The Hidden Meaning of Armin and Annie’s Relationship

[@NotHere07]

Annie needs Armin's love for humanity while Armin needs Annie's mental fortitude.

[@taken4granted612]

Very well said.

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

I want a spin off with their kid LOL

[@Meik-n9h]

​@therearenoshortcuts9868 it would all take place at a therapist's office 😂 all that generation (and their parents) would be so fucked up, they'd need serious help

[@darkoverlord6316]

@@Meik-n9hFr

[@gabrielchibekachanda8447]

Congrats on 1k likes (I'm your 1000th like)

[@keylime6]

Bro literally said: "I can fix her" and then did it 🗿

[@Memekey928]

Real 💀

[@user-59559]

And Annie thought, yes, this small and weak boy with a funny hairstyle will lead me to a happy future. It seems to be an example of how important it is for a girl to find the RIGHT partner.

[@Juanjose-tm4qp]

​@@user-59559 In the past, she saw a small and weak, but also kind guy who doesn't fear her, so she could be more open and drop the Facate a little bit. He was not weak when she saw him as a grow up, he become a good leader (almost as good as Erwin), but at the same time he became a killer, and even with that, he was still kind. And that was what Annie appreciate of him.

[@user-59559]

​​@@Juanjose-tm4qpWhat I love about their dynamic is that at first we think of it as a relationship between a nerdy boy and a cool girl, but as the story progresses, their true selves are revealed: Armin is a strong and masculine guy, Annie is a weak and gentle girl. Even the character design changes literally tell us this.

[@MavisRecon]

Do you know the definition of the word "literally?"

[@aruxani]

Another point I'd like to make is that Armin made Annie feel like she wasn't just a murder weapon. They were hinted at since season 1 which is why Annie spared Armin's life twice AND followed him, knowing he was leading her into a trap. It's why she was so hurt when he ultimately did lead her into a trap. And lets not forget that he knew she was the female titan for a month before telling anyone because he didn't want to admit it to himself. With that I''d also like to mention that all Annie's ever known is abuse, manipulation and fighting for a country that doesn't even consider her a person. So being treated gently by Armin and being shown that kindness really influenced her

[@Jonathan-tw4xm]

It would have been nice if she betrayed marley.

[@aruxani]

@@Jonathan-tw4xm I honestly wanted that

[@DaDualityofMan]

@@Jonathan-tw4xm Honestly, it feels like a missed opportunity that none of them betrayed Marley

[@Jonathan-tw4xm]

@DaDualityofMan yeah it was definitely something that they would do after some years

[@ryanboudreaux6549]

Bertholt liked annie but was too much of a passive person to say anything. Bertholt had probably the strongest titan and the most control over it but ONLY did what others told him. In s1 when we had not much info of what was going on he was made to be the big threat when in reality when he transformed next to the wall he could have been doing so much more damage. If Gabi was the Colossal with as much talent as Bertholt paradi would have been up a creek with no padle

[@viral4983]

honestly, i enjoyed the ship as soon as it randomly just dropped, idk why i was like “yeah, actually love this”

[@Yuqideqiko]

ME TOO! I wasn't like questioning it or trying to make sense of it, I guess because the build-up of those two's relationship is depicted quite generously so that's why we feel it was just natural for it to eventually happen?

[@henazz2561]

Honestly I shipped them since season 1 lol. It didn't feel random to me at all. Back in the episode where they caught Annie as the female titan, Armin was appealing to the fact that she care abt him, so he could get her to go along with the plan (and the fact that she was suspicious but went along w it anyways...). Also the fact that she forgave his life so many times too lol. I think the author went an extra mile to subtly let us know how they felt about each other

[@NeonAtary777]

Same? Like I didn't notice at the beginning but when it happened I was like "yess you go Armin and Annie 🥹"

[@viral4983]

@@NeonAtary777 yeah i was like "ohhhh they in loveeeee"

[@DaDualityofMan]

I like the ship, but my only real gripe with it is that u don't actually see them together, so it kinda feels pointless even putting into the story

[@uqbar42]

"In the end, only beauty will save the world." - Dostoevsky

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

a thing of beauty I know shall never fade away~

[@Carson-j1x]

@@therearenoshortcuts9868what you did to me,I know

[@jeezed2950]

But what is beauty without God to reveal it to us?

[@uqbar42]

@@jeezed2950 ask the Hallucigenia, it's the nearest thing to God in that world...

[@alexisault4444]

Armin will make an excellent boyfriend/husband and father, he’s such a Teddy Bear. Armin was the first person to call her a good person. He talked to her for 4 years. Everyone thinks it’s Bertie controlling him, that’s not the case, it’s memories not feelings that’s passed on. Everyone is angry she got her happy ending because her and Armin are most likely going at it Titan Style on their way to Paradis.

