Discussion Pilot/Chapter 0 - Summary, Discussion, Comparison

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
I'm sure the full translation will be coming very shortly, so I'll just write a (okay-detailed) summary instead. Although this is the pilot chapter, I don't doubt Isayama will reuse some plot devices/elements in the current SnK story. Some ideas as you can see are just as probable, so feel free to share you thoughts on this, and make comparisons.



100 years ago, a certain religious scientific group realises the environmental threats the Earth is facing. For the sake of protecting nature, they have devised the "Human Extermination Plan."

Humans, having to face giants much superior to them, have been reduced by 80% in population. Despite the resistance, they have never won in any of the battles with these intelligent and immortal beings.

Because the giants, protector of nature, do not harm trees, humans have set up gigantic trees around their town, surviving on the resources within their boundary.

We then see Murakumo, apparently the only one alive who has actually combat experience with giants according to Tsubaki, a kid who calls Murakumo "Master" as he/she seeks for training to avenge his/her parents that are eaten by giants, which might have been the same fate as Murakumo's parents. Murakumo explains he has no recollection of the fight, and the townspeople are calling him a giant-in-disguise. Tsubaki reassures him if he were a giant, the town would have been eaten long ago, since Murakumo has been assigned here for a month now.

Murakumo finally agrees to training Tsubaki if he/she would practise sword-swing 100 times per day. Murakumo makes it clear that his decision of becoming a vanguard is to protect, not to avenge.

As he change shifts with his senpai, Murakumo gets surrounded by the top soldiers in the force. He is under the suspicion of being a giant, and is ordered to take his equipment off. At first he obeys, but for some reason changes his mind and cuts down one of the soldiers, and the senpai is bewildered, asking the captain for orders. Murakumo calls to his senpai, with an unbelievable look on his face he explains that member is his father, who is eaten by giants 10 years ago.

We then see Murakumo's-father-look-alike turn into a giant right on the spot. The rest of the 'soldiers' also turn into giants with the exception of Murakumo's senpai, who is simply taken aback by the turn of events. Murakumo says the giants are eating each other, which becomes a rare opportunity for them to sound the warning for the rest of the town.

While observing from the roof, the senpai comments that being eaten by other giants is the end of the giant who has grown too big, and wonders how many people it has to eat to become that size.

Murakumo decides to fight, while the senpai insists humans cannot win, and they should escape to a neighbouring town. Murakumo thinks otherwise.

Tsubaki appears. In the name of vengence for his parents, he/she calls out to the giants with two blades in his/her hands. Murakumo swoops down to save him/her just as he/she is about to get caught. Telling him/her to back off, Murakumo compliments him/her for the courage to go at giants with kitchen knifes. Calling him/her his No.1 disciple, he says he/she has fought enough, and can leave to rest to his/her master.

Moved by Murakumo's will to protect, the senpai joins in the fight. The senpai find it unbelievable that he is the one to make the killing blow on the giant, he gains confidence and makes his battle cry, only to be smashed by another giant who abnormally leaps from so far away.

Murakumo then gets caught and is apparently chewed in half. Tsubaki remembers his/her master's empty promise.

Murakumo's motionless body then spawns into a giant. As the other giant tries to grab Tsubaki, giant Murakumo calls out to him/her, and kills the rogue giant.

Murakumo then seems to remember his prior experience in getting eaten yet transforming into a giant after. This is a first for humanity, that a person is eaten by giants twice.

Murakumo tells Tsubaki to retreat, and decides to fight with his full power as a giant. He manages to destroy a couple, while the last one survives as its core in its left shoulder remains undamaged. As Murakumo aims for the core, Tsubaki realises the opponent also has its eyes on Murakumo's core in his left shoulder.

Murakumo and the other giant perish together as they attack each other's core.

The story ends with an epilogue explaining, the "Human Extermination Plan" has a flaw. Humans who are pure-hearted as plants and nature are, do not get absorbed by giants, and conversely gets to take control. This is due to a conflict with the program that differentiates plants and humans. In these 100 years, the only weapon able to defeat the giants is a pure and righteous heart. This is what's been left to humanity as their last hope.

The townspeople has built a grave for Murakumo, the hero of the town. And there, Tsubaki declares to aim to become the strongest vanguard, starting off training with 100 practice swings every day.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full translation:


Just an update. I'm surprised no-one has translated the thing yet, so I've decided to practise a bit with this. Anyone out there reading this, do whatever you want with it, preferably with my name on somewhere (and proofread and edited with better English) so people can blame me directly for any poor translations :p

PAGE 4
About "Shingeki no Kyojin" Chapter 0
This piece of work was drawn for and submitted to MGP (Magazine Gran Prix) of the Weekly Shounen Magazine Editorial Dept.

Message from Isayama Hazime
"I drew this before I even knew how to draw manga or the correct way to use a pen. I'm greatly embarrassed for that reason, but this can be called the original for which the current Shingeki no Kyojin is based on. By any chance you're interested, please feel free to have a read."



PAGE 5
Humanity was threatened with its downfall

100 years ago, a religious scientific organisation came to realise the crisis to Earth's environment
and devised the ultimate plan to protect nature...

