Do you think the narrative is supporting eren?
At the same time, I want to acknowledge the fact that this chapter was disconcerting and upsetting. Historiaâs scene was just No. Everything looks truly hopeless. People are going to feel frustrated, and that is completely fair. Iâm not sure all the panels of destruction were really necessary especially after chapter 131 already covered this. Hence I didnât find them necessary to reinforce the theme of sacrificing children for the happiness of society. Bad pacing strikes again, and itâs triggering content too, so I think that is gonna upset people. I also agree that the diplomatic options were not explored as well as they could have been (again, partially a pacing thing I think), and that these would have helped the perception and helped reinforce the overall hope of the chapter--because it did leave me with a feeling of hope.Â
So, yeah, I really do see hope that Eren will be defeated and the world will go on. If Eren does succeed, I will agree with the idea that it is framed poorly, but it just doesnât seem to fit with what we have so far.Â
(When discussing this answer with a friend, they informed me that this ask is likely in response to @momtakuââs post, which I had not seen? Momtaku is a great person and I love reading her posts, but (and I donât think sheâll mind me saying this!) that obviously I donât agree with the overall sentiment of the post, but I respect her feelings on this completely and her post provides a lot of food for thought and great points (so go read it!) Please donât turn this into some kind of fandom meta writers vague thing!)Â
So, letâs examine the framing:Â
Chapter 83: the protagonist, Eren, tells us directly that Armin is the true hero of the story right before Armin gets resurrected. There is literally nothing to make us doubt that Eren is correct about this.Â
Chapter 101: Mikasa, the character who loves Eren most and who embodies the theme of the cruel and beautiful world, tell us Eren is âirredeemableâ after Liberio.
Chapter 105: shows us the literal death of one of the friends Eren is trying to save--and Sasha was killed by Gabi, who is drawn to physically resemble and behave like child!Eren. Erenâs actions killed Sasha.Â
Chapter 111: child!Eren in Gabi is redeemed. She shows that change is possible for the brainwashed; thus, Eren is wrong that the only solution is mass murder.Â
Chapter 112: has Eren lie to Mikasa and Armin in 112, hurting them. Both of Erenâs claims--Arminâs feelings for Annie and Mikasaâs for him--are later exposed as lies that Eren doesnât even believe. He knows they are lies. Why are we to believe in him when heâs lying to the people closest to him?Â
Chapter 113: Eren locks his best friends, the ones heâs trying to protect, up in prison. So much for freedom.
Chapter 119: Eren gets shot by his child!self, aka Gabi.
Chapter 122: Erenâs father begs for someone to stop Eren.Â
Chapter 131: Eren hates himself.Â
Chapter 133: Eren refuses talk no jitsu.Â
Chapter 134: People again start to realize they were wrong--adults, too, so it isnât just children like Gabi who can change. Erenâs friends are now coming to kill him. Armin, the hero, directly tells Eren that heâs not free.Â
As for Erenâs friends being upset and blaming themselves... that is extremely psychologically realistic. I know that it is a popular belief in real life (and in fiction too, like here) that once a person/character is revealed as a villain, loved ones should immediately disavow them. Denial is a part of the grief process, and it is grief people feel, grief for the person/character they thought they knew. Grief is complex. Grief is painful. Grief is contradictory. It often does involve self-blame. Personally, I donât think their reluctance to kill Eren is muddying the framing, but others might feel differently.Â
I have long said the ending will be Mikasa killing Eren with Arminâs directive. That is a terribly sad ending, but I do think the world will continue. People are realizing how terribly wrong they have been (Karina, even if "too little too lateâ for me). The children are coming: the 104th is there, and Annie, Gabi, and Falco are on their way.Â
itâs a bird, itâs a plane...Â
The children are the future, remember. Even in this chapterâs pointless cruelty panels, a baby was saved.Â
The ending will be cruel, but for me, if the ending doesnât include Eren winning, then thereâs hope and itâs likely to be well-framed. If the world continuing is beautiful to you, then it will likely have some beauty in it, too. If Mikasa killing Eren overshadows the beauty for you--and it will for some--I fully get it.Â