Eren's Hatred vs. Torfin's Forgiveness: Choosing Freedom

Key foods

• Eren's journey in Attack on Titan reflects the cost of freedom through descent into darkness.
• Turfin turns from vengeance to forgiveness in the Vineland saga for a peaceful resolution.
• Fans disagree on Eren's methods versus Turfin's growth, reflecting opposing views on freedom and justice.

attack on titan and Saga of Vineland They have appeared as two main elements in the anime, each telling a story of survival, freedom and transformation. In a dystopian world full of titans, attack on titan Throwing viewers into a vicious society struggling to survive, it raises questions about sacrifice, loyalty, and the costs of freedom. Through Eren Yeager's journey, audiences are drawn into a story of despair—what happens when an individual's drive for liberation becomes an all-consuming force. Saga of VinelandOn the other hand, inspired by Norse history, it follows the story of a young Viking warrior named Torfin Karlsfeni, whose path is shaped by revenge and the harsh world of Viking raids.

The series is as deep and contemplative as it is epic, considering the cycles of violence and redemption in Torfin's search for peace and meaning. Both series excel at showing how extreme environments and struggles for self-determination shape their protagonists in ways that place each on a different moral journey. Eren and Torfin initially resemble two sides of the same coin, but as their story progresses, they develop in opposite ways. Eren's obsession with freedom becomes a road to endless destruction, while Thorfinn's path, born of a desire for revenge, slowly turns into a path of forgiveness and personal peace. However, both speak powerfully to reflections of human resilience, morality, and the choices that define one's sense of freedom.

Opposite beginnings

The seeds of hatred and forgiveness

From where their stories begin, Eren and Torfin were motivated by emotions tied to loss and longing for freedom. Eren's story begins with the trauma of his family and friends being sacrificed to the monstrous titans, a rage that fueled his desire to destroy these creatures. This is why he hates the Titans and wants to destroy them: mankind will finally be protected and liberated only by destroying its enemies. In these opening moments, Eren's rage and determination to free the Eldi from their oppressors leaves little room for anything else.

Turfin, on the other hand, initially embarks on a deeply personal vendetta: after his father is killed, he becomes involved in revenge against his murderer, Sklad. For all the rage and thirst for revenge, Torfin's journey is always laced with the hope of finding meaning beyond violence. His father planted the seeds of a quiet life in him, which slowly grows in Torfin as he begins to see the futility of his revenge. Unlike Eren, Torfin's storyline begins with anger, but is balanced by moments of introspection that eventually set the stage for his change of heart.

A huge role change

The destruction of Eren and the redemption of Turfin

As both characters evolve, they undergo significant changes that push them to polar opposites. Eren, once a symbol of humanity fighting for freedom, gradually entered a darker ideology in which he believed that true liberation would be a world without his opponents. His struggle for freedom becomes more and more radical and eventually leads him to destruction and destruction. Bent on destroying his enemies, Eren's transformation reflects a belief that survival depends on absolute mastery—even to the point of becoming the monster he once feared.

If someone is willing to take my freedom, I will not hesitate to take his freedom. – Eren Yeager

Torphine, on the other hand, turns from hatred to forgiveness. Years of bloodshed and the aftermath of personal torment have left him desperate for revenge. Ultimately, Torfin realizes that peace and freedom cannot be achieved through revenge. He adopts the same philosophy as his father: he forgives his enemies and tries to find a non-violent path. Essentially, at this point, Turfin's philosophy is the exact opposite of Eren's, as he realizes that true power lies not in destruction, but in building a world free of hate.

What the fans feel

Divided views on growth and ideology

Eren and Thorfinn's character developments have recently been discussed in the anime community. Eren's fans point to the fact that he dared to pursue his idea of ​​freedom, which is admirable, and that his descent into becoming the very evil he swore to destroy was merely an expression of how cruel the world is. Many fans believe that the realism in her character adds another layer to the show. His actions, as questionable as they may be, really emphasize the complexity of the setting. However, the others are upset at how far Eren goes and cannot wholeheartedly support his methods. Eren's path has become a morally controversial one, testing viewers on how many choices to make in the name of freedom.

Turfin's change has been mostly praised. The way she reached a peaceful resolution earned fans respect for such an inspiring arc of personal redemption, though some felt they wished she had gotten her revenge and season 2 Saga of Vineland fell Turfin's journey toward forgiveness speaks more to fans who appreciate those themes of emotional growth and healing. Although some have criticized his rejection of violence in the world as somewhat naive Saga of VinelandMost fans applaud his transformation as one of hope in a violent world. The two fan reactions contrast in the different messages that each of these characters' journeys ultimately send about the nature of freedom and justice.

A hypothetical meeting

Eren and Torfin face to face

If Eren and Turfin meet, their reactions will depend on their diametrically opposed ideologies. In this case, Eren believes in eliminating threats to ensure freedom. Therefore, he considered Torfin's pacifist ideas to be weak or perhaps just pointless. Eren's relentless drive to eradicate his enemies makes Turfin's philosophy of forgiveness impractical for a world as ruthless as their own. To Eren, Torfin's ideals can be seen as naive and in direct contrast to his understanding of power and survival.

Listen to me, Torfin. You have no enemies. No one has any enemies. There is no one you should hurt. – Thors Snorson

Turfin most likely responds to his pain and trauma with sympathetic ears, which fuels the hatred within Eren. Turfinn, knowing full well the cost of revenge, is definitely willing to call Eren and ask him to reconsider his actions in the path of peace. This meeting brings together their two opposing philosophies: Eren's relentless search for freedom through destruction and Turfin's quest to break the cycle of violence. Most likely, Torfin feels pity for Eren, not anger, because he sees in him a reflection of himself, when he had not yet found peace.

freedom of choice

Erin and Torfin's journeys really describe an important step in the journey to freedom: “choice.” Both characters begin their story in a world that destroys their independence and react in ways similar to personal values. Eren chose a path of destruction – the only way he could be freed – and that was by destroying all his enemies. Turfin, on the other hand, realizes that freedom is letting go of hatred and embracing forgiveness, even in a world filled with violence.

In the end, Erin and Torfin's stories turn out to be powerful explorations of freedom, revenge, and personal growth. On their divergent paths, fans are reminded that freedom is not only a choice, but a matter of facing courage and redefining beliefs. For the fans attack on titan and Saga of VinelandRespectively, these two clues show one in a wide range of human emotions and resilience, and offer an interesting look at how the desire for freedom can lead people in very different directions.