The Colossal Titan, a being of immense size and destructive power, stood as the ultimate symbol of terror in the world of “Attack on Titan.” Its sudden appearances and disappearances were pivotal moments, shaping the course of history within the walls. This article delves into the various theories, plot points, and character perspectives that contribute to understanding how this enigmatic titan seemingly vanished after each devastating attack.
Bertholdt Hoover: The Man Behind the Steam
The identity of the Colossal Titan was eventually revealed to be Bertholdt Hoover, a seemingly unremarkable member of the 104th Training Corps. This revelation sent shockwaves through the ranks, as Bertholdt had lived amongst them for years, concealing his true nature. His human form was relatively small compared to other titan shifters, yet he possessed the ability to transform into the towering Colossal Titan, a being capable of obliterating entire sections of the wall with a single kick.
Bertholdt’s motivations were complex, driven by a sense of duty and loyalty to his comrades, Reiner Braun and Annie Leonhart, rather than personal ambition. He carried the heavy burden of his actions, grappling with the guilt of causing immense suffering to the people within the walls. His internal conflict added depth to his character and provided a glimpse into the moral ambiguities that permeated the world of “Attack on Titan.”
The Mechanics of Disappearance: Steam and Subterfuge
The Colossal Titan’s most distinctive feature was its ability to emit massive amounts of steam. This steam wasn’t just a visual effect; it played a crucial role in its strategic disappearances. After causing significant damage, Bertholdt would unleash a concentrated burst of steam, obscuring his form and effectively vanishing from sight.
This ability served multiple purposes. Firstly, the steam provided a cover, allowing Bertholdt to quickly revert back to his human form and retreat unnoticed. Secondly, the sheer intensity of the steam hindered pursuit. The scalding vapor made it nearly impossible for soldiers to approach and confirm the Colossal Titan’s fate, buying Bertholdt valuable time to escape.
The steam emission also likely served as a way to rapidly dissipate the Colossal Titan’s body mass. Transforming into and maintaining such a colossal form would require an enormous amount of energy. By releasing steam, Bertholdt could quickly reduce the size of the titan, making it easier to vanish completely.
Strategic Retreat: The Bigger Picture
Bertholdt’s disappearances were not random acts of evasion. They were carefully calculated strategic retreats, part of a larger plan orchestrated by the Warriors – Bertholdt, Reiner, and Annie. Their mission was to retrieve the Founding Titan, and their actions were guided by a specific set of objectives.
The initial attack on Wall Maria was designed to create chaos and weaken the defenses, paving the way for the infiltration and retrieval of the Founding Titan. Bertholdt’s role was to breach the wall and instill fear, while Reiner and Annie focused on gathering intelligence and identifying potential targets.
After each attack, Bertholdt would vanish to regroup with Reiner and Annie, reassess their strategy, and gather information. They needed to remain undetected to avoid capture and ensure the success of their mission. The disappearances were therefore essential for maintaining their anonymity and preserving their strategic advantage.
The Reiner and Bertholdt Dynamic: A Complicated Partnership
The relationship between Reiner and Bertholdt was complex and deeply intertwined. Reiner, as the Armored Titan, often took on the role of the leader, providing direction and support. Bertholdt, despite possessing the more powerful Colossal Titan, often appeared hesitant and insecure, relying on Reiner’s guidance.
Reiner’s unwavering determination and sense of duty often contrasted with Bertholdt’s internal struggles and moral conflicts. This dynamic created tension and conflict within their partnership, but also highlighted the shared burden they carried.
Reiner’s strategic thinking and combat experience were crucial for their survival. He was adept at analyzing situations, identifying weaknesses, and developing effective plans. Bertholdt, on the other hand, provided the raw power and destructive force necessary to execute those plans.
Ymir’s Role and the Jaw Titan
The emergence of Ymir and her transformation into the Jaw Titan added another layer of complexity to the narrative. Ymir, having spent decades as a mindless titan, regained her humanity after consuming Marcel Galliard, one of the Warriors.
Ymir’s actions often defied easy categorization. She displayed both altruistic and selfish tendencies, driven by a desire to protect Historia Reiss while also seeking to understand her own identity and purpose. Her knowledge of the outside world and the Warriors’ mission made her a valuable, albeit unpredictable, asset.
The Jaw Titan’s agility and speed provided a stark contrast to the Colossal Titan’s immense size and destructive power. This difference in abilities highlighted the diversity of titan powers and the strategic advantages each could offer.
