The Bizarre Character Work of Attack on Titan

[@yugiohmastermind8]

Ymir's whole arc was about how much of a selfless person she was whilst desperately trying to act selfishly and live for herself. She sacrificed herself for others in her first life, swore she'd dedicate her second chance at life to herself yet ends up dedicating herself entirely to Historia and then when she sees the people who were the reason she got this second chance of life at the expense of their friends life (on top of realising Historia has a chance of being safe in the walls after she sees that Eren has the founder) she decides to save them once again at the expense of her own life just like she did in the past. I have no clue how that's not in character for the person her whole arc tells us she is.

[@Blizzic]

That's a really good point. I didn't read Ymir that way, but I see that perspective now.

[@frannava2463]

@@Blizzic Attack on Titans not a masterpiece says the guy who views Ruby LOL

[@wren-ael]

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think Ymir was pulled off very well. Every single scene she's in she's basically stapled to Historia, she never gets to be an individual, we don't even know her name until chapter 36 of the manga, and then she's gone from the plot entirely 15 chapters later. She only gets a single scene in which Historia isn't there and isn't talked about (the one with Riener at Utgard castle). It's a similar problem to Mikasa in that way, where Ymir is completely defined by her relationship to another character and can't really stand on her own. How little screen time she gets also contributes to this problem.

[@casheycashey3614]

@@frannava2463 people are allowed to critique masterpieces

[@therealHLY]

I honestly don't think the thing with Annie is less of a straight crush, and more the fact Eren has drawn a hard line between Human and Titan - Eren wants to kill all titans, and save all humans, but Annie is a human, yet also a titan. I still don't think it makes him complex, but in this case, I don't think its a straight contradiction

[@Gwynplain]

Yep that's exactly it. I don't understand the reasonning of this guy, he starts with a premise, tells us that it's never explicitely or implicitely shown, lists some contradictions, then concludes that the story failed to develop the relationship, when the logical conclusion is that the premise is just wrong.

[@corgio1260]

I saw absolutely no indication that Eren had a crush on Annie. It felt very clear his relationship with her was one of respect and admiration, and also fear. She kicked his ass but she also dropped some hard truths about the nature of humanity. He saw her as a colleague and someone he could trust; when that was revealed to be a facade, he couldn’t emotionally handle it (which is a very Eren response). I was appreciating the points this video was making until this one. Seems like a pretty big misread of the situation.

[@HadHadHad-A]

I don't like Gabi but how she acted felt very natural to me. She watched two of her best of friemds die, she watched people who were kind to her that wasn't the same race as her shot down. Even calm, she was too furious to want to have a level head. Her being suicidal felt very natural for a kid who is bold. She's been a very grounded character so far, but traumatizing her really pushed her over the edge because this is how she deals with loss

[@takanara7]

Yeah she's also been indoctrinated her whole life, basically the Marleyans would only give the power of the titan to Eldens who were proven to have 'drunk the kool-aide' so being dedicated to the point of insanity makes perfect sense for a 'star' warrior candidate like Gabbi

[@SeanMania213]

I love this show but I never thought about how weird some of the character motivations were until now lol

[@takanara7]

Historia's behavior is actually MORE realistic. Remember, she doesn't yet know the scouts are planning to make her queen, she doesn't know anything about her bloodline being important. As far as she knows she's just a disposable unwanted child who's only goal so far has been to die a heroic death so people remember her fondly. Now suddenly this girl actually cares about her for "who she is," and also people act completely irrationally when they're in love. But think about it, what exactly does Historia have to lose here (that she knows of) by going with Ymir? It's not like she'd be leaving behind her family or a home she cares about or whatever. I do wish they'd given Mikasa more character traits. But one thing to remember about her is that protecting Eren is literally her job, and one of the most important jobs in her society, so society at large is is reinforcing her somewhat obsessive feelings.

[@iphito7539]

Perhaps I am interpreting too much, but this is my understanding of Mikasa’s character: One year before the show starts, we see that she looses *everything* . Her entire family. Everything that she thought she was was taken from her in an instant. And so, she clings onto the first thing she sees after her world is dead. Eren. After everything she thought that defined her was gone, she immediately looked for another thing. It’s almost like when a baby gets born into this world and sees it’s mother. That forms a special bond. Plus, her Ackermann-powers awakened in that moment. And even more so, she questions her identity, because of Eren saying that her blood is who she is. But now, the Eren she once knew is dead and my hopes for her future character are that the next person to guide her, to give her purposely this cruel world, will he herself.

[@RevanX77]

In Japanese, the sounds for the word "meat" are actually the first syllable of Niccolo. She wasn't talking about food, she was calling out his name in her final moments.

[@serpentious]

In the manga Eren and Annie spent months training, it from Annie that he learned the fighting technique that he uses to fight Reiner. That's why when he saw the female titan's stance he recognised the fighting style because he had been watching Annie fight. The Anime moved around and didn't expand much during the 10 training.

[@BLake125ESP]

In my headcanon Sasha was trying to say "Nicolo" before dying, the sound is pretty similar. Good video, I don't agree about everything you said but you bring really interesting points.

[@takanara7]

That makes sense, Japanese word for meat is "Niku"

[@higlythehylotle7318]

@@takanara7 unless you wach the dub

[@Qegixar]

Hold on, were you waiting until the letter to consider Ymir and Historia's relationship "confirmed?" Just because it was implicit doesn't mean it was subtle. You sound kind of annoyed that Isayama doesn't write explicit romance, but for this story, I thought it works better.

[@osmya0044]

As you know, people arent in love until they loudly say say "I am in love". Duh😒

[@sheikaejulius4441]

I can't agree with most of the points made here. I'm sure other people will express what I'm thinking but better. I will say this though; I'm not sure if you read some subs with funky translations but I feel as though the reason why eren hesitate to fight annie was meant to be interpreted as some part of his subconscious did not want to believe that his 'comrade' was a mass killer. This point you made just didn't sit right with me at all.