"The Human Extermination Plan"



PAGE 6
On top of their giant built and quick-wit, they are immortal
They morphed into a being far superior than living things

With 80% of population killed, the human race pressed ahead with desperate resistance
But humanity had never won a single battle



PAGE 8
The giants, as the protectors of nature, will never harm trees...
Humans have surrounded their settlements with large trees... Within those communities

They are forced to live upon self-sufficiency



PAGE 9
Kid: Ah! Mr Soldier!!
Woman: Shh!!

*shoves*

*door closes*



PAGE 10
Tsubaki: Master... Good morning!!

Murakumo: You again, Tsubaki!

Tsubaki: Please give me your guidance!!
Tsubaki: Master!!

Tsubaki: Master, I hear you have fought with the giants,
Tsubaki: and is the only survivor with live combat experience

Murakumo: I got no memories of it... Besides... Giants pose as humans
Murakumo: That's the word of the streets, isn't it?



PAGE 11
Murakumo: They say that I'm a giant

Tsubaki: If that's the case, we would've been eaten a long time ago
Murakumo: What's more, you've been assigned here for over a month now, Master

Murakumo: Ain't that true!? That's gotta be it!?
Tsubaki: Yes! Master, you can't be a giant!!

Tsubaki: And so, Master!! Training please!!
Murakumo: What d'you mean "And so?"
Murakumo: Just enlist and you'd get so much training enough to put you off, so don't worry



PAGE 12
Tsubaki: I want to train before enlisting!
Tsubaki: I want to become strong!

Tsubaki: In order to beat those giants who ate my parents!
*Pi--- gagaga*

Murakumo: I fixed it!!
Tsubaki: Masteeer!!

Nakanami: Murakumo, your shift's over
Murakumo: Senpai! I fixed it! The radio

Murakumo: With two wooden swords, does that mean you wish to become a vanguard?



PAGE 13
Murakumo: Those who wanna become vanguards are usually either suicidal or acting like an ally of justice
Murakumo: ...... I remember now

Murakumo: My dad was just like that, too

Murakumo: And I didn't wait at all to get myself enlisted after my parents got done in by giants either

Murakumo: Practise swings 100 times every day! If you can do that, I'll teach you

Tsubaki: Yes sir!



PAGE 14
Tsubaki: Master, did you volunteer to become a vanguard too?

Murakumo: ...... Yes, and?

Tsubaki: So that you could cut down giants yourself......
Tsubaki: To get your revenge!?

Murakumo: Wrong!! Vanguards are...
Murakumo: For the sake of protecting your comrades!!



PAGE 15
Murakumo: That's one thing you should never forget!
Tsubaki: Ye... Yes sir!



PAGE 16
Murakumo: The residential zone... This is gonna be tough...

Soldier A: Private Murakumo!!

Murakumo: Wha!!?



PAGE 17
Murakumo: Wha... What's this!?

Soldier A: Private Murakumo! You are under the suspicion of being a giant!! Take off your equipments and surrender!

Soldier A: We've received an inquiry through radio transmission from Private First Class Nakanami... We, as Unit 05, have taken up this investigation mission!!

Murakumo: Na!!

Murakumo: Senpai!!?

Murakumo: ...Unit 05!?
Murakumo: They're the army's aces, aren't they!!

Soldier A: Didn't you hear me!? Private Murakumo!!
Murakumo: ......Understood!



PAGE 18
Bystander A: So he really is a giant
Bystander B: Just get out already

Bystander C: Fucking monster, how dare you... My son!

Bystander D: Why don't they kill him right here!
Bystander E: ...Hey, he's...

Bystander E: Looking this way!!



PAGE 19
Nakanami: Oi! What's the matter, Private Murakumo!
Nakanami: Take off your equipments immediately!!

Nakanami: Oi!!?



PAGE 21
*waaaaaaa*

Nakanami: ......!! So you finally show yourself

Nakanami: You giant!!

Nakanami: Captain......?



PAGE 22
Murakumo: Senpai!!

Murakumo: That trooper was eaten 10 years ago, he is

Murakumo: My father



PAGE 24
Murakumo: Too big!!
Murakumo: This can't be!?



PAGE 25
Nakanami: Wha!!

Murakumo: Senpai!! Use this chance to sound the alarm now!

Nakanami: Use this chance!?
Murakumo: We got lucky... This is a really rare chance for us!

Murakumo: They're eating each other!

Speakers: We have confirmed giant infiltration into Shinboku. Residents are to immediately...



PAGE 26
Nakanami: That's the end for the giant that got too big

Nakanami: Cannibalism, huh......

Nakanami: I wonder how many people it ate to become that big...
Murakumo: Alright!



PAGE 27
Murakumo: I've finished adjusting my equipment

Murakumo: First off, I'll deal with that smallest one

Nakanami: Smallest?

Nakanami: That isn't something you call giants!?
Nakanami: ...Guys with live combat experience... They really are different...

Nakanami: Murakumo...... This is an order from your superior......



PAGE 28
Nakanami: Abandon this town and head towards the neighbouring town, both of us......

Nakanami: There's no saving this town. There isn't one town that is reclaimed after being infiltrated by giants.