[@sissysovereign1294]

😂😂😂😂 not going at it titan style! XD but for real though, I was just happy to see that somebody out of the og cast got a decent ending! The whole time they were talking to each other on the ship I just kept nodding and thinking to myself "aww good for these guys!"😂 Never have I been so happy for two fictional goobers

[@rubyraptor]

they all just jealous they don’t get Armin

[@viivv6230]

⁠@@rubyraptor i am 💔 but i still love aruani

[@valerieanimagus6230]

T I t a n S t y l e But I do agree, I suppose we all want spouses like Armin . But if we all had someone like that, they wouldn’t be such beautiful, rare gems 🥹

[@sissysovereign1294]

@@valerieanimagus6230 Seriously, Annie's lucky she snagged a cinnamon roll like him

[@tulip135]

Honestly I didn't expect this video to delve so deeply into some of AoT's most important character arcs and their thematic significance on the overall story. Armin and Annie's relationship really does go further than just some ship that was a cute addition at the end, and I can tell you've read between the lines and truly understood the messages Isayama intended to convey with AoT in general. Since you've already discussed their relationship's greater thematic relevance (and done such a good job at it), I guess here's my shorter take on just the romance aspect of it. Firstly, people forget that AoT isn't a romance anime; Isayama isn't gonna dedicate entire chapters to a ship. Those complaining about how they "came out of nowhere" and "aren't well-developed" need to remember that. With Aruani especially, you need to look at the subtleties & implications beyond the surface. And when you do, it becomes very clear how well-written they are as a couple. For Armin, he realized how much he truly cared about her during + after the fiasco with the female titan arc. I mean, she clearly gave him plenty of preferential treatment despite being a mysterious enemy; she didn't kill him despite knowing that leaving him alive would be a grave mistake, and followed him in Stohess despite her suspicion that it was a trap. Armin knew ALL of this, which is why even though he betrayed her eventually, he was extremely hesitant whilst doing so and even kept this knowledge to himself for over a month before exposing her (because he hoped he'd be wrong). Armin is an inquisitive character who actively tries to understand other people, even those who wronged him. Once Annie was crystallized, he was pretty much left alone with his thoughts. He likely continued to wonder why she spared him; why she considered him "special enough" to be left alive even if that ruined her mission. By the time he inherited Bertholdt's titan, and the scouts learned the truth about Marley, his affection for her grew significantly. He'd come to understand the heinous position she was forced into and the years of abuse she suffered; that she wasn't just some evil enemy who needs to be eliminated, but a misunderstood girl who's a victim of the circumstances she was born into. He probably also saw more of her through Bert's memories, which would've also contributed to his romantic feelings. For 4 years, he yearned for her to wake up, just so he can talk to her again. As for Annie, the attachment she must’ve developed for Armin is actually so overlooked in the fandom, not sure why. Like, can y’all imagine being in her position, basically buried alive for 4 years, where THE single difference she experienced from eternal darkness was his voice? Crazy shit. Then she finally woke up and reunited with him. During the boat scene, for the first time ever in her life, someone - Armin - is offering her genuine love & understanding; the kind she never expected from someone who she thought should hate her, nor the kind she ever got from her deadbeat father. She was in denial, and even tries to self-sabotage by running away, but Armin grabs her hand and doesn't let her. Also, it's already been shown & implied that he's the only one who was always friendly with her when they were trainees, and that they spent a lot of time together. So again, given that she's never gotten proper love before, her catching feels makes total sense.

[@DaDualityofMan]

Ironically, I think the fact that AOT isn't a romance anime is why people don't like the ship, also didn't Hitch talk to Crystal Annie too?

[@tulip135]

@@DaDualityofMan AOT is more than your typical, one-dimensional action anime; it's jampacked with drama, sci-fi, romance, AND action. From what I've seen, most people who don't like Armin and Annie together are 1) shounen fans who just like flashy animation/cool action and think romance is "girly", or 2) don't understand how truly well-written their relationship is. As for Hitch, you're right in that she visited Annie often as well, which is why she's probably her closest friend. But I think her and Armin's bond is far deeper given their shared experiences as titan shifters/war criminals lol.

[@DaDualityofMan]

@@tulip135 Late reply, but I guess the point I was trying to make is that the boat scene kinda of feels like a waste of time considering the situation they were in, it makes sense for the characters to talk about their relationship since they could die at any moment, but as a watcher, it feels like weird because they had much more important things to deal with And my biggest gripe with it is that there isn't even official confirmation they're together so the scene feels more pointless, idk about u but I would have rather saw Armin and Annie's baby rather than Historia and random farmer guy baby, u got the scene at the end where Annie is voicing her concerns and Armin just ignores her, and I was just thinking woman voices her concerns to her male partner while he ignores them, they're a real couple alright lol But anyway, I think the ship itself is fine, I just don't think the payoff is good because it feels like a waste of time, and I think that's why it comes off as random and forced to people, the execution wasn't good

[@randomusername3873]

"it's not a romance anime" Exactly Putting the focus on ships right at the end ruined the story

[@darkoverlord6316]

@@DaDualityofMan I think Isayama wants us to come to the conclusion that Armin and Annie are together. But you're right, I would have preferred it if it was said directly at the end, even though it's actually obvious

[@alexspringer7666]

I've always loved this odd yet perfectly logical ship between two extremely different yet complementary characters (also they are two of my favorites). You somehow made me like it even more. Excellent analysis dude.

