Betrayal is one of the driving forces in Attack On Titan, woven into the very fabric of its storyline and deeply affecting its characters and themes. It not only heightens the tension but also challenges the loyalties and values of the people in this turbulent world.
The Role of Betrayal
Attack on Titan is a series that thrives on conflict, suspense, and the most unexpected scenes. Betrayal is one of the most important themes in Attack on Titan. It has a strong impact on the characters’ journeys and adds depth to the story’s moral conflicts.
In Attack on Titan, different betrayals force characters to test their loyalties and beliefs, often leading to painful outcomes. As the story progresses, AOT uses betrayal to add layers to its moral landscape, challenging viewers to confront the blurry line between heroism and villainy.
This theme of betrayal is not only a plot device but also a means of deepening the emotional and psychological complexity of the story, revealing the high stakes of survival where even close friendships are tested under extreme conditions.
Lies Within the Walls
Attack on Titan starts with a betrayal that has been kept secret from the characters for many generations. Humanity within the walls has been deceived by its leaders, who deliberately withhold the truth about the Titans, the outside world, and the true nature of their history.
For years, the government lied to the people, telling them they were the last humans left. This false information kept everyone scared and dependent on the leaders. Because of this betrayal, the people were unaware and unprepared for the Titans’ threat, leading to the loss of thousands of lives.
The government’s lies make the Survey Corps suspicious of those in power, leading them to rebel as they search for the freedom that was kept from them. This betrayal drives much of the story, creating a mood of distrust as characters like Erwin and the Survey Corps fight not only against Titans but also against the leaders who have lied to them for so long.
Allies Turned Enemies
One of the most devastating betrayals in Attack on Titan comes with the revelation that Reiner Braun, Bertolt Hoover and Annie Leonhart one of the most trusted members of the Survey Corps were are actually spies from Marley, tasked to infiltrate and destroy the walls and to finish humanity within walls.
This betrayal shakes the Survey Corps to its core, especially for Eren Yeager, who had seen these individuals as his friends and comrades. The revelation that they were responsible for the attacks that killed his family and countless others leaves Eren devastated.
Reiner and Bertolt grow to care for their fellow soldiers, forming real bonds despite their mission. Reiner, in particular, suffers from severe mental strain, torn between his duty and his affection for his newfound friends. This internal conflict gives depth to the theme of betrayal, as it becomes clear that Reiner and his comrades are also victims of manipulation and ideological conditioning.
Eren Yeager’s Betrayal
One of the most heartbreaking betrayals in Attack On Titan is when Eren changes from hopeful defender of humanity to a boy who is filled with hatred and wants to destroy humanity outside of walls just to seek revenge. Eren’s decision to activate the Rumbling, an apocalyptic event that unleashes Titans to destroy the world beyond Paradis, shocks his closest allies.
Eren’s betrayal extends beyond his friends, encompassing humanity as a whole. Initially motivated by a desire to protect those within the walls, he ultimately abandons this ideal in favor of global annihilation. This shift underscores a dark transformation in Eren’s character, reflecting the corrosive impact of hatred and the cycle of revenge.
Zeke Yeager: Betrayal in the Name of the “Greater Good”
Zeke Yeager, Eren’s half-brother and the Beast Titan, embodies another form of betrayal. Growing up in Marley, Zeke was taught to see Eldians as a danger, even though he is an Eldian himself. In the end, he betrays both Marley and his own people with his “euthanasia plan”—a plan to end the Eldian race by making its people unable to have children.
Zeke’s betrayal is very personal and based on his beliefs, forcing him to choose between loyalty to his family and loyalty to his ideals. His actions show a tragic distance from the people he wants to “save,” even as he sacrifices his bond with Eren for his plan.
This betrayal of both Marley and the Eldians shows the tough moral choices in Attack on Titan, where characters must decide between protecting people or protecting their ideals.
Ymir’s Legacy
Ymir Fritz, the first person to obtain power of Titans, becomes a tragic symbol of betrayal, manipulated and used across generations by the Eldian rulers who inherit her power. She was a slave of Eldian King named King Fritz, who misused her power to bring prosperity to Eldian Empire and destroy Marleyans.
As a slave granted Titan abilities, Ymir is forced into a lifetime of servitude, even in death, as her powers continue to be wielded by the Eldian royal family to expand their empire.
This betrayal of Ymir’s humanity and autonomy adds a mythological dimension to the series’ themes of loyalty and exploitation. The entire Titan power system, based on the forced continuation of her bloodline, serves as a tragic legacy of betrayal that underscores the cost of power.
Conclusion To The Legacy Of Betrayals
In Attack on Titan, betrayal leaves a lasting impact on the characters and their world, shaping their paths and fueling the cycle of hatred. The government’s first betrayal created a foundation of ignorance, leaving the people of Paradis unprepared and leading them to distrust others.
Ultimately, betrayal in Attack on Titan serves as both a narrative and philosophical tool, pushing characters to face harsh truths about themselves and their world. It brings characters to the brink of their humanity, forcing them to weigh survival against sacrifice. In a world fraught with conflict and moral ambiguity, Attack on Titan uses betrayal to explore the complex terrain of loyalty, freedom, and the cost of ideals.