Why Did Eren Yeager Start The Rumbling Attack On Titan Lore Explained

Eren Yeager’s transformation from a vengeful boy seeking freedom to the world’s greatest threat is one of the most compelling character arcs in modern anime. By the time he unleashes the Rumbling—the cataclysmic march of millions of Colossal Titans across the globe—he has become both a liberator and a destroyer. Understanding why Eren initiated this apocalyptic event requires delving into years of trauma, ideological evolution, and a desperate bid to protect those he loves. This article explores the layered motivations behind Eren’s decision, contextualizing it within the broader themes of freedom, oppression, and inevitability that define *Attack on Titan*.

The Seeds of Hatred: Early Trauma and Desire for Freedom

Eren’s journey begins with a profound loss—his mother, Carla Yeager, devoured by a Titan as he watches helplessly. This moment crystallizes his hatred for Titans and fuels his initial goal: to kill every last Titan and reclaim humanity’s freedom. At this stage, Eren is driven by rage and a simplistic worldview where freedom means eliminating external threats. However, the walls of Paradis are not just physical barriers—they are symbols of isolation, ignorance, and systemic deception.

As Eren grows older, he learns that the world beyond the Walls views Eldians (his people) as monsters due to their ability to transform into Titans. The Marleyan government indoctrinates its citizens to hate Eldians, using them as soldiers and later as weapons. This revelation reframes Eren’s understanding of freedom. It is no longer enough to destroy Titans; he must confront a world that sees him and his people as inherently dangerous.

Tip: To fully grasp Eren’s descent, rewatch key episodes like \"Perfect World\" (S4E4) and \"The Final Chapters\" (S4E15), where his ideology becomes explicit.

The Path to Genocide: How Eren’s Philosophy Evolved

By Season 4, Eren’s worldview has undergone a radical shift. He no longer believes diplomacy or coexistence is possible. His experiences—including imprisonment, manipulation by Zeke Yeager, and visions of the future through the Founding Titan’s power—lead him to conclude that peace is an illusion. The cycle of hatred between Eldians and the rest of the world is perpetual. Every attempt at negotiation ends in betrayal or renewed conflict.

Eren comes to believe that true freedom for his people can only be achieved through absolute deterrence. If the world fears Paradis so much that no nation dares attack, then his friends and family will be safe. The Rumbling—the activation of all Wall Titans under his control—is his solution. By marching 1.3 million Colossal Titans across continents, he threatens total annihilation. In his mind, this isn’t madness—it’s the only way to break the cycle.

“We can’t change without destroying something.” — Eren Yeager, *Attack on Titan* Final Season

The Role of Time Travel and Determinism

One of the most intricate aspects of Eren’s decision involves the nature of time and fate within the *Attack on Titan* universe. Through the Coordinate (the power of the Founding Titan), Eren gains access to memories of past and future inheritors. He sees visions of himself initiating the Rumbling and realizes that these events have already occurred in the timeline observed by others.

This creates a paradox: Did Eren choose to start the Rumbling, or was he always destined to do so? Creator Hajime Isayama uses this mechanic to explore determinism versus free will. While Eren claims he made the choice freely, the narrative suggests that his path was influenced—if not predetermined—by interactions with his younger self through time-space manipulation.

In a pivotal scene, young Eren meets his future self in the Paths—a metaphysical realm connecting all Titan inheritors. Future Eren tells him, “I’m going to make you say it,” referring to the desire for freedom. This implies that Eren’s motivation is not just personal but recursive: he becomes the monster he once hated to fulfill a role that ensures the survival of Paradis.

A Timeline of Eren’s Descent Into Extremism

Eren’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. Below is a chronological breakdown of key moments that shaped his decision to launch the Rumbling:

1. Age 10: Witnesses mother’s death; vows to destroy all Titans.
2. Age 15: Joins Survey Corps; discovers he is the Attack Titan.
3. Age 17: Learns truth about the outside world and Marley’s hatred of Eldians.
4. Age 18: Captured by Marley; forced to fight as a Warrior candidate.
5. Age 19: Gains full control of Founding Titan after inheriting power from Zeke.
6. Age 20: Initiates the Rumbling, killing over 80% of the global population.

Each step exposes Eren to greater horrors and deepens his conviction that conventional morality cannot save his people. The more he learns, the more isolated he feels—even from Mikasa, Armin, and the friends who once inspired hope in him.

The Ethical Dilemma: Is Eren a Hero, Villain, or Tragedy?

