Why Historia is Attack on Titan’s Most Overlooked Character

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Summary

  • Historia Reiss undergoes significant character development in Attack on Titan, facing rejection, identity suppression, and taking on leadership roles.
  • Her friendship with Ymir helps her embrace her true self, shedding the false persona of Krista Lenz.
  • Despite a promising arc, Historia’s character is underused in later seasons, and her pregnancy subplot falls short of fulfilling its potential.

In the gripping series known as “Attack on Titan”, numerous characters undergo significant transformations, confronting the harsh realities of their world and shaping their choices. Among these compelling figures, Historia Reiss stands out as one of the most intriguing yet underserved characters within the narrative. Originally a supporting character in the hit show “Queen within the Walls”, her journey is a powerful testament to a woman’s resilience and rise to prominence. Although she played a crucial role during the middle stages of the story, her absence in the latter arcs leaves some viewers pondering what could have been if her storyline had been more fully developed.

Historia’s tale resonates deeply with many viewers, as it portrays themes such as rejection, suppression of individuality, and the weighty responsibility one must bear. From early childhood abuse to assuming a fictional persona, her life has been shaped significantly by external events. Yet, her friendship with Ymir plays a crucial role in helping her understand her true self and break free from years of impersonation. Although she gains power later on in the series, fans often underestimate her significance in Attack on Titan, as she receives less screen time.

Historia Reiss Or Krista Lenz

Unveiling Her True Identity

Historia endured a sorrowful upbringing, marked by neglect and emotional cruelty starting at an early age. Her mother, Alma, rejected Historia, viewing her as nothing more than a burden. This lack of maternal affection left Historia emotionally stranded, causing feelings of underappreciation and fostering a sense of worthlessness within her. The stigma surrounding her illegitimacy further alienated her from society, making her feel unwelcomed and isolated.

Initially introduced as Krista Lenz, Historia is depicted as a highly compassionate and selfless member of the 104th Training Corps, earning respect from others due to her warm nature and willingness to assist. However, this facade hides a deeper truth: she is actually Historia Reiss, the illegitimate daughter of Rod Reiss, who holds the title of rightful king within the Walls. This dual identity represents her internal struggle between self-doubt and longing for liberation.

How Ymir’s are Always Responsible For Changing Your Life

Embracing Authenticity and a Life-Altering Bond

In the course of their training together in the Survey Corps, Historia develops a strong bond with Ymir, an individual who has always struggled to find her place in society. By showing genuine friendship towards Ymir and standing by her side, Ymir plays a significant role in helping Historia accept the truth about herself. This relationship encourages Historia to examine her manufactured identity and repressed emotions within her character.

In other words, we’d be living like livestock if we just stay inside the wall and do nothing but eat and sleep.

Ymir’s impact enables Historia to discard the Krista identity and become the genuine person she is. This metamorphosis also signifies the liberation one experiences when they embrace their authentic selves and challenge societal norms. Even as Historia’s character continues to develop, she achieves becoming a free and self-empowered individual by acknowledging her past and her true essence.

Pivotal Roles in Seasons 2 and 3, Ascending to Leadership

A Beautiful and Shining Symbol of Hope

In the second and third seasons of the series, her character reaches its peak. She challenges her father, Rod Reiss, and rejects being a part of his manipulative schemes when he asks her to transform into a titan and consume Eren for the founder’s powers. She stands firm and demonstrates that she is not a submissive woman. She confesses to Eren about her growing resentment towards humanity and her unwillingness to wipe out the titans, as she believes this isn’t her purpose. Despite all the hardships she has faced in the past, including losing her closest companion, she takes on the leadership role within the Walls, ruling as the Queen.

Although Historia played a significant role initially in the series, she appears less frequently in the later stages. The focus shifts to other characters and storylines, limiting her chances for character development. This reduction in screen time is especially disappointing given that Historia was once a richly complex character with leadership potential. This narrative choice hinders her growth as a character and misses an opportunity to make her more multidimensional. Moreover, it also means we miss out on exploring her reign, internal struggles, and the complexity they could have added to the series.

The Unfortunate Overshadowing

Wasted Potential of What Could Have Been Amazing

In Season 4 of “Attack on Titan,” it became clear that Historia was pregnant, suggesting a significant development. However, contrary to expectations, this aspect didn’t play a substantial role in the series. The show never definitively clarified whether the child belonged to Historia and the farmer or if Eren was the father. This ambiguity left fans in anticipation. Many hoped the child would bring change to the Eldians’ future or connect with Eren’s grand scheme, but this wasn’t explored further. Instead, Historia had limited screen time, and her pregnancy felt more like an accessory than a crucial plot progression, leading some viewers to feel that potential opportunities for the series’ resolution were overlooked.

Her interactions with Eren demonstrated a strong mutual trust between them, suggesting that she was aware of, or perhaps even privy to, his rumbling plan. It’s a tragic twist that their intimate moments were not delved into deeply in the series. If Hajime Isayama decides to continue the story with sequels or additional chapters, we can only hope for a deeper exploration of her character or an expanded role for her.

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2025-02-17 03:34