14 Chapter 2

Poverty, world hunger, and war can all be solved if this one problem is solved first. The problem being all human versus human conflicts. This greatly important problem is perfectly depicted in the hit-show Attack on Titan where at the heart of all the chaos is human versus human conflicts. Taking a different approach from the characters of the show, we must unite together as one with the same goals in mind. In doing so, we will be able to use all of our resources as one and take on the world’s biggest problems one by one.

Utopia of the Future

A mushy, horrifying, thunderous sound of flesh and bones being crushed together by the mouth of a fifteen meter tall, deformed humanoid is witnessed by Eren Yeager as he realizes that his mother is no more. This is the terrifying reality that the people in the hit-show, Attack on Titan, and the audience must come to face. In short, Attack on Titan is about the last of humanity, named Eldians, trying to survive against these gigantic monsters nicknamed titans. Thankfully, the Eldians are protected by three walls that measure around 50 meters tall keeping the titans out. Unfortunately outside the walls, the titans surround every corner and crevice forming a wall of their own, metaphorically speaking, preventing the Eldians from exploring the outside world. The main character, Eren Yeager, has to unfortunately see his mother’s death at the hands of a titan ever-increasing his previous hate towards the titans. The premise is set, and its humanity versus monsters. But in the show Attack on Titan, nothing is as simple as it seems. As the story progresses, we learn it is not necessarily titans versus mankind but mankind versus mankind. The enemy of the show is within. This conflict of humans versus humans is more than applicable in today’s society. Climate change, world hunger, pollution, war, and poverty are all important problems in today’s world and are figuratively titans of their own kind. However, I am willing to argue that the most important problem of them all is humanity. This type of problem is representative of the monster who “policies the borders of the possible” from Cohen’s Monster Theory (Cohen 12). Such a monster prevents exploration, discovery, and expansion in all forms as discussed in more detail by Cohen. And as previously mentioned, this monster is present in today’s society and the fantasy world of Attack on Titan and takes on the form of humanity. To surpass such a monster would mean great news as the focus could now shift to other serious problems. Throughout this paper, the main topics of discussions will be about human versus human conflicts as seen in both Attack on Titan and the real world and what solving such a problem means for the future.

The plot of season one of Attack on Titan seems simple at first. Bearing similar resemblance to zombie themed media, gigantic humanlike monsters are looking to feast upon the last remains of humanity. The antagonist being the titans. The protagonist being the humans. The show starts off by following the life of Eren Yeager. The audience is quickly introduced to his profound hate for the titans and in doing so the audience’s own dislike for the titans also grows. Unfortunately, Eren’s hatred towards the titans is wrongly placed. Throughout season three, the audience learns that the titans are actually humans who turn into titans upon injection of a special fluid. Injections of these fluids are caused by other humans who belong to the nation of Marley, named Marleyans. Once certain humans are turned into titans, the Marleyans send them towards the walls that protect Eren and his people. So in reality, the actual cause of the titans are Marleyans. The real enemy of Eren and his people are other humans themselves. Eventually, the Eldians become aware of this truth and immediately “Eren recognizes that the monsters are people after all” (Brinkhof). Horrified at the news, an Eldian officer says gravely, “our enemy is… the world” (Attack on Titan). With that line alone, it signifies a turning point in the show. The show is not black and white anymore. It is not just humans versus these mindless, heartless titans. It is not as simple as right vs wrong. It is more complex than one would have thought from the start. From this point on in the story, the Marleyans and Eldians profoundly hate each other. However, it is hard to discern which side is morally right mainly because such a thought does not exist. Both sides are both right and wrong. As a result the conflict between these two nations will ultimately result in large amounts of innocent lives lost, acres worth of property damage, and endless trauma to last a lifetime. As previously mentioned, humans portray the monster that policies the borders of the possible, and in the case of Attack on Titan, the humans would be the Marleyans. They are preventing the Eldians from exploring the outside world by sending titans towards their way. They are in a sense trying to keep the Eldians caged to the confines of their walls. Nevertheless, at the heart of Attack on Titan is a conflict between humans. A conflict that can be seen in today’s society.

As previously mentioned, today’s world contains numerous problems, but I would like to argue that the biggest problem of them all would be humanity. We humans are often our greatest enemies and can stand in our own ways. On an individual scale, some problems that one might face alone could be self-doubt and self-hate. Within these problems, the monster that “policies the borders of the possible” are again present as they are limiting oneself from what they could be (Cohen 12). The person finds themselves drowning in their own hate, thus preventing them from exploring their potential. Transitioning to a much larger scale with millions of people involved, we see Cohen’s monster limiting society in the form of wars. When people are at war with one another, they are wasting valuable time, energy, money, and lives for the sake of territory, money, or a difference in beliefs. As one article puts it, “war and the preparation for war divert increasingly scarce resources from civilian use” (Petrovic). When in reality, we could be using said resources towards building a better future, exploring the universe, and simply just making the world a better place. Other world problems such as poverty, pollution, and hunger can be addressed by certain nations on their own. However, no one nation, no matter how powerful, will be able to solve world hunger on their own. Only if we can all unite as one with the same goals in mind can we solve big problems that plague our world today. In an article from Youngzine, they state one possible solution to world hunger which is to find a way to provide countries in need of food with supplies from countries with a surplus of food (Youngzine). But this cannot be done, at least not efficiently to where world hunger ceases to exist, unless everyone in the world works together. In this real world scenario, the monster who polices the borders of the possible would be humanity itself, just as seen in Attack on Titan. If we were to surpass and overcome the various problems that we humanity set upon ourselves, the possibilities of a better world are forever endless.

In closing, human versus human conflicts are present in today’s world as well as modern-day entertainment as seen in the popular anime show, Attack on Titan. As previously mentioned, if such conflicts were to cease then humanity would be able to grow tremendously in all aspects of life. And in doing so, other world problems would be solved as a result. However, it is important to self-reflect and to note that such thinking is very wishful for various reasons. One reason being that people have many varying opinions on almost anything. So to be able to come together as seven billion people with the same goals in mind is far from impossible but it is also very unlikely. Nonetheless, this does not mean that we cannot try. We can still try to create a world where peace is global and human versus human conflicts cease to exist. And in doing so, the world will hopefully be a better place.

Cited Sources

“A Step Forward In Solving World Hunger.” Youngzine, 5 Nov. 2014. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A555117293/ITOF?u=wash_main&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=362b7ead. Accessed 4 Nov. 2022.

Brinkhof, Tim. “REVISITING THE FASCIST SUBTEXT OF ATTACK ON TITAN: SOME NOTES ON A MODERN REACTIONARY ANIME 1.” Film & History, vol. 51, no. 2, 2021, pp. 21–29.

Petrovic, Nebojsa, et al. “Achieving World Peace: Views from Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Greece.” International Handbook of Peace and Reconciliation. Springer, New York, NY, 2013. 499-520.