As Connie prepares to feed his mother a tasty serving of Falco in Attack on Titan, Armin puts his life on the line - but not just to save the child.
Armin Arlert reaches his darkest low yet in Attack on Titan - and a leap into the waiting jaws of Connie's mother proves it. Connie Springer isn't the sharpest tool in Attack on Titan's box, but when he took custody of a vulnerable Falco Grice fresh from inheriting the Jaw Titan, those cognitive gears slowly clicked into motion. A rare opportunity to turn his mother back into a human had presented itself, and Connie wasn't about to let it slip by. Using the pretense of brushing her teeth to lure Falco closer (a lie that would've failed on literally anyone else), Connie's plan is foiled when Armin inserts himself as a replacement.
Armin's Colossal Titan would've restored Connie's mother just the same as Falco's Jaw, but rather than lose his friend, Connie springs into action and catches Armin before he's bitten. The shock is enough to bring Connie to his senses, and Armin's gambit looks - on the surface, at least - like another tactical masterstroke from Attack on Titan's resident genius. But was Armin banking on Connie jumping in? Or was he genuinely willing to give the upside-down Titan a taste of Arminestrone soup?
Armin suspected - maybe even hoped - Connie wouldn't let him die, but the softly-spoken blond mastermind had actually resolved himself to either outcome. So dark is Armin's mindset at this point in Attack on Titan, he's genuinely willing to end his life, since doing so would both save Falco and bring fleeting happiness to a dear friend. Armin has always been a selfless soul, but it's strange to see him risk life and limb so casually in Attack on Titan episode 83 - especially looking so absolutely despondent as he climbs toward Mrs. Springer's face, almost as if he wants to be eaten.
Though once renowned for his positive mental attitude, Armin's sacrifice has been brewing since he inherited the Colossal Titan in Attack on Titan season 3. Syncing up with Bertholdt's memories has shown Armin just how similar Eldia and Marley truly are, and every time he turns enemy soldiers into pancakes, Armin feels the weight of Bertholdt's reluctance to fight. If that wasn't enough emotional burden, Armin also carries the pressure of being resurrected instead of Survey Corps Commander, Erwin Smith. Despite everyone telling him to have no regrets, and despite the fact he's been extremely useful since Attack on Titan's time skip, Armin can't stop beating himself up. Even in episode 83, the Colossal Titan puts himself down, complaining, "I was the wrong person to bring back to life."
Armin Arlert measures his self-worth on being both an astute tactician and a good friend. As the episodes tick down on Attack on Titan, Armin sees himself as neither. First, he suggested the Survey Corps help Eren attain the Founding Titan power, but underestimated just how far his friend would go - a strategic misstep that stoked Armin's existing self-doubt about replacing Erwin. Then Armin lost Eren completely, the friend he once knew now a lumbering monster killing millions. Feeling as if his two life missions have failed, Armin's self-loathing brings him to the edge of Connie's mother's mouth. If he's saved, fine; if he's eaten, so be it.
Now Attack on Titan's Eldian and Marleyan forces have formed an alliance against Eren Jaeger, Armin has one last chance to put things right. Can he finally prove that he was worthy enough to take Erwin's place? And can Armin make some kind of peace with Eren, despite the trail of blood already left in the Founding Titan's wake? Answering those questions will define the end of Armin's Attack on Titan journey.
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Attack on Titan streams Sundays on Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Hulu.
