Eren vs. Reiner kicks off Attack on Titan season 4, part 2 – but why does Eren risk battling the Armored Titan when his true goal lies elsewhere? Eren Jaeger and Reiner Braun have shared a complicated rivalry in Attack on Titan thus far. The pair met as military cadets in Attack on Titan season 1, quickly becoming friends and allies despite their polar opposite personalities. The revelation that Reiner is the Armored Titan, responsible for causing the death of his mother, rocked Eren to his core, and they clashed twice on the shores of Paradis Island before Reiner’s group retreated. Round three took place earlier in Attack on Titan season 4 when Eren invaded Liberio, beating back Reiner and the other Marleyan Titans – but only after the two former comrades shared a basement heart-to-heart.

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Eren and Reiner’s ongoing series continues in Attack on Titan season 4, part 2. Eren’s Jaegerists have seized control of Paradis Island, but Marley invades much earlier than expected, dropping troops from the air. Reiner is among them, and immediately transforms into the Armored Titan. At this point, Eren has no business with Reiner; he simply needs to find Zeke and enact their brotherly plot. Eren could escape and leave the fighting to his lackeys, or as Yelena suggests, hide underground using the War Hammer Titan. Instead, Eren faces Reiner Titan against Titan, even though it doesn’t further his ultimate goal. Why?

It’s tempting to view Eren’s red mist as revenge-motivated, especially after Reiner’s part in the death of Carla Jaeger, but Attack on Titan‘s fallen hero has already confirmed otherwise. In Attack on Titan season 4’s basement scene, Reiner asked whether Eren came to Marley for the revenge he promised back when his group’s secret Titans were exposed. Eren merely replies with, “Oh… I vaguely remember saying that. Just forget it,” proving any lust for personal vengeance died between Attack on Titan seasons 3 and 4. Pride can also be ruled out – Eren doesn’t strive to prove his strength against powerful enemies like Goku or Monkey D. Luffy might.

The real reason Eren Jaeger wants Reiner one-on-one in Attack on Titan season 4, part 2 can be found in part 1’s aforementioned basement exchange. Eren repeatedly notes how he and Reiner are “the same” in this scene, and that kinship has seemingly fostered a sense of respect. In their first battle, Eren barely had control of his Titan abilities. The second was a Survey Corps team effort against Reiner, while the Armored Titan barely had the will to fight during round 3. Eren might’ve come to believe nothing will be resolved until he and Reiner settle their long-running feud definitively, once and for all. The Eldian race simply isn’t big enough for both of them.

When Eren compared himself to Reiner, he was describing how both were taken as innocent youngsters and indoctrinated to hate an enemy they’d never met. Both were turned into weapons by political regimes and forced to fight an endless war. But Eren has now broken free of that cycle, fighting back against Eldia and Marley alike. On the other hand, Reiner is merely continuing to serve his masters, despite knowing he was lied to about the “devils” of Paradis Island. Eren hates anyone who’s satisfied with not being “free,” and by choosing to serve Marley in Attack on Titan season 4, Reiner is everything Eren wanted to avoid becoming. Facing Reiner in combat isn’t so much about one Titan overcoming another, but Eren asserting his ideology and will over Reiner’s, proving he’s in the right.

In his own twisted way, Eren could be trying to “save” Reiner in Attack on Titan season 4. Since turning into a villain, Eren’s overarching motivation has been guaranteeing his friends’ safety. It was the government’s decision to force Titan Powers upon Historia and her descendants that made Eren go rogue in the first place, and in Attack on Titan season 4, part 2’s premiere, Armin deduces that Eren is lying to keep Mikasa and the others away from harm. Reiner might’ve betrayed Eren, but he was still part of that same Survey Corps clique. With the Armored Titan showing no signs of switching sides, Eren may believe the only way Reiner can be spared is by humbling him in battle.

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About The Author


Craig Elvy
(3624 Articles Published)

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Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig’s interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own.
Craig has previously been published on sites such as Den of Geek, and after many coffee-drenched hours hunched over a laptop, part-time evening work eventually turned into a full-time career covering everything from the zombie apocalypse to the Starship Enterprise via the TARDIS.

Since joining the Screen Rant fold, Craig has been involved in breaking news stories and mildly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as a features writer.
Jim Carrey is Craig’s top acting pick and favorite topics include superheroes, anime and the unrecognized genius of the High School Musical trilogy.

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