Attack on Titan’s Main Character Eren Jaeger recently gave an interview with NHK’s Program the Professionals, just before the upcoming finale of the series. After more than a decade, the hit anime is nearing its end, and the dramatic conclusion has the entire fanbase on edge. However, before concluding his journey, Eren created history by becoming the first anime protagonist to appear in an interview. It was there that Eren told his life narrative and provided people a glimpse into his gloomy thoughts. He talked about a lot of things that were mostly not explained in the series and even expressed his definition of freedom, why he wants to fight, and much more.
Eren also talked about what he wanted to do if he achieved freedom and this wish of his has been already fulfilled by Mikasa in the manga series, but it is much darker than what Eren would have wanted.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
Eren’s Definition of Freedom and His Wish
During the interview with the professionals which was later translated by @AttackonFans on X, Eren was asked why he keeps on fighting and what is freedom according to him. Eren replied to both questions with the answer:
“I’ve been in an environment where I had to keep fighting to stay alive. No one wanted to be eaten by the Titans… But in reality, the enemy was not emotionless monsters but humans like us… I think that freedom is when people can continue with their daily lives without being threatened. All I ever wanted was to be able to take a nap under the tree. That’s all… That wasn’t enough for me. There was a view I wanted to see. So I wanted to fight for it. I just wanted to fight.”
While explaining his definition of freedom Eren explained his desire to take a nap under the tree which had a view that was very much liked by Eren. He wished to see that view with his nap. However, Mikasa has already fulfilled Eren’s dream in the manga series although it is very dark.
Mikasa Fulfills Eren’s Dream in Attack on Titan
As many manga readers might know, Mikasa is the one who kills Eren. Following Eren Yeager’s death at the hands of Mikasa Ackerman, several of his former Paradis Island companions began recalling memories of him visiting them. In the present, Armin notices his Titan form disintegrating into steam and sees Mikasa approaching with Eren’s skull. He laments his best friend’s death, and Mikasa departs to bury his remains.
Several years pass, and while peace talks between people living in Marley and the island of Paradis begin, Mikasa sits beneath the tree where Eren is buried, thinking about him and watching the view Eren mentioned. She returns to Eren’s grave regularly, long after he has died. She introduces her child to him at that tomb, and she continues to visit even as an elderly woman. In a way, Mikasa fulfills Eren’s dream of napping under the tree but it is much more darker and sadder than what Eren dreamt of.
