eren and reiner being akin to two sides of the same coin is so compelling to me.
the fundamental similarities. both of them being driven by a clear, ardent, and unyielding goal of their own — and both of them willing to go to great lengths and make considerable sacrifices for the sake thereof. the way their actions and frameworks of mind mirror that of one another’s.
reiner pursued the path of a warrior as a child, out of the primary desire to become recognized — as recognition could grant him his ensuing wishes. he continued paving that path no matter what; refusing to abort the paradis mission posterior to the team’s loss of the jaw titan, and eventually — even after unearthing the true nature of the people on paradis — he picked himself back up and endeavored to complete his mission. notwithstanding the established bonds made, of course, as he didn’t have a choice given the goals he sought to bring to fruition.
eren’s manner of carrying out the rumbling — and *all* that he had to do to reach that point — was in essence analogous. he had carried out innumerable sacrifices along the way, saw through acts which he himself wasn’t entirely content with — yet he relentlessly proceeded to move forward. because he was free. because he was discontented with the reality that the outside world bore. eren took the fate of paradis into unquestionable consideration too, yet the motive for the pursuit of the *absolute* erasure of humanity resides within his own, personal desire.
eren too was keenly aware of the potential outcomes and derivatives of his actions (including deaths of those who he isn’t personally indifferent towards — and said potentiality *did* take place, e.g. the deaths of sasha and hange) and he too was conscious of the principal incentive behind it all.
eren and reiner were both ultimately capitulated to their goals. they both understood the byproducts of the paths they chose. and they both felt a sense of remorse for their actions (reiner adopting a different identity to cope while staying on paradis island and subsequently becoming depressed and suicidal after his return to marley; eren apologizing to and empathizing with ramzi and by extension the innocent people of the exterior world — he passes ramzi, sees him getting beaten up and initially decides not to intervene as he’s aware of the future that lays ahead of him… yet ends up doing so regardless, proceeding to expressing sympathy for the boy and asking for forgiveness though said act is “technically futile” in the context of his goals. because he’s aware; aware, but he cannot stand down regardless”).
“i’m the same as you, reiner” says eren, personally reflecting on their similitude. and in the finale, when they’re on their way to confront eren — reiner correctly hypothesizes eren’s stance on the matter. in a way, they are also capable of relatively envisioning/understanding one another’s points of view, due to their likeness in many regards.
i could go on forever about them. the narrative and visual parallels alike are simply brilliant. the possibility of a culminating paths’ conversation between eren and reiner (or even a mention thereof) that is no longer feasible is my roman empire and haunts me everyday