"Attack on Titan's 5th episode that aired on 10th January 2021, aptly titled "Declaration of War" because, guess what?"
"Reiner's mental state is saddening even though he is the main antagonist and I empathise with him."
"I truly believe there is no hero or villain in AOT; each character is simply a product of their environment."
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Attack on Titan's 5th episode that aired on 10th January 2021, aptly titled "Declaration of War" because guess what? Willy Tybur declared war on Paradis Island and gives a riveting speech dissecting the rise and fall of the Eldian Empire, as well as revealing the truth - that the one responsible for closing the chapter of humanity's bloodiest years was King Fritz. But let's turn our attention to Eren and Reiner's conversation that is happening right beneath the stage. Reiner is suffering from Survivor's Guilt because he is the only surviving Marleyan soldier from the Paradis Operation. Reiner's mental state is saddening even though he is the main antagonist and I empathize with him. He tries to kill himself in Episode 3 and literally asks Eren to kill him during their confrontation. I truly believe there is no hero or villain in AOT; each character is simply a product of their environment. Just like Kenny Ackerman said as he took his final breaths, " Everyone had to spend their life drunk on something".
Coming back to Willy Tybur's speech, previously the Marleyan Government had told the citizens of Marley that a Marleyan hero named Helos saved the world from the Eldians. This revelation shows how governments often circulate propaganda in order to manipulate the citizens - which has been witnessed countless times in real life as well (Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, etc.) The episode ends with Willy Tybur declaring war and Eren admitting that "I am the same as you" before he transforms into the Attack Titan and eats Willy Tybur.