Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama’s foreshadowing techniques continue to amaze fans ever after the anime’s ending. From hinting at Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman’s last conversation to Eren’s eventual Titan transformation, Isayama has matched the abilities of Eiichiro Oda. His insane level of foreshadowing can also be seen in Chapter 97.
The Attack on Titan mangaka gave a clear picture of Bertholdt Hoover by giving clues about his unusual sleeping method. A childhood friend of Reiner Braun, Hoover’s sleep positions are considered to be a physical expression of his overwhelming inner guilt and personal struggles. Moreover, it was a sign of his personality, which Eren Yeager ultimately found out.
Hajime Isayama Used a Medieval Torture Method To Foreshadow Bertholdt’s Fate In Attack On Titan
One of Bertholdt’s weird sleeping positions in Attack on Titan is a direct reference to a medieval torture method. ‘The Hanged Man’ form of punishment consisted of the culprit being hanged upside-down by one ankle while both of his hands were tied on the back.
The Hanged Man torture method was reserved for traitors. Bertholdt Hoover’s sleeping position foreshadowed how he would betray Eren Yeager alongside Reiner Braun. Eren considered them to be his brothers but instead, they were just pawns of the Marleyans, which ultimately became a factor in Yeager’s rampage as a Founding Titan.
Bertholdt’s situation is often compared to the old man in the town mentioned in Chapter 100 who hanged himself out of guilt. Given that both Hoover and Braun had evil designs to befriend Yeager, the weak-willed Bertholdt had nightmarish dreams that made him contort his body to unusual positions. He also tended to remain silent and in the background unless necessary.
Hajime Isayama foreshadowed the betrayal by Bertholdt Hoover with his clever illustration of the Hanged Man position. In tarot terms, the Hanged Man represents the guilt and selfishness harbored by Hoover. He died after pleading for his life in front of Armin in Attack on Titan Season 3.
Bertholdt Hoover Had A Gruesome Death In Attack On Titan
In his Colossal Titan form, Bertholdt Hoover was defeated by Eren Yeager. The Colossal Titan managed to neutralize Armin Arlert by charring the latter’s body with bursts of steam but the same provided Eren with a smokescreen. In his human form, Yeager slashed the limbs of the Colossal Titan and eventually ripped apart the form to take Hoover’s body to Armin.
Hoover was fed to Pure Titan Armin while he begged Reiner and Annie to save him. The gruesome moment showed Armin chomping Hoover’s head off with his Titan form in Episode 56. Armin only learned about Bertholdt’s fate when he started having nightmares and implored Eren Yeager to reveal the truth.
Even though Bertholdt’s betrayal in Attack on Titan made him a hated villain, his eventual end and clear signs of internal guilt made fans sympathize with his plight. He was forced into a terrible position at an early age and he suffered throughout the story.
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