For anyone whoβs saying chapter 138 is a disservice to Erenβs character; for anyone who think Erenβs decision to live with Mikasa after a simple confession is ridiculous:
Eren was pitted against two choices: a) Let the world trample Paradis, or b) Wipe out the rest of the world. Choice a) is bad for his people, but at least innocent lives outside Paradis will be spared. Choice b) is good for his people, but so much innocent people will be lost.
Eren is in despair. He truly believes wiping out the rest of the world is the best course of action, but heβs painfully aware that itβs wrong. He finally understand why Reiner is such an half-assed bastard,Β but he canβt say that since heβs much worse than him; Reiner broke down the walls to save the world, while Eren is willing to do genocide because of his selfish desire to do so. The guilt is eating him alive.
At this lowest point of his life, Mikasa came.
He wondered why Mikasa always sticks to this good-for-nothing guy, whoβs about to massacre the rest of the world. What did she see in him? Why did she choose him? Depending on her answer, he might stop. This is where Mikasaβs confession plays a big role, because he was so tired of it all, heβs hanging on to Mikasaβs answer for dear life.Β
Well, she ended up with this answer so he had to move on with his initial plan. But look, if youβre suffering this much, who wouldnβt want to run away? Especially with your loved ones?
If only she gave a different answer, heβd run away with her, to a secluded place where no one can reach them, forget about it all, and live the rest of their lives in peace.
Of course, this is just what Eren wished in the spur of moment, just like Armin whoβs so tired, he wished to sleep 2 days straight. The alternative timeline merely shows us what would Eren do if Mikasa gave him another answer; doesnβt necessarily mean heβd be happy with it, or itβd give a better outcome. Even if this alt. scenario happened, he still wouldnβt be able to live with himself due to greater regrets.
Paradis would be fucked up, he left Armin, Jean, and Connie to fight alone, he would disappoint Historia who already surrender herself to have a child -just to support Erenβs plan; all the sacrifices in Liberio would be for nothing.
He thought itβs selfish of him to fulfill his own desire and abandon his responsibility. Thatβs why he chose the answer with the least regret: Genocide.
Even then, itβs not like his regret disappeared.
He regrets putting the Scouts and his friends into danger,
He regrets killing innocent lives,
so much that he imagined himself as a child reaching for his dream, to cope with his trauma.
This is where Reiner comes into play, because heβs the one who understand Erenβs situation the most.
Eren will keep moving forward, until he eliminated all his enemies.Β He will keep moving forward, until someone stops him, just like how it used to be.
TLDR; Eren is a complex character with a lot of layers. They say action speaks louder than words, but thatβs not always the case. Sometimes, the unspeakable words IS the true feeling. Our action does not reflect our feeling or what we wished for. So no, chapter 138 is NOT a disservice on Erenβs character.Β
Eren mightβve grown past his childish rage and be more cold-hearted and calculative, but it also means he understood better of the gravity of his action. It doesnβt make it easier, it only makes him suffer. Thatβs why it has to stop eventually, and I couldnβt ask for something better than chapter 138.
jbbartram-illu
snowghoul
ellievsbear
pixelskylines
discoholicmusic
blakekathryn
yousharknotpass
titsay
turnnoffyourmind
vaporwave