[@iphito7539]

Perhaps I am interpreting too much, but this is my understanding of Mikasa’s character: One year before the show starts, we see that she looses *everything* . Her entire family. Everything that she thought she was was taken from her in an instant. And so, she clings onto the first thing she sees after her world is dead. Eren. After everything she thought that defined her was gone, she immediately looked for another thing. It’s almost like when a baby gets born into this world and sees it’s mother. That forms a special bond. Plus, her Ackermann-powers awakened in that moment. And even more so, she questions her identity, because of Eren saying that her blood is who she is. But now, the Eren she once knew is dead and my hopes for her future character are that the next person to guide her, to give her purposely this cruel world, will he herself.

[@I_am_Felii]

Well idk about Mikasa tbh, throughout the past season I have definetly felt like she was one of the lesser developed characters in the show but with season 4 part 1 done, I really like what Isayama did with her. Erens table talk pretty much feels like Isyama saying " Okay yeah I got it, yall felt like Mikasa was Sakura no. 2? Well how about I turn THAT into her reason for character development then??" To me it is almost comedic how Isayama took that criticism and turned it around. Because instead of just blindly following Eren all the time, Eren himself made her question herself and that is such a smart way of twisting her character around. She now has to face herself and question why she is with Eren to begin with. Is she truly in love with him like she always believed she was? Is she just following her basic instincts that were engraved into her DNA? Is Eren truly the person she always thought he was? We actually got to see her perception of Eren change even before that table talk scene when she was talking to Louise who followed her lead and joined the Scouts and then the Yaegerists because she also wanted to fight for what she believed in while putting Mikasa on a pedestal. That reminded her of herself and how she alway put Eren on a pedestal as well, remembering that infamous kidnapping scene where Eren saves her from those human trafficking guys except THIS time, Eren seems more like a psychopath than a savior to her.

[@archivist_13]

Took the words right out of my mouth

[@Trxpamvs]

14:25 it would be less believable & out off character for her if she just suddenly stopped and went home & said yeah we will get them next time. I don’t really think you get most of the characters in this show completely

[@Tetribution]

I Don't really agree with this at all; Eren never had romantic feelings for Annie as far as i can tell - he definitely respected her a lot, seeing how he especially remembered the lessons he had with her in CQC. And @Doccyy has a really good explanation the Ymir so I won't get into that. As far as i know, Eren hesitated to fight Annie simply because "she's a titan, but she's also my friend", which is also why i think Eren didn't hesitate (as much) when he found out reiner and bertholdt were the armored and colossal. I Will say however that i do agree on Mikasa's part, although she's getting some fleshing out now, unless they pull something big out of the very last chapter of the manga she will still be underdeveloped..

[@ora5799]

I dont buy gabi junping on the airship as out of character, she has blind hatred and also meant to be a parallel of eren. and if she did lose faith in proving eldians are good then going after eren yaeger makes sense. I also think the obscuring motivations is a good thing its how the plot progresses, discovering motivations and the pursuit of freedom and truth are core parts of the story. Also like everyone said already erens reaction to annie is more the hope that a friend and fellow human isnt really his enemy not something to do with romantic feelings i think if that were the case it would be clearer like how mikasas feeling for eren are made extremely clear, and bow that season 4 part one is done those feelings have been question, idk if its really a good explanation but it does serve to cause introspection.

[@TheJay144]

Sasha actually said Niku as in Nicolo. Eluding to the fact that she possibly had a a relationship with him. That's why Nicolo almost killed Gabi when he found out what she did.

[@takanara7]

Yeah it's the same word in Japanese, so her friends didn't realize what she meant, lol.

[@TheJay144]

@@takanara7 kinda sad that the English translation is gunna make it more silly rather than tragic.

[@FrankFreezy_]

Brilliance video man! My love for this show always hindered me from having any negative thoughts on it. I appreciate you for making this. Great perspective

[@DB6195]

I’ll be nice and not count the stuff around 2 min because anime only. At 6 min you’ve lost it. There was literally and entire 2 episode arc establishing that Historia only joined the military to commit suicide and has no loyalty to humanity itself. Following that is her promise to Ymir to “only live for herself”. So no Historia sticking by Ymir is set up, consistent and has a lot of depth to it and represent significant development for her. And you forgot it for a cheap point.

[@Blizzic]

Yeah man, I agree that it's set up and consistent. I'm not saying that Historia's decision made no sense for her. I'm saying that the fact that she's such a single-minded character that the decision is quick and easy is part of the overarching "bizarre character writing" trend. Most other characters would have been written to be more conflicted, but she's written in such a manner that the decision comes naturally, and that's representative a trend within the show that I think leads to less interesting character interactions.

[@I_am_Felii]

@@Blizzic I mean it is supposed to be an easy decision for her, after all Ymir was everything she cared about specially because as we find out in season 3, her father sent her away, giving her a new identity, basically disclaim her (from her POV we know there was a bit more going on) her mother rejected her as well, her half sister erased her memories up to the point that she didnt even know she existed so she had basically NO ONE. No identity and no family. Ymir was her family, Ymir also gave her her identity back so to speak, telling her to make decisions by herself and stand up for what she believes in instead of giving into others expectations of her. Of course would she follow Ymir to the death if she had to, she didnt even know where Ymir would take her but that didnt matter to her because she trusted her regardless. Why would she fight for a civilization that did not mean shit to her compared to what Ymir means to her. Also before season 3 none of the characters truly understood the world they were living in or what they were actually fighring for so it is easy to make such a hard decision so easily because in their minds everything was way more black and white than they ended up figuring out later on.

[@Алексей545-т6б]

@@Blizzic Historia was litteraly empty person-on her farm, to her mom and grandparents she was basicly a gost. They pretend that she never exist. So her path is a path to find herself and that is hard as fuck(because it far easier pretend to be a "sweet Crista" or "good father's daughter")

[@rannynihilius8481]

The accent also comes up later again as Falco and Gabi realize that this accent is from a region of marley so that Falco connects more easily with family Braus.

[@BoundlessOwl]

eren was absolutely never meant to be seen as having a crush on annie. i honestly dont know WHERE you got that from

[@Blizzic]

Usually when a character accuses another character of having “special feelings” it carries a romantic undercurrent. But I was also pretty clear about that being an optional interpretation

[@Jonas-ob2sh]

@@Blizzic Mikasa thinking Eren is interested in other women is just showing how obsessive/possessive she is of him, it doesn't mean there is any truth to it. We've seen multiple times Mikasa having yandere face when Eren interacts with other females. In S1E23 with Annie, in S2E7 with Annie (flashback) and Hanji (when she talks to titan Eren) and in S3E11 with Historia. None of these are hints of future relationships to come. I don't think you've paid enough attention to the show and you look things only in the moment and come to certain conclusions and don't consider stuff in bigger context.

