Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

Key Takeaways

  • Gabi mirrors early Eren with the same ambition and hatred towards “devils” on Paradis Island.
  • Gabi’s blind nationalism led to extreme actions like taking Sasha’s life.
  • Gabi’s character arc shows redemption and understanding, transforming hate into compassion.

As a storyteller, I find myself captivated by the profound transformation of characters, and none more so than Gabi from Attack on Titan. Her journey, filled with pain, hatred, and ultimately redemption, resonates deeply within me. Born into a world of conflict and indoctrinated with hate, she mirrors the experiences of many who find themselves trapped in the cycle of violence.


In crafting compelling narratives that foster emotional connection, character development is crucial. This is clearly demonstrated in the evolution of Gabi Braun from Attack on Titan. Initially, she was a youthful, doggedly indoctrinated soldier of Marley. However, as her story unfolds, she transforms into an individual who comes to understand the heavy consequences of her actions.

The evolution of her character in the “Attack on Titan” series is a journey towards redemption and enlightenment, highlighting the vicious cycle of hatred and retribution that defines its world. Initially despised by many, Gabi’s transformation was both agonizing and potent; she transitioned from being one of the most disliked characters to one of the most empathized with.

Ready To Kill All Her Enemies

A Young Eren in the Making

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

From the outset of the anime series, Gabi Braun emerges as a character marked by ambition and determination. Similar to young Eren Yeager, she is driven by hatred towards the Eldians residing on Paradis Island, whom she perceives as the enemy. Being born and nurtured in the Marleyan nation as a warrior candidate, Gabi has been indoctrinated by the regime that the Eldians across the sea are evil and responsible for all the world’s afflictions. She is deeply patriotic, certain of her abilities as a soldier, and believes that annihilating her adversaries will bring tranquility to Marley and glory to her family.

In Gabi’s persona, we find similarities to Eren’s initial narrative. Just like Eren, who was driven by rage after the Titans demolished his hometown and murdered his mother, Gabi too was consumed by anger. Their primary objective when their stories began was the annihilation of their adversaries. However, both were unaware that they themselves were victims of a vast, intricate web of oppression and deceit.

Brainwashed and Blinded by Hate

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

In Marley, Gabi learns that the Eldians on Paradis Island are perceived as a danger to the world, and this ingrained conviction drives her relentlessly. She trusts that her people can be safeguarded and eliminate the “devils” by becoming a warrior candidate and acquiring the Armored Titan following Reiner. With confidence, she thinks she is right, and during the assault on Liberio, she ends the life of a beloved character from the series, Sasha Blouse, which marks a pivotal moment in the narrative. The choices Gabi makes here generate a significant amount of animosity from the fanbase, comparable to the intense dislike Eren encounters later in the series due to his radical actions.

Currently, Gabi’s perspective has narrowed significantly, confined to her indoctrinated beliefs; she finds it hard to perceive Eldians of Paradis as fellow humans. She strongly believes in her own righteousness, which only intensifies the disdain readers feel towards her. However, this is merely a prelude to more complex character developments.

Learning the Truth: The Paradis Experience

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

Gabi’s personal growth commences upon her arrival on Paradis Island. Initially captive and fueled by revenge, she viewed the inhabitants of Paradis as monstrous. However, after being welcomed into Sasha’s family, particularly by Sasha’s father and sister Kaya, she starts questioning the teachings she had received. It is at this juncture that her path intersects with Eren’s once more. When Eren realizes his longtime adversaries are no more wicked than himself, it’s then that Gabi comes to understand that the people of Paradis are not devils but ordinary humans entangled in the same cycle of violence as herself.

For Gabi, this revelation was slow and agonizing. It was a pivotal scene in the movie where Kaya’s act of compassion, despite knowing that Gabi had taken her sister’s life, prompted Gabi to scrutinize her own wrongdoings. Interactions with Kaya gradually softened the resentment within Gabi, a feeling she had harbored since her childhood. She began to comprehend the repercussions of her actions, such as killing Sasha, and it was then that genuine remorse started to well up within her.

Gabi and the Rumbling: A Disaster Befalling

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

As I ponder on this revelation, it’s hard to ignore my part in the horrific chain of events that came to be known as the Rumbling. In a moment of unforeseen consequences, I unwittingly set the stage for this catastrophic event that wiped out vast regions of our world. The manipulation of Eren, leading to the release of Colossal Titans, was the spark that ignited the chaos. Amidst the pandemonium, it was me who pulled the trigger, shooting Eren, a blow that temporarily took his life. Yet, as devastating as this event seemed, it was merely a brief pause in the onslaught of the Rumbling, which ultimately obliterated most of humanity.

While Gabi’s actions didn’t initiate everything, her actions significantly shaped how these events unfolded as they did. It serves as a grim reminder that even actions with good intentions can lead to destruction in a violent sequence of events.

Gabi’s Part in Stopping Eren: The Final Fight

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

In a desperate bid to prevent Eren’s destructive actions that threaten the entire world, Gabi becomes an essential component of this alliance. She engages in combat alongside Eldians and Marleyans, representing what might be humankind’s last chance to endure. By this stage, Gabi has come to realize the intricacies of the world and the emptiness of hatred. Instead, she perceives the inhabitants of Paradis not as adversaries but as partners in the struggle for survival.

In the decisive fight, Gabi’s resolve and bravery truly stand out: she transforms into an accurate marksman, decimating foes and safeguarding her fellow fighters that she recently discovered. The child soldier who was once brainwashed has now blossomed into a valiant young woman, fighting for the greater good. Ultimately, Gabi stopped acting from hatred but instead to shield those she cherished.

Aftermath: Gabi’s Redemption

Attack on Titan: Gabis Journey from Hated to Understood

By the conclusion of the series, Gabi manages to gain the forgiveness of Sasha’s family and, for the most part, the audience as well. Her character, initially disliked because of her unyielding hatred and impulsive behavior, is now viewed with empathy and, in many instances, affection. Gabi’s narrative stands out among others in Attack on Titan, exploring complex themes such as the cycle of hate, repercussions of revenge, and the prospect of redemption, which are prevalent within the series itself.

The transformation in her character serves as a potent message that harmful ideologies and prejudice can be undone by embracing knowledge and compassion, much like Eren. Unlike Eren, however, Gabi successfully escapes the cycle of violence she was raised within, opting instead for a fresh, peaceful path.

It’s clear that Gabi transformed from a brainwashed warrior into a compassionate young woman, and this transformation mirrors Eren’s arc but also tells its own unique story of redemption. Initially, Gabi was one of the most disliked characters, but as she developed throughout the series, viewers came to see her in a different, more sympathetic light by the end.

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2024-10-20 22:04