The Legacy of Ymir's Subjects: Unraveling Their Fate

The subjects of Ymir are a mysterious ethnic group that holds great significance in the story of Attack on Titan. Hange uncovers their secrets in Grisha Jaeger's basement and learns that they are descendants of Ymir Fritz, the original Titan shifter over 1800 years ago. Ymir's power was passed down through her daughters, expanding the bloodline of those with the ability to transform into Titans.

As the Subjects of Ymir, we are a unique race with the ability to become Titans. There is a belief that we may one day dominate the world once again, leading to the world's desire to eliminate us Subjects of Ymir permanently.

The Origins of the Subjects of Ymir

For centuries, the subjects of Ymir held power over the ancient nation of Marley and built the mighty Eldian Empire. Their rule, however, eventually ended after the Great Titan War. In the current time of the story, the subjects of Ymir residing on Paradise Island are unaware of the outside world's disdain towards them. Meanwhile, those left in Marley face oppression within internment zones. Who are the subjects of Ymir, and how do past secrets influence their present identity and fate?

attack-on-titan-ymir-episode-80 - The Origins of the Subjects of Ymir

All Subjects of Ymir can trace their roots back to Ymir Fritz, the first human able to turn into a Titan over 1,800 years ago. Eldian beliefs say that Ymir's three daughters—Maria, Rose, and Sina Fritz—gained her powers by consuming her body after her death. This created the Eldian lineage, also called the Subjects of Ymir, as the sole group capable of inheriting the Nine Titans and transforming.

The Eldian Empire once dominated the world for many years. However, after the Great Titan War, the empire began to decline. The royal government was forced to seek refuge behind the walls of Paradise Island. This marked the beginning of a new era filled with oppression for the Eldian people living outside the walls, while those within had their memories altered by the royal family's Founding Titan. This led to a period of uncertainty and hidden secrets within the walls.

The Rise of Imperial Eldia and the Great Titan War

The Great Titan War - The Rise of Imperial Eldia and the Great Titan War

Ymir Fritz's descendants, known as the Eldians, used the power of the Nine Titans to conquer the lands of what is now Marley 1800 years ago. They formed the Eldian Empire and expanded using the Colossal Titans' abilities. The Empire reached its peak by dominating the continent and beyond, with Eldians becoming elite even in foreign lands. With the Titans on their side, the Eldians had unstoppable military strength, allowing them to control their empire for over a thousand years.

Abilities of the Ancient Bloodline

Around 120 years ago, tensions between the Eldians and oppressed peoples led to the Great Titan War. The advanced technology of that time helped to balance the power against the Titans. In the end, the allied nations won, overthrowing Eldian control. Marley became the new dominant force, gaining control of seven of the Nine Titans. Defeated Eldian survivors, including the royal family, were forced to live behind the walls of Paradise Island. Meanwhile, common Eldians were mistreated in Marley and as refugees, signaling the downfall of the once powerful Eldian Empire.

Eren-Declares-War-Against-Marley - Abilities of the Ancient Bloodline

The Subjects of Ymir are a special ethnic group who can trace their ancestry back to Ymir Fritz, the original Titan shifter. What makes them unique are a few distinct characteristics:

Titan Shifting Ability: The ability to transform into colossal humanoid titans is a power originally gained by Ymir Fritz. Subjects of Ymir inherit this ability through injection with special serums. This ability is what drives the global persecution and stigma they face.

Coordinate Connection: Living subjects of Ymir are connected through mysterious metaphysical "paths." This connection allows for coordinated control over Titans and manipulation of subjects' minds and memories. Direct contact with a royal-blooded Titan inheritor, such as the Founding Titan, is necessary for this level of control.

Dominant Bloodline: When a person from the Ymir's bloodline has a child with a non-Eldian, the child will be Eldian, highlighting the strong influence of Eldian blood. This raised concerns for Marley as they feared the possibility of more individuals becoming Titan inheritors.

Inheritance of the Titans: If a person with Titan powers dies without passing on their abilities, the Titan power will be randomly inherited by a living Eldian baby, regardless of factors like distance or family connections.

Memory Inheritance: Subjects of Ymir, like Grisha Jaeger, can inherit memories through the Paths dimension across generations.

Their Titan shifting grants them power, but subjects of Ymir also have vulnerabilities. Royal blood is needed to fully utilize the abilities of the Founding Titan. Moreover, their minds can be manipulated through connections in the Paths, such as when the King erased memories on Paradis. The unique physiology of the subjects of Ymir distinguishes them in terms of both empowerment and limitations.

Persecution and Prejudice of the Subjects of Ymir

Traumatized_Eldian_Unit_soldier - Persecution and Prejudice of the Subjects of Ymir

Since the downfall of the Eldian Empire, the subjects of Ymir have been subjected to discrimination and oppression worldwide. Due to their unique ability to transform into Titans, they were labeled as "devils" by other races who had been freed from Eldian rule. In Marley, Eldians were deprived of their rights and confined to internment zones similar to those in Liberia. They were made to wear armbands indicating their status and were used as expendable soldiers. Marleyan propaganda fueled violence and biases against Eldians, portraying them as inherently dangerous and deserving of mistreatment.

In recent years, the situation has worsened. Advancements in blood testing have made it easier for authorities to pinpoint individuals with Eldian ancestry, leading to the exposure of refugees blending in with other populations. This has triggered a wave of expulsions, forcibly displacing Eldians from various countries and leaving them as stateless individuals. Within refugee camps, the oppression has escalated with harsher restrictions and mistreatment towards Eldians. Meanwhile, on Paradise Island, the royal family utilized the power of the Founding Titan to alter the memories of Eldians within the walls, keeping them ignorant of the persecution faced by their kin beyond the walls.

The Eldian Empire used to rule the world with the Nine Titans, but after its downfall, its people faced fear, hate, and discrimination worldwide. In Marley and beyond, propaganda painted them as evil beings to justify the oppression and rights abuses they endured for more than a hundred years, leading to a harsh and uncertain life.

Eldian_families_in_Liberio - Attack on Titan is available to stream on Prime Video

Attack on Titan is available to stream on Prime Video.

Editor's P/S:

The article on the Subjects of Ymir in Attack on Titan offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex history and plight of this enigmatic ethnic group. The revelation that they are descendants of the original Titan shifter, Ymir Fritz, adds an intriguing layer to the story and raises questions about the origins of Titans and the nature