Summary
The trajectory that Eren’s character has taken throughoutAttack on Titanis easily one of the most fascinating aspects of the series. For the longest time, viewers thought that this character was nothing more than a run-of-the-mill shonen protagonist… before Season 4 came around and showed just how wrong fans were. His amazing and well-written dialogue is one of the major reasons why he’s become such a popular figure within the fanbase.
The plot starts as a war between humanity and Titans, only for several revelations to come to light that has completely changed the scope of the series itself, showing the human race at its absolute lowest as xenophobia, bigotry, and blind hatred end up being addressed in a truly brilliant manner. Eren serves as the perfect protagonist to show humanity’s plight and how a person with good intentions can change and become someone truly villainous.
Updated June 24, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Attack on Titan is one of the greatest shows ever made. A series about Titans eating humanity to extinction takes on so many layers by the fourth season that it becomes challenging to describe the title. Viewers who want to check out a complex series that prudently deals with many heavy things will find Eren to be one of the most fascinating characters in the show.
Despite seeming like a run-of-the-mill shonen protagonist, the true depth of his character is explored in the latter half of the story, where he makes a sacrifice that not many people would be willing to make.
23"I Believe My Squad Will Be Victorious! Fight Well!"
Season 1, Episode 21: Crushing Blow: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 5
Eren’s determination to join the Survey Corps finally proves to be fruitful once he goes through a grueling military induction. After receiving the power of the Attack Titan, he takes part in a mission to draw out the Female Titan and capture her.
He places his faith in Levi and the other members of the squad after an eye-opening speech, but his decision turns out to be the wrong one. After watching too many people die to protect him, he changes his mind and takes on Annie in a fight for the ages.
22"How Could Anything Be More Important Than Keeping Humanity From Being Wiped Out?"
Season 2, Episode 2: I’m Home
Eren has witnessed firsthand just how much humans have suffered under the unending threat of the Titans, and the destruction of his district was a major turning point in his life. After suffering so many atrocities, it’s easy to understand his one-track goal to save humanity from the Titans and help them survive in this accursed world once and for all.
So,when Eren decides to figure out the truth behind the Titansand their nature, he is stopped in his tracks by people who are unwilling to disclose precious information for a wide variety of reasons. This infuriates him, who just can’t understand why humans would be so selfish that they’d only care for themselves and not try and take out the bigger threat that is staring them right in the face!
21"How Can You Call Yourself A Soldier?"
Season 1, Episode 4: The Night of the Closing Ceremony: Humanity’s Comeback, Part 2
Eren and Jean’s friendship took a long while to materialize, with the latter not really a huge fan of Eren’s righteousness and how Mikasa was seemingly attracted to him. Meanwhile, Eren criticized Jean’s lack of motivation, preferring to sit back and not do anything to stop the threat of the Titans. The fact that this man just wanted to join the Military Police to lead an easy life rubbed Eren the wrong way.
As a result, both characters get into a ton of conflicts early on in the series, to the point where Eren even questions his motivations and wonders how he can even attempt to call himself a soldier. Over time, Jean’s hatred of Eren subsides, and they grow to respect each other’s differences while striving to grow together as valuable members of the Survey Corps.
20"I Have To Be The One To Do This! I’ve Got To Settle This!"
Season 2, Episode 12: Scream
The one thing thatEren absolutely hates is being useless. After being abducted by Reiner and Bertholdt and being bled out over and over again to prevent his Titan powers from being accessible, he is rendered helpless as the Survey Corps who came to save him are mowed down in an open field by a wealth of despicable Titans.
After seeing Hannes put down his life for him and Mikasa trying to protect him once and for all, Eren decides to stop being so helpless in this situation. He rushes at the Titan who ate his mother and punches her, unknowingly activating the Coordinate by temporarily establishing contact with a royal member of the family and saving his friends from becoming a snack for the Titans.
19"You’re Not Soldiers. You’re Not Warriors. You’re Just Murderers."
Season 2, Episode 9: Opening
The moment when Reiner and Bertholdt are revealed to be the Armored and Colossal Titan respectively continues to be one of the most mind-blowing sequences inAttack on Titan. The emotions are high and the soundtrack makes this event stand out as a highlight of the series.
After getting over his emotions, Eren channels his rage in a bid to take out the Titans once and for all. His hate for both of them is palpable in every line of dialogue he utters, including this one.
18"NOTHING CHANGED!"
Eren’s frustrations at being unable to change after gaining the powers of the Attack Titan weighed heavily on his mind after the Scouts were assaulted by several Titans. His injuries prevented him from transforming to save his friends.
However, this frustration led to him getting a pep talk from Mikasa before invoking the power of the Coordinate. It was a great moment that added more mystery to the events ofAttack on Titan.
17"Reiner… I’m The Same As You."
Season 4, Episode 5: Declaration Of War
For the longest time, Eren just hated the Titans and couldn’t understand why other people would unleash this hell on them. However, over time, Eren realized that people were the same and it was the circumstances around them that shaped them to perform truly heinous acts.
Aftermeeting Reiner in Paradis, Eren outright said that both of them were the same people even if they were on opposing sides of the conflict. Despite being so mature with his opinions, it’s Eren’s senseless rampage that he embarks upon which makes for a truly shocking development in every way.
16"I Am Free. Whatever I Do. Whatever I Choose. I Do It Out Of My Own Free Will."
Season 4, Episode 14: Savagery
After performing a series of heinous actions, Armin has genuine doubts about whether Eren is even in control of his actions. After all, the powers of the Attack Titan are still a mystery, and Armin genuinely believes thatEren was being manipulated by these powers to commit such atrocities.
So, it’s rather jarring to hear Eren say that he’s totally in control of his own actions. This doesn’t sit well with Armin, but Eren decides to make things even worse by chastizing and beating his friends later on.
15"Keep Moving Forward…"
Season 4, Episode 20: Memories Of The Future
The revelation that Eren manipulated Grisha into killing the royal family was pretty shocking and showed just how far this character would go to accomplish his goals. It was the manner in which he spoke down to Grisha that was particularly chilling.
He reminded his father of how her sister was fed to the dogs while also mentioning the many sacrifices his friends and family made along the way. Grisha was worn down mentally by Eren, causing him to fly into a state of pure rage and kill innocents without a care in the world.
14"IT ENDS NOW! I’LL PUT AN END TO THIS WORLD!"
Season 4, Episode 21: From You, 2,000 Years Ago
Ymir’s backstory is a sad one, with this character living in servitude to a horrible king throughout her life after gaining the Titan powers. She believes that her role is simply to adhere to the demands of King Fritz.
However, Eren reminds her that she’s just a human who was manipulated and gives her the means to direct her fate. This leads to Ymir fighting back against the royal family and helping Eren out instead.
