Just remembered this Khia from season 1 of AOT, Franz Kefka, whom Isayama wrote as a reference to the author Franz Kafka. His character arch centered on his devotion & unfulfilled vow to protect his love Hannah Diamant, similarly to Kafka’s real-life lover, Dora Diamant. Poor guy…
It’s okay Isayama, I remember Frenz. And will vouch for his fandom (not just because he’s named after my favorite author). Join me in requiem:
Eren but he grew up on an island where he got be rambunctious and free (literally). And he gardens to ease the mental anguish that follows him in every timeline.
For you, summer always entailed an annual visit to Paradis Island with your parents. Growing up as an only child often left you at the mercy of Eren and Armin’s whims: whether it was risky races to the sea cliff with the Jaeger stallions or being dared to hijack the sails of Mr. Arlert’s yacht while he fished. Still, you could at least forget about the frigid corners of the city under the blistering sun of the island.
For some reason, you sense this summer is going to be different. You feel it the moment Eren isn’t there to greet you at the dock alongside Armin. You see it in the way that the blue-eyed boy can’t meet your eyes as yours search for remembrance in his, and the reuniting embrace that lingers. It’s been almost two years since your last visit. The three of you are no longer emboldened by the plans you had after graduating high school, but actually living them. Your parents didn’t accompany you this time, and you have a lot of catching up to do.
Dr. K uploaded an insightful analysis of Eren’s pathology in a recent video, in which he points out his symptoms of sociopathy. According to him, Eren’s type of is trauma Moral Injury. A newly classified type of PTSD under the DSM-5. Commonly found in victims of war. Adding that it causes depersonalization (a PTSD coping mechanism) which allows him detach to enact violence, consequently The Rumbling.
He also hinted at Grisha’s possible sociopathy because he injected his son, but he hasn’t finished the series so I think once he sees Eren’s involvement in the whole event he will change his opinion (he’s still a terrible father imo). As I’m watching the video & reflecting on the manga, to me the overarching pattern I’m noticing is justification. Which is found in almost every character’s decision making. I remember someone once told me to be wary of a person who holds power & exercises it but believes they don’t. Somewhere in the video Dr. K mentions cognitive empathy. Basically it’s when someone can reason that certain behaviors are harmful to others but still decides to do them.
But is Eren really that apathetic?
Prior to the attack on Wall Maria you could argue he showcases signs of antisocial behavior. The lack of friendships in his age group, a lack of hesitancy to murder two men in defense of Mikasa, and his general disdain towards mundane life within the walls. And sure, he reasoned to himself to proceed with the rumbling. Freedom, choice and autonomy is his whole philosophy right? Eren says it himself “I’ve always been this way. Ever since I was born.” So I don’t think this hints at sociopathy, rather he always valued authenticity & has a high sense of morality.
I just can’t help but wonder if Eren says that due to a traumatized self-perception. As if he resigned himself to the inevitable. The end. Had the circumstances been different would he really think that way? What I observed is that the perception of freedom is absolutely skewed. It’s an interesting take on Dr. K’s part. It’s shame we mostly see the story take place within the context of violent events. I think the quiet parts of the series reveal a more nuanced view on his psyche.
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What do you guys think? He analyzed Levi too, so check out the vid
I need Restaurant Owner Zuko yesterday. He's outdoorsy, greets you with green teas every morning, & doesn't hesitate to grant all your spontaneous wishes.
— warnings: mentions of smoking, eren being kind of weird
Eren is a little obsessive about you. Like to the point that he can’t completely open up about how he feels about you without it sounding really weird
He’s quieter and keeps his circle very small, so he probably watched you from afar for a while before actually trying to get to know you
But once you’re together he’s very protective over you, almost possessive but he never crosses the line
For your one year anniversary he bought one of those padlock chains and gave you the key
He has no clue where you’ve put it btw, which he loves bc it makes him feel like he really is yours for as long as you want him
Lowkey really wants a lock of your hair to put in a locket or something but doesn’t know how to ask without seeming creepy
He likes scary movies but not necessarily like jump scares or slashers. He’s more into things that are kinda disturbing and more psychological
Loves horror video games though
Journals religiously. He probably goes through at least 1 or 2 journals a month
He fills them with anything and everything: sketches, doodles, polaroids, entries about his day, entries about his feelings, entries about you…
Had a phase where he tried writing poetry but his mom found it and he got so embarrassed that he stopped forever
Plays the guitar on and off. Gets very into it for a few weeks but then he gets busy and it goes untouched for months
Has an insane tech deck collection that’s probably as old as he is
Eren really loves physical media. He likes to buy disposable cameras and uses pretty much all the film taking pictures of you
Not big on vinyls but he loves to collect CDs, it’s cheaper and plus he can play them in his car too
As far as appearance goes, he likes to keep his hair about shoulder length in kind of a shaggy cut
Once tried to dye his hair black (even though it’s already pretty dark) and it turned out so patchy and uneven that he cut it short and would not leave the house without his hoodie up
It took eren a while to find his own style but he tries to keep it simple and comfy while still reflecting his interests
Studded belts, dark jeans, band tees, heavy boots, lots of denim and leather
He takes his jewelry more seriously though. He wears a lot of silver rings and chains and likes chunky bracelets
Has a few ear piercings and a matching eyebrow piercing with Connie
They were supposed to get their belly buttons pierced but he chickened out last minute
He also wanted to get his lip pierced but decided against it when he realized he wouldn’t be able to kiss you while it heals
Feels so cool when he has his nails painted but he’s a nail biter so he doesn’t paint them anymore </3
Eren isn’t too particular about his partner’s style
If you dress like him then he likes that you look like you belong together
But if you’re the opposite then he also likes the contrast between the two of you
Eren has horrible insomnia </3 but he thinks the dark circles under his eyes makes him look cooler
He only really sleeps well when he’s with you
He used to smoke but tries really hard not to anymore bc you said it’s bad for him and you don’t like the smell
Tried vaping instead but quit bc it doesn’t look as cool as a cig </3 whatever works I guess…
He still has a pack hidden away for when he’s really stressed