Onionlinks

Onionlinks

Did You Know?

Docy turns out that context is a key part of learning.

Émile Durkheim

Eren Jaeger

Eren Jaeger(エレン・イェーガー Eren Yēgā) was a former member of the Scout Regiment and the main protagonist ofAttack on Titan. He was the son of Grisha and Carla Jaeger, the younger half-brother of Zeke Jaeger, and the final inheritor of the Attack Titan, Founding Titan, and War Hammer Titan.

Eren was born and raised in the Shiganshina District on the southern edge of Wall Maria. His life changed in the year 845, when the Colossal and Armored Titans breached the Wall, leading to the destruction of the city and the death of his mother at the hands of a Titan. This tragedy fueled Eren’s intense hatred for the Titans and his vow to eradicate them from the world.

Following the attack, Eren’s father, Grisha, entrusted him with a key to the family basement and injected him with a Titan serum. Grisha’s final instructions to Eren were to reclaim Wall Maria and uncover the secrets hidden in the basement.

Two years later, Eren, along with his close friends Mikasa Ackermann and Armin Arlelt, joined the 104th Cadet Corps and successfully graduated, with Eren ranking 5th. They soon joined the Scout Regiment after the Battle of Trost. Upon discovering the basement and unlocking his father’s memories, Eren learned the truth about the Titans and the history of Eldia and Marley. This revelation led him to shift his focus toward liberating Eldia from the true enemy: humanity beyond the sea.

Eren wielded the power of three Titans. He inherited the Attack and Founding Titans from his father, and later acquired the War Hammer Titan after consuming Lara Tybur during the Raid on Liberio.

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
Nationality French
Alma mater École Normale Supérieure
Known for Sacred–profane dichotomy
Collective consciousness
Social fact
Social integration
Anomie
Collective effervescence
Scientific career
Fields Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies
Institutions University of Paris, University of Bordeaux
Influences Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill
Influenced Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1]

Appearance

Human Form:
Eren Jaeger was a young man of average height with a muscular build. He had a long, rounded face, expressive teal-green eyes, and dark brown hair that initially fell in a middle-parted, curtain-like style. His eyebrows were sparse, often giving him a troubled or intense expression. Over time, after joining the military, Eren became notably fit and muscular.

Eren was first seen wearing casual townsfolk attire, including brown trousers, a green shirt with string tassels, a maroon coat, and simple brown shoes. Before the fall of Wall Maria, he often wore a red scarf, which he gave to Mikasa when they first met. During his time in the Scout Regiment, Eren wore the standard uniform and kept his father’s key around his neck. His casual attire later included a long beige shirt, a maroon sash, and brown trousers.

By the year 854, Eren’s appearance had changed significantly. He had grown taller, and his hair was shoulder-length. He had a slight mustache and goatee, and bandages covered his forehead and left eye. During his infiltration of Marley, he wore an Eldian armband. After being imprisoned, he tied his hair into a man-bun, with small fringes on each side, and was clean-shaven.

Attack Titan Form:
As a Titan, Eren’s appearance changed dramatically. He grew to a height of 15 meters, with long hair that reached his shoulders. His facial features became more exaggerated, including a hooked nose, sunken eyes, and a jagged mouth that exposed all his teeth, as he lacked lips and flesh on his cheeks. His ears and tongue were elongated, and he developed a third transparent eyelid.

Eren’s Titan form was well-proportioned, muscular, and lean, unlike the pot-bellied or emaciated forms of many other Titans. When his Titan was in a burning state, it turned deep black, with glowing blue eyes and sharper teeth, as seen during his battles in Trost and against the Female Titan.

Founding Titan Form

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

Eren Yeager as the Founding Titan: Eren Yeager transforms into the Founding Titan, commanding a legion of Colossal Titans in a pivotal moment that underscores the ultimate conflict between freedom and oppression.

Founding Titan Form:
Eren’s Founding Titan, also called theDoomsday Titan(終尾の巨人 Shūbi no Kyojin), had a drastically different appearance compared to Ymir Fritz’s Founding Titan or any other Titan. Towering over the Wall Titans, Eren’s Founding Titan was dominated by an enormous, fleshless ribcage. The elongated knobs of the spine and ribs extended to the ground, with the ribs supporting the body as it moved. The arch of the spine stretched high into the sky, creating a monstrous, towering form.

The pelvis and legs, while greatly undersized and seemingly non-functional, were still larger than any Wall Titan. The upper body appeared proportional to the legs but was dwarfed by the massive ribcage. The only part of the body with significant flesh was the head, which was heavily deformed. Eren’s Titan head featured elongated ears and hair, missing cheeks that exposed the molars, and a bare lower jaw with only the lips and chin intact. The upper body appeared suspended by sinews connected to the vertebral knobs, giving it the appearance of a puppet.