[@semo374]

Editor of the video here. I hope you guys liked the video. Grant really put in a lot of effort in the script and it's pretty much visible in the comments. It was pretty fun to work on this project. Moments like 4:48 were planned out by grant the combining of audio, video and the text pretty amazing. I hope this video reaches more people!

[@taken4granted612]

Absolute baller of an editor hire him!

[@semo374]

@@taken4granted612 Thanks for the kind words grant :)

[@AbnormalEdits]

@@semo374 The editing is perfect and from experience I understand all the effort in gathering the right footage and sorting. 10/10

[@semo374]

Thanks @@AbnormalEdits :)

[@AaronDao]

Yea I haven’t seen any video talking about these 2 blondes in-depth like this.Heck even the comparison with Eren’s and Mikasa’s was so necessary and gives more weight and meanings to their relationship.Absolutely love this video,thank you guys

[@MD-kv9zo]

This was far deeper than I thought it would be. The video.

[@theoneandonly_robtures]

Hmmmm 🤨

[@tyrabrooks9941]

the speech at the end, effecting me like Erwin Smith would 🗣️🔥🔥

[@tyrabrooks9941]

affecting * 😂

[@winsen5602]

@@tyrabrooks9941 shat speech

[@viivv6230]

this is a magnificent analysis of their relationship. i have waited for a deep video like this for forever, and this one fulfilled what id wanted all along. i absolutely adore armin and annie’s relationship, so seeing someone acknowledge the fact that it is actually so much more complex and well written is really something. this channel is extremely underrated, but nevertheless you have earned a new sub! keep up the great work

[@jacopofontanesi]

"The hero who killed thousands of innocent people" aot really broadens the field of logical sentences

[@essellesea]

I was surprised at the way people felt their relationship came from nowhere. I thought it was fairly obvious in the first season that he held a deeper understanding of her than others and she had more time for him than she did for most people. Secondly, I wonder if people who vehemently hate her (and Gabi) are aware they’re proving the author’s point about cycles of war and hatred. I also frequently wonder if he thought his fan base would be intelligent enough to work that out and is disappointed that it went over a large portion of the fandoms head, or if he was completely aware of how people would react to them and used that to drive the narrative. Annie is definitely an underrated character anyway 🫶🏻

[@eleneebitashvili9624]

Before rumbling arc no one talked about Annie like that. Most people loved her and defended her actions. But now it is became trend to hate her

[@eleneebitashvili9624]

Also It's been a long time since I watched this fandom and it doesn't deserve this anime at all. They still treat everything as a child.

[@essellesea]

@@eleneebitashvili9624 I used to be majorly involved with the fandom when it first started and it was a toxic place then but that was mostly due to people arguing about what characters should be in relationships. My interest in AOT dipped for a few years and I only got back into it recently and just started interacting with the fandom again. Nothing could have prepared me for finding out they’re literally rewriting the ending and animating the ‘alternative ending’, that they thought it should have ended with Eren and Historia having a child and Eren destroying all of humanity, that a good portion of the fandom thinks Eren is perfect and refuses to see the parallels between him and Gabi, that the themes of the story were absolutely lost on most people… I just started ignoring the fandom again. It’s more peaceful that way 🙃

[@praskova29]

​@@eleneebitashvili9624 Seriously! For a few years I had left the fandom(didn't stop watching AoT though) and recently decided to look up some characters on Twitter and was appalled by the way people hate on everyone and everything. I never could've imagined Mikasa could get so much hate, but the worst part is definitely the rewriting of the ending.

[@randomusername3873]

Maybe because people weren't aware she regretted nothing and got no backlash for her actions ​@@eleneebitashvili9624

[@whois._.daniie]

I predicted this ship from the start of the story and am so happy they finally got their happy ending

[@her8438]

I absolutely love ova about Jean and Sasha’s cooking battle, because in it Armin joins Jean’s team and Annie just sort of tags along, spends some time with Armin, and then when Armin says he can’t be a part of this anymore she IMMEDIATELY makes an excuse to leave Jean too. It’s so funny to watch, she literally just wanted to spend some more time with Armin

[@stysha111]

Great analysis. I think Isayama did a good job of making love in the story something more than the usual fanservice or random meaningless pairings. Love in AOT is an important part of character development and plot themes. I hope people think about this more often and not just complain about fanservice.

[@jaynadoesart]

Dang this video was amazing. So much more than an analysis of their relationship but an analysis of Annie, Armin, Eren, and Mikasa's characters individually and the show as a whole.

[@shelbygiri5738]

underrated vid, this was a great analysis, you helped me see this relationship in the the way it was meant to be viewed

[@lexgo8013]

I had never watched this channel and I am surprised by the quality of the content and overall video. And there is only 500ish views? That's criminal. Thanks for making me understand a whole facet of the series that I completely brushed off ( romance in aot) keep going!!!!

[@taken4granted612]

Thanks I appreciate it! Still somewhat new to posting so hard to promote stuff, but glad people enjoy the content

[@Seminooos]

Awesome analysis and great comparisons between all 4 characters. You helped me to understand their character even more than I already did. I still can’t believe this show is actually over now. It was one hell of a ride that I’ll never forget.

