#aot discourse

[clfixationstation]

sorry guys, I'm just gonna rant to myself for a bit about the AoT twt fandom. So, there's a post EMs are sharing around of an Eremin shipper saying Eren hugged Armin tighter than he did Mikasa, multiple times. They're angry, saying it's a misrepresentation of Eremika and that it's "clearly shitting on Mikasa." (Apparently this was the impetus for the "half of Eremin's content is talking about Mikasa and fighting" post I responded to earlier)

And I must ask, how is it a misrepresentation of the story (and Eremika) to say Eren hugged Armin tighter? That's just what happened. It's canon, plain for anyone to see, and it's not derogatory towards Mikasa to say so. Eren and Mikasa's moments are more subtle and tender, and more rare. Eremin has a fierceness to it; Eremika has a steady comfort. It is certainly a slight slight (lol) to EM, to use the tightness and number of hugs as a comparative metric for romance - so, their argument should focus on breaking down that premise, if they care to make it.

It's a fairly simple takedown: different people find different things romantically compelling. So, if Eren and Mikasa's tender hug appeals more to you, that's wonderful! If Eren and Armin's fierce hugs appeal more to you, cool! If both appeal to you, even better! Best of both worlds :D Accept your differences and move on.

My personal view of what is romantically compelling is shaped by being queer, a lesbian on the aro/ace spectrum. Ships between friends, with high levels of understanding, honesty, support, intensity, shared goals, casual physical affection - those are what appeal to me most (a ship being queer is also enticing). But I understand it's different for every person and I don't expect everyone to adhere to my standards.

Someone responded to me, saying: "The tweet is obviously shitting on Mikasa, but you're too much of a fake-ass hypocrite to ever judge anything fairly. Btw blocking me like a coward, proves how insecure you are. Hope this help"

I have no idea who this person is. I did not block them - they blocked me. Someone's alt account, maybe? I just blocked a bunch of people who were denigrating Eren and Armin's bond under a different post, so perhaps I blocked their main. Maybe this was a poor move on my part, but I've responded to their (unblocked) main: "who are you? I just blocked a bunch of people being cruel/misrepresenting canon on another post, so perhaps I caught you there. It's called curating your timeline so you can coexist in peace. If you think that post is shitting on Mikasa, take it up with Isayama for writing it so"

It's more combative than I like to portray myself, and I don't have hope for having a civil discussion anymore, so why did I say anything at all? I don't know. I wish character limits were longer so I could add my piece acknowledging the slight to EM and fully elaborate the flaw in the premise...but they wouldn't take it in good faith regardless, seeing as they ignored my previous (neutered) attempt: "...Eren & Armin were very physically affectionate throughout the series. it's not delusional, it's canon & it isn't derogatory to Mikasa to say so. Eren & Mikasa have tender moments too, just differently"

What if I told them I don't even primarily ship them romantically, but as queerplatonic soulmates? Think it would break their brains lol

Wish I could simply block every (obnoxious) EM on that forsaken app, but that doesn't stop people from seeing you now, and I do want an audience for my Mikasa posts, lol. Legitimately, I've had my post about Mikasa's growth and perception of Eren - a fairly straightforward reading, emphasizing Eremika's bond - in my twt drafts for months. I'm nervous to post it, lest I be harassed for acknowledging the darkness in their relationship. Then I feel bad for saying so, because I've also encountered many lovely, normal Eremika enjoyers :/

With all of this said, I'm very thankful to the people of Tumblr who've interacted with my thoughts in good faith. I truly appreciate every person who takes the time out of their day to add their thoughts, ask questions, send an encouraging like. Y'all are the best :)

take me back to the days of twt EMs largely leaving us alone because they were too busy fighting EH and JK shippers I'm so serious (this is a joke, I don't wish anyone to be harassed). the price of EA becoming slightly more popular on twt </3

[mossgh0st]

I’ve been seeing some interesting discourse, specifically on TikTok, recently - over whether Erwin would’ve supported Eren and the Rumbling.

At first, I was super irritated by this idea because of course, my love for Erwin drowned out what may have been a possibility given Levi chose him instead of Armin. Like, obviously my precious strong moral pookie would not be in support of a literal genocide, right?

But now I’m wondering. I’ve been thinking about some of the things he’s said in reference to freedom, Eren, and the possibility of life outside of the walls. I’m curious what some others may think. So, do you think Erwin would’ve supported Eren’s decision?

[fadingsstuff]

They deleted or hid what I wrote lmao. What I wrote must have been too much for them. Did they think that their manipulative, prejudiced, incomplete, strange writings would never be criticized? But these are true. When you're changing something to fit your narrative/Hc's, when you're trying to canonize it and get everyone to buy into it, or when you're secretly adding your ship to your Self İnsert/Reader fic and trying to make others believe/see it, when you're changing the characterization, there are some people who are very triggered by these things, who get caught up in these narratives and fall into doubts.

