Eren Yeager, the protagonist of Attack on Titan, is arguably one of the most complex and compelling characters in anime history. His journey is intrinsically tied to the extraordinary powers he wields, specifically the power of the Titans. But how did Eren acquire these abilities that ultimately shaped the fate of humanity within the walls and beyond? The answer is a layered one, steeped in family history, political intrigue, and the terrifying legacy of the Titans themselves.
The Attack Titan: A Legacy of Freedom
Eren’s initial transformation into a Titan is arguably the most pivotal moment in the entire series. During the fall of Wall Maria, his mother is tragically devoured by a Titan. Driven by rage and fueled by a burning desire for revenge, Eren witnesses the devastation firsthand. However, the key to his transformation lies not just in his anger, but in a secret he was completely unaware of.
Grisha Yeager’s Secret Past
Eren’s father, Grisha Yeager, was far more than a simple doctor. He possessed a hidden past, one shrouded in the shadows of Marley and the Eldian Restorationists. Grisha was, in fact, a descendant of the Subjects of Ymir and the original holder of the Attack Titan. This Titan power, known for its relentless pursuit of freedom and its ability to see glimpses of future memories, was passed down through generations within the Reiss family, before being stolen by Grisha.
The Titan Serum and the Acquisition of the Attack Titan
The truth about Eren’s Titan powers begins to unfold when Grisha confronts the Reiss family within the Reiss Chapel. In a desperate attempt to prevent the Founding Titan from remaining in the hands of the pacifistic Reiss family (who were bound by a vow renouncing war), Grisha brutally murders most of its members and steals the Founding Titan. He then finds Eren, injects him with a Titan serum, and instructs him to devour him. This act of devouring Grisha is the crucial moment where Eren inherits both the Attack Titan and, unknowingly at the time, the Founding Titan.
The Titan serum forced Eren to transform into a mindless Titan. As a mindless Titan, Eren instinctively devoured Grisha, unknowingly inheriting both his Titan powers and memories. This act cemented Eren’s fate and set him on the path to becoming humanity’s last hope, and ultimately, its destroyer. He inherited not only the physical capabilities of the Attack Titan but also the burden of its memories and its relentless will.
The Founding Titan: Unlocking the God-Like Power
While Eren inherited the Attack Titan through the act of devouring Grisha, the circumstances surrounding the Founding Titan are far more intricate. The Founding Titan holds the power to control all other Titans and to alter the memories of the Subjects of Ymir. However, this immense power can only be fully utilized by someone of royal blood.
The Reiss Family Connection
The Reiss family, being the direct descendants of the first King Fritz, held the power of the Founding Titan for centuries. They used it to maintain order within the walls and to erase the memories of the populace, preventing them from knowing the true history of the world. However, the vow renouncing war, passed down through the Reiss family, severely limited their ability to use the Founding Titan’s power to defend themselves or fight back against Marley.
Eren’s Inability to Initially Utilize the Founding Titan
Because Eren is not of royal blood, he was initially unable to fully unlock the Founding Titan’s power. While he possessed the Titan, it remained dormant, only reacting in specific circumstances. The first instance of Eren unknowingly using the Founding Titan’s power occurs during the battle at Trost District. When Eren comes into contact with Dina Fritz, the Titan who devoured his mother (who was also of royal blood), he unknowingly commands the other Titans to attack her. This highlights the crucial requirement of royal blood for unlocking the Founding Titan’s full potential.
Contact with Royal Blood: Activating the Coordinate
The key to Eren unlocking the true potential of the Founding Titan lies in making contact with someone of royal blood. This is why Zeke Yeager, Eren’s half-brother and a descendant of the royal family through Dina Fritz, becomes so crucial to Eren’s plan.
It isn’t until Eren makes physical contact with Zeke that he is able to truly access the power of the Founding Titan. The coordinate, the point where all Paths intersect, is revealed to Eren within the Paths realm. This grants him control over all Eldians, both living and those yet to be born, and allows him to manipulate the very fabric of their existence.