[@braydenlack972]

My guy the last 30 seconds give me goosebumps. Awesome video keep it up.

[@kurohaizaki8951]

“I can fix her.” - Armin

[@n3n327]

Nothing could've prepared me for how GOOD this video was going to be. Subscribed, liked and commented. Can't wait to see your next project!!

[@taken4granted612]

Thank you and glad you loved it!

[@elmagnifican]

Top tier analysis. Thanks. Brought tears to my eyes.

[@ExpertContrarian]

Lmfao

[@MP24685]

This video had me on the verge of tears, helping me understanding the meaning behind the story as a whole little more. If you ever doubt why you upload KZbin videos, please know that you changed one persons day into a brighter one today. Stuck in an overwhelming place and feeling defeated, I was reminded that I can do the things I set out to do, because of your take, your analysis and thoughts on AoT and Armin and Annie's relationship - thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@noeliaromero7399]

Man, this explains the relationship between Armin and Annie so well that it blew my mind. Even Mikasa and Eren's relationship was perfectly portrayed and i'm so happy watching this because I love the story and must of the characters too much. Shingeki no Kyojin is one of my favorite things and I always like to analyze it, so all the reflection throughout the video made it even better and more enjoyable for me. This just helped me resolve the final part of the plot of the story i'm writing, so thank you very much, you've literally saved me. Thanks also for sharing your love for this incredible animanga. PD: I'm not a native english speaker so sorry if there's anything weird.

[@NeonAtary777]

So we all agree that AOT is THE BEST anime of our time?

[@sangeetakolase2139]

No

[@zcjn3315]

Yes

[@HotAI-1990]

@@sangeetakolase2139 yes, go back to your one piece, lil baby

[@benben438]

sure

[@linhza501]

If Alice in Borderlands ever got a full anime adaptation, it is gonna give AoT a run for its money for me.

[@kratoss__]

There were multiple hints in the ovas and also in the female titan arc that Armin was in love with Annie, but people keep saying that their ship was random and that it came out of the blue 😭

[@user-59559]

People do not believe in Annie's love for Armin and believe that she only fell in love because he came to her crystal. 🤦😢 Arguments: Annie did not want to kill any of her classmates on the 57th expedition, and not just Armin. Annie was tired of playing soldier and wanted to end it all, so she walked into the trap. The words “good person” are a common thing for her. Annie doesn't say Armin's name sweetly and tenderly. Aaaaaaaa.😪😪 What can we say about Armin, because the hints of his love are even more hidden....))

[@mfunikakayadeborah2732]

I agree. In the festival ova, Annie agreed to go because She saw that Armin after Eren said he was going, because Eren presence automatically implies Armin presence. But Mikasa got jealous because she thought that Annie wanted Eren.

[@user-59559]

​@@mfunikakayadeborah2732What festival ova?

[@fenix_down]

I really like your explanation of the ship, but the way you framed it all in the greater context of hope and humanity is really something special and I needed to hear it. Thanks!

[@Luky.73]

Incredible analysis and great video, loved it. I liked a lot how you turned a simple thing like an analysis of a ship to a parallel between another relationship and also an analysis of 4 characters and why everything you mentioned was necessary. I personally would like to add an explanation about why aruannie wasn't out of nowhere since there were little interactions in s1 like them spending time together in more than one location, Annie trying to protect Armin before he getting in the scouts, compliment about his courage and even letting him live or Armin being sad due to knowing that he is manipulating her when he says that if she doesnt help him, to him, she would be a bad person. That and remind people that Berths memories didnt make Armin love Annie.

[@vickycastillo9214]

I’m so happy someone is talking about thiiiiiis. I noticed the ship from a mile away like a decade ago; and I was very saddened by people not liking it but I’m so happy some understand just how much sense it makes from soooo many angles.

[@ZeDitto3]

16:00 Eren wasn’t completely unwilling to appreciate what he had. He would have let it all go if Mikasa confessed her feelings. She didn’t, and the next day, he left the scouts. I think that is a great moment to highlight because it lets you know when the Eren that wanted to see and explore the world outside the walls, got tainted. The story tells you that “Eren had always been this way” (murderous), but he really did not have to be.

[@wezkerlim]

yup. i don't get why people hate Mikasa so much. the way AOT explores the point of view of each characters in depth actually made it easy to stand in the characters' shoes. i could really feel Eren's, Mikasa's & Reiner's pain. those who say Mikasa's too clingy actually would've done the same if they witnessed the cruelty of the world & lost their parents & their will to live at such a young age while having a savior to give them purpose & comfort.

