The origins of the Titans inAttack on Titanhave always been mysterious, with the series giving only vague and mythological explanations. While viewers do learn that Ymir Fritz was the first Titan after coming into contact with an unknown creature, the exact nature of this entity remains ambiguous. Rather than offering a scientific or definitive origin, the series leans into a more fantastical and symbolic interpretation of the Titans’ creation, leaving much open to interpretation.
Though some fans expected a detailed explanation,Attack on Titaninstead suggests thatYmir’s transformation was less about biology and more about fate, desire, and an inexplicable force governing life itself.The creature she encountered is often referred to as the “source of all living matter,” but what that truly means remains unclear. By the end of the series, the ambiguity is still there,reinforcing the idea that Titans are more fantastical creatures, rather than a product of conventional science.
What Really Turned Ymir Into a Titan?
The creature that turned Ymir into a Titan is never fully explained. When she falls into a tree and comes into contact with it, she suddenly gains the power of the Titans. While this could suggest that it is some form of ancient parasite, its nature seems to go beyond that. It does not just grant Ymir physical abilities, it binds her to the Paths, an ethereal realm that connects all Eldians. The way the creature fuses with her and seemingly responds to her subconscious desires implies it is not just a parasite but something more profound.
Is Eren a Reincarnation? New Attack on Titan Theory Suggests the Hero Goes Way Back
Eren’s origin may not have stemmed from just his involvement as a Yaegar, but when he once shared a pen with two other swine in a previous life.
Some fan theories suggest that this entity represents the peak form of life itself, a force beyond human understanding. It does not create Titans for any logical reason; it simply reacts to Ymir’s emotions, allowing her to escape death and, in doing so, setting the stage for the Titan curse. While the creature is called the “source of all living matter,” that may not mean it is life itself, but rather an ultimate form of existence that adapts and evolves alongside its host.
Titans as an Extension of Ymir’s Will
How The Titans Reflect What Ymir Was Really Feeling
One of thebiggest revelations inAttack on Titanis that the Titans exist as a manifestation of Ymir’s will. When she first gains her abilities, she uses them in the service of King Fritz, and even after death, she continues to create Titans for nearly 2,000 years. The Paths, which link all Eldians, were seemingly created by Ymir herself as a means of escaping true death. This suggests that Titans were never meant to be a biological phenomenon, but rather an extension of her subconscious desires.
The Titans' power throughoutAttack on Titanalso supports this theory. Pure Titans regenerate indefinitely, matching Ymir’s original wish to keep living. Titan Shifters, however, have a lifespan of 13 years, possibly tied to Ymir’s fragmented existence after she was divided into the Nine Titans. While the details are never fully spelled out, the series makes it clear that Ymir’s emotions and choices shaped the entire Titan system. In the end, the Titans are less a scientific anomaly and a more supernatural consequence of Ymir’s tragic fate.