These are toxic species that literally pollute fandom and ruin people's entertainment and pleasure.

[theothin]

You changed your mind about Attack on Titan?

not since last time I talked about my issues with it

[scarletskiesinthepaths]

i do absolutely think Levi having some sort of sexual trauma has been built upon over the years. There’s just so many small things that point to that kind of trauma, and Bad Boy just compounds on those things.

his aversion to sleep has always been very strange to me, he doesn’t even lay down to do so and only ever gets a few hours. it could just be a general unease/feeling a lack of safety but Levi isn’t exactly an outwardly anxious person. im sure his ability to sustain himself on only a few hours of sleep has something to do with his Ackerman power, but he almost seems to have a tendency to avoid laying in beds as a whole. i’m not sure we ever see him in one (perhaps the barracks in No Regrets?) outside of his major injury towards the end.

honestly even though his obsession with cleanliness can be associated with growing up in a dirty environment like the underground (very common IRL w people who grow up in poverty or hoarding etc) something about it always raised an eyebrow to me. feeling somehow “filthy” in a way that is difficult to shake is a very common trauma response for SA victims. He’s also particular with human gore in a way he isn’t with Titan gore. to be fair Titan blood literally steams off, but idk the elaborate get up in the torture scene stick with me, why is a guy who constantly cuts down giant meat monsters full of blood and sinew suiting up with an apron and rubber gloves to punch a human?

When Kenny finds him with Kuchel’s body he’s only wearing of one of her old shirts (if i remember right) which could also be just associated with the neglect he faced as Kuchel’s health declined and she wasn’t able to keep working, but it could absolutely have much worse implications. he’s surely under-clothed for a child that age.

and speaking of Hange i think this is also a huge indicator of how important their friendship w Levi was. i think the “Levi has to knock Hange out to bathe them” lore was mostly a joke, but i absolutely believe that Hange would have a knack for working themselves into exhaustion and neglecting their personal hygiene and the fact that Levi, who is adverse to dirtiness and probably physical touch, would still be willing to help Hange take care of themselves on that level is very important to me.

idk, again there’s just so many small things that compound. i think ppl who refuse to even consider that possibility are ignoring a huge subtext in his writing.

the writing in Bad Boy reminds me a lot of an RPG character from Dragon Age called Zevran, who has a very similar backstory (prostitute mother, grew up in a brothel after she died giving birth) and SA/sex trafficking is a huge part of his writing, it’s never explicitly said but he gets incredibly close to saying it multiple times.

Absolutely, anon, I'm really glad you brought this up. I agree with you. Your observations are thoughtful and deeply grounded in the subtle, but persistent, cues throughout Levi’s characterization. There’s a strong case to be made that Levi’s childhood experiences, especially as hinted in Bad Boy, suggest sexual trauma as part of his backstory, and I agree that this thread has been quietly but consistently built over time across multiple Attack on Titan texts, including the main canon itself, Bad Boy, and the A Choice with No Regrets manga and OVA.

I’ll be honest, though; I sat on this ask for a little while. Not because I disagreed, but because I’ve grown cautious about diving back into this particular conversation, lol. I hope you're still around to read my response! There’s been pushback in the past, and it’s easy to get worn down by the defensiveness and bad-faith interpretations that inevitably come with it. But ultimately, I don’t want fear of fandom backlash to silence a valid reading of the text.

Just to be clear, I’m not saying there’s any explicit confirmation that Levi was sexually abused. What I am saying is that there is a consistent body of subtext—textual, visual, and behavioral—that makes this interpretation both plausible and worth discussing. It’s one lens among many, and it’s one that aligns with real-world trauma responses in a way that deserves thoughtful attention.

For anyone curious and looking to read more on this topic, including some of my older posts and others’ contributions, here are a few links:

To actually address your message and your points, anon:

When Kenny first discovers Levi, the imagery is haunting. Levi appears severely malnourished, neglected, and ghost-like. He’s wearing only a shirt, which not only suggests poverty but also emphasizes how profoundly vulnerable he is. While it’s never confirmed whether the shirt belonged to Kuchel, the idea that it might have is a valid and plausible headcanon. What is confirmed is that Levi is shown curled up on the floor in the same room as her decomposing body, completely alone. In the context of a brothel—where Kuchel worked as a sex worker and where strangers would have regularly entered and exited the space—Levi’s state of undress takes on more disturbing implications. We never learn who had access to that room after Kuchel’s death, nor how long Levi was left to fend for himself there. And as you pointed out, for a child that age to be so underclothed in such a setting is more than just a sign of deprivation—it casts a shadow over the kind of dangers he may have been exposed to during that time.

