Uncovering the Shocking Truth: The Hidden Motive Behind Eren’s Cannibalistic Act on His Own Father

AvatarByErick Benitez

As fans continue to debate and analyze every twist and turn of the wildly popular manga and anime series, Attack on Titan, one question still remains at the forefront: Why did Eren eat his own father? This pivotal event has left readers and viewers alike stunned, with no clear answer in sight. In this article, we will delve into the complexities of this shocking plot point, examining clues and theories to unravel the truth behind Eren’s actions. So gather your gear and prepare for a deep dive into the mystery of why exactly Eren Jaeger consumed his own father in Attack on Titan.

The Background of Eren and His Father’s Relationship

Eren Jaeger is the protagonist of the popular manga and anime series, Attack on Titan. He is a member of the Survey Corps, an elite group of soldiers who fight against giant humanoid creatures called Titans. But Eren’s story is not just about facing external threats, as his own internal conflicts play a crucial role in the narrative.

From a young age, Eren had a complicated relationship with his father, Grisha Jaeger. Grisha was an Eldian doctor who lived in the Walls, protected territories where humanity resides after being forced to flee from the Titans. He was also part of a secret group called “The Restorationists,” whose goal was to overthrow the oppressive Marley government and restore Eldian pride. However, their plans were discovered by Marley agents, and Grisha’s entire family, including his wife Dina Fritz, were sent to Paradis Island as punishment.

On Paradis Island, Grisha started a new life with his son Eren and daughter Mikasa. Eren idolized his father and wanted to be just like him – strong, brave, and devoted to protecting their homeland. But their seemingly peaceful life was shattered when Titans breached Wall Maria and destroyed their hometown.

The Mystery Behind Grisha’s Death

In the chaos that followed the Titan invasion, Eren witnessed his mother’s death at the hands of a smiling Titan. This traumatic event fueled his desire for revenge against all Titans. But it also marked the beginning of a complicated relationship with his father.

After escaping from Wall Maria with other survivors, Grisha entrusted Eren with something mysterious – a key and an injection. He instructed him to find “his basement” in their old house before being taken away by soldiers for questioning. This was the last time Eren saw his father alive.

For years, Eren wondered about the key and what was in his father’s basement. However, he never had the chance to find out as he got distracted by his duties as a soldier and the ongoing battles against the Titans. It was not until after five years that he finally reached the basement and discovered Grisha’s secrets.

The Truth Behind Eren’s Titan Powers

In Grisha’s basement, Eren found a hidden room filled with books and research material. There, he learned the truth about his father’s past and how it relates to his own Titan powers.

Grisha was not merely a doctor but also a member of a group of Eldian researchers who were experimenting on Subjects of Ymir to create a powerful Titan serum. These experiments were conducted under the orders of Marley government, with whom Grisha made a deal to save him and his family from punishment.

Furthermore, Eren discovered that he is not just any Subject of Ymir –he is from an Eldian bloodline called “The Reiss Family,” whose members are essential in Marley’s plans to keep control over Eldians through the power of the Founding Titan. This explained why Eren has unique abilities such as controlling Titans and having access to their memories.

But what shocked Eren even more was when he found out that Grisha had eaten Frieda Reiss, Rod Reiss’ daughter, who was previously in possession of the Founding Titan powers. In other words, Eren inherited her Titan abilities from his father after he consumed her.

The Battle Between Freedom and Duty

Eren was overwhelmed by this revelation. He felt betrayed by his father for keeping such dark secrets from him. But at the same time, he also understood why Grisha did what he did –to protect his family and complete their mission to overthrow Marley.

This internal conflict between freedom and duty became the driving force behind Eren’s actions throughout the rest of the series. On one hand, he wanted to be free from the burden of his Titan powers and live a normal life. But on the other hand, he also felt responsible for continuing his father’s mission and protecting his loved ones.