[@conniehankosky5750]

I haven’t watched the video yet but I think it’s kinda cool that two completely different characters who started out in completely different circumstances ended in the same place in the end

[@sabrenaw.9257]

God DAMN! I came in here for a ship analysis now I'm subscribed and pulled out my depression spell for the day. Thank you 👏🏿👏🏿

[@bfedezl2018]

I see the appeal pretty easily. Both characters as you say make a perfect juxtaposition of each other as well and not only compared as a couple with Eren and Mikasa. Armin’s search for beauty on the world not only drives his character, but also his want to understand others. He is the first to realise the betrayal, he is the one that laid the trap to Annie which he clearly regrets because she was at the time at least chearised. Annie represents that other perspective, that enemy he tries so hard to understand and in this understanding he offers her the hand of comfort that attracts her in the first place and allows for Annie to go full circle. Why it happens as well is easy to understand. Armin cannot help but notice how someone seemingly aloof and harsh like Annie has a softer side that she pretty much only shows to him and has given him plenty of preferential treatment when she was a mysterious enemy. One that didn't kill him even if he and she knew that leaving him a life was a grave mistake. They were friends before all the deblace with the Female Titan arc. He decides to betray her because that was the right thing to do yet he is shown to be quite hesitant and hopeful he was wrong. Questions her why would she bother sparing him, to which she pretty much leaves open that she didn't really know why he was special enough to be left alive even if that ruined her mission. All this for it to end with her crystallised and trapped for years. Armin is an inquisitive boy who is shown to be constantly trying to understand other people, even those who wronged him. Months after he learns that she was forced to do all this harm. That she didn't really want to be in this place and went so far as to risk her lifelong mission for him. He then becomes also a sifter and now can fully understand her place. Ultimately falling for someone he can identify with, that has shown him he was special in her eyes and add that Armin now saw how she was before the conflict happen through memories and he is getting more and more conflicted with what is happening in the outside world. Seeking some understanding out of the only one in the island that could give him a clue. Like it's not that hard to understand why would he fall in love. He already liked her well enough before. It just grew due to unfortunate circumstances. Friendship -> Emotional conflict between both, with her showing how he was special in a way -> Guilt for having to betray her and getting Annie trapped -> He also becomes a sifter and Annie is literally the only Marley and that was also a Sifter with whom he can get rapport with -> World turns to shit and Eren starts to leave him -> He seeks refuge in trying to talk to Annie. For Annie it's quite easy as well. She was abused her whole life. Turns out this happy boy thinks you are sweeter than she lets on. Spends four years amending his mistake by keeping company to her. And it's not like Annie was a revanchist anyway. Then he goes and outright expresses his love for her. I mean an abused unloved girl is given unconditional love by someone she already kind of liked and who should by any standard hate her if he was like the rest.

[@Yup343]

I agree with you and I am really surprised sometimes by people who say that Berthold deserved Annie more than Armin. All Berthold did was just watch: 1) While Rainer was strangling Annie. 2) While Rainer was forcing Annie to take off Marco's gear. 3) While Rainer was fighting Zeke to save Annie first and then continue the mission. He literally did nothing, although he had chances to prove himself in front of her, but he just stood there and watched. (This is my opinion, sorry if it offended anyone.)😶

[@hillbillyboyDakota]

Didn't realize I wasn't the only Christian who loved this show and felt like it related to my faith

[@taken4granted612]

God bless you! Check out my last video for a more Christian specific one too

[@rubyraptor]

yeah I got to the end and I was like dang! this guy knows what he’s talking about 😂

[@cinnamorolan]

ive always liked annie and armin being together and as i rewatched aot i realized how much deeper this pair is but i didnt think it was this deep, i really love that

[@AaronDao]

Thanks for making this in-depth video.Not only did you mention the perspective of each of them of the world and struggles ,but also how they chase and protect their loved ones can result in different consequences…

[@SirandaMas]

What a beautiful video, I like attack on Titan ending and relationships, but I never thought about it like you do, it’s amazing, thanks

[@allama1222]

15:57 Made me tear up. I have been trying to change myself thinking I'm not worthy of anything, mentally punishing myself for making the smallest mistakes and thinking that once I completely change myself that I will be happy, but I am perfect just the way I am. I don't know how I can express my gratitude to you. Thank you so much for making this video. Im sure this video has helped others too. God bless you!❤❤

[@taken4granted612]

May God bless you too Alanna! I’m glad you were able to have that as a takeaway. Remember that your worth comes not from what you do, but who you are, and who you are is a beloved child of God. You don’t have to see yourself either as perfect or as full of mistakes, no matter where you are on that scale no one can take away your intrinsic dignity and value. It can feel like it takes a lifetime to stop trying to fix everything and to just trust, surrender, and be grateful for how things are. In the meantime, appreciate all the beautiful little good things in your life, including yourself, and give thanks for them. I really appreciate all the comments you sent! Hopefully I can keep making videos for you and everyone.

[@titan_theory]

Excellent bit of analysis. You beautifully summed up why I had hope that more people watching AOT might result in the world becoming a better place.

[@greenghoul157]

Not enough people talk about Armin's development he went from crybaby to chad

[@manda00613]

he was just a kid and most of the adults were freaking out over facing titans and seeing people killed. Armin doesn’t cry over minor things, he cried LOT in the beginning because he’d been through hell and lost his best friend ´-`

[@winsen5602]

@@greenghoul157 what chad, guy did nothing to stop eren than only talk no jutsu and nuke once. Seriously prime example how you can ruin a main character. I love how he could’ve stopped the ifiot by maybe making sense? “Hey bro, this is gonna end up pretty badly since your plan to keep 20% of the humans alove will end up getting all Eldians killed later on the future since you’re giving them the buggest reason to attack us, all you did is buy us some time.” So stupid man. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@pilot_bruh576]

​@@winsen5602eren never really wanted for war to be gone only for his friends to live their lives in peace which they did plus eren already knew that not like telling him will change anything

[@ponderer04]

​@@winsen5602bro eren knew everything, all the consequences and the unnecessity of the rumbling yet went with it

[@TheWinters814]

Incredible analysis. Love the points and comparisons made here and I definitely appreciate the pairing a lot more now than before.

