In the world of Attack on Titan, some humans possess the ability to transform into massive Titans. This power is called “Titan shifting” and is held by nine specific individuals. Titan shifters can transform back and forth from human to Titan form at will. But what enables them to have this incredible power?
The Power of the Titans
The source of the Titan shifting ability lies with the Nine Titans – powerful Titan forms that have been passed down through generations. Each of the Nine Titans grants its holder unique abilities:
- The Founding Titan – The first Titan, with the power to control other Titans and modify memories.
- The Attack Titan – Known for fighting for freedom and opposing oppression.
- The Colossal Titan – A massive 60 meter class Titan that can evaporate its body to produce explosive transformations.
- The Armored Titan – Encased in thick hardened armor, making it a formidable opponent.
- The Female Titan – Possesses intelligence and the ability to attract Pure Titans.
- The Beast Titan – Covered in fur and can transform humans into Pure Titans with its scream.
- The Jaw Titan – Small but quick and agile with powerful jaws and claws.
- The Cart Titan – High endurance and can stay in Titan form for months.
- The War Hammer Titan – Can create structures out of hardening material.
These Nine Titans provide their holders with their shape-shifting abilities. When a Titan shifter dies without passing on their power, the Titans ability is transferred to a random Eldian baby that has yet to be born.
The Subjects of Ymir
There is one major requirement that determines which humans can turn into Titans – being a Subject of Ymir. The Subjects of Ymir are all Eldians whose bloodlines can be traced back to the original Ymir Fritz, the first Titan. As her descendants, Subjects of Ymir carry the ability to take on Titan forms within their blood and genes. This is what allows them to take on the power of the Nine Titans.
Therefore, the only humans capable of becoming Titan shifters are Subjects of Ymir – that is, those with Eldian ancestry that can be traced back to Ymir Fritz herself. The power resides dormant within their blood until they inherit one of the Nine Titan powers. Then they gain the ability to transform back and forth from human to Titan.
How Titan Shifters Transform
How exactly does the transformation from human to Titan work? Titan shifters can transform at will by self-harming in some way. The most common method is biting into their hand until blood is drawn. This begins the transformation process.
A burst of energy is released from the shifter’s wounded body. Titan flesh, muscle, and bone rapidly generate around the human body, enveloping it to form the Titan exterior. The human body rests within the nape of the Titan’s neck, connected by structures that allow it to control the Titan form.
The transformation generates an enormous amount of heat and pressure, resulting in a blast of steam. The steam obscures the Titan shifter briefly after transforming. Once the Titan form is complete, the shifter gains control and can operate in their massive Titan body.
Weaknesses of Titan Shifters
While powerful, Titan shifters do have some key weaknesses and limitations:
- They can only stay in Titan form for a limited time before reverting to human form.
- They are unable to regenerate lost limbs or organs in human form.
- Severing the connection between their human and Titan bodies is fatal.
- Overuse of Titan shifting can cause deterioration of the human body.
- Excessive damage to the Titan form can cause loss of control.
Titan shifters must use their abilities carefully to avoid draining themselves. And opponents can target the human body within the Titan to defeat them.
Current Titan Shifters
At the current point in the story of Attack on Titan, seven of the Nine Titans have known inheritors. Here are the current Titan shifters:
| Titan | Shifter |
|---|---|
| Founding Titan | Eren Yeager |
| Attack Titan | Eren Yeager |
| Colossal Titan | Armin Arlert |
| Armored Titan | Reiner Braun |
| Female Titan | Annie Leonhart |
| Beast Titan | Zeke Yeager |
| Jaw Titan | Falco Grice |
The identities of the Cart Titan and War Hammer Titan shifters have not been revealed yet. And as the fight for freedom continues, the power of the Titans will continue to shift between warriors on both sides of the battle.
Passing On Titan Powers
Typically, when a Titan shifter dies, their power will get passed on to a random Eldian baby. But shifters can also intentionally transfer their Titan ability while they are still alive. This is done by having someone ingest their spinal fluid and then get eaten by their Titan form.
During the process of inheriting a Titan power, the new shifter will gain memories from previous holders through a phenomenon called “Paths.” This allows their skills and experiences to be carried on along with the Titan ability.
Ymir Fritz’s Curse
All Subjects of Ymir are bound by the “curse” of Ymir Fritz. This curse limits their lifespan after acquiring Titan powers to just 13 years. At the end of the 13 years, their body will perish.
It is unknown why this time limit exists. But it has drastically shaped the course of history in Attack on Titan. Titan shifters have had to grapple with their own impending doom while trying to further their goals within a short timeframe.
Eren Yeager only has a few years left before the curse takes hold. This has lit a fire under his mission to secure freedom for Eldia no matter the cost. The 13 year limit prevents Titan powers from remaining with a single person indefinitely.
Conclusion
In summary, the mystical power of Titan shifting lies solely in the hands of Subjects of Ymir – Eldians with ancestral connection to Ymir Fritz. By inheriting one of the Nine Titans, they gain the ability to transform back and forth from human to Titan.
This power has created great conflict in the world of Attack on Titan. Titans have been used as weapons and tools of war for generations. Only a select few humans can wield the strength of the Titans. But the power comes with great limitations and curses as well.
As the fight for freedom reaches its climax, the abilities of the Nine Titans will help shape the fate of Paradis Island and Eldia as a whole. The amazing power of Titan shifting remains confined to this special branch of humanity – for better or worse.