The Battle of Shiganshina: The End of an Era
The Battle of Shiganshina marked a turning point in the story, culminating in a final confrontation between the Survey Corps and the Warriors. This battle was a crucible, forcing characters to confront their pasts, make difficult choices, and face the consequences of their actions.
Bertholdt, finally forced to confront his former comrades, unleashed the full power of the Colossal Titan in a desperate attempt to secure victory. However, he was ultimately defeated and captured by Armin Arlert, who sacrificed himself to create an opening for Eren Yeager.
With Bertholdt’s capture, the power of the Colossal Titan was transferred to Armin, effectively ending Bertholdt’s reign of terror. Armin’s intelligence and strategic thinking would later prove invaluable in the fight against Marley and the pursuit of peace.
Armin Arlert: The New Colossal Titan
Armin’s inheritance of the Colossal Titan’s power brought a new perspective to the role. Unlike Bertholdt, Armin was driven by a deep-seated desire for knowledge and understanding, rather than loyalty to a specific agenda. He sought to unravel the mysteries of the world and find a path towards peace and reconciliation.
Armin’s Colossal Titan was used strategically, primarily as a deterrent and a weapon of last resort. He understood the devastating power of the titan and was reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary. His primary focus remained on diplomacy and negotiation, seeking to bridge the gap between Paradis Island and the outside world.
Armin’s journey as the Colossal Titan was one of self-discovery and moral growth. He grappled with the weight of his responsibilities and the ethical dilemmas of wielding such immense power. His ultimate goal was to create a future where such destructive forces were no longer needed.
Deconstructing the Disappearance: The Final Verdict
The Colossal Titan’s disappearances were a combination of strategic planning, skillful execution, and the unique abilities of the titan itself. The steam emission served as a cover and a means of rapidly reducing body mass, while the larger strategic context of the Warriors’ mission dictated the timing and location of each retreat.
The disappearances were not simply acts of evasion, but integral components of a larger plan designed to achieve a specific objective. They allowed the Warriors to remain undetected, gather intelligence, and maintain a strategic advantage.
Ultimately, the mystery of the Colossal Titan’s disappearance is intertwined with the complexities of the characters involved and the intricate plot of “Attack on Titan.” It serves as a reminder that even the most fearsome beings can be defeated through a combination of courage, intelligence, and strategic thinking. The constant threat of the Colossal Titan shaped the characters and their world, driving them to evolve and adapt. Its disappearance marks the shift in the narrative, but its impact remains deeply embedded in the history of Paradis Island.
The Legacy of Destruction
The legacy of the Colossal Titan extends far beyond its physical form. The destruction wrought by Bertholdt’s initial attack on Wall Maria had profound and lasting consequences, setting in motion the events that would shape the future of Paradis Island.
The loss of life, the displacement of communities, and the scarcity of resources all contributed to a sense of desperation and resentment within the walls. This fueled the desire for revenge and the determination to reclaim the lost territories.
The Colossal Titan’s appearances and disappearances left an indelible mark on the collective psyche of the people within the walls. It served as a constant reminder of their vulnerability and the ever-present threat of the outside world. Understanding how this titan disappeared allows a deeper appreciation for the intricate narrative structure and the complex motivations driving the characters within the story. The ability to vanish made the Colossal Titan not just a physical threat, but a psychological one as well, always looming, always capable of striking again.
What exactly is meant by “Colossal Titan’s Disappearance”?
The “Colossal Titan’s Disappearance” refers to the situation within the fictional world of Attack on Titan where Bertholdt Hoover, the original wielder of the Colossal Titan power, was defeated and subsequently eaten by Armin Arlert. This act transferred the Colossal Titan’s abilities to Armin, seemingly removing Bertholdt from existence as the inheritor of this immensely powerful Titan.
However, the term also alludes to the strategic disappearance of the Colossal Titan during battles. Bertholdt’s fighting style often involved causing a massive explosion upon transformation and then vanishing from sight, allowing him to inflict immense damage without directly engaging in prolonged combat. This elusive tactic added to the mystery surrounding the Colossal Titan and its eventual “disappearance” in the broader narrative.
How did Armin inherit the Colossal Titan’s power?