In the end, Eren chose to fight against Marley and their allies, including his own half-brother Zeke who shared their father’s belief in Eldian superiority. He also confronted Grisha’s past mistakes, showing that he has come to terms with his complicated relationship with his father.

Conclusion

The question “Why did Eren eat his dad?” has a complex answer that can only be understood by delving into Attack on Titan’s lore. It is a story of family ties, betrayal, and sacrifice as well as a commentary on human nature and how it is shaped by external forces. Eren may have initially hated his father for being eaten by Titans, but eventually, he was able to accept and even embrace this traumatic event as part of his destiny. And now, as we near the conclusion of Attack on Titan, we can see how this crucial moment in Eren’s past has shaped him into the character that fans have come

Explanation of Eren’s Action

There has been much speculation and confusion surrounding the ultimate betrayal of Eren Jaeger towards his own father, Grisha Jaeger. After witnessing this shocking event in both the manga and anime series of Attack on Titan, fans were left with one burning question – why did Eren eat his own father?

To truly understand Eren’s actions, we must first delve into the complex and intricate history surrounding him and his family. It is widely known that the Jaeger family was originally from Marley, a nation outside of the walls where Titans roam freely. Grisha himself was once a member of the Eldian Restorationists, a group dedicated to overthrowing Marley’s oppression over Eldians.

Through Grisha’s memories, we learn that he obtained the power of the Founding Titan from a member of the royal Fritz family named Frieda. However, due to Grisha’s conflicting ideologies with Frieda and her family, he took it upon himself to steal her powers by killing her and her entire family. This included Zeke Yeager – Grisha’s first son and Eren’s older half-brother.

With this knowledge in mind, it becomes apparent why Eren may have chosen to devour his own father – as he carried immense guilt and anger towards him for not only stealing their mother and sister from them but also for taking Zeke’s life.

Moreover, it is also likely that Eren saw this as his only path to obtaining the full power of the Founding Titan – by consuming someone with royal blood. This was highlighted in Chapter 121 of the manga where Mikasa recalls when Eren asked her what she would do if he was eaten by another person. He then goes on to say that if he “were really eaten someday” then they shouldn’t hold back – implying that it may have been his plan all along.

The Role of the Attack Titan

In addition to the burden Eren carries from his family’s past, another significant factor in his decision to eat his father could be attributed to the influence of the Attack Titan. This particular titan has a unique ability that differentiates it from the rest – its ability to see through time and memories.

The Attack Titan’s will is strong and unyielding, with its ultimate goal being freedom – as emphasized by both Grisha and Eren in various instances throughout the series. Based on this, it can be assumed that this titan’s strong desire for freedom could have influenced Eren’s decision-making process. By consuming his father, he ultimately rid himself of any potential interference from Grisha’s memories and ideology – allowing Eren to pursue his own ideals without any hindrance.

Furthermore, it is also possible that Eren saw this as an act of mercy towards his father. As seen in Chapter 121, Grisha is shown visibly struggling with guilt and despair after finding out about Zeke’s fate at the hands of a younger (future) version of Eren. Perhaps by devouring him, Eren was not only freeing himself but also freeing his father from carrying such a heavy burden.

A Sacrifice for Humanity

While both aforementioned reasons may have played a significant role in Eren’s decision – perhaps one of the most poignant reasons is that he truly believed it would ultimately benefit humanity.

Throughout the series, we see that Eren carries an intense hatred towards all Titans – even though he himself later becomes one. In Chapter 121, we witness him killing children who bore no ill intentions towards him – showcasing just how deep-rooted this hatred runs. By consuming his father who possessed royal blood, Eren essentially removed any possibility of there ever being another Founding Titan or Coordinate – thereby eradicating Titans from existence once and for all.

In Eren’s eyes, this could be seen as a necessary sacrifice – one that he was willing to make for the greater good of humanity. He may have realized that there was no other way to guarantee the safety and freedom of Eldia than to eliminate the source of all Titans.

