Summary
Anime often follows parallel scenarios where one event in the arc of an anime storyline has taken a different route. These plot twists encourage debates among viewers as to just how different the outcome of any given series might be and can lead to theory after theory on what might have been. Much asDemon Slayerbrings up questions in regard to the character’s actions and the reaction to such throughout the plot, so too doesAttack on Titanfeature specific points that might have gone in so many ways.
In the Battle of Shiganshina, Reiner Braun-the Armored Titan-barelyescaped being capturedby the Eldians. But what if he hadn’t? What if Reiner had been caught joining Bertolt? This brings a wide array of interesting perspectives, each with wide-ranging ramifications as to Eren’s plan for the Rumbling.
Capturing The Fallen Hero
The Immediate Aftermath of Reiner’s Capture
If the Eldians had captured Reiner in that fight, they would probably have shifted the most immediate focus to interrogating him. Considering he has a lot of insight into the military of Marley and its titans, Reiner would be a real goldmine in intelligence. Being the hardened soldier he is, though, Reiner would more than likely remain staunchly loyal to Marley and resist attempts to make him betray his homeland.
On the other hand, his severe psychological trauma about having betrayed his former comrades in Paradis may have gotten the better of him. Reiner’s inner turmoil about his double identity as a Marleyan warrior and Eldian sympathizer could have been crucial in his responses and might have led him to reveal critical information about Marley’s plans. This is information that could have substantially modified the strategy of Paradis in the future battles that were to come.
Hurdle on Zeke’s Plan
How Might This Have Affected Zeke’s Role
Reiner’s capture might have changed everything in Zeke’s plans. And we know it was his alliance with Paradis that set off the chain of events for Eren to activate the Rumbling. If Reiner had gotten captured, the amount of trust between them and the Eldians could have been different. Not only that, but Zeke’s Beast Titan plays a very crucial part in the Rumbling; his royal blood is needed to make thepower of the Founding Titanfully functional. The Eldians would have been more suspicious about the role of Zeke, and accordingly, their cooperation might have been a bit slow to cause a delay in the ultimate goal of Eren.
The Eldians, had they known to exploit the relationship that Reiner had with Zeke, might have tried to use such a bond with Zeke to wring from him more of his real motives much earlier, possibly even delaying the Rumbling or taking another course if they could somehow regulate the involvement of Zeke. For example, with Reiner’s knowledge in hand, Paradis might have taken another approach regarding Marley, even using Zeke’s position to negotiate.
Could Reiner’s Capture Have Stopped the Rumbling?
It might have unlocked a chain reaction in Eren’s larger plan to disrupt the Rumbling entirely. They would have been holding Reiner hostage, leading the Eldians into what weaknesses and strategies Marley has in store for them, or even how to prevent an all-out war by building better defenses, finding some diplomatic solutions to end hostilities. If Reiner had buckled under interrogation and revealed Marley’s true intentions, then Paradis might have focused all its efforts on defense rather than Eren’s course of aggression.
However, all this time,Eren had already planned itout and even manipulated events for the Rumbling. The capture of Reiner alone may not have been enough to prevent the Rumbling, since Eren’s goals were more vast than the captives. Even with Reiner in custody, Eren’s determination to accomplish his vision of Eldian freedom might have allowed the Rumbling to take place regardless, but maybe with slightly more complications.
Marley’s Retaliation
How Would Marley React?
Marley’s reaction towards Reiner’s capture would have been sharp and aggressive. Losing such a valuable key figure in the war against them would weaken their entire position. Marley might have taken the immediate desperate measure of sending a rescue mission with more warriors to Paradis Island. There would have been a conflict sooner than what happened in the original flow of events. Desperation on Marley’s part to retrieve their Armored Titan would have led to far more brutal strategies that would have pushed both nations well past the point of no return much sooner.
In this case, Marley’s heightened aggression might have forced Paradis to adopt harsher measures to defend itself, hastening the need for Eren’s Rumbling to become a reality. Success in the rescue of Reiner would provide insight into the defenses and titans of Paradis, hastening their plans of war.
We Are The Same, Reiner
Would Reiner Have Played a Larger Role in the Final Conflict?
Were he to get captured, his role in the later stages of thewar between Marley and Paradiswould have turned out to be quite different. For quite some time, Reiner was shown to be a tragic character who was torn between two worlds: his loyalty to Marley and his sympathies with his former comrades who were over at Paradis. In captivity, Reiner may have had time to reflect on the choices he made and about whom he showed allegiance, which could’ve resulted in a shift in his priorities, maybe even to the point where he might have joined the Jaegerists and Eren himself.
On the other hand, if Reiner refused to help, the Eldians could have then used that interrogation of Reiner and the knowledge of what was going to happen from Marley as a chance to formulate a plan and to arrange for a takeover of his Armored Titan by one of their numbers. They would then, with information provided by Reiner, be able to actively seek out other Titan serums and enact a planned transformation. Giving Reiner’s titan to someone loyal to Paradis would have bolstered their military strength and given them a weapon in case of possible future conflicts against Marley. This newly obtained Armored Titan could have been utilized for further advancements in Paradis' defenses or even as a deterrent against outside forces, shifting the balance of power notably.
Humanity’s Demise Unchanged
Was the Rumbling Inevitable?
Even given that Reiner’s capture might have turned the tide of events in the conflict, the rumbling may have been inevitable due to Eren’s extensive planning. Eren had long foreseen that the necessity of the Rumbling was required for Eldia’s freedom, no matter who stood in the way. Barring his capture by Reiner, although the Rumbling might have come much later, his manipulation of Zeke and the Founding Titan’s power would most likely have made sure it did indeed come to pass-maybe just a little later and within a different scope.
In any case, the capture of Reiner would not have changed the core motives ofEren or his final goal. The Rumbling had been in the making for several years and was closely intertwined with Eren’s belief that this was the only protection for Paradis. Although Reiner’s capture could postpone the Rumbling or bring in new variables, the singular drive of Eren would most likely ensure the plan flowed as intended.
His capture during the Battle of Shiganshina could have led to anything from flipped alliances to altered timing in relation to major plot points. Given how specifically Eren had designed the Rumbling, it is likely that the endpoint would have remained the same. The capture of Reiner may have allowed for slight delays and new plans of action, but the motivations behind the characters would still drive the story to its tragic, inevitable conclusion.
Attack On Titan
Cast
Based on Hajime Isayama’s widely popular manga, Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy anime set in a world where humanity lives behind walls to protect themselves from massive creatures known as Titans. Over the course of four seasons, the story takes plenty of unexpected twists and turns, almost evolving into a different type of series in the process.