[@johnpaulcross424]

Yea mikasa is kinda nuts. I always had a problem with how one-minded her focus on him was. She could have been such a better character if she had literally any other defining motivations or character traits but we don’t get nice things. But yea that historia point was kinda cringe

[@jayesq7483]

Ong that Historia point was bad

[@shrex7887]

I know it's not popular opinion but I personally think Mikasa is actually really realistic character. I think watching anime, movies etc made us think all the characters must have strong and deep motivation often because of their past or other things. Mikasa is simple but also that makes her in my opinion relatable character. All she really wants is to protect her loved ones (I know most of the time it looks like she only cares about eren but obviously she also cares about others). In real life also are people who love their family and it is their most important reason to live. Not everyone want to achieve laudable goal in their life. In case of Mikasa it only make sense because she lost her only family - she simply don't want it happen again.

[@takanara7]

​@@shrex7887 Also, protecting Eren was LITERALLY HER JOB. She was willing to part with Eren early on and he literally got swallowed by a titan without her in episode 5. After that she was basically assigned to protect him. She might have developed a more normal relationship with him if they lead a normal life, or if she was just a regular skilled fighter and not the #2 after her Levi, but her 'dedication' to protecting Eren was reinforced by everyone else around them as well.

[@nithinnk1980]

She's a More than that. In manga Mikasa shows a lot More personality. But anime had to cut a whole lot to maintain pacing.

[@iphito7539]

@@shrex7887 yes and especially because we know that one year before the show starts, we see that she looses *everything* . Her entire family. Everything that she thought she was was taken from her in an instant. And so, she clings onto the first thing she sees after her world is dead. Eren. After everything she thought that defined her was gone, she immediately looked for another thing. It’s almost like when a baby gets born into this world and sees it’s mother. That forms a special bond. Plus, her Ackermann-powers awakened in that moment. And even more so, she questions her identity, because of Eren saying that her blood is who she is. But now, the Eren she once knew is dead and my hopes for her future character are that the next person to guide her, to give her purposely this cruel world, will he herself.

[@jayesq7483]

That extremely beautiful ending sequence kept me from typing a dissertation. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on most of your points earlier on though. Nice work💯

[@Kahiyao]

The problem was that there are just too many characters to develop. They can’t go too deep without completely distracting from the main cast and storyline. Levi, Reiner, Jean, and Falco are the most interesting because they have done much more to develop an actual inner conflict with the choices they’ve made and how they change their destinies. Levi is simple but his subtle malice is something that makes you more invested in his moments of true outbursts.

[@djmoneystacks7000]

Can u explain the Eren having a crush on Annie part more? I don’t see where get that impression from?

[@SeanMania213]

Yeah that was the only part of the video that didn’t really read for me

[@johnpaulcross424]

@@SeanMania213 if anything eren is almost asexual throughout the series, and AOT junior high displays the opposite character dynamic of Annie fostering a crush on eren (though this is primarily for comedic purposes and she ends up falling for another character I won’t reveal here.)

[@Blizzic]

Yeah, I'm starting to feel like I'm the only one who read it that way. I thought that Mikasa accusing him of being held back by "special feelings" while giving him a death glare and him angrily denying it was pretty strong evidence that that was the implication, but like I said, it's not explicitly stated, so you could definitely read it as purely platonic.

[@djmoneystacks7000]

@@Blizzic oh I get u now that would be a better explanation for why Mikasa was down to kill Annie so quick Isayama shoulda ran with that

[@takanara7]

@@Blizzic Lol, I always just read that as Mikasa being potentially jealous, lol. There's also a scene in later seasons where she butts in when Eren is having 1 on 1 time with Historia, lol.

[@FBI-dr4bk]

Amazing video. However, there was one of your criticisms that I find to be a bit lacking. The first one would be the critique of Eren's hesitance to kill Annie. As you pointed out, it didn't seem to make sense that the character most hell-bent on killing the Titans, was so hesitant to even fight Annie. And I agree that the relationship before Annie's reveal between her and Eren was an acquaintance-ship at most, if not a rivalry. However, I think you failed to completely take into account Eren's Point of View throughout that ordeal. For one, Eren's mindset on Good Vs Evil was extremely simple. It was Titans vs. Humans And he saw Annie as a human.As someone who had the same ambition that he, and the other Eldians had within the walls. But that wasn't reality. The reality of the situation clashed with his ideals in a way that he couldn't really make sense of. Which is the reason why he was so hesitant in the first place. Eren wanted to save Humans. Not kill them. I'll admit that this is handled way better in Season 3 with Reiner and Kenny Squad vs Levi Squad, but the point still stands that Isayama was trying to convey that same message through most of the seasons. All-in-all, this was a really great video. And the rest of your points definitely make sense.

[@takanara7]

Yeah it would have been hard or Eren to kill any human at that point, especially one he knew personally and had been friends with. Like the person who doesn't want to shoot the zombie version of their friends in a Zombie movie, lol. (also I think any guy would at least have a mild crush on Annie, if they didn't hate her.)

[@kinin4400]

the whole part about annie and eren is that eren sees the world as black and white. The titans are bad and the humans are good, but when Annie is reveled to be a titan that mindset gets crushed and like you said eren is a simple character so for a battle to not be as black and white anymore he hesitates and to be able to go into titan mode he cant hesitate at all. Eren didn't have much of a relationship with Annie as a friend but he believed her to be a good because she is a human after all, but this does get more complicated as we can see throughout the series and the simple minded Eren that we knew must adapt to this new environment.

