Attack on Titan Griefing Thread - >tfw even your VA thinks that you're a loser

[Bunny Tracks]

I have the feeling we're one of the only sites that talk about this. I hardly hear anyone else bring these up.

We are, at least on a regular basis.

Reddit does occasionally, but most of the time they just suck Isayama's dick. Youtube's even worse, to the point where I wonder if any of them are actually reading the story. Tumblr's mostly just stupid fangirls gushing about how cute their ships, and favorite characters are, but shockingly they seem to be the one site that actually has been calling out the series and pointing out its problems. It's not a lot of posts, but it's way more than any other site.

I hate to say it, but when Tumblr is the only site actively saying that committing genocide isn't a good thing, you know something's horribly wrong.

 

[Meat Poultry Veg]

I have a feeling this series seems better or worse depending on if you binge read it or follow chapter by chapter. Could this be why the anime is better received?

 

[Bunny Tracks]

I have a feeling this series seems better or worse depending on if you binge read it or follow chapter by chapter. Could this be why the anime is better received?

It could be, but I think biggest reason is that the anime patches up a lot of the story elements, and replaces Isayama's terrible art with animation that is frankly gorgeous. Couple that with an amazing soundtrack, and cool action scenes, and you have a hit anime series.

It's why I'm so curious about how season four is going to go down, because the story is at the point where pretty visuals and poppin' music can't mask how shit everything else is. More importantly, the anime has only fixed relatively minor plot points up until now, and fixing things as terrible as the KoM, the PATHs system, and the utter insanity that's been happening for the last 6-7 chapters is something that they most certainly cannot pull off.

Unless they rewrite everything, which is incredibly unlikely to happen, the series is gonna fucking crash, and burn just like Armin did.

 

[Stay safe]

rather questionable things that happen in his series are anything to go by (looking you, Shit Machine)

Excuse me, but the Shit Machine is a work of art.

If you're asking why he he likes torturing Reiner specifically, my best answer is that Isayama has claimed that he now identifies with Eren the most at this point, (which has horrifying implications, but let's not get into that right now) and Eren really hates Reiner for obvious reasons.

That's true, but he has bizarrely also said Reiner is his favorite character, and he said that while the Marley arc was on-going, which is easily when Reiner was being tortured the most.

 

[Bunny Tracks]

Excuse me, but the Shit Machine is a work of art.

Somehow out of everything in the series, the Shit Machine's entire existence is the most baffling to me.

I can at least understand why the current events of the series are happening if I take the whole situation as just being the editors letting Isayama do whatever he wants, and his mindset being exhausted, overworked, panicked, autistic, indecisive, edgy, hating everything, and accidentally letting things spiral out of control with no way to possibly fix them.

But the Shit Machine? That monstrosity was created when Isayama was supposedly sane, and under control, and how an editor did not pull him off to the side and say, "What the fucking hell is this, dude?" and telling him flat-out no, shall forever be a mystery to me.

That's true, but he has bizarrely also said Reiner is his favorite character, and he said that while the Marley arc was on-going, which is easily when Reiner was being tortured the most.

Good point, but he's also admitted to changing his mind throughout the entire arc so it could go either way, really. Maybe he just hates himself. I mean, it makes sense to me, judging by the way things are going.

 

[HeyYou]

Really? I thought you guys would like this chapter. It doesn't seem to be making excuses for Eren's character anymore. I don't really hate the manga at this point, it's just getting boring to read compared to even the beginning of this arc. The ending is pretty much going the way that everyone predicted. I was hoping Eren was a bit more complex, but I guess thinking outside of black and white wouldn't fit his character.

 

[Bunny Tracks]

Really? I thought you guys would like this chapter. It doesn't seem to be making excuses for Eren's character anymore. I don't really hate the manga at this point, it's just getting boring to read compared to even the beginning of this arc. The ending is pretty much going the way that everyone predicted. I was hoping Eren was a bit more complex, but I guess thinking outside of black and white wouldn't fit his character.

I hate it, because it's out-of-place filler that should've happened a long time ago, and because it utterly nuked the series' world-building again. Eren's goal is understandable for his character at this point, but it's still stupid, because it still basically boils down to this:

 

[HeyYou]

I hate it, because it's out-of-place filler that should've happened a long time ago, and because it utterly nuked the series' world-building again. Eren's goal is understandable for his character at this point, but it's still stupid, because it still basically boils down to this:

View attachment 1001421

I think it's fair to his character that this is his plan. There are people in real life who believe exactly what you posted.

 

[Bunny Tracks]

I think it's fair to his character that this is his plan. There are people in real life who believe exactly what you posted.

