The Optimism of Youthful Ingenuity (Attack on Titan Films)

(Originally written on the 6th of January, 2022)

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The Attack on Titan live-action films introduce their protagonist entranced by a flying bird and the oppressive walls that surround the only world he knows. Seeing the bird fly within region that the walls enclose mirrors his introduction shot. The low-angle visually places him in the sky when in reality he stands on an old missile that is overgrown with roots, tying him down to the earth that exists within the enclosed walls. It is quite a poignant introduction, however, it carries a sense of hope. Eren's longing gaze at the potential freedom existing within the bird comes on top of an old weapon of war, one that mankind used to take away the freedom of others. It is a symbol of hope, a hope that humanity, specifically the younger generation not responsible for the conflicts of old, can overcome the violent oppression of their forefathers.

While mankind can create terrible weapons of destruction, such a pessimistic view on human ingenuity is unproductive. The opening scene of the first film introduces Armin repairing machines with his father before promising to repair a broken toy he made for a child. As he leaves with the toy, Armin brushes against an old man skulking in the opposite direction (later revealed to be the government official Kubal). The two are juxtaposed strongly, with Armin looking to use his ingenuity for a better world while Kubal uses titan powers that he stole in order to prevent humanity from expanding and impeding on his personal satisfaction while also strengthening the people's reliance on the government. Hindsight as to Kubal's identity reveals that the dichotomy between the selfless and selfish uses of human ingenuity was prevalent from the very first moments of the films.

Eren's desire to soar was fulfilled with the omni-directional mobility gear, with Shikishima telling him to "go fly." However, even with this ingenious invention, the oppressive society that the characters live in is still present. The gear was given to them not for the purpose of defeating the titans, but rather for a suicide mission, one organised for the single purpose of suppressing any potential uprising against the establishment. Much like the bird Eren saw, the omni-directional mobility gear cannot soar beyond the confines of the cage. This is cemented in his moment of determination where he chooses to face the titans head on. Despite the ability to fly, he still loses a leg and the battle.

Further demonstrating the oppression of the characters by other humans, it is revealed that the titans were the results of weapons research, a scientific creation stemming from mankind's ingenuity being used to oppress others. However, regardless of their malicious intended purpose, tools themselves are not inherently good or evil. While Eren lost when using the omni-directional mobility gear, he succeeded with the titans powers from the Jaeger drug given to him by his ingenious father. While Kubal sent the Scout Regiment to their deaths with the omni-directional mobility gear, they use their ability to soar in order to defeat him in the second film's climax with the help of old missile (an idea proposed by Armin: the film's symbol of youthful ingenuity). In the end, it was humanity's ingenuity that helped them succeed, including the plan to plug the wall.

The second film's title comes from the Skeeter Davis song "The End of the World": a breakup song from the perspective of a grieving woman, having lost the love of her significant other. The song appears in the film diegetically from an old jukebox, its presence juxtaposed against the sleek modern government torture room that Shikishima and Eren find themselves in. Shikishima highlights a specific line from the song to his brother:

Why do the birds go on singing? Don't they know it's the end of the world?

It speaks of the government's dictatorial perspective (specifically that of Kubal) and how the younger generation are diametrically opposed to them. The singer, too caught up in her own sadness, questions how birds could go on being happy, failing to see that the world does not revolve around her. The birds show her that, and it disgusts her. Much like how the Scout Regiment soar like birds instead of becoming officials alongside Kubal, choosing to put an end to his oppressive regime.

Eren's introduction that sees him gazing up at a flying bird shows the two in separate shots, further showing how separated Eren feels from the freedom that he longs for. However, with Kubal defeated and the surviving younger generation carving a hopeful path to the future, the final shot of him and Mikasa finally includes soaring birds as the Scout Regiment and humanity are no longer oppressed.

The world of the Attack on Titan live-action films is a post-apocalyptic one built on the rubble of a civilisation destroyed by the ingenuity of older generations. The youth of its world must face the consequences of their forefathers' selfish misuse of their own creativity. Much like the real world, those in power that can change humanity for the better instead choose to serve their own best interests, trying to maintain whatever limited power they have. The future of humanity lies with the younger generations and trying to oppress their potential will only extinguish any hope that the humanity has left. The youth's optimism for looking to the future (continuing to move forward) is what makes their ingenuity all the more important.