[@deckfart1560]

Really happy to see that someone realizes the parallels between Aot and TLOU

[@lukasundja3977]

honestly this was a great video, with a (mostly) great comment section, giving a different point of view on characters than the standart viewer might see. i dont agree with most of what you said but my english is to bad to explain it all therefore i'll just say i agree with many of the comments disagreeing with you BUT i totally respect your and nearly all of the comments perspective since it all make sense in their own way. to wrap this way to long comment with shitty english up i personally think attack on titan characters while beeing a little extreme, are very relatable for a huge amount of people with different backgrounds and storys i think almost anyone can watch this show and find a character that reflects some of their character traits or big life changing moments and i think this video together with the comment section are a perfect way of showing that. and one last thing how does this only have 2000 views for me this video was on one level with some of the biggest reviews or video essays to attack on titan, great work keep it up

[@failed_K]

Honestly, the whole Annie thing could've been fixed if they showed more from the Manga, As in the Manga, Eren and Annie spent a couple months or so together training

[@Jonas-ob2sh]

No, it makes it seem even more that there is something between the two and it sets an expectation that their relationship will develop further in the series when it never does, so the anime did better job with having just enough interactions between the two in retrospect. Same with Historia and Eren, the manga sets expectations that their relationship will develop further and because of that people had somewhat reasonable theories that they had a kid together when in reality they didn't and due to anime having only one or two interactions between the two compared to the manga, you are less likely to think this bond is going to develop further than friends who care for each other.

[@DL-idk]

I don't think there is anything wrong about Gabi's decision to go onboard. People handle things differently and they make different types of decisions. I have to be honest about this: only because YOU wouldn't do that in that situation doesn't mean Gabi wouldn't do that. I wouldn't do that either. But people react to things very differently and I don't think Gabi absolutely cannot do that just because it's not the best plan. I'm probably making too many comments... Just don't want to mix up different points. Maybe it'll help with the allegory tho

[@jordandwiggins1026]

I don’t necessarily agree with everything said here but the majority of it I think is really well said and interesting, and feels like a very honest interpretation of the series.

[@RyeBreadFF]

Awesome video! While I still have some disagreements regarding that Ymir and Historia scene, you brought up a lot of great points that I hadn’t even considered, especially with Eren’s early conflicts. Also that closing bit about why this box are character work as actually garners the show as much love as it does was right on the money.

[@DL-idk]

I'm kind of confused bro. You're condemning the characters for being two dimensional and simple, yet whenever they show complexity you think it is because of the plots. I mean, come on, the character works in AOT is just not the usual on-your-face type where everyone would explain their internal conflicts and identity crisis through some dialogues like they've been analysing themselves all this time and have been waiting to spit everything out to some new friends they've just made. It's more shown less told. The weird unusual behaviors are the very thing that makes those characters so fascinating to me. Weirdly enough, I could understand most of their motivations and why they do what they do. Idk, maybe I am just as weird as the people living in AOT world.

[@AJ-ri1jt]

Hmmm I can't say I agree, but I do appreciate the thought here and that you're discussing characters. You do raise some good points and discuss the positives well, but I think you interpreted some of this from a weird lens, or at least a lens I fundamentally don't see (like how one-dimensional the characters are). Out of curiosity, did you read the manga or just watch the anime? Some of the best and most amazing character work is done in the manga in my opinion because the character stuff is the first to go when adapting (sadly). A great example is Levi, who has some amazing character work in done in the Uprising arc (season 3 part 1), very little of which makes it into the show. We get to see him struggle with inherited violence (by being raised by a serial killer who denied him affection and taught him violence/power was all that mattered so he grew to associate that with his self-worth), articulate his motivations/characterization (a speech where he calls himself an "abnormal human" for thinking daily his comrades might die/wall Rose may wall/he won't have food or sleep tomorrow who is "fine with playing the role of a lunatic" because he has to "be willing to rearrange some faces" in order to save humanity from all being eaten and end the titan "nightmare", his ultimate goal), and also demonstrate how being raised in poverty with absolutely nothing has made him (according to another character) an "awkward yet kind man" who "came from absolutely nothing" but wants to help people in dire situations like those starving in Trost even though "he doesn't really have to". We watch him get manhandled, mocked, and yelled at by starving civilians who are mad that the Survey Corps haven't done more and instead of retaliating, he empathizes, focuses on a starving woman and her child, and then saves their lives, immediately from an incoming carriage and by prioritizing saving the village during that arc (something we see him thanked for later in the next arc). Also, Sasha's last words being meat is very fitting in many ways to me. Sasha's obsession with food comes from her trauma from the food shortages in her village as a result of the refuges coming in and it's also through her love of food that she connects and shows empathy to the Marleyan Niccolo (which is a big point of the series to illustrate the ability to overcome hatred). She's depicted as disoriented as she dies; it makes perfect sense for this story, too, because quite frankly, this isn't really a story that likes big, glorified deaths. Sure, some deaths are like that, but since most are portrayed as senseless and undignified, why would Sasha (who is meant to be here an example of the pointless deaths of conflict, the consequence from Eren's actions, the cycle of violence and hatred, etc.) have some big moment on her deathbed? It's not like Connie, Jean, and the others made light of her death- Connie in particular lashed out hard. Like I would get this point more if we had Connie seriously being like "yes, the meat is coming" as his last words to her. Very few characters get a good, heroic sendoff. I like to think of Mike, who first is a badass, then freezes up and has a breakdown, then regains his determination and begins to face death like a hero- only to immediately start freaking out and crying again as it comes. There's almost a message about good deaths, we can have good sacrificial deaths saving others (though that's also rare) but the violent deaths in battle aren't really dramatized in traditional ways as fitting with a theme on how the cycle of hatred and violence dooms all. Even beyond that, I won't give spoilers, but at least some of what you discuss as issues here are getting addressed in the manga. I won't say more just in case but some of the character flaws you found are definitely seen as flaws in character the text wants to dismantle and have the character eventually overcome. Like multiple of the characters undergo development that tackle what you say. But hey, I do want to thank you for this video. It was very interesting, made me think, and the thesis (of the character writing being bizarre) is novel. So thanks!

[@rannynihilius8481]

15:26 well the last thing she said was sounding like nico not sure if i spelled it right but its the japanese word for meat and you can also see it as the name of her loved one Nicolo.

[@chimperikson8308]

Fun fact, Mikasa is SO MUCH MORE likeable in the Manga. I seriously recommend you read it, she's like a whole different character. Historia, too.