True, but that doesn't mean it's not a ridiculous plan.

 

[Doctor of Autism]

Somehow out of everything in the series, the Shit Machine's entire existence is the most baffling to me.

I can at least understand why the current events of the series are happening if I take the whole situation as just being the editors letting Isayama do whatever he wants, and his mindset being exhausted, overworked, panicked, autistic, indecisive, edgy, hating everything, and accidentally letting things spiral out of control with no way to possibly fix them.

But the Shit Machine? That monstrosity was created when Isayama was supposedly sane, and under control, and how an editor did not pull him off to the side and say, "What the fucking hell is this, dude?" and telling him flat-out no, shall forever be a mystery to me.

Good point, but he's also admitted to changing his mind throughout the entire arc so it could go either way, really. Maybe he just hates himself. I mean, it makes sense to me, judging by the way things are going.

I think the reason the shit machine existed was because it was to establish how much of a demented sociopath that Zackly was.

As for the Reiner abuse, it was to show how much what happened in the past affected him given he lost all of his companions on Paradise with one of them risking their life to save his, and not being able to save the other two. Also add on that he was a child soldier so it made sense as to why Iseyama made Reiner's life so terrible as while he's seen as a warhero in Marley, he is a broken man deep down which is honestly accurate to how some veterans are in a sense (keyword is some).

 

[Bunny Tracks]

I think the reason the shit machine existed was because it was to establish how much of a demented sociopath that Zackly was.

As for the Reiner abuse, it was to show how much what happened in the past affected him given he lost all of his companions on Paradise with one of them risking their life to save his, and not being able to save the other two. Also add on that he was a child soldier so it made sense as to why Iseyama made Reiner's life so terrible as while he's seen as a warhero in Marley, he is a broken man deep down which is honestly accurate to how some veterans are in a sense (keyword is some).

I get what you're saying, and you're probably correct. I think my issue with the Shit Machine is that it's just so out-of-place, and over-the-top that it comes off as unintentionally hilarious. It's supposed to be horrifying, and it certainly is, but my horror is majorly outweighed by the sheer WTFness of it.

With the Reiner abuse, your answer is definitely the reason for it in-story. I interpreted @The Great Chandler 's question as asking what the meta reason for it was. I should've stated that earlier.

 

[Secret Asshole]

I have a feeling this series seems better or worse depending on if you binge read it or follow chapter by chapter. Could this be why the anime is better received?

Its worse if you binge. Because then you're like: "I love the Titans! This is a great horror manga! I can't wait to see what is in the basement!" *2 hours later* "Why is everything world war one now, where did my man eating titans go, why is eren doing a dresden, why does he hate everyone what is going on" *3 hours later* "wait, there is time travel? what the fuck? zeke plays 'i'm a baseball with eren's head', please kill me now, he's committing genocide to stop genocide so the jews can live what in the fuck'

Really? I thought you guys would like this chapter. It doesn't seem to be making excuses for Eren's character anymore. I don't really hate the manga at this point, it's just getting boring to read compared to even the beginning of this arc. The ending is pretty much going the way that everyone predicted. I was hoping Eren was a bit more complex, but I guess thinking outside of black and white wouldn't fit his character.

We don't like this chapter because EVERYONE knew Eren was going to do this 40+ chapters ago. Maybe not full genocide, but he was going to do the rumbling. The problem is that it tries to establish he's in love with Mikasa, but the thing is that nothing that came before EVER supports this. It needed to be done many chapters ago.

Eren's motivation is now that he was alone, isolated and felt he had nobody, so when he commits a literal crime against humanity, there's no one there to stop him or talk about it. Or talk him down. Or be intimate with. The thing is, this motivation was never established. Everyone figured it was because he had a freedom boner. Not because he was in love with her. So the flashback is irrelevant, serves no purpose other than to give Eren motivation after the fact and basically fucks over the story in so many ways I don't even know.

Here's how this should have happened:

If Eren's love for Mikasa were true, it should have been present from the beginning. It should have been slowly built up. Maybe after the basement he confesses his love for her. Though Mikasa just feels torn and unsure and doesn't know how to feel and just rejects him. This should make Mikasa's rejection extremely painful for him and making him feel even more alone and isolated. Eren's actions could then be painted as he feels alone, isolated, unloved and there's really no one he can trust or confide in. Everyone just wants to use him. So his only true devotion becomes his people, to a fanatical degree, to where he's willing to ignore his former friends and just build this cult around him.

