Exploring Identity through Titans and Invisibility

BY ROHIT BISWAS

“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me” (Ellison, 3)... “I’m a slave to freedom” (Eren, 1:04:29).

Identity and self-discovery are two perennial themes that have fascinated storytellers for centuries. In literature and anime, these themes come to the surface, and the exploration goes to the depths of human nature, ultimately, the journey of discovering the self. Two works that exemplify this exploration are "Attack on Titan," the popular anime series created by Hajime Isayama, and "Invisible Man," the groundbreaking novel by Ralph Ellison. Despite their different genres and how they present the stories, both narratives have tremendous value as they touch the soul of the search for individual identity and self-realization.

In "Attack on Titan," the characters are thrust into a brutal world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, besieged by giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. One of the story's main characters is Eren Yeager, a teenager struggling with the sense of self, the meaning of his existence, and the incredible chaos and despair he witnesses. Initially driven by a desire for revenge against the Titans, Eren's journey evolves into a quest for self-discovery as he uncovers the truth about his origins and abilities. When Eren undergoes a process of coping with his Titan-shifting power, a particular sort of transformation occurs as he also deals with the demons of his past, making his way toward the future.

In the latter half of "Attack on Titan," Eren gains the ability to see into the future, profoundly altering his perception of the world and his role within it. Climbing the ranks in the military exposes him to intricate moral issues that he must then contend with. The new power causes him to doubt his initial beliefs and casts a shadow on his previous opinions. Despite the weight of his knowledge, Eren remains determined to uncover the truth behind the Titans and secure humanity's survival, even if facing impossible odds and betraying those closest to him. In the face of a climax, the final chapter of Attack on Titan, a journey of self-discovery ends, and a spellbinding narrative about free will, fate, and the effect of choices on the brink of the universe destruction takes place.

Similarly, "Invisible Man" follows the protagonist, a nameless African-American man, as he navigates a racially charged society that seeks to define him based on preconceived notions of identity. The novel artistically represents the invisible man's struggle with a strong sense of unbelongingness and remoteness when he expresses the difficulty in proving himself in the right way in a world that is reluctant to acknowledge his inner identity. As he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, he encounters various characters and experiences that shape his understanding of himself and the society in which he exists. This process involves reflection and discovery drives that finally rescue the Invisible Man from his invisibility-fuelled identity crises, which he sees as a form of resistance.

What we have in common with both "Attack on Titan" and "Invisible Man," as these stories explore the essence of identity and self-discovery, is their human nature, portrayed in many different aspects. In both narratives, the protagonists are confronted with external forces that seek to define them, whether it be the Titans threatening humanity's existence or the oppressive societal structures perpetuating racial discrimination. But in the end, their individual strife and progress make them go beyond the perimeter of the given influence and assert their identities.

Furthermore, both works highlight the importance of agency and choice in the journey toward self-realization. While both protagonists suffer from the world's cruelty, they decide their destinies and do not stay passive. Instead, they face their dilemmas and take actions that ultimately define their futures. Whether Eren determines to fight for his beliefs or the Invisible Man's defiance in the face of societal expectations, both characters exemplify the power of individual agency in the pursuit of identity.

Ultimately, "Attack on Titan" and "Invisible Man" draw deep reflections on the freewheeling thoughts on the complexity of the themes of identity and self-discovery, bringing to light the inner transformative journey of their lead personalities in navigating through and trying to make sense of the highly intricate worlds they find themselves in. Through their struggles and triumphs, Eren Yeager and the Invisible Man remind us of the inherent human desire to seek truth and forge our paths, regardless of the obstacles that may stand in our way. While we witness their evolvement towards the identity model, we get a revelation about how we find out who we are and the decisions that come to our minds when we define what kind of identity model we are in.

-To You, After 2,000 Years

Sources:

MAPPA, Attack on Titan, The Final Chapters (Part 2), November 04, 2023

Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. Vintage, 2010.

Images:

Ritvik. “Eren Yeager, the Story so Far… ( Attack on Titan, Original Work, Hajime Isayama).” ANIMATOPOEIA! | Writing About Anime, 26 Mar. 2021, animatopoeia.org/2021/03/26/eren-yeager-the-story-so-far-attack-on-titan-original-work-hajime-isayama.

Tassi, Paul. “Everyone’s Hyper-Analyzing Attack on Titan’s Finale Credits Tree Scene.” Forbes, 7 Nov. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/11/06/everyones-hyper-analyzing-attack-on-titans-finale-credits-scene/?sh=1fbce216961d.