The Enigmatic Decision: Unraveling Ymir Fritz's Choice of Eren in Attack on Titan
Unveiling the enigmatic bond between Ymir and Eren in Attack on Titan, a series that evolves from post-apocalyptic action to an intricately woven epic, blending time travel and history Dive into Ymir's pivotal role and experience the awe-inspiring finale
As Attack on Titan progressed, it transformed from a post-apocalyptic action anime about humans battling Titans to an epic with elements of time travel and historical events. Ymir Fritz and her connection to Eren Yeager and the Founding Titan played a pivotal role in this shift, ultimately influencing the series' conclusion. However, certain plotlines in Attack on Titan were not fully explained or portrayed in a straightforward manner, leading to some aspects of the story being overshadowed. The connection between Eren and Ymir is one example of this.
Many people are still questioning why Ymir selected Eren to bestow the powers of the Founding Titan and even assisted him to some extent with the Rumbling. Although the story hinted at it, the reasoning was not explicitly addressed.
Note: This article includes spoilers for the Attack on Titan series.
Explaining the connection between Ymir and Eren in the Attack on Titan series
The encounter between Eren and Ymir on the Paths is a pivotal moment in Attack on Titan history, shaping Eren's future motivations and adding a complex layer to the story with elements of time travel. Yet, there is ongoing speculation about Ymir's decision to choose Eren after centuries to inherit the power of the Founding Titan and the ability to see multiple futures.
Ymir never fully explains her reasoning in the series, but it is likely because she spent her entire life being used and mistreated, first as a slave to King Fritz and then for the creation of Titans. This prolonged mistreatment likely led to her insanity, making Eren's desire for freedom resonate with her. However, the ending also suggests that Ymir is set free when Mikasa kills Eren, adding another layer to her motivations. It could be argued that Eren's appearance on the Paths gave her a new sense of purpose, playing a pivotal role in the story of Attack on Titan.
Ymir's role in the story
Ymir Fritz (Image via MAPPA).
After the iconic beach scene with Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, Attack on Titan took a dramatic turn towards a larger, more epic, and politically-driven narrative, heavily influenced by Ymir Fritz. Her impact on Eren is profound, particularly given her own harrowing backstory and connection to King Fritz.
Ymir endured a lifetime of slavery, enduring mistreatment and exploitation at the hands of those around her, as depicted at various points in the story. This is a crucial aspect of her connection with Eren, as his relentless pursuit of freedom appears to have inspired Ymir to seek change and liberation – a transformation ultimately brought about through Mikasa in the series' conclusion.
Final thoughts
One of the most intriguing aspects of Attack on Titan is the bond between Eren and Ymir on the Paths. Both were slaves in their own right, and author Hajime Isayama's achievement in portraying their connection is significant. Although the series never fully explains it, Ymir's choice of Eren is based on her belief in his idea of freedom and his compassionate treatment towards her as a fellow human being.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the enigmatic decision made by Ymir Fritz in Attack on Titan. On one hand, I understand Ymir's motivations and sympathize with her desire for freedom. Having endured centuries of slavery and mistreatment, it's understandable that she would be drawn to Eren's pursuit of freedom. Eren's compassionate treatment of Ymir as a fellow human being, as opposed to the way she was treated by King Fritz and others, likely played a significant role in her decision.
On the other hand, I feel that Ymir's choice of Eren was ultimately a tragic one. While she may have believed that Eren could bring about true freedom, his actions ultimately led to the deaths of countless innocent people and the destruction of the world as she knew it. Eren's own descent into darkness and tyranny also raises questions about whether Ymir's choice was truly the right one.
Overall, I believe that Ymir's decision was a complex one with both positive and negative consequences. While I understand her motivations, I also believe that her choice had devastating consequences. It's a reminder that even the best intentions can sometimes lead to unintended and tragic outcomes.
