From Titan to Human: Exploring the Possibility of Reversal in Attack on Titan
Yes, a Pure Titan can indeed become human again. The key lies in consuming a Titan Shifter and inheriting their power. This act triggers a transformation, reverting the Pure Titan back into their original human form, now endowed with the abilities and the 13-year lifespan of the Titan Shifter they consumed. This process highlights the complex and often tragic nature of the Titan curse within the world of Attack on Titan.
Understanding the Transformation Process
The transformation from human to Pure Titan is typically induced by the injection of Titan spinal fluid. This irreversible process (under normal circumstances) traps the Eldian subject within the body of a Titan. While they retain a human spine, their consciousness is warped, leading to the mindless, predatory behavior characteristic of Pure Titans.
The reversal of this process is specifically tied to consuming a Titan Shifter. It’s not just about eating any human; it’s about ingesting the spinal fluid and essence of a Titan Shifter. This triggers a biological reset, overwriting the Titan structure with the Shifter’s DNA and abilities, effectively restoring the subject’s humanity but also cursing them with the power and lifespan limitations of the Shifter.
The Driving Force: A Hunger for Power
Pure Titans are driven by an instinctual urge to consume humans, but not just any humans. Their primary target is a Titan Shifter. This behavior stems from the subconscious desire to regain their humanity, a hope buried deep within their Titan form. Each bite, each attempt to devour, is a desperate gamble to break free from their monstrous prison.
The Aftermath: Humanity Restored, but at a Cost
When a Pure Titan successfully consumes a Titan Shifter, they emerge from the Titan’s nape as their human selves once more. However, this newfound freedom comes at a price. They inherit the power of the Titan Shifter, along with the infamous 13-year curse. This means their remaining lifespan is limited to just 13 years from the moment they acquired the Titan power. This adds a layer of complexity and moral ambiguity to the process, forcing individuals to grapple with the consequences of their actions and the weight of their inherited power.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Titan Transformation
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Titan transformation and the possibility of reverting from a Pure Titan back to a human.
1. If a Pure Titan gained the power of the Titans, would that Titan return to being a human?
Yes, as explained above. The act of a Pure Titan consuming a Titan Shifter is the established method for reverting them back to their human form.
2. Do Pure Titans live forever?
Pure Titans are essentially immortal in their Titan form. They do not age and can regenerate from most injuries. However, they can be killed by destroying the nape of their neck.
3. What happens if a Pure Titan eats a regular human?
Nothing significant happens. Pure Titans eat regular humans because they are driven by an instinct to find and consume a Titan Shifter, mistakenly believing it will restore their humanity. Eating a regular human will not trigger any transformation.
4. Why can’t Pure Titans control themselves?
Pure Titans lack the cognitive faculties and free will possessed by the Nine Titans. This is likely due to the method of their creation and potentially influenced by the Founding Titan’s power, which can be used to control them.
5. Is there a cure for being a Titan?
The only known way to “cure” someone from being a Pure Titan is by having them consume a Titan Shifter. There isn’t a traditional cure that would reverse the transformation without involving the consumption of a Shifter. Shifter spinal fluid is a raw cure needed to turn titans back into humans, and can be obtained without killing the shifter.
6. Do Pure Titans feel pain?
While they possess a healing factor, it’s suggested that many Pure Titans do not fully comprehend or are phased by pain. This is part of what allows them to engage in reckless and self-destructive behavior.
7. Why didn’t Eren revert Pure Titans?
When Eren gained control of the Founding Titan, he had the theoretical ability to revert all Pure Titans. However, he chose not to, instead utilizing them as part of his plan to destroy the world outside the walls.
8. Why did Pure Titans eat humans?
Pure Titans eat humans in a desperate attempt to regain their humanity by consuming a Titan Shifter. They are not simply driven by hunger but by a deeply ingrained instinct to break free from their Titan form.
9. Are all Pure Titans male?
Pure Titans generally have a masculine body shape and lack reproductive organs. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean all Pure Titans were male before their transformation. The transformation process seems to standardize their physical appearance in this way.
10. Are humans still inside Pure Titans?
The human spinal cord remains inside the Pure Titan, but the human mind and personality are warped and submerged. They are essentially trapped within the Titan body, with only a primal instinct driving them.
11. What happens if two Pure Titans eat a Titan Shifter?
If multiple Pure Titans were to consume parts of a Titan Shifter, the Titan power would likely be divided between them. This is hinted at in the manga, where the War Hammer Titan’s abilities are distributed.
12. What if a male Pure Titan ate the Female Titan?
If a male Pure Titan consumed the Female Titan, upon emerging from the Titan body, the individual would become the Female Titan Shifter. The physical characteristics of the Titan would change to reflect the Female Titan form, while the human’s underlying biology would remain unchanged.
13. Do Pure Titans have organs?
Pure Titans possess basic anatomical features, including a large mouth with teeth and a generally humanoid shape. However, they lack reproductive organs.
14. Do Pure Titans age?
Pure Titans do not age. This is demonstrated by Ymir, who remained a Titan for decades without any noticeable change in appearance until she consumed the Jaw Titan.
15. Why are Pure Titans deformed?
Pure Titans can appear deformed because their transformations are often the result of experiments using Titan spinal fluid. The process is not precise and can result in grotesque and unpredictable Titan forms.
The Ethics and Consequences of Titan Transformation
The possibility of reverting a Pure Titan to a human through the consumption of a Shifter raises profound ethical questions. Is it justifiable to sacrifice a Titan Shifter to restore someone’s humanity, even if that means condemning them to the 13-year curse? The answers are never clear-cut, reflecting the moral ambiguities that are woven throughout the narrative of Attack on Titan. The world of Attack on Titan delves into deep topics of morality, sacrifice, and war, all of which are elements you can also find when playing different types of games. Check out the work of the Games Learning Society for some more thought-provoking content! GamesLearningSociety.org
The cycle of transformation and reversion is a central theme in Attack on Titan, highlighting the brutal realities of the Titan curse and the lengths to which people will go to regain their humanity. It showcases the complexities and tragic consequences of power, survival, and the desperate search for freedom in a world consumed by conflict.