Eren’s Founding Titan moved using its ribcage, with the ribs undulating like the legs of a millipede. Despite its grotesque appearance, it was fast enough to keep up with the advancing Rumbling.

Pure Titan Form:
Eren’s Pure Titan form was much smaller than his later Titan forms. It had short, rugged hair, a jagged, lipless mouth that exposed its teeth, and elongated ears. This form had a stocky build with a disproportionately large head, giving it a more compact appearance compared to his other Titan transformations.

Personality

Eren Jaeger was characterized by his strong-willed, passionate, and impulsive nature. He was fiercely determined to protect humanity and escape the confines of the Walls. As a child, Eren was driven by a desire to join the Scout Regiment, often clashing with his mother and condemning the villagers as complacent “livestock.” His protective instincts were evident in his relationships, especially with his childhood friend Armin and his family. He often fought bullies to defend Armin and, in one instance, violently killed human traffickers to rescue Mikasa.

Eren’s view of the world was largely black-and-white. He held a deep disdain for the Titans, whom he blamed for the destruction of his world and the death of his mother, fueling his lifelong vow to eliminate them. His contempt for those content with life inside the Walls often led to friction with others, and his reckless, temperamental behavior caused concern among his peers. Eren had little self-restraint, often acting impulsively and without regard for his safety.

After his mother’s death, Eren’s hatred toward Titans intensified, and he became singularly focused on destroying them. Despite his outward confidence in battle, Eren harbored deep insecurities and struggled with feelings of helplessness, especially when his actions led to the deaths of comrades. His lack of control over his Titan form further complicated matters, often resulting in savage and uncontrollable behavior.

Eren’s infiltration of Marley further deepened his understanding of the world. While he empathized with those on the other side, he believed that war was inevitable and that righteous goals often required brutal means. He initiated the Rumbling, wiping out 80% of the world’s population to ensure Eldia’s survival, though he secretly hoped his friends would stop him and be hailed as heroes. Despite his actions, Eren struggled with feelings of guilt and longing for the life he could never have, revealing to Armin that he wished to be with Mikasa and his friends, even though he knew he could never be forgiven.

History

Eren Jaeger was born in the Shiganshina District, located in the southern region of Wall Maria, to Carla and Grisha Jaeger. As a child, his closest friend was Armin Arlelt, who often faced bullying. Eren frequently defended Armin, and it was Armin who inspired Eren’s desire to explore the world beyond the Walls by showing him a hidden book about the outside world. This dream led to Eren and Armin being seen as heretics by their peers, and they were often harassed because of their unconventional views.

At the age of nine, Eren rescued Mikasa Ackermann from human traffickers. While visiting the Ackermanns’ home with his father, they discovered that Mikasa’s parents had been murdered and she was missing. Despite his father’s instructions to wait for the Military Police, Eren took matters into his own hands. He tracked the kidnappers to a cabin and devised a plan to free Mikasa.

Once inside, Eren pretended to be a lost child, tricking the bandits into lowering their guard. He swiftly killed one of the men by slitting his throat and fatally stabbed another with a makeshift spear. As he untied Mikasa, the third bandit attacked and began strangling Eren. Mikasa, initially hesitant to kill, was urged by Eren to fight back. She overcame her hesitation, killing the bandit and saving Eren’s life.

After the rescue, Dr. Jaeger scolded Eren for his reckless actions, but Eren showed no remorse for killing the bandits. When Mikasa expressed that she was cold, Eren gave her his scarf—a gesture that symbolized their bond. Dr. Jaeger then invited Mikasa to live with their family, and Eren happily accepted, taking her by the hand and leading her home.

Alternate Reality

In the year 844, Eren accompanies his father, Dr. Jaeger, on a visit to the Ackermann family, where he meets Mikasa. The two children wander through the nearby forest, and Eren shares his dream of joining the Scout Regiment and exploring the world beyond the Walls. He expresses excitement about the possibility of Mikasa’s unborn sibling becoming a soldier. As they walk, they hear howling in the distance and stumble upon the remains of a campsite, where rabid dogs have killed travelers. The dogs approach but leave without attacking, and the children return home to inform their parents about the grisly scene.

