IT COULD ALSO BE CHINA

 

Attack on Titan, to me, or at least for many, is the best anime to come out this year, and maybe the last decade. It is because of two things, relativity and realism. It has the corruptions of government, horrors of war, conspiracy theories. And now they are resembling history, particularly that of Nazi Germany, and that Germany that come before it, that was screwed in World War 1.

Opening scenes of season 4, looks like just the trench warfare in the fields of France in World War 1. And to quote them: Do you remember this war we’ve been in for four years?  World War 1 started in 1914 and  ended in 1918. That's four years. Am I the only one reading between the lines like this. Of course not.

But if you saw the title, it says, it could also be China. On what sense, that it can also be China?  I am not saying; Hajime Isayama thought that it could also be China. I can never read minds. But how did you saw the German comparison? It’s on a lot of websites, that is saying that it is. What I am though, is I really love comparing things, where I saw resemblance. And I can also see resemblance of China, on Attack on Titan. Especially with the Marley Empire.

Marley is a great empire, and mainland superpower in their world. China is the mainland superpower in Asia, since 2000 years ago. It has declined, but came back as a superpower. That even the United States, thinks twice of confronting it militarily.

Marley also was persecuted, and belittled by a larger Empire, Eldia. In which they undermine it, and ultimately defeated. Making the Eldians to retreat to Paradis Island. Now in the history of China, there could be two comparisons for Eldia. And I dont think the first one was in Hajime Isayama’s mind. Because first and foremost, he is a Japanese. Or maybe because he is a Japanese, it has crossed his mind. But we can never be really sure.

Japan tried to really conquer China since the Ming Dynasty, through Joseon, now the Korean Peninsula. They succeeded for a while in the 1930’s. but because they acquired emnity with the western powers, especially the United States. China along with allies, defeated Japan. Like the Eldians, the Japanese commited atrocities, wherever they land. Most infamous of them, was the Nanking Massacre. They are also records that they commited heinous experiments, againts Chinese people. A lot of atrocities, was not forgiven by the Chinese up to these day.

Japan knowing the might of the Chinese Army, wants also to re-arm. Change the constitution, that limits or prohibits them for having an army, as a punishment for being defeated in World War 2.

Another country that might fit the gloves of being Eldia, in relation to China, is Taiwan. Before World War 2, the world recognized Chiang Kai Shek, as the leader of the Republic of China, of which the whole mainland was under his authority. But when he lost the Chinese Civil War against the Communist. He retreated to the island of Taiwan, in 1949. Both of the two countries claim authority over the entire mainland. Although the Peoples Republic of China, is the one that sits on the throne in Beijing.

And unlike in Japan, China might risk war, to retake Taiwan. The only thing that might hinder them was the protection given to Taiwan, by the United States.

China dont recognized Taiwan, even as a country. Although many countries doesnt recognized them as well. Maybe even their ally the United States, I am not really sure. Even a slight mention of it, will be met by protest, or diplomatic protest, by the Chinese citizens or government.

In the Kpop scene. Tzuyu, a Taiwanese member, of the kpop group TWICE, was scene holding a flag of Taiwan in one of their music videos. Chinese netizens protested heavily, making JYP to force Tzuyu to issue an apology to China. Which is rather unfair to the Kpop singer.

Another thing is an episode of Running Man, where they played a monopoly liked game, in which capital cities of the world was mentioned. And because Taipei was mentioned, along with Beijing, they protested. In which for an outsider, is too petty. Have you seen a Taiwanese person, who cries foul, everytime Beijing is mention as a capital of China. No. Maybe the Taiwanese people, should protest everytime there is a mention. But maybe the Taiwanese people, doesn't want to look petty in the eyes of the world.

There is still alot of resemblance, between China and Marley Empire. Some of the manga readers might have know some of it already. No wonder Attack on Titan, was banned in China. They are afraid, their people, might have this interpretation. Which is not very far fetch, because I have this comparison, and maybe interpretaion.

