I know I’m a little late on this but I just wanted to say my piece about Armin in the recent chapter of snk 79.
I’ve seen a lot of people moan about how this chapter was so backwards for Armin’s character and that Isayama only let it be so Jean could take the spotlight.
Well in my opinion, I disagree with that and I think the chapter highlights both characters about who they are and what they’re capable of. This chapter in general though really gives us an eye opener about how dire the situation they’re in really is.
First of all, I'm surprised no one saw this coming? Because in my opinion it’s come to the point where everyone seems to be leaning on Armin to figure everything out, when no one has stopped to ask maybe we’re asking too much of him?
A couple of chapters ago, did no one see the hints Isayama was giving when Erwin said if worse comes to worse Armin will take lead? Armin may be their greatest warrior but he looked panicked as fuck when Erwin said this (or rather hesitant?), you can see him doubting himself from the get go, he wasn't crying or ‘complaining’ but at that point mind you was before everything went to shit.
Armin, thus far even when in doubt has been able to get people out of tricky situations. Finding out he's smart, and very good at strategy, honestly he was becoming more of a badass each time he figured something out and even when he did, he still failed or somewhat fucked up. But it’s a little different this time and i’ll get onto that in a moment.
As the manga progressed we see Armin desperately trying to get rid of the humanity that's made him so 'weak' in the past, because he of all people knows that if you can't get rid of your humanity, you can't overcome monsters.
This chapter and the ones before it, is Isayama saying that Armin hasn't quite gotten there yet, he has his limits, (in strategy, manipulation...) and there's still some of that humanity left in him (both mentally and emotionally). And at the end of the day, he may be good strategist but that in no way makes him a leader, I took this chapter as foreshadowing tbh with you, that we might see Jean and Armin taking up the reign, actually now that I think about it we've gotten hints about this before... *in the rouge titan (eren first titan appearance) and the female titan arc*
Funny thing though, I see a lot of people saying he’s going to be the next Erwin, that he’ll take over the survey corps, but now I see this is Isyama’s way of saying that might not be the case, not 100%. And boy am I glad to see that, because to be honest that would have been lazy writing on his part. But back to the main topic at hand...
One thing I have to say, character development or growth for that matter doesn't automatically mean a character can't make mistakes, that they can't break down and not fuck up, because that in itself is highly unrealistic. Armin may have come to realise his strengths but that doesn't automatically mean he's no longer the Armin we saw in the beginning. Remember when he killed someone? He broke down crying and vomited because he couldn't comprehend what he'd just done! He's highly sensitive, and cries when he can't seem to figure something out, either that or he has a complete mental breakdown while in denial and panics.
All this is because he cares.
He's always been like this... and having doubt and once again breaking down, while feeling helplessness to all of this is a very normal reaction. Like I said, contrary to popular belief Armin cares a lot about the people around him and the survival of humanity, because you know that hasn't been obvious since the beginning. And I just love how he and Jean are so supportive of each other in the recent chapter, they still believe in one another and realise their strengths and weaknesses.
Even Jean has doubts but he tries... because he knows there is no one else to give the commands, he fails but tries and so did Armin (who friendly reminder risked his life to trick Bertholdt and buy the other squad members some time but lol Armin is back to his old cry baby self right? So let’s forget about that).
I don't know about anyone else but I personally like it when an author purposely makes a character fail/fuck up so they can later learn from their mistakes (and showing how it effects them). That's what makes them so human. Especially with the shit ton of pressure Armin and the others are in, right now everyone (not just Armin) have no idea how they're going to get out of this, they really need a wild card at this point. That is desperate, even for AOT standards.
Main point - This is where I think people misunderstand Armin, he’s not crying and simply passing everything to Jean just to go back to square one. He’s crying because he failed his mission, his team, his comrades and can’t seem to think of a logical solution to get them out of a mess he’s blaming himself for. He got too ahead of himself and underestimated the enemy. Everyone did, and it’s sad because so much is expected out of Armin, when we, and himself have just come to realise his own limits. Jean in this chapter was great because not only did he come forward (or at least try to) but he did his best to reassure Armin, and still believes in him despite everything that’s happened.
Awaiting what happens to Squad Hange in Chapter 79 onwards 😩 IF Hange got Mortally Injured and Levi Choose to Inject Hange with the Titan Serum to Revive and Save her Life, it will be a CONFIRMATION from Isayama that Levi ❤️Love❤️ Hange! 😍
I also hope she Eat Up Reiner! (Bertholdt will be too big! ) to become a Shifter. 😙
Wait….. Did Morbit called Hange, “Commander Hange!”??? 😳
(This page is from the Crunchyroll Version aka Official Translation! )