[@gabrielspain8082]

Goddamn this video is an absolute masterpiece. I have watched attack on Titan over 10 times and this has brought me a new outlook on the ending and the whole story.

[@atesakarn7448]

Love all of your analysis of Eren and Armin's contrast world view. I think for recognizing evilness, Annie herself isn't inherently evil at all. She has to be evil to survive the cruel reality. Armin's the one who's sharp enough to see the kindness in her and make her, in turn, believe in her own kindness. I need my own Armin 😢

[@user-59559]

Wow, this is the best insight into their relationship yet. Her love for him is built on this fact. and Annie helps Armin accept the impossibility of surviving while remaining pure and sinless.

[@Laramaria2]

Okay... I cried... Beautiful analysis 🥺❤️

[@Satu-l1t]

wow such a powerful analysis thank you! honestly, i cried while watching

[@maverick9708]

I was wondering "why is this video so on-point and insightful" then I saw it was the same guy who made that Ymir redemption video! liked and subscribed on the spot :) have a good one

[@sissysovereign1294]

I really enjoyed the breakdown you made of this ship here! While I understood why a lot of fans weren't crazy about it(hell everyone was ready to shank Isayama just for letting her live!😂)Annie and Armin were always two of my favorite characters from the series. And while I was very surprised to see them actually become canon in the end, I definitely couldn't be mad at it. I say it was handled pretty well, and you did a good job on elaborating why.

[@Denki_twin_sister]

You didn’t need to convince me I believed they would be together since the moment you see both of them sharing screen time ♥

[@carlyk756]

this is an awesome analysis! these thoughts were quite unique compared to what i’ve heard before

[@maynetiong4030]

I really love this kind of mature content that goes in-depth of the story rather than a bunch of teenagers using Ai voice to share their dumb opinions becuz they r a simp for eren. Armin is arguably my favorite character and Annie is often misunderstood by many so really glad to see this video that provide insight of this couple.

[@arthurleywin3380]

Annie sucks

[@andraebogle6619]

Damn. Very good analysis 🙌🏾. Only correction, Annie was exposed to the cruel world via her father

[@yeetthatmolotov]

I've been team AruAnnie since s1

[@Hysmiran]

This might be one of the best AoT essays out there.

[@AbnormalEdits]

10/10 video. I have been trying to put some of these points over to friends who just weren't seeing what I was seeing. Thank you. I will just send them this video now lol.

[@allin6159]

Thank you so much for this video! I really needed it in this point of my life. I hope this comment will be the beauty I bring into your life today ❤

[@taken4granted612]

God bless you! What a great example of striving to bring beauty in small things, even a comment. I hope you have a wonderful day!

[@makkachin9614]

I'm not a person who comments often, but wow! I've been watching KZbin for years and this is definitely one of my favourite videos I've found :) I was so shocked to see that your channel is this small, but the video quality from the script to the visuals and pacing is of such quality Really enjoyed your insights :3 I was also one of the people who for some reason enjoyed the ship rightaway, but I guess this video helped me solidify my opinion ⚘

[@navebear2965]

Damn good video. You articulated really well things that I've been thinking about the show since the finale. Thank you for doing the work of putting it together for me so I can share with my pals who I forced to watch this show.

[@ErahCoronado]

"This world may be cruel, But it is also beautiful." That sums it up

[@user-59559]

Chapter 131 is a perfect example.

[@RealValensco]

Amazing analysis, amazing message. Thanks for the much needed reflection, from someone who thought of himself as being broken beyond repair.

[@danck941]

Thank you, so much for making this video, and cover the two relationships that I've always believed were the most important to the central themes of AOT. I've always argued that Eren always loved Mikasa as much as she loved him, but due the restrictions he saw on reality he never allowed himself to have hope that their could ever be any kind of future for them and thus never acted on his feelings for her. His world view made him blind to what was at his feet the whole time, and he never realized that a future with Mikasa was the freedom he desired this whole time. Mikasa and Eren's love story is a tragic one, and is contrasted by Armin, and Annie's hopeful one. I'm glad to have finally found another person who sees the story in the same way that I do! For some reason some people in the fandom refuse to admit that Eren and Mikasa love each other, and because of this they overlook how integral their doomed romance is important to understanding the main themes of the story. I hope that one day you will make a video exploring Mikasa and Eren's relationship in greater detail. Either way great content.