Now, I’m aware there’s some debate in the fandom about whether Levi and Kuchel actually lived in the brothel where she worked. Personally, I do believe they did. But even if they didn’t, Kuchel’s notoriety as "Olympia"—a well-known prostitute—means that clients familiar with her could very well have come looking. Regardless of the precise location, the threat would have remained the same.

It’s also important to consider how the Attack on Titan universe establishes the Underground as a site of rampant exploitation, especially sexual violence and trafficking. In "Chapter 6: The World that the Girl Saw", we learn that Mikasa, who lived on the surface, was nearly trafficked into sexual slavery. The traffickers planned to sell her specifically to the Underground, where such exploitation was evidently common and profitable. If that was the fate planned for a surface child, it paints a grim picture of what life must have been like for children born in the Underground. Levi wasn’t just born there—he was the son of a sex worker, raised alone in a brothel after her death. In Bad Boy, we see that even as a child, Levi was almost sold into the same system by thugs looking to profit off him. On top of that, he was well-known locally as a “whore’s son,” a stigma that would have marked him as vulnerable. Given this context, and considering how openly the narrative depicts trafficking as a real danger even for children with more protection than Levi had, it’s tragically plausible that Levi endured violations that the text never directly names. Whether or not his trauma is ever confirmed in explicit terms, the setting, circumstances, and behavioral cues all suggest that he was not spared from the kind of exploitation that was normalized in the world he grew up in.

A Choice with No Regrets further deepens this portrait of Levi. As an adult in the Underground, he’s strikingly hyper-independent, emotionally guarded, and instinctively distrustful. His stoicism goes far beyond what would be considered adaptive for someone in a harsh environment—it reads instead as the psychological armor of someone who learned, early and brutally, that vulnerability is dangerous. What’s telling is how this contrasts with Furlan and Isabel, who also grew up in the Underground but retain a more open emotional register. Levi, by contrast, keeps himself closed off—even from those he clearly cares about. Another subtle but telling detail is his relationship to sleep. As you noted, Levi rarely lays down to rest. Even after Return to Shiganshina, when he’s critically injured, we only see him in bed when he’s completely incapacitated. His irregular sleep habits suggest that rest—and the vulnerability it entails—is something he instinctively avoids. It’s also worth noting that Isayama has confirmed in interviews that Levi typically sleeps in a chair. That choice feels significant: what is it about beds, specifically, that feel unsafe to him? It’s a small detail, but one that subtly reinforces the idea that Levi's avoidance of rest is tied not just to environmental danger, but to deeper psychological trauma.

One moment from A Choice with No Regrets that I think is often overlooked—or, worse, completely misread—is the scene in the manga where Levi kills Isabel’s attacker. There’s a strong implication that the man had either raped or was planning to rape her. Isabel returns visibly shaken, and the fact that her hair was forcibly cut—while some try to minimize this—is itself a physical violation. That kind of act doesn’t happen without bodily restraint, humiliation, and intent to dehumanize. Levi’s reaction isn’t casual vengeance or impulsive rage. It’s swift, cold, and deliberate. And it stands out all the more because Levi is consistently portrayed as someone who does not enjoy killing, especially when it comes to other humans. He doesn’t take satisfaction in it, and he’s shown to feel the weight of taking lives. But in this moment, he kills with no hesitation. That’s not just about protecting Isabel; it’s also about what that kind of violation represents to him. This scene adds another layer to the subtext that Levi may have experienced sexual trauma himself. His actions suggest not just outrage on her behalf, but a deep, visceral recognition of what was done to her. When you consider his background—being raised in a brothel, growing up in a community where sexual violence was commonplace, and being personally threatened with it—his response in this scene becomes far more layered. It's not about bloodlust; it's about survival and protection.

As for his obsession with cleanliness, I completely agree that it likely stems from both his impoverished upbringing and something deeper. Like you stated, the trauma of feeling “unclean” in a psychological sense is a known marker in many survivors of sexual abuse. Levi doesn’t just value hygiene—he’s almost compulsive about it. In chapter 15, when he enters Trost HQ, his first instinct is to clean, even in the midst of military chaos. It’s a trait that speaks to more than just surface disgust; it feels ritualistic, like he’s trying to scrub away something intangible. We also know from the Smartpass AU Levi Close-up Report that part of the reason Levi cares so much about cleanliness is because he associates filth with disease. That alone demonstrates that the cleaning is a coping mechanism for something greater.

