The conclusion of the Attack on Titan anime has stirred up a storm of emotions and debates among fans. While there’s speculation about a possible sequel, the current ending has ignited discussions about Levi’s decision to save Armin over Erwin.
We know that Levi’s decision wasn’t based on the idea that Armin was inherently more capable than Erwin. It was rooted in his deep understanding of the emotional and mental toll Erwin was enduring. Erwin had become consumed by an almost obsessive desire to reach the basement, and it was clear that this obsession was eroding his humanity.
At the end of the day, Levi’s choice to let Erwin find rest was a deeply humane decision. By selecting Armin, he offered Erwin the opportunity to finally rest and find peace.
- But if we remove the element of compassion from Levi’s decision-making, would his choice between Armin and Erwin have remained the same? From a purely pragmatic perspective, was Armin Arlert really a better choice than Erwin Smith?
Was Armin Arlert a better choice than Erwin Smith?
While a humanitarian perspective might lean towards favoring Armin, when we approach the decision purely from a logical standpoint, Erwin was the better choice for the Colossal Titan.
If we take away the emotional aspect and focus on pure strategy, a detached and pragmatic decision maker would likely have opted for Erwin. Even if we assume that Armin and Erwin were equally intelligent, leadership skills matter too.
- Exhibit A: Consider the scene where Armin hands over command to Jean. Despite Armin’s smarts, he tends to shy away from responsibility and only steps up in dire situations. Jean, on the other hand, takes the lead with confidence, even if he lacks Armin’s strategic mind. Erwin, however, had both the tactical brilliance and leadership qualities.
- Exhibit B: While there were plans to control Zeke if he rebelled, the safety measures for the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers were not as strict. As a result, many of Paradis’ military officers got infected with Zeke’s spinal fluid. This caused the army to lose control and break into different groups. Armin and others might not have seen this coming, but Erwin could have predicted or at least helped fix this mess for Paradis’ military.
- Exhibit C: If Erwin were in charge, he would have taken advantage of Marley’s struggles against the Mid-East Allied Forces without delay. This could have led to an earlier campaign while Marley’s Warrior Unit was still busy overseas. Erwin, with his vast military and political experience, would also have tried to negotiate with other nations. If things had gone this way, Erwin’s strategy might have been very successful, preventing Paradis from falling into chaos or Eren from resorting to the Rumbling as a last-ditch effort.
We also know that Armin’s strong emotional connection to Eren has at times clouded his judgment. Erwin, however, recognized Eren’s potential as both an asset and a threat to Paradis early on. In a purely strategic view, Erwin emerges as the practical choice for his tactical brilliance and leadership qualities.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the choice between Armin and Erwin remains a subject of endless debate among fans, adding depth and complexity to the world of Attack on Titan. The decision symbolizes the delicate balance between compassion and pragmatism in a series known for its moral complexities.
Speaking of hard choices, imagine having to decide between keeping your personal information private and enjoying the convenience of streaming services like Crunchyroll. This is the central question in the thirteenth edition of Spiel Times’ newsletter, where we discuss the recent Crunchyroll scandal that has created a buzz online.
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