As Dr. Jaeger continues his visits, Eren and Mikasa grow closer. Eren tells Mikasa about his best friend, Armin, who shares his fascination with the outside world. He describes incredible sights like the ocean, fiery water, and lands covered in ice and sand. Eren’s passion for adventure is driven by his disdain for those content with living inside the Walls, as he dreams of one day joining the Scout Regiment to experience the world beyond.

When Mikasa is sent to Shiganshina District, Eren eagerly greets her. They watch the Scout Regiment return from a mission in shambles, and Eren angrily confronts two civilians who criticize the Scouts, resulting in him being beaten by one of the men. Mikasa watches helplessly as Eren is injured.

Afterward, Eren stops visiting Mikasa for a while. When the Ackermanns move to Shiganshina, Mikasa asks why he stopped coming. Eren reveals that the Scout Regiment has been disbanded due to their lack of success, and the gate to the outside world has been sealed. Despite Mikasa’s relief, Eren shares that he and Armin have been secretly building a hot air balloon to escape. He promises to take Mikasa with him, giving her his scarf and instructing her to meet him in three days. However, during their attempted escape, the balloon fails to gain altitude and crashes into the Wall, with Eren pushing Armin to safety.

Combat Skills

Cover of the French edition of The Rules of Sociological Method (1919)

Eren Yeager in Attack Titan Form: Eren Yeager harnesses the power of the Attack Titan, showcasing his determination and strength as he battles against the forces threatening his freedom and the future of humanity.

Eren’s initial strength came from defending his friend Armin from bullies who were bigger and stronger than him. As he grew older and joined the 104th Cadet Corps, he received extensive hand-to-hand combat training. While these skills might seem ineffective against Titans due to their size, they gave Eren a significant advantage when fighting other Titans in his Titan form, allowing him to hold his own in close-quarters combat.

Omni-Directional Mobility Gear

Eren initially struggled with using the omni-directional mobility (ODM) gear during his training. In the early balancing tests, he frequently tripped and fell, drawing mockery from his peers. Eren received advice to clear his mind and focus, but he still struggled. After his gear was revealed to be faulty, Eren tried again with a different set of equipment and balanced with ease, proving his ability when given proper gear.

Although not as frequently shown using the ODM gear as other Scout Regiment members, Eren demonstrated his competence with it on several occasions. He was able to hold his own briefly against the Colossal Titan during its first reappearance after five years. His most notable use of ODM gear was during the Battle of Shiganshina, where he managed to cut Bertholdt Hoover out of the Colossal Titan’s nape while using his hardened Titan form to distract Bertholdt, despite being physically exhausted.

Power of the Titans

Cover of the French edition of The Division of Labour in Society

Eren Yeager as the War Hammer Titan: Eren Yeager manifests the War Hammer Titan, wielding its unique abilities to create formidable structures and weapons, symbolizing his ultimate resolve in the fight for freedom.

Attack Titan

After the fall of Wall Maria, Eren was injected with a serum by his father, Grisha Jaeger, which turned him into a Pure Titan. In this form, he ate his father, inheriting both the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan powers. Eren’s Titan form stood 15 meters tall, featuring a muscular build, shoulder-length black hair, and a distinctive skeleton-like maw with no lips. His Titan body was significantly stronger and more defined than others of similar size, allowing him to easily overpower regular Titans with his strength and combat skills. However, transforming into a Titan put a heavy toll on his body, requiring substantial stamina, often leaving him physically drained or unconscious after battle.

Initially, Eren had no control over his Titan form, acting on pure instinct during the Battle of Trost. Over time, he learned to control his transformation and retain his intelligence while in Titan form, allowing him to utilize his military training to fight more effectively. Eren’s first successful use of his Titan form allowed him to kill over 20 Titans and plug a hole in Wall Trost, despite attacking his allies at first. His ability to transform was dependent on injuring himself and having a clear goal in mind, which he struggled with at times, as seen when he failed to transform against Annie Leonhart.

Regeneration

Eren’s Titan form possessed rapid regenerative abilities, allowing him to heal injuries quickly, such as regenerating entire limbs within seconds or minutes. This ability extended to his human form, as shown when he regrew his arm and leg after being injured by a Titan. During his mission in Marley, Eren mastered his regenerative powers, even being able to suppress regeneration to maintain his cover as an injured soldier.

Enhanced Strength

Eren’s Titan form was exceptionally strong due to its muscular build. He could decapitate other Titans with a single punch and easily overpower larger Titans in combat. His most notable feat of strength was lifting and carrying a massive boulder to seal the hole in Wall Trost. In battles against the Female and Armored Titans, Eren demonstrated his ability to land powerful blows, create large craters, and even gain the upper hand in prolonged fights.

