The Mature Empathy of "To Save the World"

(Originally written on the 17th of January, 2022)

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Attack on Titan's 77th episode "Sneak Attack" adapts a pivotal moment from the manga regarding Gabi Braun's character arc where she recognises her role in perpetuating the needless cycle of violence. The metaphorical birdcage in which mankind had trapped itself is represented with literal birdcages looming over her, Falco and Colt Grice. It is only after experiencing acts of kindness from whom they deemed the enemy, finally talking to them, does Gabi feel guilt. It is at this moment that a birdcage is seen fallen over, the door now opened.

The truth that there were in fact no devils on the island was a world-shattering truth that her older cousin Reiner faced years prior. He slept under the same roofs as those whom he deemed his enemies all to be seen as a hero. In his own words to Keith Shadis, Reiner sought

To save humanity.

Gabi's hatred following the death of her loved ones mirrored not only Eren Yeager, but also Connie Springer who was betrayed by the two boys whom he believed to be his brothers. Despite swearing vengeance on Reiner for conspiring and hiding the truth of Zeke's attack on Ragako village, the time he spent training and fighting alongside the warriors proved to indeed soften his heart to them as he was hesitant to kill Reiner in Shiganshina. Hearing Bertolt's lament (literally conversing with the enemy) weakened the metaphorical walls between them, bringing them ever so closer to unlocking the birdcage.

However, Connie's could not escape his tragic human flaws, kidnapping Falco in an attempt to bring his mother back from Zeke's titanization. While many a parallel has been drawn between Eren and Reiner (including the influence of their mothers), the importance of the maternal bond is far stronger in Reiner and Connie. While part of Reiner's motivation was driven by an innate desire to be loved, part of it was also for the sake of his mother whom he wished would no longer face persecution.

Connie's contemplation and internal struggle to prioritise his selfish desire over the life of Falco concluded with the realisation that such a decision would disgust his mother, his base reflex being to stop Armin from giving his life for Connie's mother. At his lowest point, filled with self-doubt (a crisis of pride), Armin needed saving. Him telling Connie that he would show him with his actions was proven to be true as Connie's empathy overpowered his selfish pride. And when looking at the pair of crying children, Connie accepts his mistakes in perpetuating the cycle and leading the children deeper into the forest.

His resolve to save people for the sake of his mother perfectly mirrors Reiner, demonstrating the truth that there are no devils, both within and outside of the island. It is the acceptance of this simple truth that causes him to laugh (a coping mechanism that he has always had) at the absurd sight of his cold enemy Annie Leonhart greedily devouring a pie, specifically pointing out how it is her first meal in four years. It is very reminiscent of Sasha's gluttony, further driving home Connie's acknowledgement of all of them being children in the forest. Sasha was his closest friend and her death came at the hands of the young Gabi: one of the two children whom he is responsible for. Annie is not preoccupied with fighting and killing other people, she merely wants to live. It is not simply a moment of weakness for her but one of embarrassment, one that exemplifies the humanity of the enemy.

While Eren saw that the enemy was the same as him and chose to continue moving forward, a slave to his desire for freedom, Connie surpassed him. Looking at the defeated bewildered Reiner, Connie saw himself at his lowest point only a few hours prior. Jean came to the realisation in chapter 127 at the campfire that Marco's wish to talk it out with the warriors was the simple solution. The same was true for Falco and Nile in "Sneak Attack." It is why Falco was able to eat at the same table as the man who was trying to kill him only a short while ago; he already understood the absurdity of their conflict. While Jean became enraged and attacked Reiner, it was not driven by malicious revenge, but by Reiner wallowing in his own misery and being consumed by his guilt. Jean shuts down Yelena's criticisms of the alliance being hypocritical murderers of innocents. Jean was very much aware that none of their hands were clean of blood, but he was also aware of their capability can rise above the sins of their pasts and act with empathy. It was the very "miracle" that Uri spoke of to Kenny.

The thematic importance of chapter 126's title, "Pride," is made clear both when Annie was left vulnerable and ridiculed, and when Connie entirely let go of his self-righteousness and desire for vengeance. It also permeates Onyankapon's speech to the Yeagerists where he criticises their cruel hypocrisy and how they left the families of the Anti-Marleyan volunteers (him included) to be killed in the Rumbling. They place their xenophobic hubris above all else. Like the other Yeagerists, Louise values strength as a way to survive the cruel world, strength that she saw in Mikasa. However, she failed to see the true reason why Mikasa fought, that being to protect the beauty that came from those that she loved. It is why Mikasa manages to put aside her pride and stand against Eren's Rumbling and the Yeagerists. While her existential crisis (literally an attack on her pride) led to act coldly to the unapologetic Louise, she still did not let it consume her like it did the Yeagerists.

Eren Kruger's speech to Grisha regarding finding someone to love within the walls was to teach Grisha empathy for both sides. It was this very same empathy that Connie grew to have, bringing Reiner back into the fight by demonstrating his growth into someone who could see his own humanity in the enemy. Neither of them were devils, they both were young boys who simply wished