[@Blizzic]

I've read the manga up until Volume 21 and noticed no significant differences in how Mikasa is characterized, nor Historia, but it has been awhile

[@Jonas-ob2sh]

The problem with manga version is that due to Mikasa being more "likeable" she has less development compared to the anime counterpart who goes from single minded yandere to someone more normal due to the revelations about the overall state of the world which is far more complex and nuanced than the initial world of mindless titans and due to extreme actions Eren took in Liberio. It's far more interesting arc. Being unlikable or "one dimensional" initially isn't a bad thing unless it serves a purpose in the bigger overall story. S1-S3 Mikasa is almost exactly like Eren and S4 Mikasa is a what if scenario if Eren didn't succumb to his violent nature and his worst personality traits. Louise is more direct incarnation of Mikasa had she stayed the same after S3.

[@thearomanticshipper4468]

16:15 “That weird little subplot about her hick accent that never comes up again” Well, this aged poorly.

[@nickman9639]

Ymir goes with reiner and bert when she realizes Eren has the founder. It is heavily implied she knows that the wall titans can be mobilized and that she believes eren would do it when he got the chance after witnessing eren's interaction with dina fritz

[@nickman9639]

This is one of the least charitable interpretations of the characters, but I can see how this could be an honest interpretation, I just don't vibe with it at all.

[@tylerbregg9332]

it's kind of annoying that most people bring up character relationship and forget that they spent 4 years sleeping under the same roof as military training cadets, sucks that most of the character bonding happened off screen but the attention span of the average viewer is really lacking when choosing a new anime out of the 20 ones that come out every season unless there's a drought like 2020, but manga magazines are very selective about which get to stay or go and unless you perform admirably well during the start it'll get lost in the pile and be cut. I get why everything was so fast and character development or establishing relationships early in the series wasn't a proity, just get to the good stuff and let Aot explode in popularity and atleast it worked just with having 100's of fans whining about why do people who've trained toghter in the military for years have a tight bond with eachother but whining because they never thought of that training period because the story pretty much skipped over most of the relationship building at the start but it made up for it in the end.

[@thearomanticshipper4468]

I admit in season 1 when Eren was trying to find the strength to fight the titans was kind of odd because it contradicts his character, but I think it was because he was so incredibly out of energy from using his power so much with no practice. Completing the objective took everything he had and he was passed out for a whole week afterwards.

[@BravoBlanc]

Your opinion on Mikasa would change if you weren't only looking at the anime, but I won't spoil anything.

[@osmya0044]

I have no idea where you got the idea that Eren had a crush on Annie. They trained together for a LONG time. Eren at that time had a very black and white view on the world and seeing that illusion shatter along with the person shattering it being a person you have any kind of bond made Eren hesitate. He never had to fight any of his friends before. Yeah, maybe they didnt talk much or were besties, but they trained, lived, ate and did everything together with the rest of the 104. Eren is a naive young boy who couldnt grasp that the world was more complicated than he thought. Mikasa saying that was likely because shes paranoid Eren like anybody else

[@mwndjddjdhdbbf8408]

It's weird to call Eren's reluctance to fight Annie simplistic and then explain it in a very simplistic way yourself. Eren doesn't want to fight Annie because he can't believe someone he considered good was actually an enemy all along. He's always seen the world in black and white, and he can't accept that someone he considered good was actually a monster. It's not just "he had a crush on her"

[@muskian706]

I’m reminded of SugarPunch’s Monster Hunter video. Culture of Danger is definitely how I’d describe things, everyone is so extreme all the time. Like, people start to trickle away at Trost because they’re scared, then Pixis gives a speech and literally everyone comes back. Honestly, I think the biggest reason they’re written like this is because it’s a Shonen and extreme characters with high-energy is the norm. Really starts to hurt this series when it tries dealing with sociopolitical problems.

[@takanara7]

It's not shown that literally everyone comes back after Pixis speech.

[@tacticstories7159]

I also wondered why Sashas last words were "meat". Yes it is strange and thaught about what she should have said instead. I thaught maybe her father, or one of her friends. Then when you see how she is written, you realise why this May make sense. She loves other people seemingly equaly. And if you know you're about to die, you'd like to have something that really made you the happiest.Maybe she was picturing eating the most delicous meat, while sitting with her friends and family at a table. So I think, as stupid as it May sound, it was something that gave her more life than anything else in that cold world. If they'd showed a Frame of what I just decribed, it would probably make more sense.

[@12and31]

I think you're taking a lot of these characters out of context of their environment. Our environment is a large part in shaping personalities and motivations. If all our characters live in a world where they're constantly backs to wall and on the brink of extinction, ofc they're going to be more ideologically focussed to solving the horror of their world (ex. Eren, Reiner, Gabi, Zeke, Grisha ext). If the war time setting was the same and half the characters act nonchalant, or even sheepish, that would be far more bizarre. I actually believe this is some of the best character writing for any series I've experienced because they seem more genuine than what most authors are capable of. Character writing is a huge strength of Isayamas

[@12and31]

There's maybe a couple characters in the entire series you could actually call 2D and Mikasa isn't even one of those anymore.

[@nickiawheeler9102]

I'm really glad I returned to this video because I originally stopped right before you mentioned characters that go against what you previously said. I do disagree with some of your points, some that other commentators have already expressed. I think Historia's choice to be with Ymir was intense because of the reasons you suggested. I don't think it's as though those factors didn't exist at that moment, but her devotion to Ymir was just that strong. When I watched it that scene was just a beautiful demonstration of pure loyalty. I have always struggled with Mikasa as a character though, but according to other videos I've seen she is more flushed out in the manga but WIT studios wanted to push the romance. I haven't read the manga though, so I can't speak to the validity of the statement.

[@dave_4527]

I’m assume, Just based of your wording, That you haven’t read the manga. I suggest doing so, at least up until the end of the uprising arc. Because ‘most’ things said in this video I somewhat agree with… in the context of the anime. Mikasa has SO much more early character work in the manga that the anime just shrinks down to… “Eren!!!!” after uprising arc the anime follows the manga much more accurately. Anyway… Enjoyed the video, I like to hear other peoples opinions about Aot/Snk , Even if I don’t totally agree with them.

[@Aot]

6:29 actually... Eren is like that, that is who he was before Armin showed Eren the book. He was that bored kid who had nothing but Armin was seeing a dream he couldn't. Once he was reminded of that dream by Armin he burned his world away in pursuit of that.

