Spawning out of my tweet poking fun at Zeke’s laughable “characterization” (!) in AoTnR, I’ve seen the usual suspects try and say that Zeke was “Talk no Jutsu’d” by Armin near the end of the manga. So, let’s dead that nonsense, shall we? 
To understand the power that the crucial moment in Paths holds, you’ve got to get that, at their core, these are both men who have an almost inherent sense of self-loathing.
Zeke views himself as being unfit and undeserving to live.
This is borne from his inability to live up to his bio-father’s goals for him, as well as the internalized racial hatred he carries.
This is borne from his inability to live up to his bio-father’s goals for him, as well as the internalized racial hatred he carries.
As a result, he creates the Euthanasia Plan, a plan created and fueled by that very self hatred, internalized racism and childhood trauma.
Armin has always considered himself inferior to Eren and Mikasa, looking down upon himself and feeling unworthy of their friendship.
And while those feelings are temporarily triumphed over, his overall sense of inadequacy is doubled with his “death” and subsequent rebirth.
And while those feelings are temporarily triumphed over, his overall sense of inadequacy is doubled with his “death” and subsequent rebirth.
Instead of his wish for death being fulfilled, Armin ironically is brought back to life instead of Erwin Smith, humanity’s most courageous commander, and with the most destructive Titan Shifter power to boot, stolen from Bertolt.
Despite that new lease on life, Armin consistently tries to end it prematurely, in many conscious and subconscious fashions.
Including nearly sacrificing himself for Connie’s mother and stepping in the way of an armed Daz and Samuel.
Including nearly sacrificing himself for Connie’s mother and stepping in the way of an armed Daz and Samuel.
Hell, he even has the title of Survey Corps’ Commander forced upon him, another incident that only helps to worsen his own self-loathing and lack of self-love.
I *might* be rambling, but my point is that these two men have an EXTREME inner hatred that hasn’t been dealt with.
I *might* be rambling, but my point is that these two men have an EXTREME inner hatred that hasn’t been dealt with.
This all culminates in the worst way possible, smack in the middle of the 11th Hour of both of their plans!
Armin gets his inner wish of being “dead” realized, only to not want it in favor of hurriedly trying to save his friends.
Armin gets his inner wish of being “dead” realized, only to not want it in favor of hurriedly trying to save his friends.
Zeke tries to enact his plan yet comes in contact with his original father. Said father who, finally, tells him that he loved his son while also…giving him another expectative goal:
“Stop Eren!” or so Zeke tries, until he is unceremoniously rejected and beaten…
“Stop Eren!” or so Zeke tries, until he is unceremoniously rejected and beaten…
Reduced to a state so sad and pitiable, it only seems fitting to me that these men with the biggest inferiority complexes would finally be face to face…
That said, only good could come from an exchange between two of the most underrated parallels in the series.
That said, only good could come from an exchange between two of the most underrated parallels in the series.
“When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change"...
This is kind of a harsh, but true quote that I think reflects life in spades.
But in this instance, it especially reflects the change borne in not just Zeke, but Armin as well!
This is kind of a harsh, but true quote that I think reflects life in spades.
But in this instance, it especially reflects the change borne in not just Zeke, but Armin as well!
The conversation between the two is just that – a *conversation*.
Not a debate, not Armin trying to convert Zeke to his side of thinking. But a dialogue between two men that might as well be talking to their own inner demons made manifest.
Not a debate, not Armin trying to convert Zeke to his side of thinking. But a dialogue between two men that might as well be talking to their own inner demons made manifest.
When it finally clicks for Zeke is the moment when it finally clicks for Armin!
Rather than being burdened by the unrealistic expectations we resign ourselves too, it is *better* to appreciate the smaller moments that just so happen to accumulate over time...
Rather than being burdened by the unrealistic expectations we resign ourselves too, it is *better* to appreciate the smaller moments that just so happen to accumulate over time...
Armin appreciates that he always had a place with Eren, Mikasa and all of his friends and just racing to the tree that day was powerful in its own right.
Zeke appreciates his time spent playing catch with Ksaver and even Grisha, who ultimately allowed that meeting to happen.
Zeke appreciates his time spent playing catch with Ksaver and even Grisha, who ultimately allowed that meeting to happen.
In that moment of discovery, introspection and understanding, there is love of the self found.
There is empathy for one’s being found.
There is acceptance and a genuine sense of *belonging* gained!
There is empathy for one’s being found.
There is acceptance and a genuine sense of *belonging* gained!
It’s disrespectful to file away this change as “Talk no Jutsu” (whatever THIS means), rather than as the timeless life lesson Isayama is imparting:
Loving yourself is the only way you can truly learn to love others and foster a true cycle of empathy and understanding.
{END}
Loving yourself is the only way you can truly learn to love others and foster a true cycle of empathy and understanding.
{END}
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