While the question of Eren Yeager definitively “going back in time” in Attack on Titan is complex and subject to interpretation, it’s more accurate to describe his abilities as precognitive interaction with the past through the Paths. There isn’t a single episode depicting literal time travel. He doesn’t physically move through time. Instead, Eren manipulates events by influencing past Titan inheritors, particularly Grisha Yeager, through the Power of the Founding Titan and the coordinate.
Understanding Eren’s Influence Through the Paths
Eren’s interactions with the past are facilitated by the intricate system of Paths, a dimension connecting all Eldians and Titans. The Founding Titan, held by members of the Reiss family, possesses the power to control all Titans and alter the memories of Eldians. However, Eren, with royal blood (through Historia Reiss’s proximity and eventual agreement), and the Attack Titan’s ability to see glimpses of the future, achieves something unique. He doesn’t just witness the past or future; he influences it.
This influence is not a conventional “time travel” where he physically exists in the past and changes events. Instead, he manipulates past inheritors, like Grisha, through memories and visions, compelling them to act in ways that ensure the future Eren desires (however twisted that future might be). The most prominent example is Eren pushing Grisha to kill the Reiss family, thus acquiring the Founding Titan.
The Key Episodes to Consider
While no specific episode directly shows Eren time traveling, several key episodes highlight his influence on the past:
- Episode 78: “From You, 2,000 Years Ago”: This episode heavily features Eren’s connection to Ymir Fritz and the origin of the Titans. It lays the groundwork for understanding the power he eventually wields and his influence on the timeline.
- Episode 20 (Season 3, Part 2): “That Day”: This is crucial as it depicts Grisha’s actions within the Reiss Chapel, a direct result of Eren’s future self influencing him. Viewers witness Grisha’s internal struggle and the visions Eren shows him, compelling him to kill the Reiss family. This scene doesn’t show Eren physically present, but his power and influence are undeniably present.
- Episode 21 (Season 3, Part 2): “Attack Titan”: This episode elaborates on the Attack Titan’s unique ability to see future memories and highlights how this ability has been passed down, ultimately leading to Eren’s understanding and exploitation of the Paths.
- Episode 79: “Memories of the Future”: This episode delves deeper into Eren’s influence on Grisha. It further clarifies how Eren manipulates Grisha through visions.
These episodes collectively reveal that Eren is not traveling back in time in a literal sense, but manipulating events through the complex mechanism of the Paths. He uses his ability to influence Grisha to ensure certain events occur, effectively shaping the future he eventually experiences.
The Paradoxes and Interpretations
The concept of Eren’s influence on the past raises numerous paradoxes. Did Eren create the future he sought to prevent? Was he truly in control, or was he simply a puppet of fate? These questions are intentionally left open for interpretation. The narrative suggests a predetermined timeline where Eren’s actions are both a cause and effect of the events he experiences.
Some fans argue that Eren’s actions create a closed loop or bootstrap paradox, where the past influences the future, and the future influences the past, with no clear starting point. Understanding the complexities of the Paths and the Founding Titan is crucial to grappling with these interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Eren’s abilities and the concept of time manipulation in Attack on Titan:
FAQ 1: What exactly are the Paths?
The Paths are a transcendent dimension connecting all Eldians and Titans, seemingly existing outside of normal space and time. It’s the realm where Titan powers are granted and where memories can be shared and manipulated. Think of it as a psychic network, allowing communication and influence across generations.
FAQ 2: How does the Founding Titan relate to the Paths?
The Founding Titan acts as the nexus for the Paths. It’s through the Founding Titan that individuals can access and manipulate the Paths, controlling Titans and altering the memories of Eldians.
FAQ 3: What is the Attack Titan’s unique ability, and how does it relate to Eren’s influence?
The Attack Titan possesses the unique ability to see memories of future inheritors. This ability allows Eren to receive visions of the future, driving his actions and shaping his understanding of the timeline. It’s the key to his influence over Grisha.
FAQ 4: Did Eren intentionally manipulate Grisha to steal the Founding Titan?
Yes, the narrative strongly suggests that Eren intentionally manipulated Grisha. He shows Grisha visions of the future, demonstrating the suffering and destruction that will occur if Grisha doesn’t act. This manipulation is a crucial element of Eren’s plan and his influence on the past.
FAQ 5: Is there any evidence that Eren influenced other past Titan inheritors besides Grisha?
While Grisha is the most prominent example, it’s implied that the Attack Titan’s unique ability has influenced all past inheritors to some degree. Their actions, unknowingly or knowingly, may have been shaped by glimpses of the future. However, Eren’s control is most explicit with Grisha.
FAQ 6: Why did Eren choose to activate the Rumbling, knowing the destruction it would cause?
Eren believed the Rumbling was the only way to protect Paradis Island from the rest of the world. His motivation stemmed from a deep-seated desire for freedom and a conviction that the world would never accept the existence of Eldians. He saw it as a necessary evil, albeit a horrific one.
FAQ 7: Was Eren’s “freedom” truly achieved, or was he bound by fate?
The nature of Eren’s freedom is a central theme of the series. While he sought to break free from predetermined outcomes, his actions seemed to reinforce them. It’s a question of whether he was in control or merely acting out a role dictated by the predetermined flow of time.
FAQ 8: How does Ymir Fritz fit into Eren’s plan?
Eren discovered that Ymir Fritz, the original Titan, was seeking someone to release her from her servitude to the royal family. He manipulated her by appealing to her desire for freedom, effectively using her power to achieve his goals. Ymir’s motivations are ultimately ambiguous, and Eren’s exploitation of her is a controversial aspect of the narrative.
FAQ 9: Is the anime adaptation faithful to the manga in portraying Eren’s influence on the past?
Yes, the anime adaptation remains largely faithful to the manga in portraying Eren’s influence on the past. The key scenes involving Grisha and the Reiss Chapel are depicted accurately, highlighting Eren’s role in shaping the timeline.
FAQ 10: What are some popular fan theories about Eren and time travel in Attack on Titan?
Popular fan theories include the bootstrap paradox theory, which suggests that Eren’s actions create a closed loop of cause and effect. Another theory suggests that Eren is trapped in a Groundhog Day-esque scenario, reliving the same events repeatedly in an attempt to achieve a different outcome.
FAQ 11: Can Eren influence the memories of individuals who are not Eldians through the Paths?
No, the Paths only connect Eldians and Titans. Therefore, Eren cannot directly influence the memories or thoughts of individuals who are not Eldians.
FAQ 12: Is there any hope for a peaceful future after Eren’s actions?
The ending of Attack on Titan is bittersweet, leaving room for both hope and uncertainty. While Eren’s actions caused immense destruction, they also led to the temporary unification of the world against a common enemy. Whether this fragile peace can last remains to be seen. Ultimately, the future is left open to interpretation, highlighting the ongoing struggle for peace and understanding in a world scarred by violence and prejudice.