Enhanced Endurance

Eren’s endurance was one of his greatest assets in Titan form. He could sustain combat for long periods, killing 20 Titans in his first transformation. Even after severe injuries, such as during his battles with the Female Titan and the Armored Titan, Eren continued fighting. In Marley, his endurance had improved significantly, allowing him to transform three times in a single battle, surprising even his enemies.

Hardening

After consuming a serum labeled “Armor,” Eren gained the ability to harden his Titan body. This ability allowed him to create durable structures and reinforce his Titan’s body, such as sealing the hole in Wall Trost and defending Squad Levi from Rod Reiss’s Titan. Eren could also focus his hardening in specific areas, like his fists, making them strong enough to break the Armored Titan’s armor. His hardening abilities continued to improve, allowing him to block powerful attacks from the War Hammer Titan in Marley.

Founding Titan

The Founding Titan, also referred to as the “Coordinate” by Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover, was one of the most powerful Titans, possessing the ability to control Pure Titans. Eren inherited this power from his father, Grisha Jaeger, after Grisha stole it from the Reiss family. However, Eren could only access its full potential while in contact with someone of royal blood.

Eren first activated the Founding Titan’s power by accident during the Battle of Shiganshina when he struck the Smiling Titan, who was later revealed to be a member of royal blood transformed into a Titan. This caused the nearby Titans to attack and devour the Smiling Titan and forced Reiner and Bertholdt into retreat. Although the power can influence Pure Titans, it is unclear whether Eren could control other Titan-shifters with the Founding Titan’s abilities.

The Founding Titan’s immense power made Eren a target for many factions, including Marley’s Warriors and the Reiss family. After four years of seeking to unlock its full potential, Eren finally gained complete control of the Founding Titan by convincing Ymir Fritz, the source of all Titans, to lend him her power. This transformation turned Eren into the massive “Doomsday Titan,” allowing him to control the Wall Titans, create a unique Titan form that dwarfed all others, and telepathically communicate with all Subjects of Ymir.

War Hammer Titan

Eren gained the power of the War Hammer Titan after devouring Lara Tybur during the Raid on Liberio. With this power, Eren could create various weapons and structures from hardened Titan material, a signature ability of the War Hammer Titan. These constructs included spikes, weapons, and protective barriers, granting Eren a versatile edge in combat. Unlike other Titans, the War Hammer could operate its body remotely, with the user safely hidden underground, though Eren did not fully rely on this ability after acquiring it.

Relationships

Mikasa Ackermann

Eren had a complex relationship with Mikasa, often showing a brusque attitude towards her, masking their deep bond. Mikasa was more open in her concern for him, while Eren mostly displayed his care when she was hurt or in distress. Despite his tough exterior, he frequently looked out for her, even calling himself a monster to protect her from the military court. Eren was sometimes frustrated by her protectiveness, but their bond remained strong, especially when he comforted her after their encounter with the Smiling Titan.

Armin Arlelt

Armin was Eren’s best friend, who inspired his dream of exploring the world beyond the Walls. As children, they were ridiculed for their “heretical” ideas. Eren constantly defended Armin from bullies, often without regard for his own safety. Despite Armin seeing himself as a burden, Eren valued his intelligence and quick thinking, which had saved them multiple times. Eren’s trust in Armin was unwavering, and he often relied on his friend’s judgment in critical situations.

Jean Kirschtein

Jean was Eren’s main rival, with opposing temperaments. Where Eren was hotheaded and idealistic, Jean was pragmatic and collected. Their rivalry escalated due to their differences in opinion about joining the Scout Regiment and Jean’s jealousy over Eren’s close relationship with Mikasa. Although they frequently argued, their animosity lessened after the Battle of Trost, and their relationship became more respectful, though still contentious at times.

Levi Ackermann

Eren held deep respect for Levi, acknowledging his superiority in both combat and leadership. Despite being beaten by Levi during his trial, Eren understood it was necessary and harbored no resentment. Eren admired Levi’s strength and strived to learn from him, following his advice without hesitation. Over time, he grew accustomed to the cleanliness standard demanded by Levi, learning to respect his superior both as a soldier and a mentor.

Annie Leonhart

Eren admired Annie during their cadet training, learning her unique combat style and seeing her as a kind person beneath her cold exterior. However, her betrayal as the Female Titan deeply conflicted him. Eren was initially unable to fight her, despite knowing the truth, and he struggled to accept her actions, even as they battled. His feelings towards her were complex, filled with both admiration and sorrow.

