Grisha's journey started with his enrollment in the Eldian Restorationists, a group of radicalized Eldians who were against the Marleyan version of history. This version depicted the Eldian Empire in a negative light. He rose to become a prominent member of the group and married Dina Fritz, a member of the Eldian royal family who stayed on the continental mainland. The Restorationists were funded and supported by a spy who went by the name of the Owl. It was later revealed that the Owl was Eren Kruger, the holder of the Attack Titan. Grisha's involvement with the Restorationists, as well as his earlier encounter with Kruger following his sister's death, were crucial to him inheriting the Titan from Kruger. However, after Grisha's son Zeke informed the Marleyan military about the Restorationists' activities, condemning them all to death, the Owl presided over Grisha's execution on Paradis Island.

Kruger was motivated by the memories of the future that Eren sent him through the Attack Titan. He mentioned Mikasa and Armin's names to Grisha and momentarily seemed to have his will taken over by Eren. Eren explained that taking the Attack Titan was the only way to save Mikasa and Armin. It is difficult to determine who was really speaking through Kruger at this point, but the result eventually aligned with Eren's plan. Grisha inherited Kruger's Titan and headed towards the Walls with the hope of gaining access to the Founding Titan. He aimed to put an end to Marley's oppression of the Subjects of Ymir residing on Paradis Island, as well as the discrimination faced by many Eldians all over the world.

Retrieving The Founding Titan

After encountering the Eldian civilization inside the Walls, Grisha Yeager created a false identity for himself as a doctor to assist his people without drawing attention to himself. He settled down with Carla Yeager and their second son, Eren, and buried his past life and allegiances in the basement of his home. However, his peaceful existence was shattered by the destruction of Wall Maria and the death of Carla, which drove him to return to the Reiss chapel in search of answers and justice for the Eldians of Paradis. Inside the chamber where the Founding Titan ceremony took place, Grisha pleaded with Frieda Reiss to take action, only to be met with the will of Karl Fritz speaking through her. Despite his rage, Grisha ultimately could not bring himself to harm the Reiss family, especially the innocent children present, as it went against his duty as a doctor.

Setting The Stage For Eren

Eren communicated with Grisha through his future memories transferred by the Attack Titan, urging him to avenge Faye, the Restorationists, and Carla. Grisha, fueled by anger and determination, finally transformed and defeated Frieda, taking the Founding Titan and slaughtering the Reiss family, except for Rod Reiss as instructed by Eren. This pivotal moment enabled Eren to inherit both the Founder and Attack Titans, making his intervention crucial for the Rumbling to occur. Without Zeke's journey through Grisha's memories to persuade Eren, Grisha may not have developed the will to kill the Reiss family. The Rumbling may not have happened without this critical event.

After witnessing the horrors of the Rumbling, Grisha deeply regretted his actions and implored Zeke to stop Eren. Despite this, Grisha still fulfilled his final act of passing on his Titan powers to Eren and allowing himself to be eaten by his own son, as instructed by the future version of Eren communicating through the Paths. Grisha's actions throughout his life paved the way for his son to gain the power necessary to eradicate Titans from the world.