Nakanami: Though obviously we can't defeat those giants
Nakanami: But if we scramble ourselves to the next town, there's still a chance

Murakumo: Senpai!
Nakanami: Even the army's strongests ain't no match for them!
Nakanami: And you!?
Nakanami: You got utterly discredited by the townspeople

Nakanami: Listen! We have not won even once!!
Nakanami: All those battle training we've exhausted ourselves in, they're all useless!! Do you get it now!?



PAGE 29
Nakanami: Humanity... cannot win... against giants!
Nakanami: Humanity is doomed!!

Murakumo: I do not think so
Murakumo: Humans will not lose to giants

Tsubaki: Oi! Giants!!



PAGE 30
Tsubaki: How dare you do that to my mum and dad!!
Tsubaki: I'll fucking kill you!!



PAGE 32
Nakanami: Eek!!

Murakumo: Back off Tsubaki!!

Nakanami: Master, I'll also
Murakumo: You're amazing...

Tsubaki: Huh?
Murakumo: Probably a first for human kind!
Murakumo: Picking a fight with giants with a kitchen knife

Murakumo: You've fought enough, leave the rest to your Master

Murakumo: My best disciple!



PAGE 33
Nakanami: Why... can he

Nakanami: Risk his life for other people!?

Nakanami: Why!?
Nakanami: Why can he risk his life for people that are already dead!?



PAGE 34
Nakanami: Why...
Nakanami: am I shaking when humanity's adversary is right before me?

Nakanami: But isn't it weird? "Human Extermination Plan" huh? Don't fuck with me!!

Nakanami: How many hundreds of million people did you think died just for that plan!? Fucking bastards!
Nakanami: But...
Nakanami: Above everything else...

Nakanami: Why am I crawling on the ground like this yet again!!?



PAGE 35
Murakumo: Yeeeaarrrrgh

Murakumo: Senpai!!



PAGE 36
Nakanami: Yeeeaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!



PAGE 37
Murakumo: The core!! In one go!?

Murakumo: Found the core!! Target's in the right ribs!!

Nakanami: Got it!!



PAGE 39
Murakumo: Senpai!! He got sniped!!

Nakanami: Did I...
Nakanami: do it......?

Murakumo: Yes!! It was you who killed it, Senpai



PAGE 40
Nakanami: "Useless," eh?
Nakanami: Those battle training...

Nakanami: Actually work!!

Tsubaki: Both of them are strong, in that case the town will be safe
Tsubaki: You won!

Nakanami: Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh

Nakanami: Come at me, giants......!!



PAGE 41
Nakanami: I'll fucking kill you all!!

*swoosh*

*crash*



PAGE 42
Murakumo: What the hell......!
Murakumo: It lept right over me......!

Tsubaki: Uwaaaaa



PAGE 43
Murakumo: You fucking shit



PAGE 44
Tsubaki: Of course you'd have to wake up from your dreams
Tsubaki: But somehow you can't wake up from your nightmares......



PAGE 46
Tsubaki: Master did say

Tsubaki: He would defeat the giants

Tsubaki: And give me training...



PAGE 47
Tsubaki: ...... Just now...
Tsubaki: Did he move?



PAGE 48
Murakumo: Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhh



PAGE 49
Tsubaki: This can't be...!!
Tsubaki: Master! How can this be!

Tsubaki: He turned into a giant!!



PAGE 50
Tsubaki: Wha!!

Murakumo: Tsubaki......



PAGE 52
Tsubaki: Master...!?

Murakumo: ...... That time, I...



PAGE 53
*Gwaaaaaaaaah*

*Aaaaaaaaaaaah*



PAGE 54
Murakumo: This is a first for humanity......

Murakumo: To be eaten by giants...... twice



PAGE 55
Murakumo: Tsubaki!! Stand back!

Tsubaki: Master!!

Murakumo: I've totally taken control of this giant power

Murakumo: I'll be using it no less!!



PAGE 58
Tsubaki: Amazing!!
Tsubaki: It's totally one-sided even with 3 giants!!

Tsubaki: Ah!!



PAGE 59
Murakumo: You fuckhead

Murakumo: Found it! The core...



PAGE 60
Murakumo: That's it!

Murakumo: Its core is sticking out

Murakumo: If I crush it, that would be the end of that.

Tsubaki: Master!! Left shoulder......!!
Tsubaki: The core is sticking out!!

Murakumo: I know, don't worry Tsubaki
Murakumo: I'll finish things up with this next blow



PAGE 61
Tsubaki: He can see it!!
Tsubaki: Your...!

Tsubaki: Your core on the left shoulder!!

Murakumo: Wha!?

Murakumo: What!!



PAGE 63
Tsubaki: Maaasssstttteeeerrrr



PAGE 66
There is one flaw in the "Human Extermination Plan"



PAGE 67
Humans who possess a pure heart such as the plants in nature do not get absorbed by giants, on the contrary, they are able to take over control

This is due to a conflict within the program's distinction for plants and humans

The one and only weapon in 100 years that can beat the giants
Is a pure, righteous heart

Tsubaki: This is your grave, Master
Tsubaki: Built by the townspeople

This is what's been left to humanity as their last hope.

Tsubaki: Master's the hero of the town, they say



PAGE 68
Tsubaki: Alright! Time for training to becoming the strongest vanguard!

