The new anime series "Attack on Titan" is currently airing to great acclaim. Truths are gradually being revealed, including political content. This article introduces Marley, a key player in "Attack on Titan." We'll discuss the country of Marley, its people, and its warriors. Please note that spoilers may be included.
What is Marley?
Marley refers to the world outside the walls. It is an ancient empire that possesses the power of seven of the nine Titans. While technological development within the walls is unique, Marley has achieved a more realistic level of industrialization. As a result, it is characterized by the practical application of cameras and airships. Possessing the majority of the Titans' power, it wields overwhelming power. With that power, it has expanded its colonies.
They're targeting Paradis Island
On the other hand, Paradis Island refers to the world within the walls. The nation of Marley is sending a large number of Titans to Paradis Island in order to control it. So, what is their reason for targeting Paradis Island?
Why Marley is Targeting Paradis Island
While industrial power has developed, the country has also consumed a considerable amount of fossil fuels. This has weakened Marley's military dominance, making it increasingly difficult to maintain its former strength. Marley also targeted Paradis Island because of the abundant resources buried underground. Furthermore, Paradis Island is home to the "Founding Titan," also known as the "Coordinate," making it the perfect location to take control.
Stolen from Grisha
So Marley sent those with the ability to transform into Titans to Paradis Island and invaded the area within its walls. However, by that time, Grisha Yeager had stolen the Founding Titan from the royal family. What's more, the humans within the walls, who had knowledge of the Titans, counterattacked, and the royal family lost two of the seven Titan powers they possessed. Furthermore, the loss of their Titan powers became known to neighboring countries, and war broke out. What's more, neighboring countries had the latest battleships, and the Titans alone were no match for them. Where did their former strength go? The nation of Marley had weakened.
The power of the Titans is not absolute
Until now, Marley has overwhelmed others with the power of its Titans, but the time has come when Titan power alone is no longer enough. Some in Marley believe that if they can simply capture the "Founding Titan," they can regain their position. They have also sent troops to Paradis Island, but have been defeated. Despite this, Marley plans to launch a full-scale invasion of Paradis Island in the near future. However, the Survey Corps from Paradis Island has already been hiding out within the country.
What is the history of the war between Marley and Eldia?
Marley has existed as an empire since ancient times. However, it was once defeated by the Eldians, who possessed the power of the Nine Titans. The king of Eldia at the time suddenly abandoned his role and built three walls on Paradis Island, secluding himself within. (These walls are now called Wall Maria, Rose, and Sheena.) Eldia then collapsed. Marley waged a civil war, seizing seven of the powers of the Nine Titans from Eldia, and was resurrected. Incidentally, the remaining Eldians are currently under quarantine by the Marleyan government and living in concentration camps.
What is the Important Keyword "Marleyan Warriors"?
What exactly does the "Marleyan Warriors" term, an important keyword in the world of "Attack on Titan," refer to? It refers to the warrior corps recruited by the Marleyan government from Eldians living in internment zones on the continent. The "Warriors" selected here will inherit the "Nine Titans" under the control of the Marleyan government. The official reason for the recruitment was a declaration of war from King Fritz, who had fled to Paradis Island. However, the real goal was to maintain the country's strength and seize the "Founding Titan" that King Fritz had hidden.
What are the eligibility requirements for applying to become a "Marleyan Warrior?"
Eligibility requirements are healthy boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 7. Applicants are also required to take an exam. The exam tests physical strength, marksmanship, intelligence, loyalty to Marley, and other areas. Those who pass the exam become "Warrior Candidates." After undergoing rigorous training and actual combat on the battlefield, a select few warriors are recognized as "Warriors of Marley." Only then can they inherit one of the "Nine Titans." This selection process takes several years and is meticulous. The warrior and their family are given the title of "Honorary Marleyan," which guarantees them freedom within Marley. However, depending on their performance in battle, their Titan abilities may be taken away. Taking away, in this context, means being consumed by the next warrior.
Members of the Warrior Corps
Zeke Yeager: The current Warrior Chief. Known as the "Child of Wonders," he is the inheritor of the Beast Titan.
Reiner Braun: The current Vice-Warrior Chief. The only one to return from infiltrating Paradis Island. His status as the inheritor of the Armored Titan was revealed quite some time ago.
Porco Galliard: The inheritor of the Jaw Titan, who became a warrior five years later than the others.
Peek: Renowned for his judgment, he is the inheritor of the Cart Titan.
Marcel Galliard: The inheritor of the Jaw Titan. He became a warrior because of his physical strength, but was devoured by a mindless Titan before invading Paradis Island.
Annie Leonhart: The inheritor of the Female Titan and possesses excellent martial arts skills. He went missing during the operation to take over Paradis Island.