We should have had a scene where Mikasa tries to convince Eren that she still cares about him, pleading with him to not do what he plans. But its too late and it falls on deaf ears and he activates the rumbling and goes to murder everyone. Its still not the best, but at least its something.

Instead we get Gabi 'No scope 360 Headshotting Him' in a fucking hilarious fashion where everyone knew Eren wasn't dead. Like he does shit he thinks is shocking, but is transparent at this point. Then he uses bullshit flashbacks to try and retcon things, but its so out of place and no longer carries any weight they are purposeless. Its like he's getting paid by the panel and he needs to think of some bullshit to fill it up.

We are, at least on a regular basis.

Reddit does occasionally, but most of the time they just suck Isayama's dick. Youtube's even worse, to the point where I wonder if any of them are actually reading the story. Tumblr's mostly just stupid fangirls gushing about how cute their ships, and favorite characters are, but shockingly they seem to be the one site that actually has been calling out the series and pointing out its problems. It's not a lot of posts, but it's way more than any other site.

I hate to say it, but when Tumblr is the only site actively saying that committing genocide isn't a good thing, you know something's horribly wrong.

Anime YouTube is the fucking worst. They're worse than the dick suckers on Reddit. They think this is genius but they all have fucking brain damage. Basically Anime YouTube exists to get clicks for people who don't read it. 4chan is full of fucktarded speds who ship 90% of the time and think AoT is brilliant 10% of it, as brain damaged as YouTube, if not more so.

Tumblr is hilariously the only one talking about how terrible this is when they're not talking about shipping. It really is unbelievable how many people think this is genius. Luckily I now know to avoid this fucktard autist in the future, because now that he's made shitloads of cash, no editor will ever step in and slap him across the face.

Also the majority of sites don't really talk about the plot since its garbage, but just obsess over relationships that have been over for pretty much half of the book now. And shipping. AoT exists to ship characters. Its kind of funny, because most of these ships and fan art are before the basement.

 

[The Fair Lady]

Call me crazy, but I didn't get any indication that Eren suddenly had feelings for Mikasa. Isayama also said at one point that he sees her as more of a mother figure.

Granted, this was a while ago and Isayama may have either changed his mind or just said "fuck it." I dunno man. I'm just waiting for it to be over.

 

[Doctor of Autism]

Call me crazy, but I didn't get any indication that Eren suddenly had feelings for Mikasa. Isayama also said at one point that he sees her as more of a mother figure.
View attachment 1003582View attachment 1003582
Granted, this was a while ago and Isayama may have either changed his mind or just said "fuck it." I dunno man. I'm just waiting for it to be over.

Yeah the recent chapter didn't really come across as Eren falling in love with Mikasa. It just seemed to be more of familial love.

 

[Secret Asshole]

Yeah the recent chapter didn't really come across as Eren falling in love with Mikasa. It just seemed to be more of familial love.

I don't know, you have him asking Mikasa what is she to him and he says family, there's a shot of them sleeping close together and then Mikasa saying if she went a different direction back then, then things would be different.

If it were just familial love, then why would she say that? What would she have done different if it was just familial love? Why is that shot there of them close together?

The whole thing is obtuse and only makes sense in the context that he loves Mikasa. If she confirms its familial love, than what would she have done differently if that's how Eren really felt? It only makes sense to me in the context he was in love with her and then he was rejected.

But then again, this story is so fucktarded it hides all this shit, exposits them in three fucking panels and that's it. That's all the relevant information we get. Whatever it is, its fucking idiotic and out of place and doesn't even matter. It holds no weight at all and is pointless filler.

I honestly don't care what it is. Familial love, love love or whatever. Its so fucking stupid any way you slice it and whatever it is and Eren's feelings that lead him down this path should have been explored a very long time ago.

 

[Bunny Tracks]

Added a subtitle, and updated the OP. If anything needs to be included, or corrected, please let me know.

 

[Tim Buckley]

Just passing by to sperg more about SNK's foreshadowing for the third time.

Regarding the anime's most iconic original opening.

I've noticed checking the lyrics that it gets increasingly more radical, from lamenting living in oppression all the way to claiming the entire world for the cause, you can basically read Eren's entire chracter arc from beggining to end just by reading the lyrics.

Considering the fact that the song constantly uses the German word "Jäger" it's practically Eren's theme song IMO.

Let me highlight some particularly interesting verses.

"Sie sind das Essen und wir sind die Jäger!
(Wir sind der Jäger!)
(Wir sind der Jäger!)

