Attack on Titan starts as a story about humanity in Paradis Island fighting to survive against giant, man eating Titans. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the real battle isn’t with the Titans but between two groups of people, those on Paradis Island and those in Marley. This discovery changes the story, turning it into a deep look at history, power struggles, and how hatred repeats itself over time.
The Mystery of the Walls
For more than 100 years, the people of Paradis Island thought they were the only humans left, living safely behind three giant walls, Maria, Rose, and Sheena. These walls weren’t just for protection, they also hid the truth from them. The real story was revealed when Eren Yeager and his friends found the diaries of his father, Grisha Yeager from his basement.
King Karl Fritz, the 145th ruler of the Eldian Empire, built the walls on Paradis Island after fleeing there with his people following a terrible war with Marley. Using the Founding Titan’s power, he erased everyone’s memories, making them think they were alone in the world to keep the peace. The walls were actually made of many Colossal Titans, a dark reminder of the Eldians’ violent past. Learning this truth broke the illusion of safety and forced the people of Paradis to face their real history.
The Eldian-Marleyan Conflict
The conflict began long ago with the rivalry between the Eldians and Marleyans. The Eldians, who got the power of the Founding Titans from their ancestor Ymir Fritz, built a huge empire and ruled over other nations, including Marley. Eventually, the Marleyans fought back, defeated the Eldian Empire, and took control of seven of the nine Titan powers.
Marley used the power of Titans to become powerful but still treated the Eldians living in its land poorly, like second-class citizens. Eldians were forced to live in ghettos, called “devils,” and were used as weapons in wars. Marley claimed this treatment was punishment for the terrible things the Eldian Empire did in the past, continuing a cycle of hate that lasted for generations.
The Role of Paradis Island
Paradis Island, where King Fritz and his family lived, became a symbol of Eldians standing strong. Marley saw the people of Paradis as dangerous because they might take back the Titan powers and rebuild the Eldian Empire. Marley spread propaganda, calling the people of Paradis monsters, which made both Marleyans and Eldians living under Marley fear and hate them.
To stay in control, Marley sent missions to Paradis, using Titan-shifter children like Annie, Reiner, Bertolt, and Zeke. These missions were meant to take the Founding Titan and weaken Paradis so it couldn’t fight back. But the truth was more complicated. The people of Paradis weren’t attackers, they were victims of history and lies.
Marley’s Agenda and the Warrior Program
Marley used the Warrior Program to control Eldian children by giving them Titan powers in exchange for their loyalty. Kids like Reiner Braun, Annie Leonhart, and Zeke Yeager were taught to see Paradis as the enemy, hiding the fact that they were being used.
As the Warriors went into Paradis, they started to question their loyalty. Reiner’s guilt and struggle show how Marley’s propaganda affected him emotionally. Zeke’s betrayal of Marley, driven by his desire to “save” the Eldian people, adds even more depth to the story.
The Clash of Ideologies
The conflict between Paradis and Marley is mainly a battle of different beliefs shaped by fear, history, and manipulation. Paradis fights for freedom and to survive, wanting to break free from the cycle of oppression. Marley wants to keep its power and justify its cruel actions by claiming it’s only trying to protect itself.
This battle of beliefs is shown through the Rumbling, Eren’s plan to release the Colossal Titans inside the walls to stop other nations from attacking. Some people think Eren’s actions are terrible, while others see them as the desperate choice of someone fighting to protect his people. This makes viewers question what’s right in war and how much freedom is really worth.
Conclusion
Attack on Titan goes beyond its fictional world to share a strong message about human nature. The conflict between Paradis and Marley reflects real-world problems like prejudice, propaganda, and the cycle of hatred that causes war. By showing both sides of the conflict, the series encourages viewers to understand and feel for characters on both sides, even those seen as villains.
In the end, the story of Paradis and Marley serves as a warning. It shows how fear and ignorance can keep violence going, and how understanding and empathy are key to stopping the cycle. As the series comes to an end, the hope for peace depends on those who are willing to learn from the past and create a new future.
The truth behind the walls and the conflict between Paradis and Marley make Attack on Titan more than just an action story. It becomes a deep look at humanity’s best and worst qualities. It’s a tale of survival, revenge, and the quest for freedom in a world shaped by walls, both real and symbolic