Bertholdt Hoover: The inheritor of the Colossal Titan and possesses excellent marksmanship. However, like Annie, he never returned from Paradis Island.
What is the conflict between the Marleyans and the Eldians?
The Marleyans and Eldians are fighting, but why is it over the Founding Titan? The reason lies in the differing historical perceptions of both sides.
Marleyans → Historical Perceptions of the Eldians
The Marleyans believe that their ancestors were persecuted by the Eldians, using the power of the Titans. Therefore, the Marleyans want to obtain the Founding Titan (the Coordinate), which can control all Titans, and take revenge on the Eldians who persecuted their ancestors. Furthermore, the Marleyans also want to obtain the power of the Founding Titan to further strengthen their nation.
Eldians → Historical Perceptions of the Marleyans
The Eldians believe that they have prospered their country through the power of the Titans. However, they believe that the Marleyans have interfered with this. The Marleyans invaded and seized the Seven Titans. As a result, Eldian restorationists (like Eren's father, Grisha) want to obtain the Founding Titan and exact revenge on the Marleyans. Incidentally, the power of the Founding Titan is currently possessed by Eren. This means that the true goal of the Marleyan warriors is to recapture the Founding Titan (= Coordinate), a mission imposed by the Marleyan government.
Learn More! The History of Marley and Eldia
Eldian Reign
The history of this conflict dates back to the time of the Eldian Empire. First of all, the Eldian Empire was founded by a young girl named Ymir Fritz. Under Ymir Fritz's leadership, Eldia built a powerful empire and ruled the world for many years. Eldia was the only country in the world to possess the power of the Titans. This power comes from the "Nine Titans." Thanks to this power, the Eldian Empire became unrivaled by any other nation. This power has continued to be passed down even after the Eldian Empire's downfall.
Ethnic Cleansing
The Eldians of the Eldian Empire are known as "Ymir's people." Of course, this name comes from "Ymir Fritz." The Eldians practiced "ethnic cleansing" in order to reflect the Empire. This involved forcing other ethnic groups to have children and raising them as "Ymir's people." In other words, they were destroying other ethnic groups and increasing the number of Eldians. This incident has been widely covered in history as an "ethnic cleansing incident." As a result, the Marleyans hate the Eldians.
Counterattack from Marley
After something like that, the Marleyans could not remain silent. In an attempt to free themselves from the Eldian Empire's rule, the Marleyans engaged in internal machinations that sparked a civil war within the Eldian Empire. Taking advantage of the civil war, the Marleyans seized seven of the Nine Titans' powers from the Eldian Empire. The Eldian Empire had dominated the continent for 1,700 years, but losing their Titan powers greatly weakened their military might, putting them at a devastating disadvantage in the war. The once-powerful Eldian Empire was destroyed.
Restoring Eldia
With the Eldian Empire destroyed, the Eldians were enslaved by the Marleyans. The persecuted Eldians began to dream of one day restoring the Eldian Empire to power. The existence of an organization called "The Owl," working behind the scenes to restore Eldia's power, was also revealed.
The Owl
Eren's father, Grisha, lost his sister to the Marleyans when he was a child. In fact, Grisha is originally from the continent outside the walls. As an adult, Grisha joined the Owl and began fighting the Marleyans with the goal of restoring Eldia's power. However, since his Titan powers had been taken away, he had no chance of winning a head-on battle. He tried various tactics, but ultimately failed. Afterward, all members of the Owl, including Grisha, became mindless Titans and wandered about.
Mysteries Remain? Thoughts on Marley
From here on, we'll introduce some theories about Marley. While the world of Attack on Titan still has many mysteries, readers have been speculating on various theories.
The Ethnic Cleansing Myth May Be a Lie
There's a theory that the "ethnic cleansing" mentioned above may actually be a complete lie. The reason is that it's extremely unnatural for the nation of Marley, which was under their rule for 1,700 years, to have survived and still rule the continent today. Therefore, this hypothesis suggests that it was actually the Marleyans who carried out the ethnic cleansing, and that they were using Titan science to monitor the Eldians.
Theory that Marley and Eldia Have a Model
It's said that Marley may actually be modeled after Nazi Germany. Marley conquered Eldia and monitored and imprisoned the Eldians, but Nazi Germany also incarcerated Jews. The townscapes featured in "Attack on Titan" are modeled after Germany, and the anime's opening theme song even uses German. It's highly likely that Germany is the model. Incidentally, it's also said that the Eldians are modeled after Jews, a hypothesis that's considered highly plausible, given the style of armbands worn by Eldians.
"Attack on Titan" Marley Theory Summary!
This concludes our summary of Marley's appearance in "Attack on Titan." We've covered everything from information about the Marleyan warriors to their history with the Eldians, as well as various other theories, but there are still many mysteries remaining. We look forward to future developments.
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