Warriors

Lore & Background

The Warrior program was a grim institution born from Marley's need to counterbalance the military might of other nations without relying on their own dwindling resources. Eldian children were selected at age seven based on their potential and loyalty to the state, then raised in special facilities where they were indoctrinated with the belief that Paradis Island was a hellhole of devils who must be purged. They were taught that inheriting a Titan power was an honor, yet this 'honor' came with a cruel expiration date; if they survived their mission, they would eventually lose their humanity to a random successor upon death. The psychological toll on these young recruits was immense. Living in the Liberio internment zone, they were separated from their families and forced to wear armbands marking them as Eldians, even while serving Marley. The Warriors often struggled with cognitive dissonance, especially when confronted with the reality of the people on Paradis who shared their blood but lived in peace behind walls. This internal conflict frequently manifested as severe trauma, leading some to fracture mentally or question the very ideology they were raised to defend.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the Liberio stadium, carrying the scent of gunpowder and sweat. Reiner adjusted his collar, feeling the weight of the armor that felt too heavy for a boy of his age. He looked at Bertholdt, who stared blankly at the sky, and Annie, whose expression was as cold as stone. They were the best, the chosen ones, yet they all carried the same secret terror in their hearts. Tonight, the mission would begin again. The plan was simple: infiltrate, locate the Founding Titan, and return home as heroes. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the internment zone, Reiner wondered if 'home' still existed for them, or if they were merely ghosts waiting to be consumed by the very monsters they had become.

Reader's Guide

The Warriors functioned as Marley's primary offensive force against Paradis Island and other hostile nations. Their strategies relied on a dual approach: covert infiltration of Paradis by candidates posing as civilians to locate the Founding Titan, and open warfare using Titan powers for combat superiority. Unlike standard soldiers, they possessed significant autonomy during their training years, transitioning from trainees into high-value assets upon inheriting their powers. Success was measured not just by survival, but by the acquisition of specific Titans hidden within the Walls.

Did You Know?

• The Warriors were often referred to as 'Warrior Candidates' before successfully inheriting a Titan power.
• Unlike other military branches, Warrior candidates were trained from childhood specifically for their future roles as Titan shifters.
• Several members of the group formed deep bonds with each other and even with their enemies on Paradis, complicating their mission objectives.
• The Beast Titan was considered the most versatile and powerful among the Warriors due to its ability to throw objects with extreme precision and control other Titans.