Tsubaki: First off, practice swings!
Tsubaki: Every day!

Tsubaki: 100 times!!

END
 
Last edited:

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
Afterthought ---

Few things to note:
  • Not too sure if I understand this correctly, but in this story, Titans grow bigger as they eat more humans (the Senpai says that, but I'm not sure if he is just guessing that.)
  • Murakumo's father, who is eaten by Titans, transforms into a Titan, as well as several other soldiers.
  • Pure-hearted people can take control of the Titan that eats them (?)
  • The walls are built from things that Titans won't attack.

Will add more later.


Notice that these points are all applicable to the current story line, not that Isayama plans to follow the logic, but it's worth the thought.


EDIT:
Just in case anyone's wondering, I think this is the pilot Isayama entered a competition for when he was 19. He won first prize (along with another mangaka,) but his scores are:


Art --- 2
Character --- 4
Story --- 7
Storyboard --- 8
Originality --- 8
Total = 29

Art --- 2.............. Well he still wins.
You've got to hand it to him. He has improved a lot, I really like his current art style now.

("Storyboard" is how you divide up the panels on a page.)
 
Last edited:

SarcasticIndeed

Registered User
下級員 / Kakyuuin / Jr. Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Gender
Male
Country
Montenegro
Thanks for explaining to us what the pilot is about!

It's a pretty interesting story. Do you have any idea where he Kamehameha came from in 38th page? It seems so random..
 

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
Thanks for explaining to us what the pilot is about!

It's a pretty interesting story. Do you have any idea where he Kamehameha came from in 38th page? It seems so random..
Lol I completely missed that! He one-handed it like Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon... :P
I think it's just some kind of artillery/gun thing. Either that, or some rope thing the Senpai shoots out. The setting is kinda different.

By the way, I haven't translated that part but, he does that Ki blast because they discover the core for that giant is in the right ribs area. It seems they have weaknesses located at different locations.

On a slightly related note, there's so much more relation to Japan than the current SnK (names, weapons, etiquette...)
Notice Murakumo has three katanas on him... :O
 

SarcasticIndeed

Registered User
下級員 / Kakyuuin / Jr. Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Gender
Male
Country
Montenegro
Lol I completely missed that! He one-handed it like Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon... :P
I think it's just some kind of artillery/gun thing. Either that, or some rope thing the Senpai shoots out. The setting is kinda different.

By the way, I haven't translated that part but, he does that Ki blast because they discover the core for that giant is in the right ribs area. It seems they have weaknesses located at different locations.

On a slightly related note, there's so much more relation to Japan than the current SnK (names, weapons, etiquette...)
Notice Murakumo has three katanas on him... :O
Very interesting. So Isayama was experimenting with different places for weakspots in titans? Good thing he decided for all titans to have them in the same place in the final show, could you even imagine the bother of finding each titan's weak spot and then eliminating him? Even Levi's squad couldn't dispatch more than a few titans at once if it went like that.

This seems just like a prototype, after all. I wonder if Isayama wasn't influenced by the Norse mythology at the time, and only added the references to it later.

Glad he took out the ki blasts, lol!
 

Yumpo

Registered User
上級員 / Jyoukuuin / Sr. Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
364
Reaction score
186
Gender
Hidden
Country
United States
Art --- 2.............. Well he still wins.
You've got to hand it to him. He has improved a lot, I really like his current art style now.
:derp
It just goes to say that the Art of Drawing matters less so than the Art of Story-telling. XD

On a slightly related note, there's so much more relation to Japan than the current SnK (names, weapons, etiquette...)
Notice Murakumo has three katanas on him... :O
He was 19 years old when he drew this right? And he's around 26 right now(If myanimelist.net is to be believed, he's going to be 27 around August 29). At least 3-4 years have past since his manga was serialized. We're going with age 27 since his birthday is already near and the 4 years of serialization since the manga started around September(at least according to wikipedia), which is also near. So he was at least 23 years old when he started serialization. Knowing that he made SnK when he was at least 19 years old, then 23-19=4.

At least 4 years worth of research and preparation before serialization. No wonder there's less Japanese feel to it. And the Western aspect seems realistic(especially the names). In fact, the first time I read SnK, I thought the artist was a westerner in Japan, trying his best to make his work manga-ish. It turns out it was the reverse. XDD

Anyway, I'm quite mind-blown here. ♪ Oh look at the possible plot points that are going to be used in the canon manga! ♫ :hee

Pure-hearted seems like too much of a cliche though. But it's highly probable, considering children were sent to destroy humanity within the walls. And children are mostly considered pure-hearted in fiction. XD
 
Last edited:

Themistocles

Registered User
下級員 / Kakyuuin / Jr. Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
73
Reaction score
28
Gender
Male
Country
Canada
Thanks for sharing this. It is appreciated.

Anyone else notice the religious-scientific group for the Human extermination plan? Protect nature by killing humans. That might be showing up perhaps in the future of the series
 

RagingSushi

Registered User
初心者/ Shoshinsha / Beginner
Joined
Aug 25, 2013
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Gender
Male
Country
Canada
I wonder how much of this made it into the actual story?
 