The A Choice with No Regrets OVA also contributes to this subtext in a subtle but unsettling way. In one sequence, a group of thugs corner Isabel, and after she bites one of them, he implies he wants to assault her—saying, “She’ll pay for bitin’ me. Lemme have some fun with her before we do anything else, ’kay?” Levi isn’t present for that threat, but it establishes that these men are sexual predators and underscores how normalized sexual violence is in the Underground. Shortly afterward, when Levi confronts the same group, one of the thugs touches the collar of Levi’s shirt. Levi immediately recoils and snaps, “Keep your filthy hands off me. I don’t want you smudging my shirt.” His tone is cold and sharp—disproportionately intense for such a minor touch, unless read through the lens of trauma. What’s especially notable is how Furlan quickly intervenes, almost too casually, saying, “Sorry, 'bout that. We're clean freaks here. You prob'ly shouldn't come back, but if ya do, be sure to wash your hands first.” It’s a strangely timed comment, bringing up hygiene in the middle of a tense confrontation, and it reads more like a deflection than comic relief, at least to me. Furlan’s response seems like a practiced redirection, as if he’s accustomed to covering for Levi in moments like this, aware that Levi’s aversion to touch and obsession with cleanliness may stem from something deeper. The way Levi reacts to even an incidental touch, especially from a man he clearly perceives as threatening (and was established as a sexual predator earlier), raises red flags. Within the broader context of the Underground, where exploitation is rampant and children are especially vulnerable, this interaction adds another layer to the growing subtext that Levi’s boundaries around touch aren’t just about personal preference, but about learned survival.

A common counter-argument I’ve seen is that Levi couldn’t have experienced sexual abuse because, in Bad Boy, when the thugs threaten to sell him into sexual slavery, he awakens his Ackerman powers and kills them. But I think this interpretation misreads both the mechanics of his awakening and the emotional weight of that scene. Levi doesn’t react violently when the men first threaten to traffic him. In fact, he stays relatively passive through much of the assault, even as they kick him and beat him down. What ultimately triggers his Ackerman powers isn’t the threat of trafficking alone—it’s a combination of two far more visceral elements: first, the insult to his mother (“whore’s son”), which cuts directly at the only attachment and source of comfort he’s ever known; and second, the imminent threat to his life. When the men begin slamming his head into the ground, it’s not just brutal—it would have been fatal. That moment of near-death, combined with emotional provocation, is what pushes him to awaken. This is consistent with how Ackerman power is described elsewhere in canon: it’s often activated in a life-or-death situation.

Importantly, most sexual trauma, especially in childhood, is not marked by that same level of immediate physical lethality. It’s often coercive or normalized within the environment, particularly when it occurs repeatedly over time. If Levi had experienced prior instances of sexual trauma, there’s no reason to assume his powers would have activated. The context simply wouldn’t have matched the threshold required. What Bad Boy shows us, in fact, is how long Levi endures violence without fighting back. His gentle, quiet demeanor in that scene says a lot; he’s not someone who reacts with aggression instinctively. He internalizes pain. He withdraws. And that, in itself, is a trauma response. The idea that Levi could only have been victimized if he had physically fought back or "activated" sooner misunderstands both trauma and how the Ackerman lineage functions in canon.

And yes, the way Levi interacts with Hange is one of the clearest examples of how touch and boundaries operate differently for him with people he trusts. The oft-joked “Levi knocking Hange out to bathe them” anecdote, while humorous in fandom circles, does imply a certain level of trust and care on his part that cuts directly against his usual physical avoidance and aversion to filth. If you believe Levi is touch-averse because of trauma, then the fact that he’ll tend to someone else’s body—grime, sweat, and all—speaks volumes. It reflects a profound emotional bond.

Btw, I've never played Dragon Age, but I agree that the situation with Zevran sounds similar to the situation with Levi. Isayama never explicitly states that Levi was sexually abused—but neither does he shy away from leaving the space open.

The resistance from some parts of the fandom to even consider this reading is telling. It reveals discomfort not just with the possibility of Levi being a victim, but with the idea that masculinity and vulnerability can coexist. For some, Levi must remain a stoic archetype of masculinity, not someone whose past might include being violated or exploited. But the reality is that Attack on Titan is saturated with trauma, and Levi’s trauma is one of the most underexplored and underacknowledged parts of the narrative, precisely because it’s so coded in subtext.

In short, the subtext is there. The behavioral patterns are consistent. And your instinct to read between the lines is absolutely justified. Bad Boy doesn’t explicitly confirm that Levi was sexually abused, but it significantly strengthens the already persistent implication. Acknowledging that possibility isn’t reaching—it’s a valid interpretation of the character and the narrative choices surrounding him.

Thanks for the ask, anon! I hope my answer was interesting to read.

[swordblade]

Rip

[bunnyshideawayy]

responding “22 years old btw” to me during fandom discourse is so hilariously odd like do middle schoolers think people stop enjoying things once they reach the ancient age of 18?