The War Hammer Titan: A Third Power Added to the Mix
Later in the series, during the raid on Liberio, Eren devours Lara Tybur, the holder of the War Hammer Titan. This marks the acquisition of Eren’s third Titan power.
Acquiring the War Hammer Titan
The War Hammer Titan is known for its ability to create structures and weapons out of hardened Titan flesh. It’s unique in that the user’s body is not located in the nape of the Titan, but is instead connected to the Titan via a cord buried deep within the earth.
Expanding Eren’s Arsenal
The acquisition of the War Hammer Titan significantly expands Eren’s combat capabilities. He now has the ability to create powerful weapons and defenses, making him an even more formidable opponent. It also allows him to operate more strategically, utilizing the War Hammer’s unique abilities to control the battlefield.
Ymir’s Curse and the Power of the Titans
The origins of the Titan powers themselves are rooted in the story of Ymir Fritz, the first Titan. According to Marleyan propaganda, Ymir made a deal with the devil and gained the power of the Titans, becoming a weapon of destruction for the Eldian Empire. However, the Eldians view Ymir as a savior.
The Paths and the Source of Titan Power
The Paths are an invisible dimension that connects all Subjects of Ymir. This is where the power of the Titans originates. It is through the Paths that the Founding Titan can control all Eldians and that Titan powers are passed down.
The Thirteen-Year Curse
All Titan shifters are bound by the Curse of Ymir, which limits their lifespan to thirteen years after inheriting a Titan power. This curse is a direct consequence of Ymir’s own short life after gaining the power of the Titans. Eren, having inherited the Attack Titan, Founding Titan, and War Hammer Titan, is also subject to this curse.
The Rumbling: Eren’s Ultimate Manifestation of Power
Eren’s ultimate act, driven by his twisted interpretation of freedom, is the activation of the Rumbling. Using the power of the Founding Titan and in contact with Zeke, he unleashes millions of Colossal Titans from within the walls, embarking on a campaign of global destruction.
The Scope of the Rumbling
The Rumbling is an unprecedented display of power, fueled by the Titans under Eren’s control. It is a desperate attempt to eliminate all threats to Paradis Island, ensuring the survival of his people, albeit at the cost of countless lives outside the walls.
Eren’s Transformation: The Founding Titan’s True Form
During the Rumbling, Eren transforms into a colossal, skeletal Founding Titan, dwarfing even the Colossal Titans within the walls. This transformation is a testament to the immense power he wields and the devastating consequences of his actions.
Conclusion: A Complex Web of Power and Fate
Eren’s acquisition of Titan powers is not a simple matter of inheritance. It is a complex web of family history, political manipulation, and the tragic legacy of Ymir Fritz. He obtained the Attack Titan by being injected with Titan serum and devouring his father, Grisha Yeager. He unknowingly inherited the Founding Titan at the same time, but could not use its full power until making contact with royal blood, specifically Zeke Yeager. He then gained the War Hammer Titan by consuming Lara Tybur.
Eren’s journey is defined by the powers he possesses, but it is also shaped by the choices he makes and the burdens he carries. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition. The freedom he sought ultimately led to destruction, forever altering the world of Attack on Titan.
Table of Titan powers Acquired by Eren:
| Titan Power | Method of Acquisition | Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Titan | Devouring Grisha Yeager | Future memories, enhanced strength, endurance |
| Founding Titan | Devouring Grisha Yeager (dormant until contact with royal blood) | Titan control, memory manipulation |
| War Hammer Titan | Devouring Lara Tybur | Hardened Titan structures and weapons |
What are the Titan powers Eren Yeager possessed throughout Attack on Titan?
Eren Yeager possessed the power of three Titans during the series: the Founding Titan, the Attack Titan, and the War Hammer Titan. The Attack Titan grants its wielder incredible offensive capabilities and a strong will to fight for freedom. Eren’s Attack Titan form was initially a 15-meter Titan, but his abilities evolved over time as he gained mastery over it and absorbed other Titan powers.