The Emotional Weight of the Decision

Despite all rational explanations for Eren’s actions, it is important to acknowledge the emotional toll that this decision must have taken on him. Eating his own father is not only physically gruesome but carries immense emotional significance as well.

Eren had always looked up to his father as a hero – a savior who would one day free them from the walls and oppression. However, by consuming him, he killed his own hero and took on a responsibility that he may not have been fully prepared for.

Moreover, eating someone who has already passed away also signifies a permanent loss – something that Eren would have had to come to terms with emotionally. No matter how justified or rational his decision may seem, it cannot be ignored that this act carries not only physical repercussions but ones that weigh heavily on one’s conscience as well.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no singular answer as to why Eren chose to eat his father. It is

Q: Why Did Eren Eat His Dad?
A: Eren ate his dad to gain the power of the Founding Titan.

Q: Was there a specific reason for Eren to eat his dad instead of inheriting the Founding Titan in a different way?
A: Yes, Eren’s father, Grisha Yeager, purposely allowed himself to be eaten by his son in order to transfer the Founding Titan’s power to him and ultimately save him from becoming a mindless creature called a Pure Titan.

Q: Did Grisha Yeager want to die?
A: No, Grisha Yeager did not want to die. He sacrificed himself for the sake of his son and the future of Paradis Island.

Q: What was the significance of Grisha Yeager injecting Eren with a serum before being eaten?
A: The serum contained memories and information from Eren’s father about his past, the truth behind their world, and how to use the power of the Founding Titan effectively.

Q: Is it possible for someone else other than Eren to inherit multiple Titans simultaneously?
A: No, it is not possible for someone else other than Eren to inherit multiple Titans at once. This is because only those with royal blood like the Reiss family can fully utilize all nine Titans’ powers.

Q: Did consuming his father’s memories make Eren more powerful as a Titan shifter?
A: Yes, consuming his father’s memories not only gave Eren knowledge about their world but also enhanced his abilities as a Titan shifter by allowing him access to advanced techniques and strategies.

In conclusion, the question of why Eren ate his dad is a complex and multi-layered one that delves into the themes of betrayal, trauma, and manipulation. Through careful analysis of both the manga and anime versions of Attack on Titan, we have explored various reasons for this shocking action taken by Eren Jaeger.

Firstly, we can see that Eren’s decision to consume his father Grisha was ultimately a result of Zeke’s manipulation. As a child, Eren witnessed his father being tortured by Marleyan soldiers and branded as an Eldian Restorationist. This event traumatized him and fueled his desire for revenge against those who wronged his family. However, Zeke took advantage of this trauma and manipulated Eren into carrying out his plan to retrieve the Founding Titan.

Moreover, through flashbacks and introspection scenes in the story, we discovered that Grisha had also played a role in pushing Eren towards this drastic action. He had intentionally erased Eren’s memory and left him with no choice but to ingest him in order for the Founding Titan’s power to be fully activated. This highlights Grisha’s own flaws as a flawed parent who prioritized his duty as an Eldian restorationist over his son’s well-being.

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Erick Benitez
Erick Benitez
In 2003, the Coast Sushi Bar was founded, quickly becoming a beloved fixture in its trendy neighborhood, appreciated for its exceptional sushi and vibrant BYOB atmosphere.

The chefs at Coast have developed a mastery in blending subtle yet intricate flavors, establishing a reputation for pioneering innovative New-Japanese cuisine with only the finest global ingredients.

Building on decades of culinary success, the founder launched a new endeavor in 2024—a blog focused on Japanese snacks. This blog marks a significant shift from restaurateur to food blogger, motivated by a desire to share comprehensive insights into Japanese culinary arts and snack culture. The content covers traditional snacks, the evolution of snack culture in Japan, and the global influence and adaptation of these snacks.

Each blog post reflects the founder's commitment to quality and attention to detail, mirroring the standards of Coast Sushi Bar.

Aimed at both aficionados and novices of Japanese cuisine, the blog serves as a resource for deepening readers’ knowledge and appreciation of Japan's rich and diverse food culture.