Eren Yeager is the main protagonist in the Attack on Titan anime. Ironically, his journey to becoming a hero leads him to becoming the biggest antagonist in anime history. The world that he was born in was cruel, and just like every other child, he dreamed of becoming a hero. But as he understands this cruel world better, he realises that becoming a hero won’t be enough.
It’s a heated debate among the Aot fans about whether Eren’s mass genocide was the right thing or not. Killing thousands of innocent civilians obviously wasn’t a moral choice. However, below are 3 reasons why Eren Yeager still chose to walk this bloody path:
1. The desire for absolute freedom
In Attack on Titan season 4, Eren Yeager mentions that freedom to him is like a clean slate, with nothing holding him back. A powerful man possessed a dangerous thought, so no one could stop him. Not only did he want a world beyond the walls, but he also wanted a world without any fear.
Eren’s desire for absolute freedom is a recurring theme in AOT. His philosophy of freedom changes throughout the series. From dreaming about the outside world to destroying it, Eren’s character changes drastically. This happens simply because he learns that he can never attain true freedom because people will always be caged by hate, politics, and the desire for power.
And so, for absolute freedom, he believes he has to cause an absolute destruction. The annihilation of the masses will end the cycle of suffering once and for all.
2. Trauma and the hostility
Eren Yeager’s traumatic life began when a titan ate his mother. When he learns the truth about Titans and the outside world, he realises how cruel the world can become just for the possession of power. And because he had those powers, he didn’t hold back to get his vengeance.
Eren is also plagued by hate for those people because of whom he and his family had to live behind the walls. Marley’s hostility towards Eldians and their desire to colonize them left Eren with no choice but to kill them.
3. Eren Yeager and his fight for Paradise
Eren knew that diplomacy wouldn’t work and that eventually, the outside world would come for his people in Paradise. To ensure they had no fear and ultimate freedom, Eren believed the complete eradication of the outside world would be the only solution.
He chose destruction of the outside world not because he didn’t care about them, but because he cared too much for his own people. In AOT final season we can see Eren feeling guilty when he interacts with a kid from Marley. He knows his decision will cause a lot of pain, but he is paralyzed by his dream for freedom.
Hence, Eren Yeager chose destruction because it promised ultimate freedom. Peace, on the other hand, was fragile and likely to turn back into chaos.