Armin inherited the Colossal Titan power through a specific process involving the injection of Titan spinal fluid. This injection, administered by Captain Levi Ackerman, was crucial in transforming Armin into a Pure Titan. Once in this Titan form, Armin instinctively consumed Bertholdt, who was severely injured and unconscious after a battle. This act of consuming a Titan shifter allows the Pure Titan to revert back into a human and acquire the powers and memories of the Titan they consumed.
The choice to save Armin over Erwin Smith, both of whom were near death, sparked considerable debate among the characters. The decision ultimately rested on the perceived value of Armin’s intelligence and strategic thinking in the fight against the Titans. This transfer of power marked a significant shift in the story, as Armin became the new wielder of the Colossal Titan, inheriting its immense power and the burden that came with it.
What were the key differences between Bertholdt’s and Armin’s use of the Colossal Titan?
Bertholdt primarily used the Colossal Titan’s power for shock and awe, focusing on large-scale destruction and immediate devastation. His transformation generated a massive explosion, capable of wiping out entire areas and creating strategic openings. He rarely engaged in prolonged combat, preferring to disappear after the initial blast, allowing his allies to exploit the chaos he created.
Armin, on the other hand, adopted a more strategic and calculated approach. While he could still unleash the massive explosion, he often refrained from doing so indiscriminately. He focused on controlling the heat and steam emitted by the Colossal Titan to strategically defend positions, weaken enemies, and control the battlefield. Armin’s intellectual prowess allowed him to utilize the Colossal Titan’s power in a far more nuanced and tactical manner than Bertholdt.
Why was the Colossal Titan so difficult to defeat?
The Colossal Titan’s immense size and overwhelming power made it a formidable opponent. Its sheer scale dwarfed even other Titans, allowing it to cause massive destruction with each step. The explosive transformation ability provided a devastating initial attack, often destroying key infrastructure and eliminating large numbers of soldiers before any real engagement could take place.
Furthermore, the Colossal Titan’s ability to emit scalding steam made it difficult for soldiers to approach and attack. This steam acted as a defensive barrier, preventing close-quarters combat and forcing soldiers to rely on long-range attacks, which were often ineffective against its massive size and armored plating. Bertholdt’s strategic use of these abilities made the Colossal Titan a constant threat and a challenging obstacle for the Survey Corps.
What was the strategic significance of the Colossal Titan’s abilities?
The Colossal Titan’s strategic significance lay primarily in its ability to breach fortified walls and create openings for other Titans to invade. Its explosive transformation could easily destroy walls, allowing hordes of Titans to enter and wreak havoc. This capability made it a critical weapon in the ongoing conflict between humanity and the Titans.
Beyond breaching walls, the Colossal Titan served as a powerful psychological weapon. The immense scale and destructive power instilled fear and panic in the hearts of soldiers and civilians alike. This fear disrupted defense efforts and demoralized the population, making it easier for the enemy to achieve their objectives. The Colossal Titan represented an overwhelming threat that constantly loomed over humanity.
How did the loss of the Colossal Titan affect the balance of power?
Initially, the loss of Bertholdt and the Colossal Titan seemed like a significant victory for humanity. However, the inheritance of the Titan’s power by Armin meant that the balance of power shifted rather than being truly eliminated. While the threat of Bertholdt’s destructive rampages was gone, Armin now possessed the same terrifying ability, albeit with a potentially different strategic application.
Moreover, the circumstances surrounding Armin’s acquisition of the Colossal Titan power highlighted the difficult moral choices and sacrifices required in the fight for survival. The decision to prioritize Armin over Erwin, a seasoned commander, sparked internal conflict and underscored the complex consequences of wielding such immense power. Therefore, the loss and subsequent transfer of the Colossal Titan reshaped the dynamic of the conflict rather than simply weakening one side.
What role did the Colossal Titan ultimately play in the overall narrative of Attack on Titan?
The Colossal Titan served as a catalyst for many of the major events in Attack on Titan. Its initial attack on Wall Maria triggered the fall of Shiganshina and forced Eren, Mikasa, and Armin to join the Survey Corps, setting them on their path towards uncovering the truth about the Titans and the world beyond the walls. It was a constant source of fear and a symbol of the overwhelming threat humanity faced.
Furthermore, the Colossal Titan’s story, from Bertholdt’s initial use to Armin’s strategic deployment, explored themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of war. Its existence forced characters to make difficult decisions, weighing the potential benefits of its immense strength against the inherent dangers it posed. Ultimately, the Colossal Titan was instrumental in shaping the narrative, driving the plot forward, and exploring the complex themes that defined the series.