The Rod Reiss Titan, a grotesque and unforgettable spectacle of colossal proportions and uncontrolled power, first appears in Season 3, Episode 20 of Attack on Titan, titled “That Day.” This episode marks a pivotal moment in the series, revealing the full extent of the Reiss family’s secrets and the terrifying lengths they will go to maintain control.
The Genesis of a Monstrosity: Understanding Rod Reiss’s Desperation
The transformation of Rod Reiss into the largest Titan seen to that point in the series stems from his desperate attempt to reclaim the Founding Titan’s power. Unable to wield it himself due to his perceived weakness of will (and potentially influenced by the First King’s ideology), he forces Historia to ingest Titan serum, hoping she will inherit the power. However, Historia refuses, throwing the serum to the ground, where Rod subsequently licks it up. This act, born of desperation and a twisted sense of duty, results in his horrific transformation.
The Peculiarities of Rod Reiss’s Titan Form
Unlike other Titans, Rod Reiss’s Titan is uniquely deformed and characterized by crawling on its stomach due to its enormous size. Its skin is abnormally pale and partially melts in the sunlight, indicating the serum was of an untested and impure variety. The sheer scale of the Rod Reiss Titan is a testament to the volatile and unpredictable nature of Titan transformations, especially when using imperfect serums. The Titan’s behavior is equally erratic, driven by a single-minded purpose: to reach and consume humans within the walls.
The Battle Against a Colossal Threat: Tactics and Sacrifice
The appearance of the Rod Reiss Titan forces the Survey Corps to engage in a desperate battle to protect the Orvud District. Unlike the other Titans they have faced, this monstrosity presents a challenge of scale and sheer destructive power.
Coordinated Attack and Historia’s Resolve
The battle necessitates a coordinated effort, with the Survey Corps utilizing a combination of strategies, including precise strikes targeting the nape of the Titan. Historia Reiss, having broken free from her father’s control, plays a crucial role in this fight. Her newfound resolve and understanding of her responsibility lead her to deliver the final blow, piercing the Titan’s nape from the inside, solidifying her position as the rightful Queen.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Rod Reiss Titan
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Rod Reiss Titan and its significance within the Attack on Titan universe:
FAQ 1: What specifically triggered Rod Reiss’s transformation into a Titan?
Rod Reiss transformed into a Titan after licking up the Titan serum that Historia refused to ingest. This act, driven by his desire to regain the Founding Titan’s power, initiated the transformation despite his lack of a pure royal bloodline. The serum was also unrefined, contributing to the monstrous outcome.
FAQ 2: Why was Rod Reiss’s Titan so much larger than other Titans?
The impure serum and possibly the inherent characteristics of Rod Reiss himself contributed to the Titan’s immense size. Impurities in the serum could have caused an uncontrollable growth process, resulting in the abnormally large and deformed Titan. It’s speculated that Rod Reiss’s Royal blood, albeit diluted, had an effect on the transformation as well.
FAQ 3: What made the Rod Reiss Titan’s nape so difficult to reach?
The sheer size and crawling posture of the Rod Reiss Titan made its nape, the Titan’s weak point, extremely difficult to access. Its constant movement and the vast distance between the ground and the nape presented significant challenges for the Survey Corps’s maneuver gear.
FAQ 4: How did Historia manage to deliver the final blow?
Historia utilized the explosive barrels strategically placed inside the Titan’s mouth to propel herself to the nape. She then used her maneuver gear and blades to deliver the final blow, severing the connection between the Titan and Rod Reiss.
FAQ 5: What happened to Rod Reiss after his Titan form was defeated?
After Historia destroyed the Titan’s nape, Rod Reiss’s human body was extracted. He was noticeably small and withered, a stark contrast to the colossal form he had taken. He was immediately killed at that point by Historia.
FAQ 6: What role did the Ackerman bloodline play in fighting the Rod Reiss Titan?
While the Ackerman bloodline (represented by Levi and Mikasa) is known for their enhanced strength and combat abilities, they played a crucial role in the broader strategy against the Titan, helping to distract and control the Titan’s movements. Their skill and experience were vital in creating opportunities for Historia to deliver the final blow.
FAQ 7: How did the Rod Reiss Titan impact the Survey Corps’ understanding of Titans?
The Rod Reiss Titan further emphasized the unpredictability and volatile nature of Titan transformations. It highlighted the dangers of using imperfect serums and reinforced the importance of understanding the Titan’s weaknesses. It also exposed the depths of depravity the Reiss family was willing to sink to in order to maintain their power.
FAQ 8: Did Rod Reiss possess any control over his Titan form?
Rod Reiss appeared to have limited to no control over his Titan form. The Titan seemed driven by instinct and a singular objective: to reach and consume humans within the walls. This lack of control likely stemmed from the impure serum and his inability to properly inherit the Founding Titan’s power.
FAQ 9: What was the ultimate objective of Rod Reiss’s actions?
Rod Reiss’s ultimate objective was to regain the Founding Titan’s power for his family, believing it was their rightful inheritance and the only way to protect humanity from the “evil” outside the walls. He saw himself as fulfilling a duty passed down through generations, albeit in a misguided and destructive manner.
FAQ 10: How did the revelation of Rod Reiss’s actions affect Historia’s character arc?
The revelation of Rod Reiss’s actions served as a catalyst for Historia’s character development. She rejected her father’s twisted ideals and embraced her role as a leader, demonstrating courage and compassion in the face of overwhelming adversity.
FAQ 11: What significance does the “That Day” episode title have in relation to the Rod Reiss Titan?
The episode title, “That Day,” refers to multiple significant events. Firstly, it references the day Grisha Jaeger stole the Founding Titan from Frieda Reiss, marking the start of Eren’s journey. Secondly, it refers to the day Historia truly steps into her role as Queen, rejecting her father’s influence and making her own choices, including defeating his Titan form. Therefore, “That Day” represents pivotal shifts in power and character.
FAQ 12: Was the Rod Reiss Titan the largest Titan ever seen in the Attack on Titan series?
At the time of its appearance, the Rod Reiss Titan was the largest Titan encountered. However, subsequent seasons revealed even larger Titans, notably the Colossal Titans within the Walls, dwarfing even Rod Reiss’s monstrous form.
By understanding the events surrounding the Rod Reiss Titan, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the complex narrative, intricate character dynamics, and shocking revelations that define Attack on Titan. The grotesque transformation serves as a potent symbol of the series’ themes of power, control, and the sacrifices demanded in the fight for freedom.