Reiner Braun

Eren once saw Reiner as an older brother figure and admired his strength and sense of duty. Their friendship was shattered when Reiner revealed his identity as the Armored Titan. Despite their betrayal, Eren expressed sympathy for Reiner later on, understanding the similarities between them as both were manipulated by their leaders. Despite this empathy, Eren still saw Reiner as an enemy in the war.

Bertholdt Hoover

Though not as close to Bertholdt, Eren respected his courage. After discovering Bertholdt’s identity as the Colossal Titan, Eren’s anger towards him was fierce. He vowed to kill Bertholdt and eventually delivered him to his death, though without the satisfaction he had imagined. Later, Eren reflected that his anger towards Bertholdt was misguided due to his lack of understanding of their motives at the time.

Conny Springer

As fellow members of the 104th Cadet Corps, Eren and Conny shared many experiences and got along well. Conny was initially inspired by Eren’s passion to defeat the Titans and joined the Scout Regiment after being moved by his conviction. The two maintained a close bond throughout their time in the regiment.

Hange Zoë

Initially, Eren found Hange’s obsession with Titans unsettling, but he came to respect their scientific curiosity. Despite thinking Hange was a bit eccentric, Eren became one of the first to take an interest in their work, and their death affected him deeply.

Grisha Jaeger

Eren had a complicated relationship with his father, Grisha, who was often away due to his duties. Though Grisha deeply cared for his son, Eren was left frustrated and confused by his father’s disappearance after Wall Maria’s fall. Despite his frustration, Eren clung to the belief that Grisha was alive and working towards their shared goal.

Carla Jaeger

Eren loved his mother deeply, though he often ignored her warnings about joining the Scouts. After her tragic death during the fall of Shiganshina, Eren was left traumatized and filled with guilt for disobeying her. Her loss fueled his hatred for the Titans and his determination to avenge her.

Hannes

Before the fall of Wall Maria, Eren was often frustrated by Hannes’ laid-back attitude. However, after Hannes sacrificed himself to protect Eren and Mikasa, Eren’s respect for him grew. His death deeply affected Eren, who viewed him as a close family friend.

Marco Bodt

Eren respected Marco for his selflessness and leadership qualities. Marco’s death during the Battle of Trost deeply saddened Eren, who saw him as a good friend and a role model.

Trivia

  • Eren’s design features black hair to make it easier to draw speed lines when he is in motion, reflecting his energetic character .
  • Isayama focused on Eren’s eyes, giving him thin eyebrows to make his expressions stand out, as he felt thicker eyebrows would be too artificial for Eren’s personality .
  • Isayama has expressed difficulty in making Eren feel “alive” in the story, calling him “a slave to the narrative” and was surprised by his popularity .
  • Due to being so different from Eren, Isayama found it challenging to write for the character until hearing Yuki Kaji’s voice portrayal .
  • Eren’s Titan form was based on Japanese martial artist Yushin Okami, modeling an ideal physique of a middleweight mixed martial artist . Additionally, Takanori Gomi’s southpaw fighting style inspired Eren’s Titan combat technique .
  • The name “Eren” is of Turkish origin, meaning “He who progresses towards divine maturity and sacred wisdom,” and in German, “Ehre” means honor .
  • Isayama chose the name “Eren” partly because it sounds feminine, making it easier to remember .
  • “Jaeger,” Eren’s surname, means “hunter” in German.
  • Isayama wanted to make Eren a character without natural talent, opposing the concept of a chosen, gifted protagonist .
  • Eren used the suffix “-hiki” (small animals) instead of “-tai” (large animals) when referring to Titans, emphasizing his disdain for them.
  • Eren held the highest Titan kill count among the 104th Cadet Corps graduates, though most were in his Titan form, while Mikasa held the most human-form kills.
  • According to Isayama, Eren would be evenly matched with Jean Kirschtein in an arm-wrestling contest .
  • Originally, Eren was meant to know all along that he was a Titan, but Isayama decided to change this idea .
  • Eren’s ears blush when he lies, as mentioned by his mother, Carla.
  • Subtle foreshadowing of Eren’s Titan ability appears early in the story, such as his dream of being injected by his father with a serum soon after Wall Maria’s fall and steam rising from his head during training.
  • Eren’s Titan form has nictitating membranes, a third eyelid observed in predatory animals like sharks and birds of prey.
  • Eren is featured as a Nendoroid figure, along with Mikasa, Levi, Armin, and the Colossal Titan.
  • Eren ranked first in Akiba Souken’sAttack on Titancharacter popularity poll .
  • Eren has his own character song,Helpless World, alongside characters like Mikasa, Armin, Levi, Erwin, Jean, Reiner, and Bertholdt.