Eren Yeager first battles the Female Titan in Episode 22, “The Defeated,” of the first season of Attack on Titan. This confrontation marks a crucial turning point in the series, significantly raising the stakes and revealing crucial information about the identities of the Titan shifters.
The Initial Confrontation: A Brutal Encounter
The encounter in Episode 22 is not the only time Eren clashes with the Female Titan, but it is the first. This initial battle is a desperate struggle for survival and a fight to protect Eren’s comrades in the Scout Regiment. It begins amidst the chaos of the Female Titan’s devastating attack on the regiment’s formation within the Titan Forest. Levi’s Squad suffers immense losses, spurring Eren’s boiling rage and fueling his transformation.
Transformation and Tactics
Witnessing the death and destruction wrought by the Female Titan pushes Eren past his breaking point, prompting him to transform into his own Titan form. This transformation, however, isn’t instantaneous mastery. Eren’s initial Titan form is raw and fueled by rage. He charges headfirst into the fight with little strategy, resulting in significant damage to both himself and the surrounding environment.
The Outcome of the First Battle
Despite his ferocious efforts, Eren’s first encounter with the Female Titan ends in defeat. The Female Titan demonstrates superior fighting skills and a better understanding of her Titan form’s capabilities. She manages to incapacitate Eren’s Titan, forcing him to be extracted from his Titan form by Mikasa and Levi, who arrive just in time to prevent further harm. The Female Titan escapes, leaving Eren and the surviving members of the Scout Regiment to grapple with their losses and the unsettling revelations about the Titan threat.
Episode 25: The Rematch and Revelations
While Episode 22 marks the first physical confrontation, Episode 25, “Wall: Assault on Stohess District (Part 3),” features a more conclusive battle between Eren and the Female Titan.
The Fight in Stohess District
Driven by Armin’s deduction that Annie Leonhart is the Female Titan, Eren transforms once again within the Stohess District. This battle is markedly different from the previous one. Eren is more controlled and strategic, utilizing the environment to his advantage. The fight unfolds amidst the city’s buildings, causing widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
Annie’s Exposure and the Climax
The battle in Stohess District culminates in a brutal showdown where Eren finally overpowers Annie, exposing her within the Female Titan’s hardened crystal shell. Despite her defeat, Annie encases herself in a crystal prison, refusing to reveal any further information about the Titans’ origins or motivations. This act leaves a sense of ambiguity and foreshadows further conflicts to come.
FAQs About Eren’s Battles with the Female Titan
Here are some frequently asked questions about Eren’s encounters with the Female Titan, designed to clarify key plot points and provide deeper insights into the characters’ motivations and the overall narrative:
FAQ 1: Why did the Female Titan target Eren in the first place?
The Female Titan’s primary objective was to capture Eren due to his possession of the Coordinate, a powerful Titan ability that allows him to control other Titans. This ability is critical to the plans of the Marleyan Warriors, who seek to reclaim the Founding Titan from Paradis Island.
FAQ 2: What makes the Female Titan so formidable?
The Female Titan possesses several unique abilities that make her a formidable opponent. These include hardening her skin, allowing her to withstand significant damage, calling other Titans, and exhibiting exceptional agility and combat skills. Annie’s mastery of these abilities, combined with her martial arts training, gave her a distinct advantage in combat.
FAQ 3: How did Eren’s Titan form evolve throughout the series?
Eren’s Titan form undergoes significant evolution throughout the series. Initially, he had limited control and relied primarily on brute force. As he gains experience and unlocks the power of the Coordinate, he develops greater control over his Titan form, mastering hardening abilities and strategic combat techniques.
FAQ 4: What role did Levi play in Eren’s battles against the Female Titan?
Levi played a crucial role in both battles. In the first, he and Mikasa rescued Eren from the Female Titan after his defeat in the Titan Forest. In the second, his lightning-fast movements and strategic thinking significantly hampered Annie’s attempts to escape and helped Eren corner her in Stohess District.
FAQ 5: What were the immediate consequences of Annie’s capture?
Annie’s capture and subsequent crystallization revealed the presence of Titan shifters within the military police, creating widespread distrust and suspicion. It also provided valuable information about the hardening ability, which was later used to seal the hole in Wall Maria. However, her refusal to reveal information left many questions unanswered.
FAQ 6: How did the battles with the Female Titan impact Eren’s character development?
The battles with the Female Titan significantly impacted Eren’s character development. They forced him to confront the brutality of the world and the immense responsibility that came with his Titan powers. He also learned valuable lessons about strategy, teamwork, and the importance of protecting his comrades.
FAQ 7: What is the significance of Annie’s crystal prison?
Annie’s crystal prison represents her refusal to betray her comrades and reveal information that could compromise their mission. It also serves as a symbol of her isolation and internal conflict. The crystal is incredibly durable and resisted all attempts to break it for years.
FAQ 8: How does the anime differ from the manga in portraying these battles?
The anime adaptations of these battles closely follow the manga, but they enhance the visual spectacle and emotional impact. The animation quality, sound design, and voice acting amplify the intensity of the combat sequences and the emotional weight of the characters’ experiences.
FAQ 9: What were the objectives of the Military Police when they fought with Eren?
The Military Police attempted to capture Eren as they felt his uncontrolled titan powers were a threat to Stohess District. Their primary concern was minimizing collateral damage and protecting the citizens, which often put them at odds with Eren’s destructive fighting style.
FAQ 10: Is Annie truly evil, or is she just following orders?
This is a complex question that delves into the moral ambiguity of the series. Annie is portrayed as a complex character caught between her loyalty to her Marleyan comrades and her growing understanding of the people within the walls. Her motivations are not simply black and white, and her actions are driven by a combination of duty, fear, and perhaps even a sense of compassion.
FAQ 11: What is the importance of the Stohess District?
The Stohess District is important strategically as it is the one district that sits at the border and connects to the outside world. This is why the military police had a stronghold here.
FAQ 12: How did these battles contribute to the overall plot of Attack on Titan?
The battles with the Female Titan were crucial to the overall plot of Attack on Titan. They revealed the existence of Titan shifters within the walls, exposed the political corruption within the military, and set the stage for the subsequent exploration of the world beyond the walls and the complex history of the Titans. These battles ultimately propel the story forward, leading to the revelation of the truth about Eren’s destiny and the overarching conflict between Eldia and Marley.