[@PK-MegaLolCaT]

2:48 acording to what i have hear that more of an issue of the anime not the manga. however i want to point out. one of the main challenges most of the character's in the world has to face is mental health. because the constant exposure to trauma some of the characters have deal with a certain degree of mental illness. you can see in the faces (specially in the manga and in the last season that most of them probably suffer from depression. and anxiety) mikasa's obsession with eren is founded in trauma.. and that why it comes off as unhealthy.. because its basically is unhealthy.

[@matyaskassay4346]

It's a rare thing but this is actually one of those few shows that could've used more "filler" scenes or even entire episodes, when the characters could've had more time to interact, bond and flash out their personalities. There are very short, subtle and mostly comedic moments of them messing around with each other, usually as half-still images with no audio, but that's just not enough. When we get to s4 we realise we barely know anything about these people and it's hard to believe they're so attached to each other because we never saw them bonding. I guess the OAVs kinda do that but most people don't even know about those. Sasha's death is a good example of why this is a big problem: almost any interaction she had with the others was about her annoying them or talking about food, so it's hard to believe they actually care about her that much. Edit: I wrote this before I finished the video and realised he was gonna say the same thing about Sasha

[@archivist_13]

I'm really glad to see other comments that appreciate Mikasa just as much as I do.

[@DL-idk]

Historia is a people pleaser. People pleasers don't think rationally and yep they will go with you without a clue of where you're going or what is waiting ahead, as long as you show care and ask. Her behavior is annoying, but actually more realistic than you might think. I know that because I live with people pleasers first handedly. It could be super annoying, but sadly people like this do exist.

[@danielclough9544]

I disagree with all of these points and I genuinely believe AOT is indeed a masterpiece, or the closest I've seen to a masterpiece in terms of characterization and story telling I have ever seen in any media. I am a huge AOT fan so you can rightly see this as very biased, however I feel I'm a huge fan BECAUSE of the incredible atmosphere and just outright masterfully crafted show in general. Every "red flag" one may have from the show eventually makes sense, either with it being foreshadowed beforehand in a way that makes us wanna say "shit how did I not see that coming", or explained afterwards in a very natural way. And I feel the characters motivations are all justified, even if they're debatable to the audience, that's the point. Levi choosing armin is an example of a characters decision, it may not have been the "right" decision but it was the harsh reality of the situation and in turn lead to the route we are seeing, like all decisions in real life. And this, along with other things between characters like ymir and christas relationship and sashas death, is what you have explained in your own way which I respect, but have to disagree. AOT constantly reinforces the world as a cruel place, a harsh cold reality in which the characters have to overcome in their own ways. And their choices and their decisions arent always black and white, wrong or right, good or bad, and this is one of the morals of the show. Not saying you disagree, but I feel the points you did make are from plot points or scenarios or choices that are justified in their own way, to enhance the plot sure, but also enhance the story, world building, character developments, relationships, and just the narrative as a whole. Writing these moments off as simply a way to "enhance the plot" isnt true imo. Of course it guides the plot and the narrative, in the end that's what a story is. Everything that happens is happening because it leads to the eventual conclusion. But theres so much more to it than that. Its themes are highlighted, and therefore its characters grow, and we as an audience grow with them, now knowing more about them, and the world of AOT. That's why it relies so much on reveals, because that's what the story is all about. How little we know about this world isayama has created, and trying to make us understand it, and the characters placed inside it, in order to draw links and comparisons to out own world and the places we have in it, and the choices we make with our lives. Idk. Honestly I can talk about this forever because again, it's the best show of all time imo, for good reason. But I feel I've gone on too long and not many people will even read this so....yeah. Cheers if you did 👍

[@avrinrose5457]

Can you Talk about Kaitou Joker?

[@tankiecell671]

i watched all of his old videosss. when is next video?? its been SIX months!!!!!!!!! btw i dont agree on your opinion on erin and blondie relationship.

[@sKid-hi7km]

Would you still consider a redesign for profile/character with new expressions. If you couldn’t remember I was the one person, who did your new design in 2018.

[@Trxpamvs]

Yeah I heavily disagree with most of this video especially the Annie part, he was never shown to have any interest in her romantically I don’t get were you get that from

[@Ruminations_24]

Great analysis. I keep catching people using Halo 3: ODST's music in their videos lol

[@alcatrazqueeristan]

I still remember how infuriating I found Bertholdt specifically before season 4 started. I don't remember the exact line, he said something like "you aren't in the wrong, but we aren't either" to Armin. I was just filled with pure rage. Beyond hating the character I was also livid with the show for pretending that the people trying to commit *genocide* were sympathetic. I almost stopped watching the show right then and there, and my roommate got to hear *lots* of angry ranting from me about how it doesn't make any sense. It wasn't until a few episodes into season 4 that I was able to comprehend where Bertholdt was coming from, and I was so angry that it probably took longer than it should have for me to understand the situation they had been in. For a while, I absolutely hated Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, and Ymir; and I was really angry with the show for having them "pretend to be sympathetic" and to talk about all these things that made no sense. I just really couldn't understand *how* they could be *possibly* made into sympathetic characters. (and in my defense, it was really convoluted). I'd probably appreciate those scenes more if I were to rewatch them, but frankly I don't care enough about Attack on Titan to do that. It's a fine show, but it's never been my cup of tea. Anyway, the point of this way too long comment is: I very strongly agree with your point about mystery getting in the way of character drama. If I had understood what it was like for the Eldians in Marley sooner I would have probably really appreciated those characters and their scenes a lot more

[@anthonyclark5849]

I think that’s what you’re supposed to feel about those characters at that point. Their words don’t make any sense if you don’t know where they’re coming from. I feel like Reiner and co. aren’r really written as sympathetic characters until season 4. I do agree it’s too long of a wait and it’s resulted in a little disconnect between viewers as to whether you’re supposed to root for them or find them appalling; in my opinion if you’re going to make a character villainous you should stick to it and not drop crumbs or hints that they have a sympathetic side. But in my opinion based on the flow of the story they’re meant to be seen as antagonists through and through until the point where you learn their backstory, at which point they become protagonistic with the main villain being Eren/war itself.

