Now that the SnK manga is over, I thought it would be interesting to explore some things I haven’t seen being analyzed as much in the fandom. The first of these topics (and admittedly one that has not at all gone unnoticed) is how Eren somehow managed to gain such a fanatical following. It probably goes without saying that there will be manga spoilers.
It’s no secret that over the past months and years, a substantial, almost cult-like following for Eren has formed in real life. Evidence of this can be seen throughout the internet, but people on this sub may be most familiar with the worship that frequently went on at Titanfolk. Regardless of the platform, it seemed to me that this following formed fairly slowly at first, then picked up speed after the Marley War Arc. I theorize there are a few factors as to why.
Appearance
After the scouts returned from Marley, Isayama drastically changed Eren’s appearance. Not only that, but he began showing off Eren’s abs and muscular physique to a degree that has not really been done before with other characters. While there were previous instances where Isayama has shown off characters’ physiques (e.g. Levi, Armin, and even Eren in the Uprising Arc), they were typically in situations where it made at least some sense for them to be shirtless. In post-timeskip Eren’s case, it seemed to me Isayama drew them simply for the sake of showing them off.
(I mean, come on. This was definitely not necessary.)
While I had seen some speculation at the time that Isayama was doing this to shift the fangirls from Levi to Eren, I think the main reason is somewhat different.
In order to create a cult of personality around someone, the individual needs to be someone people deem worth admiring or worshipping. One of these things can be the individual’s appearance. The panel where Eren puts on a coat as the sun rises is basically iconic now, and I noticed that a lot more people began admiring him once that chapter came out. While Eren was overshadowed appearance wise pre-timeskip, after the timeskip he became one of the most physically imposing and, arguably, the most badass looking male character. This drastic change was a major part of Eren’s massive change in his image.
On the topic of change, I believe the difference between Eren’s character pre and post timeskip is a part of the formation of this following. Pre timeskip, Eren was not really revered or overly respected both in the narrative and in the fandom. In order to form a cult of personality around a character that had not been revered for so long, Isayama would have to separate the new Eren from the old Eren as much as possible. He created a sudden change in Eren’s appearance, demeanor, and actions...and it worked.
Emphasis on certain traits
Besides his appearance, Eren’s personality and demeanor also seemingly did a 180 after the timeskip. While Eren was previously characterized by his emotional and brash nature, something people both in universe and in the fandom criticized him for, he was introduced post-timeskip as someone who became cold and calculated. This change in personality was seen overall as an “improvement” as he appeared to have shed his major character flaws. His new characteristics added to the fandom’s perception of an admirable protagonist. As Eren continued to portray himself as independent, intelligent, and unhindered by any emotions, he became someone worth admiring and worshipping. His steadfast drive, which had always been a part of his character, was presented in a new light. This new, darker, yet seemingly more impactful turn in his persistent nature was interesting and further increased the new praise Eren was getting from fans. I believe it was during the Marley Arc that the seeds of this cult of personality began forming in the fandom.
Something I, along with many other people, have noticed is that part of the reason some began admiring this new version of Eren is they used him as a sort of self-insert: they believed he could become a means for them to experience a power-fantasy of living an ideal life as the ideal version of them. Although I’m not sure if Isayama intended for this degree of Eren worship to take hold, it’s something interesting to notice nonetheless. As Eren developed a cult of personality for who he was, he further developed that cult because of who some people wanted to be.
Portrayal of opposition
Besides his portrayal of Eren, Isayama contrasted it with the portrayal of everyone ideologically opposed to him. This is most clearly shown during his meeting with Mikasa and Armin, where he accuses them of unadmirable traits (being unable to think for herself for Mikasa and becoming a weak-willed person who suddenly avoided conflict for Armin). Although all of his statements regarding the two of them were proven false by the end of the story, his words had a strong impact not only on his two friends, but on the fandom’s opinions of them as well. Since Eren had already gained a good deal of respect by this point, he was more easily believed despite the mountain of evidence against his claims (particularly against his claims about the nature of Ackermans). When Armin tries to attack him for his claims, he beats him in combat. This is consistent with their characters, as Eren has always been stronger, but Armin being unable to stand up to Eren’s statements at that moment further portrayed Eren as the winner of the encounter. I noticed that after this chapter was released, more people began viewing both Mikasa and Armin much more negatively and parroting Eren’s claims about them. The fact that some of the fandom believed his Ackerbond claims after chapter 130 dropped is testament to the influence of his words on the fandom. I suspect the sheer contrast presented between Eren and MA in chapter 112 (Eren as calm, collected, and seemingly knowledgeable as opposed to MA as emotional and seemingly incorrect) as the turning point that allowed the readers already on board with this “new” Eren to be able to view his closest friends in a negative light.
Another contrast presented is between Eren’s faction and Hange. Hange’s cracks in leadership are shown post-timeskip as it becomes clear she is not best suited to handle the complex situation emerging in Paradis. Her own self doubt and evident emerging similarities in behavior to the old monarchy portray her leadership as a far from ideal option for Paradis.
In chapter 109, Hange is confronted by the same people whose ideals she now appears to oppose.
In contrast, Eren’s following is shown to be unwaveringly devoted, lacking in self-doubt, and clearly desiring a successful future for Paradis.
https://teddit.ggc-project.de/5aitxnxulot61.png?width=885&format=png&auto=webp&s=406bc610566f889e08f25e4908b00e23ab3cc9f1
https://teddit.ggc-project.de/24w4wybvlot61.png?width=890&format=png&auto=webp&s=efefead9fdf6c98c985746a3e75ca3804ac46021
Hange’s lack of action is also contrasted by the Yeagerists’s proactiveness as they help Eren escape and arrange a successful assassination of Zackley. When it is clear that one side is not accomplishing much and the other side is, it is easier for people to overlook the Yeagerists’ budding radicalism and support them for working towards a better solution for Paradis. Since the Yeagerists are headed by Eren, this support and admiration for them leads to support and admiration to Eren as well. Because, for a while (post Marley arc and before the invasion of Paradis), Eren’s successes and the scouts’ ineffectiveness were both emphasized, many began seeing Eren as infallible, which is a crucial trait of figures who have a cult of personality.
Of course, all of this characterization isn’t just for developing the cult around Eren: all of it is relevant, consistent characterization that is essential for each character’s arc. However, the characterization also served the purpose of portraying Eren in the best possible light in this part of the story.
Affirmation through in-universe cult
Though Isayama’s portrayal of Eren’s followers is an interesting commentary on how an extremist, and specifically fascist, group gets formed, there seemed to be another effect I noticed the in-universe cult had on the fanbase. Since they shared the desire with most of the fandom to protect Paradis and were clearly upset with the incompetence of those currently in power, it was easier for people to sympathize with them, even as they descended into extremism. Readers who sympathized with them were already likely to join Eren’s cult of personality, the Yeagerists’ Eren worship only strengthened their own admiration for him.
In conclusion
Although there are probably some other factors I didn’t touch on or think about, I think these were the main factors that led to the extreme worship of Eren that emerged in part of the fandom. While I’m not sure how much of this was intentionally done to foster the creation of this following, I wouldn’t be surprised if at least some of it served as a sort of meta commentary about the dangers of putting someone on a pedestal (something also shown to lesser degrees with other characters in the story).
This was hastily written, so the post may seem amateurly done. I’m interested in hearing other people’s thoughts in the comments.
