Wait, Attack on Titan...Actually Happened? (Kinda.)
Okay, okay, hear me out. I know what you’re thinking. Giant naked people eating everyone? Obviously fiction.
But what if the *feeling* of Attack on Titan is rooted in something real? What if it's less about the Titans themselves and more about, you know, humanity being awful?
The Walls: History Repeating?
Let's talk about walls. Walls are kind of humanity's go-to solution, right? Think about the Great Wall of China. Or Hadrian's Wall. Even the Berlin Wall.
All built because… people are scared of other people. Just like in the show!
So, the whole "living in fear behind massive fortifications" thing? That's 100% historically accurate. Minus the cannibalistic giants, of course.
The Military: Not Always the Good Guys
Attack on Titan doesn't exactly paint the military in a flattering light. They're often corrupt, incompetent, or just plain power-hungry.
And let's be real, has *that* ever happened in history? I'm being sarcastic, of course. We all know that powerful institutions can sometimes be a bit… shady.
Remember the Military Police in the show? More concerned with comfy jobs than protecting the people. Sound familiar, anyone?
The Eldians: A History of Persecution
Okay, the Eldians and their complicated history? That hits a little too close to home, doesn't it?
A group of people demonized, ostracized, and forced to live in ghettos because of their ancestry? Sadly, that's a story that's been repeated throughout history.
Think about the Jewish people during World War II. Or the Romani people. The concept of scapegoating an entire group? Sadly, pretty real.
The Titans: Metaphors for Oppression?
Maybe the Titans aren't literal giants. Maybe they represent something bigger. Like, say, war? Or unchecked power? Or the sheer indifference of the universe?
A force that crushes everything in its path, leaving only destruction in its wake? Sounds like a war to me.
So maybe the Titans are a metaphor for all the terrible things humanity does to itself. Think about it, who is more scary: a Titan or the Marleyans?
My (Probably Wrong) Conclusion
Look, I'm not saying Hajime Isayama had a history textbook open while writing Attack on Titan.
But the themes of fear, prejudice, and the cyclical nature of violence? Those are very real. So maybe, just maybe, the show resonates because it taps into some deep-seated anxieties about humanity.
So, next time you're watching Eren Yeager scream about freedom, remember: it might be a *little* more real than you think. Now, please don't come at me in the comments. It’s just a thought!
"On that day, humanity received a grim reminder. We lived in fear of the Titans and were disgraced to live in these cages we called walls." - Eren Yeager (probably quoting history)