[jacksonseymour13]

The MHA,Demon Slayer,Naruto,Arcane,Attack on Titan,TAWOG,Arrow,Squid Game,Alan Becker,The Vampire Diaries,The Walking Dead,Gravity Falls and The 100 fandoms on their way to attack me for harmless fictional ships

The antis found me you guys 🙏

[clfixationstation]

explaining to annoying ass Floch stans that genocide is not self-defense, fascism is not logical, and that nothing can ever justify genocide in the year of twenty twenty-five is taking years off my life. engaging with people who have no developed moral framework, negligible historical knowledge, and poor reading/watching comprehension is a nightmare. they don't know shit about the ideologies they support.

they keep trying to paint me as someone who opposes violent resistance to oppression, when I am very much not. they believe committing genocide was the only option to respond to Marley's planned genocide of Paradis, and therefore the "logical choice", when multiple other options were provided. namely, using a partial Rumbling to destroy military centers worldwide, as Armin suggested. still extremely brutal, but understandable when facing worldwide annihilation. they refuse to see how Floch's entire ideology is fear-based. they understand nothing, yet are so vehement in their stance. I have no idea how these people were propagandized in support of a fictional empire that the text blatantly condemns. it's astounding. it's almost impressive.

(comments are in reverse: bottom is oldest, top is newest)

[shesalittlelost]

eremika is the M/F straight ship that doesn't adhere to traditional gender roles which is what people cannot seem to fathom. because in most popular straight ships, it is the man who loves and woman who is being loved. it is the male character's feelings for his love interest that is given more depth and tends to hold more significance in the story and that is the romance people are used to seeing. all isayama did was reverse genders here by making the female character a more active participant in her love story. eren loved mikasa just as much, he loved her enough that he was ready to doom himself just to save her time and time again. my boy literally punched a wholeass titan and activated the founding titan twice just for her but that isn't highlighted as much as mikasa's actions to protect him because from a narrative standpoint, it is her love for him that plays a significant role and people are just not used to seeing a female lead's feelings take up such a central place in a shonen anime.

[susanoois]

eremin slander is so funny because their next official content is going to be like the two of them saying they're dating!!!xjshbgz omg

[ackerlikesmen]

This discourse, 'Why can't they be friends?!'

I see this a lot in fandoms, especially on Twitter and YouTube.

Complaining about why we ship straight characters who are taken with their friends or mentors, particularly with male relationships. I think it goes back to my other post: better writing.

Yes, I'm aware Lance was in love with Allura, and Keith is his friend. I'm aware Naruto and Sasuke are married men with families. I'm aware Levi is only Eren's mentor and friend. Kai's dating Skylar and is only Cole's friend--- Trust me, I'm aware. Stop drilling it into my head.

HOWEVER

In what way do these friendships differ from their relationships? The chemistry and emotional closeness between individuals. Unlike Allurance, Lance has a connection with Keith. Even as rivals, they still hit it off and see each other eye to eye. Same with Naruto and Sasuke. They didn't like each other but soon understand each other. Given their close relationship, it is plausible to consider Naruto and Sasuke as romantically involved without raising eyebrows. The idea of Eren being in a relationship with Armin or Levi seems more convincing than the current storyline. I've already written about Kai and Cole, but in short, they're pretty close—Kai's even closer to Cole than his girlfriend. I can name many more.

How are they close?

Keith becomes Lance's confidence and helps him with his insecurities, while Lance helps Keith slow down and accept others in his team. (it's been a minute since I've watched Voltron).

Naruto and Sasuke--- I'll be here all damn day. Sasuke considers Naruto to be his closest bond; one reason he wants to kill him is so he can be alone. Hell, he wasn't happy when Naruto called him a brother because he sees them more than that. Naruto Shippuden was Naruto going through hell to get back Sasuke. Plus, they're literal soulmates.

Levi and Armin are one of two people besides Carla to change Eren for the better. Though Eren still endured the rumbling, he became more mature and open-minded. Not to mention, Eren's determination and bravery inspire both Armin and Levi, especially Levi, who lost a lot and wouldn't open himself to anyone because he couldn't lose more people. In addition, these two understand Eren better than Mikasa. Levi especially knew Eren better; he pinpointed Eren's flaws in season one and accepted him despite them. I can also rant about how these two are meant for each other, but I'm sure you don't want to read a novel.

Kai and Cole are tricky because they're "brothers in arms." All the ninjas are close, and I don't want to dismiss that. But it's true, these two are closer. Both support each other, especially Kai, who's not a team player. The boy shows more support to Cole, even cries for him in public, and almost doomed everyone on the ship to save him. They affected each other. Cole helps Kai open up more and cares for him after Kai uses his energy to summon fire. Yes, you can say Kai supports everyone; that's his love language. However, I don't think I've seen him do these things with others, and I haven't listed all of them.

I can say the same for Percy Jackson, but I'm unsure if I should. I'm still catching up, so I'll be silent. If you agree, feel free to comment.

I'm not saying these characters don't love their lovers because they do, but when the plot calls for it. To me, it doesn't feel natural. It feels like an order, something that's bound to happen because the story calls for it. Especially when these ships aren't properly developed and happen at the last minute. They don't have that closeness or intimacy.