The Founding Titan grants the ability to control other Titans through its scream and manipulate the memories of Eldians. Eren’s control over this power was initially limited due to his non-royal bloodline, but he ultimately unlocked its full potential after coming into contact with Zeke. Acquiring the War Hammer Titan granted Eren the ability to create structures made of hardened Titan flesh, providing him with versatile offensive and defensive capabilities.
How did Eren acquire the power of the Founding Titan?
Eren acquired the power of the Founding Titan by eating his father, Grisha Yeager. Grisha had previously stolen the Founding Titan from Frieda Reiss, a member of the royal family, making him its inheritor. As a Titan shifter, Grisha needed to be consumed by another Titan shifter for the power to transfer.
This action was a crucial turning point in the story, as it set Eren on the path to confronting Marley and uncovering the truth about the world. However, the act also came with the burden of inheriting Grisha’s memories and his mission, which would deeply influence Eren’s choices later in the series.
What is the significance of the Attack Titan’s unique ability?
The Attack Titan possesses a unique ability that allows its inheritors to see glimpses of future memories. This ability transcends time, allowing the inheritor to receive memories from both past and future Attack Titan holders. This is a key element of Eren’s plan and how he was able to manipulate events to ultimately lead to the Rumbling.
The knowledge of the future influenced Eren’s actions and decisions throughout the story, driving him towards a pre-determined outcome. He utilized these visions to guide his choices, understanding the consequences of his actions and manipulating events to align with the future he had seen, making the Attack Titan a pivotal piece of the narrative.
How did Eren ultimately activate the power of the Founding Titan despite not having royal blood?
Eren activated the full power of the Founding Titan by making physical contact with Zeke Yeager, who possessed royal blood. Zeke, as a descendant of the Fritz family, provided the necessary catalyst for Eren to bypass the limitations placed on non-royal blood inheritors of the Founding Titan. This physical contact allowed Eren to access the Coordinate, the source of the Founding Titan’s power.
Once connected to the Coordinate, Eren was able to override the influence of the previous Founding Titan holders and assert his own will. This crucial event enabled him to unleash the Rumbling and begin his plan to reshape the world according to his own vision, demonstrating the pivotal role royal blood played in unlocking the Titan’s true potential.
What role did Ymir Fritz play in Eren’s use of the Founding Titan?
Ymir Fritz, the original Titan, played a pivotal role in Eren’s ultimate use of the Founding Titan’s power. Eren convinced Ymir, who was bound by her loyalty to the royal bloodline, to lend him her power. He argued that she deserved to be free from her centuries-long servitude, appealing to her desire for liberation.
By empathizing with Ymir’s suffering and offering her a chance to choose her own destiny, Eren broke the cycle of control that had defined her existence. This act of freeing Ymir allowed Eren to fully utilize the Founding Titan’s abilities without being bound by the royal family’s will, cementing his control over the Titans and his ability to initiate the Rumbling.
What was the Rumbling, and how did Eren use the Founding Titan to initiate it?
The Rumbling was the release of countless Colossal Titans from within the Walls of Paradis Island, unleashed upon the world to destroy all life outside the island. Eren used the power of the Founding Titan, activated by contact with Zeke and influenced by Ymir Fritz’s will, to control these Colossal Titans and direct them towards their targets.
By connecting to the Coordinate, Eren was able to override the previous restrictions on the Founding Titan’s power. He commanded the Colossal Titans to march across the land, obliterating everything in their path and effectively carrying out a mass genocide. The Rumbling was Eren’s attempt to protect Paradis Island by eliminating the threat posed by the rest of humanity.
Why did Eren choose to unleash the Rumbling, knowing its devastating consequences?
Eren chose to unleash the Rumbling because he believed it was the only way to ensure the survival of Paradis Island and its people. He saw visions of the future, which convinced him that the world outside the walls would never truly accept the Eldians and would eventually seek their destruction. The Rumbling was his attempt to preemptively eliminate this threat.
Despite the immense suffering and loss of life it would cause, Eren believed that the Rumbling was a necessary evil to secure a future where Eldians could live without fear of persecution. He accepted the burden of becoming a villain in order to protect his people, even if it meant sacrificing his own humanity and the lives of countless others.