What if Reiner was taken prisoner by the Eldians during the Battle of Shiganshina?

Key Takeaways

• Reiner's capture could have changed alliances and delayed Eren's Rumbling plans.
• The Eldians may have used the relationship between Reiner and Zeke to reveal Marley's true intentions.
• Even with Reiner in custody, Eren's determination may have caused the Rumbling to occur as intended.

Anime often follows parallel scenarios where one event in the anime's storyline takes a different path. These plot twists can encourage discussion among viewers about how different the outcome of a particular series could have been, and lead to theories about what could have been. by demon slayer It raises questions about the characters' actions and reactions to them throughout the plot. attack on titan It features specific points that could have played out in a number of ways.

During the Battle of Shiganshina, the armored giant Reiner Braun was captured by the Eldians and barely escaped. But what if that wasn't the case? What would have happened if Reiner had joined Bertolt? This provides a variety of interesting perspectives with far-reaching implications for Eren's plans for the Rumbling.

Capturing the Fallen Hero

The aftermath of Reiner's capture

If the Eldians had captured Reiner in that fight, they probably would have shifted their most immediate focus to interrogating him. Considering he has so much insight into Marley's army and its titans, Reiner would be a real gold mine in intelligence. However, since Reiner is a tough soldier, he will likely remain steadfastly loyal to Marley and resist any attempts to make him betray his homeland.

On the other hand, the severe psychological trauma of betraying his former colleagues at Paradis may have changed him for the better. Reiner's internal turmoil over his dual identity as a Marleyan warrior and Eldian sympathizer may have played a decisive role in his reaction and may have led him to reveal important information about Marley's plans. This is information that could substantially modify Paradis' strategy in the coming battle.

An obstacle to Zeke's plans

How might this have affected Zeke's role?

Reiner's capture may have changed everything for Zeke's plans. And we know that it was Eren's alliance with Paradis that triggered the chain of events that activated the Rumbling. If Reiner had been captured, the trust between them and the Eldians would have changed. Not only that, but Zeke's Beast Titan plays a very important role in Rumbling. A Founding Titan's powers require his royal blood to be fully operational. The Eldians may have become more suspicious of Zeke's role, which may have slowed their cooperation somewhat, causing a delay in Eren's ultimate goal.

If they had known that the Eldians had taken advantage of Reiner's relationship with Zeke, they might have tried to use that bond with Zeke to bring out more of his real motivations much earlier, possibly delaying the Rumbling or taking a different course. . Somehow regulate Zeke's involvement. For example, based on Reiner's knowledge, Paradis may have taken a different approach towards Marley, such as using Zeke's position to negotiate.

Could the turmoil have been stopped by Reiner's capture?

It may have set off a chain reaction in Eren's larger plan to completely disrupt the Rumbling. They would have taken Reiner hostage and led the Eldians to the weaknesses and strategies Marley had in store for them, how to build better defenses to prevent an all-out war, and how to find a diplomatic solution to end hostilities. Had Reiner been interrogated and revealed Marley's true intentions, Paradis would have focused all his efforts on defense rather than Eren's attack route.

But in the meantime, Eren had already made plans and even manipulated events for the Rumbling. Reiner's capture alone may not have been enough to stop the Rumbling. Because Eren's goals were broader than captivity. Eren's determination to achieve his vision of Eldian freedom even with Reiner in custody may have led to the Rumbling, but it could also lead to slightly more complex issues.

Marley's Revenge

How will Marley react?

Marley's reaction to Reiner's capture would have been sharp and aggressive. Losing such a valuable key figure in a war against them would weaken their entire position. Marley might have taken the immediate desperate step of sending a rescue mission to Paradis Island with more fighters. There would have been conflict sooner than it would have occurred in the original flow of events. Marley's desperation to retrieve the Armored Titan would have led to an even more brutal strategy that would have pushed both nations to the point of no return much sooner.

In this case, Marley's heightened aggression may have forced Paradis to take harsher measures to defend himself, accelerating the need for Eren's Rumbling to become a reality. Success in rescuing Reiner will provide insight into Paradis's defenses and the giants, accelerating war plans.

We are the same, Reiner.

Could Reiner have played a bigger role in the final conflict?

Had he been captured, his role in the later stages of the war between Marley and Paradis would have been quite different. For a time, Reiner appeared as a tragic figure, torn between two worlds: loyalty to Marley and sympathy for his former comrades on Paradis. While in captivity, Reiner may have had time to reflect on the choices he made and who he showed loyalty to, which may have led to a shift in priorities, perhaps even to the point where the Jaegerists and Eren himself may have joined in. .

On the other hand, if Reiner had refused to help, the Eldians could have used their interrogation of Reiner and Marley's knowledge of what was to come as an opportunity to formulate a plan and prepare to take over his Armored Titan. One of those numbers. They can then use the information provided by Reiner to actively seek out other Titan serums and carry out their planned transformations. Giving Reiner's Titan to someone loyal to Paradis would have strengthened their military power and given them weapons in case of future conflict with Marley. These newly acquired Armored Titans could greatly alter the balance of power, either furthering Paradis' defenses or serving as a deterrent to outside forces.

The end of humanity remains unchanged

Was the rumbling inevitable?

Reiner's capture may have turned the tide of the conflict, but Eren's far-reaching plans may have made the turmoil inevitable. Eren had long foresaw that the need for the Rumbling would be necessary for Eldia's freedom, no matter who stood in the way. Even though the Rumbling would have happened much later, barring Reiner's capture, Zeke's manipulation of the Founding Titan's powers makes it very likely that it actually did happen. Perhaps a little later and within a different range.

In any case, Reiner's capture would not have changed Eren's core motivations or his ultimate goal. The Rumbling had been years in the making and was closely intertwined with Eren's belief that it was the only protection for Paradis. Reiner's capture may delay the Rumbling or introduce new variables, but Eren's single push will likely ensure that the plan proceeds as intended.

His capture during the Battle of Shiganshina could have resulted in anything from flipped alliances to timing changes involving key plot points. Considering how specifically Eren designed Rumbling, it's likely that the endpoint would have stayed the same. Reiner's capture may have allowed for some delay and a new plan of action, but the motivations behind the characters will still drive the story to its tragic and inevitable conclusion.