Anyways, that's why gay headcanon ships are more popular or just as popular as the canon ships. Though built on platonicness, their relationships are more genuine and richer than romantic pairings. Fix the romantic pairings, give them intimate moments, and spread them out evenly, and you'll have a great romance.

So better development, better chemistry, better romance.

Alright, I'm done bitching and ranting for today. I'm sorry if I appear a whiner and mean. I'm not trying to shit on others' ships and parades. I just really can't stand poor writing choices being defended. On top of that, I keep seeing these arguments, and while I can see what they're saying and can agree to some extent, the answer is simple.

If you have other reasons, feel free to explain.

Okey dokey. I'm going back to writing. Just need to get it off my chest. Toodiles! xxx

[starlight-bread-blog]

I'm bisexual. If Historia were a confirmed lesbian, I would block Erehisus.

But she isn't.

(As far as I'm aware of. If she is, scrap this entire rant). Usually I try to keep my cool when it comes to fandom discourse but this is bordering on biphobia & is really common. However, before that,

Historia IS sapphic and anyone who disagrees is not welcome on this blog. Do not misunderstand me. That girl loved Ymir in canon and I'm not hearing you out.

However, when you (as I saw), call Historia a lesbian written by a shit writer and imply that the people shipping her with men are proshitters, I draw the line.

The pregnancy subplot is bad and you won't hear me defend it. I have a long draft on it. The farmer and Historia don't make sense. However, to suggest that it doesn't make sense because Historia used to love a girl and now likes a boy, is ignoring the existance of bisexuality – which perpetuates biphobia.

And if you want to make the case that Historia is gay because she only shows interest in girls,

She shows interest in ONE girl. (One girl she loves dearly, because again Yumihisu denialism is not tolerated here). If she were a flirt and exclusively flirted with girls, then yeah she's a lesbian, but it isn't the case. Just likeany character in the show.

It can be argued she was interested in the farmer. I won't argue that, but it is the implication when you call her a lesbian failed by the creator. As if it was a writing flaw for a sapphic to fall in love with a man.

Another thing I saw was someone explaining how they're unhappy seeing a canon wlw character being shipped with a man because we rarely get sapphic characters.

BEING WITH A MAN DOESN'T ERASE YOUR LOVE FOR WOMEN. THAT'S A WHOLY COMMON BIPHOBIC CONCEPT.

OH MY GOD. When a bi girl dates a girl, she is assumed to be a lesbian. When she dates a guy, she's assumed to be straight. When she dates both (their notions not mine), she's a lesbian failed by the creator??? What?

Even if you, like me, don't think she loved that faceless NPC farmer, you still can't label her. Only she/the canon by the creator can do that. That's similar to labeling any fictional character who dates the opposite gender as straight which is frowned upon in the queer community & most of us know this. I've seen countless headcanons of characters in opposite sex relationships being bi. So why is it that you're all so happy to erase the possibility of bisexuality when it's the other way around? If it's because you want to keep queer representation, that's messed up and I encourage you to reflect on your views. But if it's just to hate on a ship... do the same except you should also block me. And if you're a "Historia is straight" person reading this, block me too 'cause you're worse.

[melishade]

Hello! I wanted to say that is how I see what would have happened if Megatron had been there when Eren said his infamous words to Mikasa.

Eren: Mikasa, I always hated you.

Everyone: *Gasps and yells of shock*

Megatron:

Eren: Megatron!? Why are you here?! *Memories don't show Megatron here*

Megatron: I was curious what kind of lie you would see, and I see a blatant one!

Eren: I am telling the truth! I hate Mikasa!

Megatron: Really? Then why do you still have her gift? *points at the red string*

Eren: . . .

Megatron: In addition, you asked Wrecker to take a picture of Ackerman when she was wearing her pink kimono.

Everyone: A pink what?

Mikasa: *blushing*

Eren: *Angry blush* Fuck.

On a more serious note, besides the obvious that it was a blatant lie from Eren, I never understood WHY you included that after you answered my question about Eren planning his death in AOP. After some thought, I remembered the memories he saw, one of Optimus's death and another of older Mikasa without her scarf while holding something, and that was before Founder powers were activated so he had limited idea but he could get some clues, and in conclusion:

He starts the Rumbling -> he kills Optimus -> Mikasa kills him to stop Rumbling.

So while he did not plan his death, if he gets killed by Mikasa, he will at least make it easier for her to kill him. Because whatever you can say, both of these dummies loved each other deeply, and you could believe Mikasa is obsessed with Eren, with my limited knowhow of AOT, I gained a sense that those two truly loved each other, Mikasa was just very overprotective of Eren, something you already tackled in AOP, but I can see that at the end of AOT, she could not let go completely of Eren, at least move on, even when Eren in the Cabin Moment, where he said after death she need to forget him and live freely. In AOP, while I don't think she can find love again, at least one as deep as she had with Eren, given she said that part of her still loves him, she can move on and live freely. But that part with love is my own opinion.