Goodman

Registered User
初心者/ Shoshinsha / Beginner
Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Gender
Male
Country
Belgium
The story ends with an epilogue explaining, the "Human Extermination Plan" has a flaw. Humans who are pure-hearted as plants and nature are, do not get absorbed by giants, and conversely gets to take control. This is due to a conflict with the program that differentiates plants and humans. In these 100 years, the only weapon able to defeat the giants is a pure and righteous heart. This is what's been left to humanity as their last hope.

The townspeople has built a grave for Murakumo, the hero of the town. And there, Tsubaki declares to aim to become the strongest vanguard, starting off training with 100 practise swings every day.
Maybe it's an hint from Isayama ?
http://www.mangapanda.com/shingeki-no-kyojin/33/5
 

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
I wonder how much of this made it into the actual story?
Welcome to the forum :)

There're a few things I'm especially certain of, things that have uncanny relation to the actual story:
  • Murakumo's father, who is eaten by Titans, transforms into a Titan, as well as several other soldiers.
  • The walls are built from things that Titans won't attack.
The latter point is kinda revealed after the Female Titan arc. The first point might not turn out to be exactly the case, but it is something that has been discussed - and still being discussed - detailed in some other threads. If you haven't yet you could check them out and see if some ideas worth anything to you :D :
http://mangahelpers.com/forum/showt...-two-titans-look-a-lot-like...-Manga-spoilers
http://mangahelpers.com/forum/showthread.php/2992641-A-theory-on-Titans-in-the-Walls-(Spoilers)

Also something interesting to note is, in this Pilot, there are apparently other human communities as well, presumably built like the one-and-only village depicted in the story. The Senpai character says at one point, "Abandon this town and go to a neighbouring town instead" or words to that effect. The most obvious parallel would be the abandoning of Wall Maria and people migrating into Wall Rose in the actual story. But on a slightly different note, I would believe the humanity behind the Walls isn't the only community in the world as most of the in-universe characters think.

But I think the one most important setting readers want to know is, whether there is a similar sort of scientific/religious group that invent Titan for human eradication purposes. As for the ending, I'm curious to see whether the trio (Eren Mikasa Armin) would stay alive until the very end, since the Titan Shifter dies in the Pilot (and in the anime, Armin's voice actress does the narration...... if that means anything at all :p )

---------- Post added at 08:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------

I don't know what you're thinking of, but I definitely think something's up with the Wall Cult. If you're saying they have Shifters within their ranks, then I totally wouldn't be surprised haha... And if you're talking about being pure-hearted, then I'd say the pastor (Pastor Nick) might know something about this too, since I don't think he's totally a bad person, and he's shown to be very humble despite Hanji's death threat. That's all I can say for now though :/
 

SarcasticIndeed

Registered User
下級員 / Kakyuuin / Jr. Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Gender
Male
Country
Montenegro
How is the latter point shown true, Utsune? We know that walls are built of titans. Whether they are classic titans or shifters (and imo, latter is more realistic), we have seen titans attacking titans. Titans seem to even be more drawn to shifters than normal people, as seen when Eren is on his carry the boulder mission. So I don't really think the walls are built of something classic titans won't attack. I may be wrong, but that is how I see it.
 

chilibun

Registered User
英雄メンバー / Eiyuu Menbaa / Hero Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
1,153
Reaction score
550
Gender
Male
Country
United States
How is the latter point shown true, Utsune? We know that walls are built of titans. Whether they are classic titans or shifters (and imo, latter is more realistic), we have seen titans attacking titans. Titans seem to even be more drawn to shifters than normal people, as seen when Eren is on his carry the boulder mission. So I don't really think the walls are built of something classic titans won't attack. I may be wrong, but that is how I see it.
Shifters don't require sunlight to be active. The revealed Titan in the wall was specifically shielded from the sun so it won't wake up. This implies that they are most likely classic titans.
 

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
I'm actually slightly torn between the two ideas. For one, I wouldn't expect the people who plan the Wall construction would use something unstable - i.e. "intelligent" titans - to stand as the Wall, and I haven't even got to questioning whether they're willing to stand there for 100 years or not (although this could be both sides of the same coin - Eren didn't have "consciousness" the first time we see him transforming.)

I also really want to use Ymir as an example to being able to shift at night in support of chilibun's explanation, but at the same time we also see 'normal' titans and the Ape moving at night... then again, the Ymir arc titans could follow some entirely different logic that is yet to be revealed.

We also see Annie refusing to walk into the underground tunnel before her capture, but that could simply be "not being able to transform" rather than "not being able to move."

RBY escaping with Eren: their plan is to wait til nightfall when the normal titans become inactive, then escape. They don't have horses, and 3DMG are useless on flat ground, their plan probably is to transform to cover great distances.

Very anything-goes kind of observations, I'm pretty sure I'm waiting for that one crucial component in future events to link these all together.
 

SarcasticIndeed

Registered User
下級員 / Kakyuuin / Jr. Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Gender
Male
Country
Montenegro
It isn't said shifters can be in the night for how long they want. Every titan seems to be working on sunlight, shifters just seem to be able to use their human stamina after they transform. Eren burned out because he was fighting 20 titans and got omnomnom'd. We know that titan's can temporarily run out of power. Such as when running at humans on horses. They will run out of their sprint at one point, because they have a net loss of energy when you take all factors into consideration.