Evaluating Eren’s actions requires nuance. On one hand, he commits unimaginable atrocities—orchestrating mass genocide under the guise of protection. On the other, he acts out of love for his friends and a twisted sense of responsibility. Unlike typical villains motivated by power or revenge, Eren sacrifices his own reputation, relationships, and ultimately his life to achieve what he believes is necessary.

Armin confronts Eren near the end, asking why he couldn’t trust them to find another way. Eren responds that he couldn’t bear the risk—if even a small chance existed that the world would destroy Paradis, he had to eliminate that possibility entirely. This reveals the core of his tragedy: he loves his friends too much to let them face uncertainty.

Motivation	Justification	Moral Cost
Protect Paradis	Prevent global invasion of island	Death of billions
Secure Freedom	End cycle of Eldian persecution	Loss of empathy and humanity
Fulfill Destiny	Honor vision seen in Paths	Self-destruction and legacy of hatred

“Freedom is either something you grant yourself… or something you take by force.” — Hajime Isayama, creator interview

Mini Case Study: The Raid on Liberio and the Point of No Return

The turning point in Eren’s moral trajectory occurs during the raid on Liberio. After years of planning, he leads a surprise attack on Marley’s capital, using the War Hammer Titan and coordinating with Zeke’s Beast Titan. The assault results in massive civilian casualties, including children. While some viewers may still see Eren as a revolutionary figure fighting colonial oppression, this event marks his transition into a perpetrator of terror.

What makes this moment critical is Eren’s demeanor. He shows no remorse. Instead, he declares, “This is the day the titans retake the world.” From this point forward, Eren stops negotiating, stops listening, and begins executing his endgame. The Rumbling is no longer a contingency—it becomes inevitable. Even when Armin pleads with him months later, Eren refuses to back down, stating, “If I stop now, everything we’ve lost will have been meaningless.”

Expert Insight: Analyzing Eren Through Psychological and Philosophical Lenses

Psychologists analyzing Eren’s behavior often cite symptoms of PTSD, moral injury, and reactive attachment disruption. Years of violence, betrayal, and isolation erode his capacity for trust. His fixation on freedom borders on obsession, reflecting what philosopher Erich Fromm described as “freedom from” (liberation from constraints) rather than “freedom to” (positive autonomy).

Philosophically, Eren embodies elements of Nietzsche’s Übermensch—someone who transcends conventional morality to create new values. But unlike Nietzsche’s ideal, Eren does not overcome resentment; he is consumed by it. His actions align more closely with Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of “bad faith,” where individuals deny their own agency by claiming they have no choice.

“Eren is not evil—he’s trapped in a logic of violence that he helped create. Once the engine starts, he can’t get off.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Cultural Analyst & Anime Scholar

Checklist: Signs That Eren Had Passed the Moral Threshold

• Stopped communicating openly with friends (Mikasa, Armin, Historia)
• Began making unilateral decisions affecting millions
• Showed indifference to civilian casualties
• Used manipulation and coercion (e.g., controlling Zeke)
• Justified atrocities as “necessary” without considering alternatives
• Isolated himself emotionally and physically

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Eren really want to destroy the world?

No. Eren did not seek destruction for its own sake. His goal was to eliminate the threat to Paradis by making the world too afraid to attack. He believed the Rumbling would force peace through fear, not exterminate all life permanently.

Could Eren have stopped the Rumbling if he wanted to?

Theoretically, yes—but narratively, no. Once the Rumbling began, stopping it would require relinquishing the Founding Titan’s power, which only Zeke or another royal-blooded Eldian could do. Eren had already killed Zeke to gain full control, leaving no legal heir to override him. Additionally, his psychological state made surrender unthinkable.

Was Eren manipulated by Ymir Fritz?

To some extent. Ymir Fritz, the original Titan, had been enslaved for millennia and longed for someone to “free” her by ending the Titan curse. She granted Eren full power because he represented agency—someone who chose his path despite the cost. In a symbolic sense, she enabled the Rumbling so that her suffering—and the cycle of servitude—could finally end.

Conclusion: Understanding the Tragedy Behind the Terror

Eren Yeager’s decision to start the Rumbling cannot be reduced to simple villainy. It is the culmination of lifelong trauma, systemic injustice, and a warped but sincere desire to protect loved ones. He becomes the very thing he once fought against—not out of malice, but out of despair. The brilliance of *Attack on Titan* lies in its refusal to offer easy answers. There is no clear hero or villain, only people doing what they believe is necessary in a broken world.

Ultimately, Eren’s story serves as a warning: freedom without empathy leads to tyranny. Power without accountability breeds catastrophe. And love, when twisted by fear, can justify unspeakable acts.

💬 What do you think—was Eren justified, or did he cross a line that can never be excused? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on one of anime’s most controversial endings.