First of all, incorrect quote is hilarious.

Second of all, this is once again from the perspective of a manga reader waiting on a month to month basis for answers on what would happen next regarding the next chapter. Theories were running rampant, everyone had something to say, half of the fandom wanted Gabi dead, all that stuff.

It was around chapter 105's release, Sasha's death, and Eren's reaction that I had concluded that Eren was going to activate the Rumbling in full, and I wanted Optimus to be the one to kill him. To be hailed as a Savior from the stars. Mikasa had no real role to play when it came to Eren's death.

I also had no real thoughts of Eren being able to even the whole future. Hell, Eren being able to see into the future was just a theory, and we were never even given a full explanation on how Eren was even able to accomplish seeing the whole thing. Sure, he touched Zeke, but we've always seen memories in increments and gaps. Kruger was only able to reference Mikasa and Armin by name. We didn't even know if he was ever able to see their faces.

Before then, as I've stated, I was going to have Eren set everything up to have Optimus become the hero, but the backlash that happened in chapter 139 made me reconsider and rewrite stuff. Making Eren go the nihilistic route like Jobu Tupaki in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. If everything is the same, over and over, then let him be selfish. Let him end it all.

In regards to Eren seeing a future with Optimus' death, the death would have remained that way had it not been for the interference and hard work of others. Again, we're never given a full run down on Eren's future visions, we didn't know he was seeing all of it instead of increments. Personally, I thought that Eren would be trying to change the future, because he was able to change the past in the cave. But the way that it was written in chapter 139, it made it seem like the future was set in stone and couldn't be change. It creates this cruel irony that Eren never really had freedom to begin with. Everything was decided. But it takes away Eren's choice. Almost like it absolves him? There are other snk critics that can explain it a lot better than I can. But I was leaning more towards the route of "the future can be changed, but Eren refused to do the work to change himself and the future". He refused to grow.

But there was a lot of discourse regarding Eren's feelings for Mikasa when the chapters were being dropped.

Prior to the Marley arc, it was clear that Mikasa had feelings for Eren, but it was never really clear if Eren held those same feelings. Sure, Eren did care for Mikasa, but people questioned whether or not it was platonic or romantic.

The time skip when the manga chapters were being dropped didn't help much with the discourse either. People were taken aback by the sudden whiplash in new characters, waiting for months on end for the Survey Corps to return. Everyone was questioning Eren's motivation. Why did he make the switch? Why did he go off grid? People had more questions that just weren't being answered.

And then chapter 112 dropped, where Eren flat out stated that he hated Mikasa because she was a slave. Note, we're still not given any information about the Ackermans, and we'll never really get it at this point, but many people around this time speculated that Mikasa and Levi's fierce devotion to the people they cared about, Eren and Erwin respectively, was because of them being an Ackerman. They had to have someone to serve. But everyone had something to say regarding Eren's words. Some believed that Eren genuinely meant those words, since recent behavior showed him lashing out and ignoring everyone and killing indiscriminately. Some believed that Eren was saying it to push Mikasa and Armin away, since his main goal was to enact the Rumbling, and he wouldn't want them to get caught up in it. Some just really wanted Mikasa to drop kick Eren in the face and burn the scarf.

But the discourse continued. People debated how much of Eren's feelings were real month after month. People debated whether or not Eren did love her. Some said yes. Some said no. Eren genuinely hating Mikasa or saying that to push Mikasa away were both real possibilities in that moment. There were moments of Eren seeing Mikasa from his perspective that pushed the argument that Eren did love her, but he still got her caught up in the Rumbling mess and forced her hand into killing him. I tried to rectify Eren's unclear feelings in AOT by having a few more moments in AOP, major one being the bracelet and Primus calling him out.

I don't deny Mikasa having feelings for Eren. She loves him. Full stop. But being a traumatized soldier will obviously interfere with her own emotional growth and feelings. I can't deny that. As a manga reader; however, Eren's feelings weren't clear until chapter 139, and when that dropped, oh boy the BACKLASH WAS WILD! I can understand Eren revealing his feelings like that, especially when he knows he's going to die soon and he is also an emotionally stunted teenager with a tremendous about of power. But to have someone commit to the bit of genocide and whine like a child in that moment, was despicable because of how many lives he's ruined and taken. How many people loved and cared and were killed needlessly, innocent and guilty? There's still the matter of Marley and the world's hatred, and Eren still wanting to protect the island to the extreme. But even Eren had to know deep down that killing the outside world wasn't the solution, especially when there was still infighting in the Walls without the knowledge of humanity not being extinct.

