Attack on Titan
Photo: The Movie Database

Attack on Titan

December 7, 2023
Title
Attack on Titan

Eren's statement to Reiner that "you and I are the same" has two meanings:

  1. They both invaded and killed people reluctantly.
  2. Despite having the chance to escape, they chose not to and kept moving forward.

Reiner's scream asking why Marco died after killing him is striking. In our daily lives, for instance, we might feel pained seeing homeless people but still avoid approaching them. Everyone carries a kind of dual personality within themselves.

Even if one believes they won't be brainwashed before inheriting the Founding Titan, they end up being brainwashed, and the fate of the people of Paradis Island remains unchanged. This is similar to young politicians who vow to change the country but fail to do so once they are in power.

There was a coup in Myanmar and a military government was established. The Survey Corps also overthrew the monarchy. While the overview is similar, the contents are entirely different.

Commonalities with Harry Potter

Instructor Keith and Professor Snape: Professor Snape, like Instructor Keith, was in love with the protagonist's mother but lost her to the father, causing jealousy.

However, there are differences. Professor Snape supported the protagonist, while Instructor Keith sabotaged Eren's omni-directional mobility gear to prevent him from joining the Survey Corps. This was because Eren's mother had told Eren not to join the Survey Corps. Keith was, in a way, projecting his jealousy towards Eren's father onto the child.

Instructor Keith (Attack on Titan): "You resemble your mother, but your eyes are like your father's."

Professor Snape (Harry Potter): "You resemble your father, but your eyes are like your mother's."

Cinematography

The composition of the scene with Erwin's uniform covering the screen followed by a close-up of Levi is excellent.

-- Season 3 Episode 2 "Perfect Game" 15min

The scene composition where Connie is in the background, followed by a close-up of Sasha.

-- Season 3 Part 2 Episode 51 "Thunder Spears" 21min

Erwin's Dream

Erwin was actually pursuing his own dream (to know what lies beyond the walls) under the guise of doing it for humanity, risking his subordinates' lives in the process. Most people are likely the same.

Parallels with Full Metal Jacket

In Full Metal Jacket, the protagonist commits suicide with a gun. In Attack on Titan, Reiner attempts to do the same. The abuse of new soldiers (trainees) by their instructor is a common theme.

How to Live as a Person

Commander Pixis and Hange: When Eren activates the Rumbling, Hange says, "But genocide is wrong..." as a human being. Commander Pixis tells his soldiers that if they were to die within the walls, it would be due to humans killing each other. He prefers them to die there rather than commit atrocities.

Mikasa's Psychological Portrayal

In the beginning, when Eren saves Armin but gets eaten by a Titan himself, Mikasa appears calm after believing Eren is dead, but internally she is in turmoil and acts without thinking. It's common for people to appear calm externally while being disturbed internally.

Mikasa is portrayed with unusually thick and seductive lips in the first episode of the anime, suggesting some intention behind this depiction.

The Contradiction of the Military Police

The irony that those who acquire the power to defeat Titans can stay farthest from them.

Commander Pixis's Orders

When it's revealed that Eren can transform into a Titan, Commander Pixis chooses to listen first, unlike many who would abandon reasoning and attack, as shown by the officer who fired a cannon at Eren after his transformation.

During the operation to seal Wall Maria's breach, Commander Pixis's speech about preferring to die outside the walls rather than inside where humans kill each other is influential. One should be wary of those who are skilled in giving speeches.

Commander Pixis on lying: "The best way to lie is to mix in a bit of truth."

Abandoning Thought

Falco tells Gabi that the people they are fighting are also human, but when Gabi asks if he really saw it, Falco stumbles as he hasn't actually seen it. Suppressing imagination and abandoning thought to become ignorant can be important in boosting morale to defeat the enemy.

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