Imo, titans in the wall are human people who are in a comatose state, sleep. I'd assume they are in similar shape as Eren was initially in the lifting the boulder mission. A deep sleep.

Besides, we have never seen normal titans having the power to harden their skins, only shifters have.

Also, when Connie's village was titanified, we could see mindless titans walking around. They just haven't burned out their human leftover stamina.
 

chilibun

Registered User
英雄メンバー / Eiyuu Menbaa / Hero Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
1,153
Reaction score
550
Gender
Male
Country
United States
Well, without more information being revealed, it's rather hard to prove anything at this point.

I'm think the titans "growing" by consuming more humans will be used in the current story, and it isn't just a growth in size, but intelligence too. Wasn't Ymir roaming around for 60 years as a titan until she ate Reiner's friend, which later allowed her to regain her humanity? It's possible that all the titans are created from humans and that some who consume enough humans grows enough to regain their humanity and become shifters.
 

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
Personally, the "human leftover stamina" sounds the most fitting... for now.

After one of the recent chapters came out, there was a very random idea that came up among some readers. Ymir and Bert spoke of remembering whom she ate as a Titan, as well as if Bert remembered anything, and decided that Eren wouldn't remember anything either. Some suggested in order to have a chance at regaining sense of self, they must eat somebody, hence the suggestion, the implication where Eren ate his own father.

I doubt the proportionality between the amount you eat and the mental growth (to becoming a Shifter) you get, because I doubt Eren has eaten a lot of people, if any. But if this really were the case, I would rather phrase it as "eating gives you a chance." However, I won't deny the possibility of becoming abnormal titans by eating a lot just yet. Having said all these, one thing to keep in mind is, Titans supposedly regurgitate their meal.
 

ImmortalZodd

Registered User
中級員 / Chuukyuuin / Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
146
Reaction score
65
Gender
Male
Country
Croatia
If Eren ate his father, maybe Annie ate her's as well. It looks like some finale advice he's giving her in that flashback before she's captured.
 

SarcasticIndeed

Registered User
下級員 / Kakyuuin / Jr. Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Gender
Male
Country
Montenegro
Well, without more information being revealed, it's rather hard to prove anything at this point.

I'm think the titans "growing" by consuming more humans will be used in the current story, and it isn't just a growth in size, but intelligence too. Wasn't Ymir roaming around for 60 years as a titan until she ate Reiner's friend, which later allowed her to regain her humanity? It's possible that all the titans are created from humans and that some who consume enough humans grows enough to regain their humanity and become shifters.
Well, what we know about classic titans:

-Powered by sunlight.
-Some can temporarily run out of energy.
-Get more inactive the more they have been in the dark.
-Freshly transformed titans could be active in the night.

Then, what we know about shifters:
-(Hinted) They can be active at night.
-Can run out of energy.

I think it is safe to assume that all titans, shifters or not, are powered by sunlight, but shifters can use what they have of their remaining human stamina to fight as well. This is supported by the fact that freshly transfirmed titans, who were classic/mindless were able to move around at night (likely because they had leftover human energy).
 

kkck

Waifu Slayer
神のごとし / Kami no Gotoshi / Godlike
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
46,270
Reaction score
24,911
Gender
Hidden
Country
Fire Nation
I don't think the pure of heart thing would really hold up. Eren is anything but pure of heart. He killed grown men as a freaking 6 year old and as far as we can tell he did not ever have a shred of remorse. I get that they were assholes and everything but for a kid to be able to kill that easily and not be profoundly disturbed has the implication that eren was never pure of heart. Ymir is at least part asshole for that matter so we can't really call her pure of heart (unless her heart being pure with fear counts). Perhaps if it comes to that the trick is to have an unyielding willpower in order to overpower the rampaging mind of the titan.
 

Utsune

風立ちぬ いざ生きめやも
有名人 / Yuumeijin / Celebrity
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,922
Reaction score
2,560
Gender
Male
Country
Holy Britannian Empire
Just an update. I'm surprised no-one has translated the thing yet, so I've decided to practise a bit with this. Anyone out there reading this, do whatever you want with it, preferably with my name on somewhere (and proofread and edited with better English) so people can blame me directly for any poor translations :p

EDIT: I'll paste this on the 1st post, too.

PAGE 4
About "Shingeki no Kyojin" Chapter 0
This piece of work was drawn for and submitted to MGP (Magazine Gran Prix) of the Weekly Shounen Magazine Editorial Dept.

Message from Isayama Hazime
"I drew this before I even knew how to draw manga or the correct way to use a pen. I'm greatly embarrassed for that reason, but this can be called the original for which the current Shingeki no Kyojin is based on. By any chance you're interested, please feel free to have a read."



PAGE 5
Humanity was threatened with its downfall

100 years ago, a religious scientific organisation came to realise the crisis to Earth's environment
and devised the ultimate plan to protect nature...