Even so, I didn't want Mikasa to continue to hold onto Eren so fondly like in the manga and anime. She had to draw a line for herself, especially with what he's done. Obviously, it would still be hard for her to move on. She's loved Eren ever since he wrapped that scarf around her neck, so it's still going to take time for her to move on and heal, which is something I want to explore in the Future Anthology.

But, I'd recommend for you, since your knowledge of AOT is limited, to look at different AOT analysis videos and essays to help you get a better understanding of what was going on, and give you a better idea of what people liked and didn't like about AOT. You can type in "snk (chapter number ie: 139)" for example on tumblr and you will get results from people that liked the ending or disliked the ending.

I hope that answers everything. There's a lot to discuss regarding the SNK discourse, so if you do decide to look into that, I do advise you to be careful because...it can get nasty in there.

[kitshomeforwaywardsouls]

So I started binging InuYasha lately and spoiler warning

Actually fucking horrified by the amount of people in the fandom who think shipping Sesshomaru with Rin is ok. Like Yashahime… certainly exists but what in the actual hell. Sesshomaru started letting Rin travel with him when she was like anywhere from 6-10 based on her character design and personality; and I’m supposed to believe that him dropping her off in Kaede’s village (and still sending her gifts and checking in while she grows up mind you) only to later marry and have children with her when she’s 16-18 is ok????? Whoever decided that that was something that should happen should be put in fucking jail I don’t care. And no one even try to argue that “they’re soulmates” or “it’s not grooming they fell in love!” because shut the fuck up, Rin talks about wanting to be with him forever when she’s literally a small child and he hears this. An adult deciding to persue a relationship with that kind of inherent power dynamic even if that person becomes “of age” is disgusting. The twins are cute but people who ship Sesshomaru and Rin need to be booed out of existence. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[to-rise-above-monsters]

i’m really interested in y’all’s takes (and if this is popular /yall are are interested i might make polls for more characters)

below is propaganda for what i think/what im tied between (very long)

^this is mainly the inspo for everything i wrote

so a decade ago when I made my original Hogwarts au i felt so sure of my placements. but then as the characters became so complex and more was revealed, it’s obviously more nuanced.

lion was clearly my choice at the beginning. he’s an impulsive, reckless, strong willed, bold, determined, passionate and selfless person. because he was fighting for a cause we agreed with, he was heroic. he exemplified the good parts of gryffindor; following his morals and what he believed was right and driven towards his goals for freedom. he had such intense personal justice and morality to the point that he believed that those that took freedom from others deserved to died.

but without a doubt, that was twisted when we realized the traits he had were not necessarily for humanity but for his own selfish desires. which showed his true snake nature. he only cared to protect himself and his loved ones. he didn’t care about anything or anyone else in the end, and maybe he never did. all he cared about was his own personal freedom being taken from him and he would do anything to get it and punish those that stole it from him.

he didn’t know why but he wanted to destroy everything. is that more lion or snake? he’s such a simple minded character. sees everything in such black and white, me vs them, extreme to extreme, killing himself for humanity or genociding the world. and he was prepared to and did do extremely unethical and manipulative things to get what he wanted. he cares about his people and will destroy everyone else. that’s so key to being a snake. but being single-minded is also like key lion trait.

i’ve noticed that the line between lion and snake is very thin. and so is badger and snake surprisingly.

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also to those who are curious how he might fit into the other houses:

with badger, his loyalty was and is a key component of his character. he wanted freedom, he didn’t want to die, but he could not kill his friends. he could not escape his main ties to his friends. a badger’s entire basis is about care for all people, however a badger can decide who counts as a ‘person’. he has no problem killing titans at the beginning but then decides to spare the one on the floor. he dehumanizes those who take freedom from others and makes it in his head that they don’t count as ‘people’. which culminates in him wiping out everyone who is not ‘people’ to him.

but i think this exemplifies snake traits more

with bird, it’s hard to explain bc im seeing it in the sorting hat chats pov (the link i put above) but they say that bird’s main driving force is systems and the system they have crafted must be followed. most birds change the system and make it more complex as the learn more. but stagnant birds are those that refuse to change. when his need for freedom conflicts with his knowledge that everything is predetermined and he has no real choice, his system breaks and he becomes depressed and is consigned to suicide.

tho …i don’t know. he’s like the least bird person ever. he is impulsive and reckless. he only starts to be calculating in the end of his life in an extremely snake way. he doesn’t systemize his morals or views of the world or is in pursuit for knowledge and truth. rather he is very dead set on one goal and commits even when he knows it’s wrong (which a bird would never think) also bro is not wise or creative or any other characteristics—

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So now with all the propaganda out of the way, I’d love for you to write your explanations for your choice! (long or short)

also i wanna do a poll for armin, mikasa reiner and jean bc those are alsao characters who i feel like have such nuances to them that id love to hear input:))