Attack On Titan’s Reiner & Berthold Reveal: A Masterful Subversion Of Anime Conventions

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As a huge anime fan, I have to say Attack on Titan really shook things up. It’s considered one of the best series ever, and what makes it so amazing is how it both plays with and respects classic anime tropes. You’ve got those shocking plot twists, especially surrounding some truly heartbreaking character deaths, and the action is just beautifully animated – exactly what you expect from a top-tier anime, but elevated to another level.

Despite its popularity, Attack on Titan wasn’t afraid to take risks and surprise viewers, as seen in its divisive ending. The show consistently challenged expectations, not only in its plot twists but also through the unique titans themselves – from unusually powerful monsters to those with the ability to see the future.

Despite everything that’s been said, there’s one moment in Attack on Titan that really stands out for completely defying what viewers expected. It broke all the typical anime conventions, and ended up being one of the show’s most memorable scenes.

Attack On Titan’s Reiner And Berthold Twist Was The Most Nonchalant Reveal In Anime History

A key moment in Attack on Titan season 2, episode 6, is when Reiner and Berthold are revealed to be the Armored and Colossal Titans, respectively. For over a season, these Titans were presented as mysterious enemies of the main characters. This episode finally shows that Reiner is the Armored Titan and Berthold is the Colossal Titan.

Reiner reveals that he and someone else were sent to Eren’s home with the mission of eliminating all humans. Surprisingly, this huge piece of information isn’t presented with typical dramatic flair – no flashbacks, character reactions, suspenseful pauses, or cliffhangers. Instead, Attack on Titan delivers the news very casually.

Anime often uses dramatic techniques like close-ups and loud music during important reveals, but Attack on Titan avoids these. For example, when Reiner first confesses something crucial, it’s delivered almost casually, mixed in with other dialogue – there’s no special emphasis to highlight the moment.

The scene cuts to a wide shot of several characters walking away, leaving Reiner, Berthold, and Eren in the foreground. While they walk away, the three remaining characters have a quiet conversation that reveals a shocking truth about their identities. This reveal is surprisingly understated, breaking typical anime conventions for such a major plot twist, and presented in a very casual manner.

The Way Reiner Revealed Himself To Eren Made The Titan Twist Even More Disturbing

Reiner’s reveal is surprisingly casual, which actually makes it more disturbing. When he approaches Eren, they’re portrayed as close friends, and Reiner has always been a beloved character. Because of this, viewers initially expect him to simply explain what’s been happening.

Reiner unexpectedly confessed that he and Berthold were the ones who first attacked humanity five years earlier – the event that started everything. While admitting they caused immense death, destruction, and suffering, he delivered the news in a surprisingly casual way, which felt inappropriate for such a shocking revelation.

This scene is among the most powerful in Attack on Titan because of how unsettling it is. Reiner, a character viewers believed was a dependable hero, suddenly reveals himself to be a major villain – he destroyed Eren’s home and nearly wiped out humanity. The reveal is particularly disturbing because it’s so understated; a quiet confession is far more impactful than a typical, over-the-top villainous speech.

Instead of being a purely evil villain, like many anime characters, Reiner feels more like someone following difficult orders – a soldier doing what he believes is necessary. A more over-the-top reveal might have made him easier to see as a simple villain, but the way Attack on Titan presented it, Reiner’s betrayal felt deeply unsettling and realistic.

Isayama Perfected The Art Of Plot Twists With Attack On Titan

One of the biggest surprises early in Attack on Titan was the reveal about Reiner. This set a high standard for plot twists throughout the series, especially in seasons 3 and 4, and the show consistently delivered. All of this masterful storytelling is thanks to the series’ creator, Hajime Isayama, who wrote and illustrated the original manga.

Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan relies heavily on surprising plot twists to keep the story engaging. The success of the entire series hinges on whether these reveals are effective. Fortunately, Isayama masterfully crafted these twists in the original manga, and the anime adaptation has successfully carried that forward.

The reveal that Reiner was the Armored Titan is one of the most memorable surprises in Attack on Titan. What makes that moment so impactful is how casually it’s delivered, and many other twists in the show are just as shocking and unexpected, sharing that same unconventional quality that makes them truly resonate with viewers.

Isayama’s work on Attack on Titan is widely considered among the best writing in anime, largely due to its surprising plot twists and willingness to break from traditional anime storytelling conventions.

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2025-11-25 01:13