"The Human Extermination Plan"



PAGE 6
On top of their giant built and quick-wit, they are immortal
They morphed into a being far superior than living things

With 80% of population killed, the human race pressed ahead with desperate resistance
But humanity had never won a single battle



PAGE 8
The giants, as the protectors of nature, will never harm trees...
Humans have surrounded their settlements with large trees... Within those communities

They are forced to live upon self-sufficiency



PAGE 9
Kid: Ah! Mr Soldier!!
Woman: Shh!!

*shoves*

*door closes*



PAGE 10
Tsubaki: Master... Good morning!!

Murakumo: You again, Tsubaki!

Tsubaki: Please give me your guidance!!
Tsubaki: Master!!

Tsubaki: Master, I hear you have fought with the giants,
Tsubaki: and is the only survivor with live combat experience

Murakumo: I got no memories of it... Besides... Giants pose as humans
Murakumo: That's the word of the streets, isn't it?



PAGE 11
Murakumo: They say that I'm a giant

Tsubaki: If that's the case, we would've been eaten a long time ago
Murakumo: What's more, you've been assigned here for over a month now, Master

Murakumo: Ain't that true!? That's gotta be it!?
Tsubaki: Yes! Master, you can't be a giant!!

Tsubaki: And so, Master!! Training please!!
Murakumo: What d'you mean "And so?"
Murakumo: Just enlist and you'd get so much training enough to put you off, so don't worry



PAGE 12
Tsubaki: I want to train before enlisting!
Tsubaki: I want to become strong!

Tsubaki: In order to beat those giants who ate my parents!
*Pi--- gagaga*

Murakumo: I fixed it!!
Tsubaki: Masteeer!!

Nakanami: Murakumo, your shift's over
Murakumo: Senpai! I fixed it! The radio

Murakumo: With two wooden swords, does that mean you wish to become a vanguard?



PAGE 13
Murakumo: Those who wanna become vanguards are usually either suicidal or acting like an ally of justice
Murakumo: ...... I remember now

Murakumo: My dad was just like that, too

Murakumo: And I didn't wait at all to get myself enlisted after my parents got done in by giants either

Murakumo: Practise swings 100 times every day! If you can do that, I'll teach you

Tsubaki: Yes sir!



PAGE 14
Tsubaki: Master, did you volunteer to become a vanguard too?

Murakumo: ...... Yes, and?

Tsubaki: So that you could cut down giants yourself......
Tsubaki: To get your revenge!?

Murakumo: Wrong!! Vanguards are...
Murakumo: For the sake of protecting your comrades!!



PAGE 15
Murakumo: That's one thing you should never forget!
Tsubaki: Ye... Yes sir!



PAGE 16
Murakumo: The residential zone... This is gonna be tough...

Soldier A: Private Murakumo!!

Murakumo: Wha!!?



PAGE 17
Murakumo: Wha... What's this!?

Soldier A: Private Murakumo! You are under the suspicion of being a giant!! Take off your equipments and surrender!

Soldier A: We've received an inquiry through radio transmission from Private First Class Nakanami... We, as Unit 05, have taken up this investigation mission!!

Murakumo: Na!!

Murakumo: Senpai!!?

Murakumo: ...Unit 05!?
Murakumo: They're the army's aces, aren't they!!

Soldier A: Didn't you hear me!? Private Murakumo!!
Murakumo: ......Understood!



PAGE 18
Bystander A: So he really is a giant
Bystander B: Just get out already

Bystander C: Fucking monster, how dare you... My son!

Bystander D: Why don't they kill him right here!
Bystander E: ...Hey, he's...

Bystander E: Looking this way!!



PAGE 19
Nakanami: Oi! What's the matter, Private Murakumo!
Nakanami: Take off your equipments immediately!!

Nakanami: Oi!!?



PAGE 21
*waaaaaaa*

Nakanami: ......!! So you finally show yourself

Nakanami: You giant!!

Nakanami: Captain......?



PAGE 22
Murakumo: Senpai!!

Murakumo: That trooper was eaten 10 years ago, he is

Murakumo: My father



PAGE 24
Murakumo: Too big!!
Murakumo: This can't be!?



PAGE 25
Nakanami: Wha!!

Murakumo: Senpai!! Use this chance to sound the alarm now!

Nakanami: Use this chance!?
Murakumo: We got lucky... This is a really rare chance for us!

Murakumo: They're eating each other!

Speakers: We have confirmed giant infiltration into Shinboku. Residents are to immediately...



PAGE 26
Nakanami: That's the end for the giant that got too big

Nakanami: Cannibalism, huh......

Nakanami: I wonder how many people it ate to become that big...
Murakumo: Alright!



PAGE 27
Murakumo: I've finished adjusting my equipment

Murakumo: First off, I'll deal with that smallest one

Nakanami: Smallest?

Nakanami: That isn't something you call giants!?
Nakanami: ...Guys with live combat experience... They really are different...

Nakanami: Murakumo...... This is an order from your superior......



PAGE 28
Nakanami: Abandon this town and head towards the neighbouring town, both of us......

Nakanami: There's no saving this town. There isn't one town that is reclaimed after being infiltrated by giants.

Nakanami: Though obviously we can't defeat those giants
Nakanami: But if we scramble ourselves to the next town, there's still a chance

Murakumo: Senpai!
Nakanami: Even the army's strongests ain't no match for them!
Nakanami: And you!?
Nakanami: You got utterly discredited by the townspeople

Nakanami: Listen! We have not won even once!!
Nakanami: All those battle training we've exhausted ourselves in, they're all useless!! Do you get it now!?