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

Mikasa: the world is beautiful but cruel Armin: the world is cruel but beautiful Eren: burn it all burn it all lol Sasha: hunger is cruel but food is beautiful Berholt: Annie is beautiful Annie: .................. ARMIN is beauitful LOL Berholt: NOooooooo

[@Kiryu-w]

W Armin Rizzlert, rip Bertorto

[@redpoppymemoirs]

This is so profound yet beautifully explained. Thank you for unpacking the beauty in Attack on Titan and in reality. 🌷

[@satellitesplatter2286]

This was great bro! I never made the connection between EM and AA before, thanks for sharing!!

[@Excelmark_01]

Watching AOT is like going to the university, the entire essence is getting exposed to knowledge and skills as well as being equipped to face life head-on That's AOT to me, years have gone by, yet the knowledge and exposure gotten from AOT has shaped my perspective towards life

[@volpe2077]

Underrated video! I hope this finds way more people!!

[@harriswone4215]

This is the most BEAUTIFUL l thing i've ever seen😭😭😭,dropped a sub

[@AnimaVox_]

Solid and necessary character analysis. Instant favorite. The thematic writing was something that was obvious to me from the start, but I think a large portion of AoT's fanbase is simply too illiterate to see it, sadly (that's not an insult, but an observation); there are so many people that just don't seem that well-read. That, or they're just too young and immature to grasp it. I'm saying this as a person who wasn't completely fond of the direction the story and ending took after season 3 (or its corresponding manga arc, don't remember what it's called), but still understood the point Isayama was trying to make. Excellent point about beauty as well. Things that are righteous/good are beautiful and stem from the divine, while evil manifests itself as ugliness. I was going to add that love is part of that too, but realized that it's essentially the same thing, driven by the same force of goodness: beauty/love/morality are the objective good, and subversions of these things are evil. Evil is uncreative, meaning, it _cannot create:_ it's unoriginality in its ultimate form because it can only exist by taking something good and perverting it. It's inherently destructive. That's why I find it concerning so many people think Eren is in any way justified in his actions because it's beyond obvious that it's evil: all one has to do is look at the result. Eren didn't stop at mass-murdering people either, he also _destroyed the planet's flora and fauna,_ which will make it difficult for the world to even function, for nature to recover, and the remaining people to live. Realistically, destroying all the nature outside the walls would devastate the planet and humans would eventually follow in going extinct. In a weird way, this imagery helped me visualize the biblical notion of the land being polluted by sin; it's not just symbolic, it's literal too. Sin defiles the physical fabric of the natural world too, it's not just some esoteric construct. Due to its self-defeating nature, evil annihilates everything, including itself. How did people's sense of morality, of justice, get this skewed? Or has it always been this way and I'm only noticing it now? It's a good thing I've never put my faith in humanity. Sorry if it seems like I'm waxing philosophical, this is just a topic I've thought about for really long.

[@taken4granted612]

No I love your analysis! Especially on evil. Evil stands opposed to the act of creation, it abhors life as it is and its continued propagation. Evil does not create so much as it perverts and defiles. Existence is its enemy. What makes Eren so fascinating is he didn’t bring about death out of an anti natalist sentiment like Zeke. Instead, his qualm was the rules and limitations of reality, it wasn’t that existence itself was bad - it was that existence he wasn’t in control of was bad. It was so bad that bringing about pure death and annihilation was more preferable to him than maintaining the reality where things were outside his will. Armin on the other hand saw existence as so good that it was worth it even if he didn’t get what he wanted. He’s so in tune with the divine beauty found in the simple and mundane that even when the outside world wasn’t like his book, he had enough faith in that divine beauty to keep looking. That’s a big difference between Eren and armin. One denies the rest of the world its will for the sake of his own, and the other denies his own will for the sake of the rest of the world. And paradoxically it’s the one who denied himself that ultimately was redeemed and satisfied.

[@lordhades9759]

It's one of my absolute favourite ships in all anime, I'm not even sure why I just really like these 2 together

[@HorsesandCourage]

The way I’m going to listen to the last bit of this on repeat

[@SurtrFatherofMuhammad]

I love how our first hint was she easily could have killed him but probably found him adorable in his tiny human form if thats not love I don't know what is. Ironically Annie not killing Armin is what ultimately lead to Bert's death. Moral of the story tell those you love how you feel it may save your life (I doubt Annie would have liked Bert that much personally)

[@TerriBellaGrace]

I love seeing the saints analyze things, and a series like AoT at that? So great. You did an incredible job here; you made me see some more legitimacy in their relationship. I was sitting there watching, thinking “Man this guy has a lot of insight.” Then I got to the end and found out why. 🔥🕊️ Be blessed, and thank you for explaining this in such a thoughtful way!

[@justnicole4030]

this video only further confirms to me that aot is one of the best written stories ever. and holy shit the last minutes of the video brought me to tears

[@truself108]

I’ve always wondered why armin and annie made so much sense, or what that seashell scene rlly meant

[@АлександраКоновалова-ю4б]

this is amazing armin is my personal favourite in this anime, his character development is crazy well-written when i saw him in the last episodes my jaw dropped bc of how insanely he grew as opposed to third season (not even mentioning the first). he was always perceived as smart, but not only was he smart, he was WISE and in the last episode he had to become a leader and i saw Erwin in his behaviour. that was the moment i realised why it was so right to choose Armin over him before. Also i think that was the moment Levi realised that too. tbh the fourth season has caused so much pain that i didn’t even want to finish it at first but then i did and Armin’s character development (well others’ too) just kinda made it worth it but it still hurts anyway

[@jabberjack404]

Not at all related to the topic but I'm so glad to hear Mikasa's name pronounced this way. I've been hearing other people say it like "Mi casa" and it drives me crazy

[@wazzupolpy]

Already love them but this video made it more sense and justified. What a video!