[@alcatrazqueeristan]

@@anthonyclark5849 Maybe it's what you're supposed to feel, but as someone who has never been particularly invested in AoT pure *hated* I felt for those characters was the strongest reaction the show had managed to get from me. I was so angry I almost quit watching right then ofc this might just be a Me thing, so I wouldn't try to look too deeply into it lmaoo

[@anthonyclark5849]

@@alcatrazqueeristan yah like the flow of the story makes me feel like that but it’s also not done in the best possible way imo. Ppl get confused as to whether they’re supposed to find them sympathetic or not; and like u said some people get angry because they think they’re supposed to based on words like “we’re both in the right”, and obviously find it outrageous because it is. Kinda like in the current arc how people are still confused about whether they’re supposed to be supporting Eren or not. From the way it’s written, I only remember switching sides over to the scouts after chapter 128, when it was clear the story was moving in a direction where he was the primary antagonistic force and these were our protagonists. But up until then it was very confusing and it made our heroes’ story feel so weird and angering at times. Are we supposed to be supporting mass destruction and against the characters trying to stop it, or the other way around? Despite favoring one stance over the other narratives, the story hasn’t REALLY given a powerful sell to either one or the other where it needed to, and I feel like it makes the viewing experience disjointed and weird; people aren’t on the same page and it’s hard to know what you’re supposed to be feeling. It’s interesting to see what the author could have added or taken away to sell the plot more believably and get rid of some of that disconnect between different viewers.

[@alcatrazqueeristan]

@@anthonyclark5849 I think there's something to be said about a switching sides of a conflict part way through the story, because it's definitely an interesting thing to do... but it is REALLY confusing, especially with how long Eren has been the protagonist. So yeah, it does feel pretty disjointed and confusing to me. So it sounds like a good idea in theory but it's hard to pull off, maybe? idk I guess the tldr is that I agree with you. Sorry I took so long to reply, I've been having some trouble organizing any of my thoughts and this is the best I can do rn

[@groaningwolf]

What you are saying is exactly what AOT is getting at: you hate someone because you don't know who they are or what they have been through. And it works so well as it makes you angry at these characters instead of feeling sympathetic toward them. "Ignorance causes hatred"

[@marwanaitkaddour5563]

Love you analyses dude ♥️

[@Blizzic]

Thanks!

[@Dzakaleh]

Gabi = Abi! It’s all connected!

[@gibbythicc5269]

There’s no way eren liked Annie

[@takanara7]

I think it's likely Eren at least thought she was hot, but even then he probably considered her a friend and he looked up to her for being a good fighter. He didn't want to think that a human would betray humanity.

[@nightlydata2181]

I don't think this vid is bad per say and It's your opinion but it's based on things on which half is kinda agreeable but more so debatable but the other half is based off of out right misinterpretations of the characters and their purpose in the story. Those being (what I can remember after just finishing this vid) the aforementioned "crush" Eren has on Annie which was never even made out to be an open interpretation thing by ANYONE and the only ppl who had a crush on her were Bert and Armin cus u know why. Anyone would be crushed by the fact that someone that taught them things and trained with for years as a comrade whom they had mutual respect for was actually the enemy the whole time (It was the same with Bert and Reiner but cus its alr happened Eren was more readily able to fight back). Then there's Erens "One-note" character which is exactly as stated but that's because that's exactly how it's supposed to be by design. S1 Eren isn't a good fit for the world he lives in or at least he forces his character in a position it's not suited for (Chop that off with the he's only special cus he was born thing). As he realizes this it becomes progression for his character and leads to his eventual change up is S4. He needs to completely change as a person/character if he wants to complete the task he has set for himself in the timeframe he has. And finally Sasha's death and it's importance for the series as a whole and her character. Sasha was the comedic relief of the series so her death first and foremost shows from that point on things will only get dreadfully worse and she as a character no longer fits in the world and was consequentially removed from it. Second After her death she becomes more important to the series then EVER before since her eps in S2 which she was supposed to die in and after that they DON'T let u forget throughout the rest of S4's run. And lastly I want to add as to when she says "meat" when she dies. Meat isn't only the thing she would say cus she's the FOOD girl it's also her representation of what "Freedom" means to her cus she want's EVERYONE within the walls to eat what they want when they want without having to starve, scrounge, or fight for food. Then finally there's when she says "Meat" in japanese which is Niku, It's later found out that she had a thing with a Marleyan captive named NICCOLO who could cook all sorts of amazing foods the ppl on Paradise couldn't imagine existing before, so Niku-Nico-Niccolo. I'm saying it's possible she was trying to call his name as well. Tbh it took other ppl's insight along with several viewings of this series to get this much for me so I can't blame u for the oversight and I mean no disrespect, just thought I could get u to see the other side. That's all I got If u read this thx and sry it's so long. All love ❤

[@CandorHispanus]

Besides an argument to be made for AOT's penchant for black comedy (Sasha is literally named after a comedian and oh yeah *the main character laughs at her last words too* ), you might be underestimating how irrational people are. Isayama, unlike most authors, shows the contradictions of idealism (dying like a hero) and realism (being afraid to die, no matter how "heroic" you act). Why wouldn't the same apply to other contradictions of the human condition? If anything, Isayama's foible in character design is how uniformly *idealistic* the main characters are -- most of the Alliance at the end is made up of people devoid of urges for revenge, no matter how many of their own they lose. That was unconvincing to me. And yeah I fully agree about Ymir's death being one of the biggest storywriting flaws in the show and done for plot reasons. Also there's a theory Sasha's last words were actually "Nico[lo]..." since in Japanese the word meat sounds close to Nicolo's name. Whether it's true or not it demonstrates Isayama's genius, you can just look back on AOT and still be surprised at a connection here or a realization there even years later. But that's about it. 3/5 analysis.

[@christobalrojas4104]

How the fuck did you just throwed such amount of shit at one of my favourite shows and made me agree with everything you said

[@Blizzic]

Made my day.

