Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

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Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

Highlights

  • Grisha’s dreams led to a cycle of indoctrination and resentment in the Jaeger family, impacting Eren and Zeke.
  • Ignorance fuels destruction, as seen in Grisha’s mistakes of enforcing beliefs on his sons.
  • The theme of hatred and bias stemming from ignorance is central, showing the consequences of keeping secrets.

As a seasoned gamer and avid Attack on Titan fanatic, I find myself constantly reflecting on the complex narrative that unfolds within this captivating series. One character who has left an indelible mark on my gaming soul is Grisha Jaeger. Despite his flaws, he plays a pivotal role in setting the story’s events into motion and ultimately leading to both triumph and tragedy.

When considering the story of Attack on Titan, it’s often Eren who springs to mind first. Although many of the series’ events revolve around him, it was not Eren who initially set off this conflict. The longing for freedom, retribution, and liberation within the Jaeger family traces its roots back to Grisha. From his actions involving Zeke’s indoctrination, to transferring the Founding Titan to Eren, the chain of events leading to the climax can be traced back to the Jaeger family, ultimately concluding with the Jaeger family as well.

Interestingly, it was a cruel twist of fate that the ideal Grisha cherished most was embraced by his younger son, Eren, while his elder son, Zeke, refused to align with it. A saying goes: ‘Ignorance is bliss,’ but it can also be devastating.

Living Through Your Kids

Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

In their youth, Grisha harbored dreams of escaping the confines of the internment zone where he lived in Marley. During an adventurous outing with his sister Faye, Grisha made a daring decision – they would break free and witness an airship launch. However, this impulsive act would have dire consequences: Faye was killed by a Marleyan guard, and their parents started forcing them to believe that their own ethnicity was the culprit for the tragedy.

As Grisha matured, he became part of a rebellion with aspirations to rejuvenate Eldia, during which he crossed paths with a noblewoman named Dina. Subsequently, hidden accounts were unearthed that vindicated his heritage. This revelation led them to believe that by fathering a child, who would then enter the military and inherit a titan, they could bring Eldia back to its former grandeur.

Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

After giving birth to Zeke, Grisha repeated the same error that his own parents had made: he imposed his convictions on his child. Growing up, Zeke was viewed as a valuable resource for a cause, and was taught contradictory ideologies by his grandparents too. However, due to his tense relationship with his father, Zeke moved towards the opposition and eventually betrayed his parents.

A Second Chance

Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

After an event that was supposed to be his execution, Grisha was granted a reprieve by a man named Eren Kruger. Subsequently, he was tasked with carrying on and completing the mission – locating the Founding Titan within the confines of Paradis. Despite living with this purpose, he also experienced joy in marriage and the birth of his son, Eren. Eventually, he chose to postpone his mission so he could savor his life with his family.

Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

Despite Eren’s intense desire for independence and personal ambitions, Grisha intended to reveal the truth about the outside world to his son. However, following the fall of Wall Maria, time became limited, prompting him to seek out the Royal Family with a new objective: inciting retribution against the invaders. In the end, he chose to seize The Founding Titan for himself when he perceived his entreaties as futile (and received encouragement from a future Eren). Later, as he looked back through Eren’s memories, Grisha condemned his actions. Yet, the cycle of vengeance would persist when he discovered a young Eren in distress and decided to pass his titan to him in honor of Carla. In the end, this cycle of hatred would endure.

Sins of The Father

1. In his dealings with his sons, Grisha committed two errors: first, he imposed his own beliefs on Zeke, pushing him away; second, he withheld information from Eren, despite planning to reveal it later. Due to his longing for peace, he overlooked Eren’s curiosity about the outside world. Grisha recognized himself in Eren and understood his son’s nature and passion, but despite his efforts to break free from the past, there was a cycle of events. It could be argued that if these occurrences hadn’t taken place, Paradis may not have gained its freedom in the end. However, it’s essential to remember that the underlying issue was rooted in prejudice and hostility, and ignorance only served to exacerbate it.

Attack on Titan: Why Grisha Is The True Main Character

As a gamer diving into the world of “Attack on Titan”, I can’t help but be captivated by the striking visuals in the fourth ED titled “Akatsuki no Requiem”. One scene that stands out is the depiction of the night Grisha allegedly killed the royal family. Here, a shadowy figure, presumably Grisha, is seen walking with a young Eren. In the following shot, Historia is shown all alone. Throughout this season, it’s revealed to Eren that his beloved friend, Historia, is a member of the royal family and the truth about her bloodline unfolds. In the official music video, there’s a bird, dressed much like Grisha, living in solitude and sorrow, perhaps due to remorse.

Eventually, graves encircle the subject, giving an impression that it is the last one remaining. As the lone survivor from his resistance band, he deeply yearned for Eren to escape a similar destiny, which is why a cluster of flower petals was there. The fury evident after witnessing a vision of a massacre can be interpreted as Eren’s bitterness towards his father, upon learning that he had murdered Historia’s family in season 3.

Moving Forward

In my opinion, life often doesn’t provide us with a clear-cut path to follow, and hindsight bias can frequently lead to feelings of regret. However, Grisha serves as an outstanding illustration of the butterfly effect. While it’s important not to forget that without him, we wouldn’t have the captivating world of “Attack on Titan.”

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2024-08-16 20:35