Our names won't be remembered
If we die like trampled flowers
I refuse to be forgotten
Written off as less than worthless
Scream and cry
But none will hear you
Plead and beg
But none will help you
You no longer live as cattle
Will you rise and join the battle?
There are beings that live off of fears
And their words are like knives
As they play with our lives
They'll try to control you
As if they own you
Will you let them steal your freedom?
Channel the anger swelling inside you
Fighting the boundary 'till you break through
Deep in your soul there's no hesitation
So make yourself the one, Jäger
There is a wild fire inside you
Burning desire you can't extinguish
Your crimson arrow
Rips through the twilight
This is the moment for war
Hunt your prey, and act
Draw your arrow back
Never let them get away
Set the arrow free
On your enemy
Never let them get away
Pull the bowstring back
Just before it snaps
Feel the tension in your fingers
As they're frozen still
Go in for the kill

Making sure no life will linger

It's not the hunter - Not the weapon
To guarantee the kill, all that counts in the end
Is your determination, rivaling the hunger of your slayer's will!
We are the hunters!
Unforgiving like a raging fire
Yes, we are the hunters!
Merciless, we are as cold as ice
We are the hunters!
Let the arrow nearly draw you in
Yes, we are the hunters!
And strike at anything that comes your way!
This is the moment for war...
This is the moment for war...
This is the moment for war...
This is the moment for war...
Only few and far between know that victory takes sacrifice
Only they can really see - See it through and offer up the price
If you think your dreams come true easily...
Then, my friend, you're in for a surprise
Cause nothing in this world will come free
Foolish decisions in this illusion
Caught up in your reckless bravery
Pawn to the freedom, fighting in your chains
Victory is out there, waiting
Freeing your life is just the beginning
Because the onslaught is now commencing
Reclaim the land, and then the horizon
And onto the world if you so desire!
There is a wild fire inside you
Burning desire you can't extinguish
Your crimson arrow rips through the twilight
This is the moment for war!"

 

[The Fair Lady]

This Tumblr post pretty much nails my thoughts on the “What am I to you?” convo between Eren and Mikasa. I really don’t see it as a confession, but rather Eren looking for reassurance from one of the people he cares about. He’s about to commit genocide and wants to be sure his reasoning for it is justified. As for Mikasa’s POV, that’s just it; it’s hers, not Eren’s. We frankly don’t know what she would’ve said or done differently and that may have been what Isayama intended.

Snk 123 and "Family"

Imo Yams deliberately emphasized on "family" during the EM talk and not made it a direct confession like with Falbi, to make the message sort of more universal for Eren. Like, family to him is all the...

tinylevisackerstan.tumblr.com

 

[armoreddinnerjacket]

Not saying genocide is a good idea, but I'm not seeing any better ones at this point. Marley's been made out to be total monsters (and the rest of the world isn't shown to be much better). The ancient Eldians were total monsters, the modern-day Eldians aren't all that great either. Every group in the series is just begging to get shoved into ovens, so which one am I supposed to pick (and does it even matter at this point?)

 

[Bunny Tracks]

Here's the thing with Eren's genocide plan. When you look at Eren's character from start to finish, this outcome was entirely possible and made complete sense. He wanted to kill them all, them being the titans, and now that he's done that, he can't stop killing, and has become the very thing he hates. That's an understandable character arc, and a unique ending for AoT's original genre. If we're going by the first few arcs of the series, this is not a problem

The problem is that by the time of the Marleyan arc everything has just become too complicated, and convoluted for this to be executed properly. There's just too many plot holes, inconsistencies, questions, and world-building issues for a straight forward ending like this to work out. There's way too many outside factors at this point. Where do the PATHs system, Ymir, and everything fit into this? Simply put, they don't.

Again, it's not the idea, but just how fucking terrible the execution of that idea has been.

If I had to rewrite this plot, and had to include his genocide plan, I would just simply have Eren become so far gone that he can't stop killing, and perceive everything outside the Walls as the threat to his life, and his friends. The outside world that he longed to see when he was a kid is now nothing more, but another titan for him to deal with. Hell, if I was forced to include the KoM, they would at least make more sense here, because after we have the Paradiser over throw them, we can have Eren decide that there's no point in trusting Outsiders, and that everyone else outside the Walls needs to be destroyed. It doesn't matter that he has never met them, or the fact that they're good people, he doesn't care. He's too far off his rocker to stop.

There's no PATHs system, or any other shit like that. No Ymir, no Historia baby, no Eldians, and if I was forced to include the KoM, I'd just have them be the first outside civilization the Paradisers encountered, and they just happen to be evil. Basically, none of the crazy magical shit we have to deal with now. I'd would just keep it as straight forward and simple as possible.

It's not very good, but if I absolutely had to keep this end goal the same, this is what I would do.