ATTACK ON TITAN AND GERMANY

 

The Final Season of the show about to premiere, tomorrow December 7, 2020. The same date when the Japanese Imperial Navy, attacked Pearl Harbor. Is that a coincidence? But I am not gonna talk about that. I am gonna talk about, how attack on titan, resembles Germany, and its not the Germany, that we loved. Its that we all hate, except if your a neo-Nazi. I’m not talking about Nazi Germany only, but also the Germany that fought World War1.

At the start my only view, about AOT is that humans are the real monsterrs. Simple as that. But as the show progress, it became political deep and interesting. Although in Season 3 first half, it became too political, and it got too boring. But as season 3 second half passed. Action came again, and more intrigues. Introducing us to back story that has political intrigues and resemblance, to the infamous Germany that rose in the 1930’s.

In season 3, we have been introduced to these two, great empires in the story. The Eldian Empire, and  the Marleyan Empire. To cut the story short. Eldian is the one ruled by the Titans, until the Marleyan, undermine them and took over their former lands. Leading to the Eldian, to took refuge in the island of Paradis. In which they lock themselves into three walls. Which the story of now took place.

Again its not only the history of Germany that resembles the show, even the architecture, the names of the characters, Eren Jaeger, Erwin Smith etc. You can see German inspiration in every part of the story.

Then there’s a debate on who is the Jew, and the Nazis in comparison to the Eldians, and the Marleyans. Marleyans, definitively is Nazi Germany, and the Germany that fought World War 1. While Eldians, can be both in comparison to history, the Jews that became victims of the Holocaust, and the Nazis that wage war on Europe. And Eren, could be compared to that one infamous dictator, Adolf Hitler. We’ll get to that one by one.

Eldians trapped in the Marleyan Empire, is somewhat treated, the same like the Jews that put to Ghettos in Poland. They are hiding and segregated, from society. The most glaring resemblance, was the armband wore by Grisha Jaeger, to know that he is an Eldian. The prejudice against them, was the same that the Jews suffered, when Hitler took power.

And if you watch the show, when the restorationist movement was revealed and captured. They are brought to the island of Paradis, where, they turned them into mindless Titans. Even that has resemblance in history. The Nazis had this plan called, Madagascar Plan. A plan to relocate the Jewish population of Europe into Madagascar. But it never took place because of the British blockade of the island. And if you will look at the map of Attack on Titan. Its just an inverted world map. And Paradis is Madagascar.

So how will the Eldians in Paradis will be like Nazi Germany. That is where Eren will come to play. Grisha’s memories start being remembered by Eren. The movement, the persecution, they suffered, the secrets. And his last words, on the show is chilling. If we kill our enemies there, will we finally be free?

And as spoilers from the manga are coming out. Eren intends, and are already doing it. Killing the enemies, of Eldia.

Eldia can be compared to Germany, because they suffer the same fate. Both are Great Empires, and both had been humbled by great wars. In our world, we called it, the Great War aka World War 1. In their world, it was called the Great Titan War. And after that wars, resentment by the losing party, and harsh terms by the victors, fueled hate, and wants revenge. That’s were Adolf Hitler come into play, and in their world Eren Jaeger. Both are low ranking officers, in the military. But rose into leadership roles, where they can wage war. And not just war, but a war of annihilation.

So, by examining the history of Germany, between two world wars, and the back story provided by the show. And the pronouncement by the author Hajime Isayama, that it will have a dark ending. I somehow foresaw, how AOT will end. If we will look at history, it will be like, Berlin 1945.

Eren will cause so much destruction, on a brink of winning. But somehow humanity will find a way to defeat the Titans, and ultimately Eren. But the war will end, with the destruction of Paradis. So that the Titans, can never ever threaten humanity. No ending is darker than that. If analysis is right, that is how gonna end. I can’t pinpoint who will die, on the characters, but some are already spoiled in the web. Levi is heavily injured. But again, it will end like Berlin 1945. But again thats just me.