How did Ymir become the Jaw Titan? This question echoes throughout the Attack on Titan fandom, sparking curiosity and confusion. Many find the intricacies of Titan inheritance, particularly Ymir’s unique journey, challenging to piece together. It’s easy to get lost in the timelines, character histories, and the sheer brutality of the Attack on Titan universe.
After being exiled to Paradis Island and transformed into a Pure Titan, Ymir wandered for sixty years until she encountered and consumed Marcel Galliard, inheriting the Jaw Titan’s power and regaining her humanity.
Unlocking the secrets of Ymir’s transformation requires a deep dive into her tragic backstory, the circumstances surrounding her exile, and the pivotal moment she devoured Marcel Galliard. This article will unravel the mystery, offering a fresh, clear, and comprehensive explanation. We’ll delve into the latest insights, exploring critical questions and providing a complete understanding of Ymir’s path to becoming the Jaw Titan.
Key Facts:
* Ymir’s Name Origin: Ymir was named after Ymir Fritz, the original Titan, by a cult leader in Marley. [➍]
* Pure Titan Existence: Ymir spent approximately 60 years as a mindless Pure Titan. [➊, ➍]
* Marleyan Warrior Mission: Marcel Galliard was part of a group of Marleyan Warriors sent to infiltrate Paradis Island. [➊, ➍]
* Jaw Titan Inheritance: The power of a Titan is transferred when a Pure Titan consumes the spinal fluid of a Titan shifter. [➍]
* Ymir’s Motivation: Ymir later expressed a sense of debt to Reiner and Bertolt, feeling that their arrival ultimately freed her from her Pure Titan existence. [➊]
Who Was Ymir Before Becoming the Jaw Titan?
Before her dramatic transformation, Ymir’s life was far from extraordinary. She was not a warrior, nor did she possess any special abilities. Before becoming the Jaw Titan, Ymir was a nameless Eldian beggar in Marley. She was used in a cult worshipping Ymir Fritz, and when the cult was discovered, she took responsibility and was exiled to Paradis Island as a Pure Titan. [➊]
The Cult of Ymir Fritz and Ymir’s False Identity
Ymir’s early life was marked by hardship and anonymity. Living as a beggar on the streets of Marley, she was eventually discovered by a cult leader. [➍] This seemingly insignificant event would irrevocably alter the course of her life. The cult named her Ymir after Ymir Fritz, claiming she had royal blood. This cult was a group of Eldians in Marley who believed in the power and lineage of the original Ymir Fritz. [➊]
- The cult leader bestowed the name “Ymir” upon her, drawing a direct connection to the mythical figure of Ymir Fritz, the progenitor of all Titans.
- This act was a deliberate attempt to imbue her with a sense of importance and destiny, exploiting the reverence many Eldians held for Ymir Fritz.
- Ymir, despite knowing she was not of royal blood, accepted this fabricated identity to bring happiness to those around her.
Punishment and Exile to Paradis Island
The cult’s activities did not go unnoticed. The Marleyan authorities, ever vigilant against any perceived Eldian threat, eventually discovered and dismantled the cult. [➊] The consequences were severe. Ymir and other cult members were punished by being turned into Pure Titans via Titan serum injection and exiled to Paradis Island. [➊, ➋]
- The Public Security Authorities arrested Ymir and the other cult members.
- They were accused of deceiving the people and were publicly stoned.
- They were taken to Paradis Island and injected with Titan serum.
- Ymir was then pushed off a wall, transforming her into a Pure Titan. [➋]
This forced transformation marked the beginning of Ymir’s long, agonizing existence as a mindless Titan. For decades, she wandered without purpose or memory. According to research from the Attack on Titan Wiki, this lasted approximately 60 years.
How Did Ymir Become the Jaw Titan?
The transformation of Ymir from a Pure Titan to the Jaw Titan is a pivotal event in the Attack on Titan narrative. It wasn’t a gradual process or a planned event; it was a sudden, violent act of survival. Ymir became the Jaw Titan by devouring Marcel Galliard, one of the Marleyan Warriors, while she was a Pure Titan. This occurred during the Warriors’ mission to Paradis Island in the year 845. [➊]
Ymir’s Time as a Pure Titan
After her forced transformation, Ymir’s existence was reduced to that of a mindless, wandering creature. After being turned into a Pure Titan, Ymir wandered aimlessly outside Wall Maria for approximately 60 years, with no memory or awareness. [➊, ➍]
- Pure Titans are driven by an instinctive urge to consume humans, specifically hoping to find a Titan shifter and regain their humanity.
- Ymir, like other Pure Titans, lacked any semblance of her former self, acting purely on instinct.
- This period of her life was described by Ymir herself as an “endless nightmare.”
Encounter with the Marleyan Warriors
The arrival of the Marleyan Warriors on Paradis Island was the catalyst for Ymir’s unexpected transformation. In 845, Ymir, in her Pure Titan form, encountered the four Marleyan Warriors: Reiner, Bertolt, Annie, and Marcel, who were on a mission to infiltrate Paradis Island. [➊]
- The Marleyan Warriors were children, handpicked and trained by Marley to inherit the power of the Titans.
- Their mission was to retrieve the Founding Titan, believed to be within the Walls on Paradis Island.