[@youdonthavetolikemeiloveme3621]

Lol same

[@abhiroopdas3232]

I am a manga reader, and yes, while the story is fuckin amazing, Isayama constantly creates problems for himself, often he overcomes them, and sometimes he just skips them and leaves us with something "bizarre", as you put it. This isn't really a roadblock in the story, and therefore a majority of common viewers just skip over it as well/ don't even pay attention. I must say you are wrong about Ymir and Annie, and also about Mikasa (but that's stuff you didn't know about, back then) but the rest, I agree with you. I think the majority of this is because Attack On Titan is in fact, Isayama's first manga ever. As the manga continues, (and as you saw in S4) Isayama keeps improving, and I am sure if he makes another one, it will be a much more consistent, mature work.

[@mateo-nw7ou]

Hey I just watched the into the spider-verse video and now im in love with your form to explain things, thank you ps: im also spiderman

[@Kilvas1031]

Meat is Niku in Japanese. She's not saying meat. She's saying Niccolos name.

[@tsubakiraiden568]

Would love to see a video essay on One Piece (if you watch it)

[@youdonthavetolikemeiloveme3621]

9:22 the holy blonde quartet

[@ecoist9057]

Why haven't you up loaded since? I want to be your subscriber, but I won't if you don't become more consistent, and this rings true for others as well

[@michaelW6]

bruh. you should really wach evangelion n make some videos on it.

[@TheDarkChaplain]

Don't you worry, Isayama will just do another flashback chapter to retcon in moments between two characters that he wanted to interact and be all familiar in the ongoing present plotline, because he couldn't be arsed to properly build up to it as he went along. Why tell a story properly when you can just flashback multiple years over and over to explain why his latest BIG TWIST! is the most genius piece of writing ever to the fanboys.

[@jayesq7483]

You're so butthurt😂😂

[@TheDarkChaplain]

@@jayesq7483 Ah, yes, let's not even touch what the other person said and just fling insults :)

[@Shinwicked]

I don't really understand , could you give me some examples what are you trying to say ??

[@TheDarkChaplain]

@@Shinwicked The author tends to skip forward, especially with characters and their development, present you with a new twist / solution to a problem or new character interaction, which he hasn't actually built up to before. He then just goes back afterwards to add a chapter or two to add the build up that should have been there in the first place. Generally, this qualifies as a retcon. Although the retcon term has often been used to imply rewrites / changes after the fact, it also covers this sort of gap-filling. One example would be the way Krista and Ymir behave during the tower defense, with their flashback training chapter. Or Niccolo's "relationship" with Sasha during the timeskip. Or even stuff like the thunder spears suddenly being a thing, then explained why they are afterwards. The biggest example is obviously the massive 4-year timeskip itself, which muddles the waters even up until the final chapter that's coming up, serving primarily as empty space for the author to go back to to justify his narrative twists. Going back to flesh out a character is all well and good, mind you. It's not an issue by itself. The problem comes from overreliance on it, especially to explain crucial plot developments you want to spring at the reader before they're actually established. It's one of the big problems I have with the final arc of the manga, in particular. We see events play out, but actually, almost everything relevant to the conflict happened off-page, to be drip-fed throughout instead. Things just happen and you are supposed to deal with them until Isayama figures he should grace the audience with an explanation. That's a very shaky foundation to tell your story on.

[@Shinwicked]

@@TheDarkChaplain well I agree on the fact that isayama , just throws stuff at you and then explains it later . My biggest problem with it was when eren unlocks the co-ordinate / founding Titan power out of nowhere , like I don't think it was even foreshadowed once in any previous chapter/ Episode that he has this power and later on all the Grisha ,reiss story was told . So it really felt shounen shit to me . But I don't necessarily hate it eighter , but yeah it is overused. I really like how Naoki urasawa builts up characters and moments in MONSTER(consider reading it , if you haven't) , thorought the story. It really feels realistic and memorable . On the latest arc I would say isyama just butchered his story 😩, like asspull after asspull and it can't be explained because one chapter is left . Plot armour at its peak , realistically all the alliance members should have died in chapter 135 , in the previous seasons so many people had to die , just to take out one Titan and now these bunch of idiots( not any better word for people trying to fight for people , who wants to slaughter them and killing the only person who could save them , not trying to say genocide is justified but you understand right?) are killing an army of titans . These are some really big questions Q1. What is the origin of that spine thing? Q2. What the hell is this PATHS shit? Q3. Why are the alliance still able to transform? Q4. Why only some specific shifters came to help the alliance ? Q5. Why did karf Fritz fled to the island , betraying his people , left them to suffer , why did he had this change of heart out of all the 145 kings of eldia ? Q7. What the hell is eren Yeager thinking? Q8. Ymir Fritz only had three daughters with king Fritz , Maria , rose and Sheena . When she died her daughters ate her , and then I would ASSUME each of them was eaten by three people 3x3=9 titans , right. Why didn't they continue this process those 9 eaten by different people and the Titan power getting separated even more.if thats how it worked I would have. created an army of shifters why did it stopped on 9 and who the hell told them there could be only 9 titans ? I think it will be a game of thrones part 2. 😭😭 I think Isayama just tried to make it a very complex and great story , which it could have been , if all these supernatural / out of the world asspulls weren't there. Totally wasted potential 😩😩.

[@DL-idk]

This is a weird video. I disagree on so many levels yet I still like it.

[@Dachusttin]

What a fucking amazing video!

[@mitchelllucier6930]

quality content

[@OscarTheExplorer]

Tbh I hate that people call this anime a masterpiece I love it and it’s amazing but not a 10 out of 10

[@peripateticguy55]

man, eren's just a masochist

[@DL-idk]

About Eren stuck in that fantasy, I always think it's because his "goal" to transform at that time was actually "slapping Mikasa because she was so annoying" instead of plugging the hole. Yeah on the surface he was supposed to set "hole plugging" as the goal, but one thing about the titan transformation is that you can't fool yourself about what you really want. Eren quickly accomplished that goal (he slaps Mikasa until she wouldn't approach anymore) after the transformation, so why not take a break and finally enjoy some peace in a fantasy where Mikasa and everyone else couldn't keep pestering him? I bet he would slap Rico too if she dared to get too close at that time. It's just my interpretation. Personally I don't find Eren's two slops weird. Annoying, yes, but understandable.

[@Arseniy_from_Mordor]

Last thing she said was “Niccolo”.

[@takanara7]

Japanese word for Meat is "Niku" which you would just pronounce as "Nik" So it's possible/likely that's what she was saying.