What are the Paths in Attack on Titan?

Take a look at the Paths in Attack on Titan and their connection to Eren achieving his goal at the end of the Animanga series.

What are Paths in Attack on Titan? (image via MAPPA)

The Attack on Titan series is considered a modern masterpiece by members of the anime and manga community. This series was written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. There are many reasons why this series is revered. However, one of the biggest factors for its success is the manga author’s storytelling abilities. 

It is incredibly difficult to create an intricate world with a unique plot, especially when there are multiple timelines. The time in this series ebbs and flows, giving certain characters the ability to orchestrate events by going back in time. Therefore, the foundations for the world-building in this series have to be solid. There are many intriguing elements, but there is one that stands above the rest—Paths. 

What are the Paths in Attack on Titan? Paths in Attack on Titan are metaphysical channels that connect all Subjects of Ymir and Titans. This concept is quite important because understanding it is crucial to knowing the intricacies of the series ending. 

The Paths and the World of Paths in Attack on Titan

A visual representation of the Paths in Attack on Titan (Image via MAPPA)

As mentioned earlier, Paths are all the channels present in the series that connect the Subjects of Ymir and the Titans. Subjects of Ymir are referred to as those who were descendants of Ymir. They are an ethnic group who are also known as Eldians. The people belonging to this group were the only ones who could transform into Titans. 

Paths are also channels that can be used for transportation. Through these channels, Subjects of Ymir can transport memories, will, and powers of a Titan and commands through Titan screams. The Path doesn’t belong in the physical realm, and it transcends time. Eren Kruger was able to access Mikasa and Armin’s memories even before they were born. 

Paths are visible when one enters the World of Paths. In this space, the flow of time is not only conflicting but also irrelevant. Zeke stated that his experience of time was strange since it felt like years had gone by and that it was over in an instant. Ymir inhabits this vast, never-ending World of Paths covered in white soil. When a member of royal blood invokes the power of Titans, Ymir crafts them with soil and water, which leads to the creation of a Titan. Members of royal blood and those who inherit the Founding Titan have the ability to command Ymir Fritz. 

The Coordinate in Attack on Titan

Eren arriving at the Coordinate as seen in the Attack on Titan manga (Image via Kodansha)

The Coordinate in Attack on Titan refers to the point of intersection when two Paths converge. An interesting point about the Coordinate is that the Founding Titan acts as one. The Founding Titan is the point of convergence of the Paths belonging to each and every Subject of Ymir. This Titan has the ability to alter memories and the physical aspects of each and every Subject of Ymir. In the anime, Tom Ksaver stated that all Subjects of Ymir are merely extensions of the Founding Titan’s Body. Irrespective of their position and time, they are controlled by the aforementioned Titan. 

It is interesting to note that Titan shifters have the innate ability to connect themselves to another Subject of Ymir. This was observed by Zeke Yeager. He stated that the entrance of his spinal fluid into the Subject of Ymir forms a connection to the Beast Titan. The connection in question is created through a coordinate. What this does is it allows Zeke to have the power of the Founding Titan on the person he made the connection with. Zeke can command the Subject of Ymir and turn that person into a Titan if his spinal fluid enters their body. 

The Importance of Paths in Attack on Titan

Eren Yeager as seen in the anime series (Image via MAPPA)

Paths are quite important in the series since it is the missing piece that connects all the seemingly unrelated dots in the series. Fans were quite confused about how the main character in the series managed to inherit those memories in the first place. Another reason why the Paths are important is due to their connection to the Founding Titan. Eren became the Founding Titan after he consumed his father, which led to him accessing the Coordinate. He was able to manipulate other Titans through these Paths. The Paths that connected every single Subject of Ymir converged at Eren since he was the Founding Titan. Every event that was manipulated to get the desired result was possible only because of Paths. 

How Eren Used Paths in Attack on Titan

Eren Yeager as the Founding Titan as seen in the anime series (Image via MAPPA)

The Path is the most crucial element in the anime and manga series for one reason. If we take a look at the big picture, all the events were a result of a chain reaction being set off because of Eren. He was the inheritor of the Attack Titan, which allowed him to access memories from the past and future. The Paths are channels where one’s will and other important elements can be transferred between Subjects of Ymir. Paths are the reason why Eren was able to access memories. 

He was the one who manipulated his own father into killing Frieda Reiss and consuming her flesh to obtain the Founding Titan. The reason for this manipulation was for him to obtain the Founding Titan himself. Eren also sent a Titan to consume his own mother so that his younger self would use that fuel to wage a war against all Titans. 

At every step of the way, Eren manipulated events to achieve his end goal. He was able to do so because of the memories that he inherited, which were transferred through the Paths. 

Conclusion

Paths is one of the most crucial elements in the Attack on Titan series. The story can get confusing at times, and therefore, the understanding of this concept is important. This element in the story facilitated the means for Eren to alter reality. His manipulation of certain events led to the end result of Titan’s powers being removed from the face of the Earth. 


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