[@TheLamamilk0]

Bro that speech you gave at the end tying the story to real life was beautiful my G. Amazing video

[@yobama9880]

What an fantastic video! Thank you for also talking about the deeper meaning of Erens story in the end. Now I can better explain to my friend, wo didn't like the ending of aot that much, why Erens motivation was not only to save his friends lifes and paradise island. There is a deeper meaning in his struggle to find freedom in the distance in a cruel world while overlooking that freedom with Mikasa is right next to him.

[@captenmurica8843]

Using this as reference for an essay I’m writing! So well done 👍

[@vinibex]

very nice point of view

[@arminkir9389]

I love this analysis this even goes to explain Ymir and mikasas parallels/contrast. Ymir always wanted to be loved by someone yet she never actually realized what love was so she hopelessly slaved away to king fritz thinking he’d loved her yet she pushed so hard she never realized she already had love in her life and that love was her children she brought them into this world she made them receive the gift of life she loved them she cared for them yet she didn’t realize that until it was too late and she died thinking that nobody ever loved her in her life Unlike mikasas who while chasing after eren it wasn’t because she wanted love its because she already loved him he saved her he cared for her and while a lot of the time he was harsh he loved her and that was the gift of life she received which is also why mikasa was able to free Ymir Mikasa showed Ymir that love isn’t something you chase after because it’s something you already have the gift of life the miracle she so wanted her connections she already had them in her children yet she never realized it because she was so fixated on wanting somebody,anybody to love her

[@taken4granted612]

@@arminkir9389 great analysis here. A retired Catholic bishop I know once referred to something like this as the difference between “grasping and receiving”. The error when we grasp for love is we get narrow minded and put all our eggs in the wrong basket - not necessarily for just a person but also for money, the esteem of others, numbing pleasures etc. The issue isn’t just that the things we grasp for won’t satisfy us, a deeper issue is the act of grasping itself keeps us from appreciating what we already have (hence this Ymir/mikasa contrast applies to Eren and armin too in a masculine way instead of a feminine way). Receiving on the other hand is better. It reveals a paradox: it’s precisely when we don’t try to grasp at something that we are able to deeply appreciate its value. As you mention so beautifully too, it’s not just receiving but giving. And giving in love/charity is the best thing we can do. When we love without grasping we are better able to do good for someone in line with what is best for them, not just what keeps them around for us. Mikasa was able to do that for Eren realising the best thing she could do was let him go. It’s very hard to love without grasping because we want peoples affection and attention, but trying to do things like selfless acts that people don’t notice, not expecting thank you’s for our kindness, or being good to people that will grind our gears and never change are all ways to grow in true charity and avoid grasping. God bless you! Love your comment

[@AbnormalEdits]

Excellent and very well articulated 10/10

[@Mouthwash019283]

Isayama tied this to Ymir Fritz as well, with her love for the Eldian king. Would love if you expanded on that, how Ymir saw a parallel in Mikasa.

[@gurleeeen5328]

this almost made me cry i loved the analysis and the unexpected existential crisis lol

[@rinkarin3619]

Lovely analysis! I enjoyed it

[@allama1222]

Absolutely phenomenal video. Thank you for your time and effort for sharing this with us. I hope you have a lovely day.

[@Yup343]

The love of an Hononary Marleyan Warrior and a Soldier of the Survey corps of the "Devil from Paradis Island" and yet despite this long war, they remained close to each other. I liked your video, you described their relationship very well. Thanks.

[@Anmateo715]

Love this analysis - keep up the great work!

[@916drewski]

armin is the actual main character of aot

[@Anieditz13]

I came in this video with a simple ship and now I just got multiple life lessons youtube what is this

[@laiza9792]

This was a brilliant analysis ❤

[@Ranni]

An excellent video! I just finished watching your Ymir one also. I love your analyses on the themes of AOT. Just subscribed! Keep it up!

[@kta_0187]

Annie and Armin was my weird ship from 2014 because I saw a fan art of them.

[@rottenkittenparvo]

Why does bro sound like he is on the verge of tears💀

[@rottenkittenparvo]

nvm bro i read the desc im sorry and wish you quick recovery i love Annie and this analysis is what most people should understand before whinning about how ''unfair'' it is that they got a happy ending

[@taken4granted612]

Haha you’re all good dude! The ideal would be to make analysis videos that keep me on the verge of tears without the vocal problems! Hope you enjoyed the vid!

[@zsan157]

“Why should Annie who killed thousands of innocent people deserve to be with the hero Armin who killed thousands of innocent people” 😂

[@disarmoredmoon]

You have a beautiful voice bro! i really like your videos