- This encounter was a chance occurrence, a fateful meeting that would drastically alter the course of several lives.
Devouring Marcel Galliard and Inheriting the Jaw Titan
This is the crucial moment, the defining act that changed Ymir’s destiny. As the Warriors made their way towards Wall Maria, Ymir’s Pure Titan attacked. Marcel Galliard pushed Reiner Braun out of the way, sacrificing himself to Ymir’s Pure Titan. By devouring Marcel, Ymir inherited the power of the Jaw Titan. [➊, ➍]
- Marcel’s selfless act saved Reiner’s life but condemned him to a gruesome death.
- The act of consuming a Titan shifter is the only way for a Pure Titan to regain human form and inherit the power of one of the Nine Titans.
- Information from the Attack on Titan Wiki explains that consuming the spinal fluid of a Titan shifter is the key to this transfer of power.
Regaining Human Form and Consciousness
The immediate aftermath of devouring Marcel was just as transformative as the act itself. After devouring Marcel and inheriting the Jaw Titan, Ymir regained her consciousness and returned to human form, becoming an intelligent Titan shifter. [➊]
- This marked the end of Ymir’s 60-year nightmare as a Pure Titan.
- She regained her memories, her personality, and her ability to think and reason.
- She also gained the power of the Jaw Titan, possessing incredible speed, agility, and powerful jaws and claws.
What Happened After Ymir Became the Jaw Titan?
Ymir’s return to humanity was not a return to her old life. She was now a Titan shifter, a powerful being caught between two warring factions. After becoming the Jaw Titan, Ymir infiltrated Wall Sheena and lived as a thief for several years before joining the 104th Training Corps. [➊]
Life Within the Walls
Following her transformation, Ymir chose to remain within the Walls, adopting a secretive and solitary lifestyle. Ymir spent several years living as a thief and scavenger within Wall Sheena, sneaking through defenses and surviving on her own. [➊]
- She used her newfound knowledge of the outside world and her Titan abilities to evade detection.
- She lived on the fringes of society, observing the people within the Walls and learning about their way of life.
Joining the 104th Training Corps
Ymir’s decision to join the military was a surprising one, given her history and her knowledge of the world outside the Walls. Ymir eventually joined the 104th Training Corps, where she met and formed a close bond with Historia Reiss. [➊]
- It’s implied that Ymir joined the military partly to keep an eye on Historia, who was secretly of royal blood.
- She deliberately performed poorly during training, allowing Historia to rank higher.
- Her relationship with Historia became a central aspect of her character and motivations.
- A deeper understanding of the Marley and Eldian conflict can be found on MangaSHED.
FAQs About How Ymir Became the Jaw Titan:
How did Ymir initially become a Titan?
Ymir was injected with Titan serum by the Marleyan authorities as punishment for her involvement in a cult that worshipped Ymir Fritz. [➊, ➋]
How did Ymir turn into a Titan?
After being injected with Titan serum, Ymir was pushed off a wall, triggering her transformation into a Pure Titan. [➋]
How did Ymir become human again?
Ymir regained her human form by devouring Marcel Galliard, a Marleyan Warrior who possessed the Jaw Titan. [➊, ➍]
How did she acquire the Jaw Titan?
She acquired the Jaw Titan by consuming Marcel Galliard’s spinal fluid while she was a Pure Titan. [➊, ➍]
Who ate Ymir to get the Jaw Titan?
Porco Galliard, Marcel’s brother, later inherited the Jaw Titan from Ymir. [➊]
How did they get the Jaw Titan from Ymir?
Ymir willingly allowed herself to be captured and taken back to Marley, where Porco Galliard, in his Pure Titan form, consumed her. [➊]
Why did Ymir let herself be eaten by Porco?
Ymir felt indebted to Reiner and Bertolt and believed it was her duty to return the power of the Jaw Titan to Marley. She also wanted to protect Historia. [➊]
What is the difference between Ymir and Ymir Fritz?
Ymir Fritz was the original Titan, the ancestor of all Eldians. Ymir was a nameless Eldian girl who was given that name by a cult leader. [➊, ➍]
Is Ymir and Ymir Fritz the same?
No, they are two completely different individuals, separated by centuries of history. [➊, ➍]
What episode does Ymir turn into a Titan in Season 2?
Ymir first reveals her Jaw Titan form in Season 2, Episode 4, “Soldier.”
How did Ymir die?
Ymir died after being taken back to Marley and consumed by Porco Galliard, transferring the power of the Jaw Titan to him. [➊]
Summary:
Ymir’s journey to becoming the Jaw Titan is a complex and tragic tale, encompassing decades of suffering, a chance encounter, and a selfless sacrifice. Ymir became the Jaw Titan after being a Pure Titan for 60 years and devouring Marcel Galliard. This event transformed her back into a human with the power of the Jaw Titan. [➊, ➍] Her story highlights the brutal realities of the Attack on Titan world and the devastating consequences of the conflict between Marley and Eldia. Her ultimate choice to sacrifice herself underscores her complex character and her unwavering loyalty to those she cared about. Her initial state of hardship, her time as a mindless titan, and the fateful encounter were all instrumental in her eventual transformation.
