The identity of the colossal Titan is one of the biggest mysteries in the anime series Attack on Titan. This 60 meter tall Titan is responsible for breaching the walls that protect humanity from the man-eating Titans that roam the world outside. Determining who has the ability to transform into this devastating Titan is crucial to understanding the larger mysteries surrounding the Titans and the walls.
What is the Colossal Titan?
The colossal Titan is one of the “Nine Titans” that have unique abilities beyond those of a regular Titan. It is by far the largest of the Nine Titans, standing over 60 meters tall. When it appears at the beginning of the series, it single-handedly breaches the outer wall of Shiganshina with its immense size and strength.
The colossal Titan has the ability to quickly generate and release incredible amounts of heat and steam. It can release pressurized steam from its body to ward off attacks or burn its opponents. The heat and steam help make up for its lack of speed and combat ability.
While in its Titan form, the colossal Titan displays little intelligence or personality. It seems to only exist to carry out its mission of breaching the walls. When not in Titan form, however, the human controlling it is able to think and act independently.
Suspects for the Colossal Titan’s Identity
There are a few key suspects believed to have the potential to transform into the devastating colossal Titan:
Bertolt Hoover
Bertolt Hoover is one of the young Warrior candidates who infiltrated the walls from the nation of Marley. He enrolled as a cadet alongside Reiner Braun with the mission to capture the Founding Titan. As the story progresses, he showcases the ability to transform into the colossal Titan.
Bertolt is quiet and introspective, but committed to accomplishing his mission. He feels conflicted about killing innocents but accepts it as necessary. He showcases the ability to transform into the colossal Titan and breaches the walls of Shiganshina and Wall Maria.
Armin Arlert
Armin is one of Eren’s close childhood friends. He is perceptive and intelligent, using strategy to overcome his physical shortcomings. After the battle of Shiganshina, Armin is mortally wounded but is injected with the titan serum, becoming a Titan and inheriting the colossal Titan power from Bertolt.
As the colossal Titan, Armin uses his strategic abilities to determine the best time and place to transform in order to maximize his impact. He struggles to come to terms with the massive destructive power now at his fingertips.
Reiner Braun
Reiner Braun is another Warrior candidate who infiltrated the walls with Bertolt. Though he acts as a driven, loyal soldier, he is later revealed to be the Armored Titan. Some initially believed he may also have had the ability to transform into the colossal Titan as well.
However, it soon becomes clear that Reiner only possesses the Armored Titan power. His personality does seem to share some parallels with the colossal Titan though, as both demonstrate they are willing to destroy the walls and harm innocents to accomplish their mission.
When Do We Learn the Colossal Titan’s Identity?
The mystery of the colossal Titan’s identity lingers for much of the early seasons of Attack on Titan. There are hints and suspicions, but no definitive proof of who holds the power:
- Season 1 – The colossal Titan appears and vanishes quickly at the walls, with no clues to identity.
- Season 2 -Bertolt displays suspicious behavior and seems to have conveniently disappeared when the colossal Titan appears.
- Season 3 – It is definitively revealed that Bertolt Hoover is the colossal Titan.
In the “Battle of Shiganshina” arc halfway through season 3, Bertolt transforms into the colossal Titan in front of Eren and the Survey Corps, confirming he is the one with the power. This reveal comes as they are attempting to retake the Shiganshina district and unlock the secrets of Eren’s basement.
How Did Bertolt Get the Colossal Titan Power?
The nation of Marley has control of seven of the Nine Titan powers, which they can distribute to chosen Warriors. As one of their most promising young Warrior candidates, Bertolt was selected to inherit the colossal Titan power at a young age.
In a flashback episode, it is revealed that Bertolt was hand-picked to become a Warrior and trained rigorously in order to master the power of the colossal Titan. His quiet determination and commitment to the mission made him an ideal choice in Marley’s eyes.
Bertolt did not choose this power for himself, but accepted the responsibility that came with it. Harnessing the colossal Titan required intense concentration and awareness to avoid accidentally harming his allies. But Bertolt proved up to the task.
Key Facts About Bertolt Hoover
- Graduted 2nd in his Warrior candidate class
- Childhood friends with Reiner Braun
- Personality is quiet, introspective, but determined
- Struggles with guilt over his role but feels it is necessary
- Chosen by Marley officials to inherit the colossal Titan
- Can transform into a 60 meter Titan of immense power
How Does Armin Gain the Colossal Titan Power?
After Bertolt’s defeat in Shiganshina, the colossal Titan power is passed on to Armin Arlert. This occurs when Levi has to make a split-second decision to inject the mortally wounded Armin with the titan serum instead of Erwin Smith.
Though Erwin was an experienced commander, Levi realizes that Armin’s ingenuity and strategic thinking are vital to the future of humanity. By inheriting Bertolt’s power, Armin gains the ability to transform into the colossal Titan.
At first, Armin struggles to control this power that is capable of so much destruction. But he slowly gains confidence in using it selectively and strategically to aid the Survey Corps. His intelligence as a human synergizes well with the raw power of the colossal Titan.
Key Facts About Armin as the Colossal Titan
- Gained power by being chosen to receive titan serum
- Strategic mind translates well to knowing when and how to transform
- Initially struggled with the moral implications of this destructive power
- Gradually gains more control and confidence in wielding the colossal Titan
How Does the Colossal Titan Power Work?
The ability to become the colossal Titan is passed down from one person to another after the current inheritor dies. Each person who holds this power gains the ability to transform into the distinctive 60 meter Titan.
When transforming, the human’s body essentially creates the massive Titan body around itself. The human controlling the Titan resides within the back of the neck, connected by fleshy cords.
Some key facts about the nature of the colossal Titan power:
- Transferred to a new host after the current one dies
- Transformation triggers creation of the 60 meter Titan body
- The human resides within the Titan’s neck, controlling it
- Emits intense heat and steam for offense and defense
- Strength and size make it capable of incredible destruction
The Colossal Titan’s Role in the Story
The colossal Titan has played a pivotal role in the Attack on Titan story from the very beginning. Here are some of the key ways it has impacted the events of the series:
Breaching the Walls
The first appearance of the colossal Titan showed it breaching Wall Maria, allowing the smaller Titans to invade Shiganshina. This forced humanity to retreat behind Wall Rose, at great cost of life and territory.
Revealing Hidden Truths
As the mystery of its identity unraveled, the colossal Titan revealed vital truths about the nation of Marley and the powers of the Nine Titans that had been kept secret.
Destroying Human Strongholds
In addition to the walls, the colossal Titan was instrumental in destroying the fortified human settlement of Ragako village. This paved the way for the Beast Titan to turn the villagers into Titans.
Fueling Technological Innovation
To counter the colossal Titan’s vast power, the Survey Corps developed a weapon known as the “Thunder Spear” that could inflict massive damage through its explosive power.
Changing Hands
When Armin gained the colossal Titan power, it created a critical opportunity to use its strength to finally turn the tide against Marley and free humanity within the walls once and for all.
Conclusion
The colossal Titan is a pivotal part of the Attack on Titan story. Its immense size and strength make it a nearly unstoppable weapon that can single-handedly destroy the walls and any defenses humans create. Uncovering the truth about the person behind this Titan form reveals critical secrets about the nature of Titans, the nation of Marley, and the lost history of Eldia.
Though the colossal Titan’s power almost exclusively brought destruction and death, there is hope that by passing into new hands, it could be directed to free humanity from the walls they are trapped within. The colossal Titan illustrates how the nature of power depends greatly on the character of who wields it.