PAGE 29
Nakanami: Humanity... cannot win... against giants!
Nakanami: Humanity is doomed!!

Murakumo: I do not think so
Murakumo: Humans will not lose to giants

Tsubaki: Oi! Giants!!



PAGE 30
Tsubaki: How dare you do that to my mum and dad!!
Tsubaki: I'll fucking kill you!!



PAGE 32
Nakanami: Eek!!

Murakumo: Back off Tsubaki!!

Nakanami: Master, I'll also
Murakumo: You're amazing...

Tsubaki: Huh?
Murakumo: Probably a first for human kind!
Murakumo: Picking a fight with giants with a kitchen knife

Murakumo: You've fought enough, leave the rest to your Master

Murakumo: My best disciple!



PAGE 33
Nakanami: Why... can he

Nakanami: Risk his life for other people!?

Nakanami: Why!?
Nakanami: Why can he risk his life for people that are already dead!?



PAGE 34
Nakanami: Why...
Nakanami: am I shaking when humanity's adversary is right before me?

Nakanami: But isn't it weird? "Human Extermination Plan" huh? Don't fuck with me!!

Nakanami: How many hundreds of million people did you think died just for that plan!? Fucking bastards!
Nakanami: But...
Nakanami: Above everything else...

Nakanami: Why am I crawling on the ground like this yet again!!?



PAGE 35
Murakumo: Yeeeaarrrrgh

Murakumo: Senpai!!



PAGE 36
Nakanami: Yeeeaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!



PAGE 37
Murakumo: The core!! In one go!?

Murakumo: Found the core!! Target's in the right ribs!!

Nakanami: Got it!!



PAGE 39
Murakumo: Senpai!! He got sniped!!

Nakanami: Did I...
Nakanami: do it......?

Murakumo: Yes!! It was you who killed it, Senpai



PAGE 40
Nakanami: "Useless," eh?
Nakanami: Those battle training...

Nakanami: Actually work!!

Tsubaki: Both of them are strong, in that case the town will be safe
Tsubaki: You won!

Nakanami: Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh

Nakanami: Come at me, giants......!!



PAGE 41
Nakanami: I'll fucking kill you all!!

*swoosh*

*crash*



PAGE 42
Murakumo: What the hell......!
Murakumo: It lept right over me......!

Tsubaki: Uwaaaaa



PAGE 43
Murakumo: You fucking shit



PAGE 44
Tsubaki: Of course you'd have to wake up from your dreams
Tsubaki: But somehow you can't wake up from your nightmares......



PAGE 46
Tsubaki: Master did say

Tsubaki: He would defeat the giants

Tsubaki: And give me training...



PAGE 47
Tsubaki: ...... Just now...
Tsubaki: Did he move?



PAGE 48
Murakumo: Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhh



PAGE 49
Tsubaki: This can't be...!!
Tsubaki: Master! How can this be!

Tsubaki: He turned into a giant!!



PAGE 50
Tsubaki: Wha!!

Murakumo: Tsubaki......



PAGE 52
Tsubaki: Master...!?

Murakumo: ...... That time, I...



PAGE 53
*Gwaaaaaaaaah*

*Aaaaaaaaaaaah*



PAGE 54
Murakumo: This is a first for humanity......

Murakumo: To be eaten by giants...... twice



PAGE 55
Murakumo: Tsubaki!! Stand back!

Tsubaki: Master!!

Murakumo: I've totally taken control of this giant power

Murakumo: I'll be using it no less!!



PAGE 58
Tsubaki: Amazing!!
Tsubaki: It's totally one-sided even with 3 giants!!

Tsubaki: Ah!!



PAGE 59
Murakumo: You fuckhead

Murakumo: Found it! The core...



PAGE 60
Murakumo: That's it!

Murakumo: Its core is sticking out

Murakumo: If I crush it, that would be the end of that.

Tsubaki: Master!! Left shoulder......!!
Tsubaki: The core is sticking out!!

Murakumo: I know, don't worry Tsubaki
Murakumo: I'll finish things up with this next blow



PAGE 61
Tsubaki: He can see it!!
Tsubaki: Your...!

Tsubaki: Your core on the left shoulder!!

Murakumo: Wha!?

Murakumo: What!!



PAGE 63
Tsubaki: Maaasssstttteeeerrrr



PAGE 66
There is one flaw in the "Human Extermination Plan"



PAGE 67
Humans who possess a pure heart such as the plants in nature do not get absorbed by giants, on the contrary, they are able to take over control

This is due to a conflict within the program's distinction for plants and humans

The one and only weapon in 100 years that can beat the giants
Is a pure, righteous heart

Tsubaki: This is your grave, Master
Tsubaki: Built by the townspeople

This is what's been left to humanity as their last hope.

Tsubaki: Master's the hero of the town, they say



PAGE 68
Tsubaki: Alright! Time for training to becoming the strongest vanguard!

Tsubaki: First off, practice swings!
Tsubaki: Every day!

Tsubaki: 100 times!!

END
 
Last edited:
Top