The Paths, though only briefly explored and explained, hold immense significance in Attack on Titan. As the plot unfolds and mysteries unravel, the Paths emerge as the place that links all aspects of the story, a mystical realm which influences and controls the main characters and the series' events.

How Were The Paths Created in Attack on Titan?

The paths are a supernatural dimension that co-exists with the real one while following its own rules and laws. Its creation dates all the way back to the emergence of the first Titan when Ymir accidentally came in touch with a shining centipede, gaining the power of the Founding Titan.

Years later, Ymir sacrificed herself to protect Karl Fritz's life; through the Paths, she continued to serve the king by preserving the Titans' dominion for thousands of years. In this magical dimension, where she has god-like powers, the appearance she gave herself was still of a slave. She was bound as a slave to Fritz, even after her passing. 

What are the Paths in Attack on Titan?

The paths form a huge, endless area characterized by its sandy terrain and the towering luminous tree at its center. A tree that, beyond its high-fantasy aesthetics, serves as the focal point where all paths intersect—the Coordinate.

Although invisible to all Eldians, the Paths link every Subject of Ymir to the Founder, transferring memories and powers across past, present, and future. What someone can do with the Paths if they hold the power of The Coordinate is nearly limitless. While Ymir initially used the Paths to create Titans, Eren later harnessed the Paths power to shape events of the series exactly in the way he intended.

What is the Coordinate in Attack on Titan?

Every inheritor of the Founding Titan possesses the power of the Coordinate, enabling control over Titans and the manipulation of past and future memories of all Subjects of Ymir. A great example is Eren's manipulation of his father's memories. Although his father was already deceased, he was able to manipulate the memories of his father back in time in a way where he would do exactly as Eren intended for him to do. Ultimately leading to the initiation of the Rumbling and him taking control over the Wall Titans.

Another interesting use of the Coordinate's powers is by Zeke. While he did not possess the Founder’s abilities, he was still able to control the Subjects of Ymir very slightly through the Coordinate. As he has Royal blood flowing within him, anyone in contact with his spinal fluid could be transformed into a Titan if he shouted in his Beast Titan form.

The Powers of the Founding Titan Within the Paths

In one of the most memorable scenes within the Paths, Eren and Zeke each confront Ymir with different ideals. In this scene, Eren gains the upper hand as his display of understanding and empathy makes Ymir trust him instead of Zeke.

Following this, Eren transforms into the terrifying Founding Titan and utilizes the Paths to communicate with all Subjects of Ymir telepathically, unveiling his apocalyptic intentions to destroy every nation that opposes Paradis.

Shortly before Eren is finally defeated, he once again uses the powers of the Founding Titan to unveil a huge secret to his two friends, Mikasa and Armin. In separate dreams, he shares heartfelt and touching memories with them. In Mikasa's dream, Eren paints an alternate reality where they escape together and live isolated, away from the rest of the world, and sharing a life together; a glimpse of what life could have been. Meanwhile, in Armin’s dream, he has a heartfelt conversation with Eren, reflecting morally on their journey before the Rumbling.

Why Does Eren Appear as a Kid In the World of the Paths?

In the final chapters of Attack on Titan, Eren appears as a kid within the Paths. While there aren’t any official confirmations as to why he chose to take this appearance, the fans theorize that he did it as a coping mechanism because only that version of Eren could appreciate real freedom.

Furthermore, another theory suggests that Eren first entered the Paths for the first time during his long dream under the tree, hence his young appearance. According to this idea, he witnessed everything up to and past the finale of the series, hence why he woke up in tears.

Final Thoughts about The Paths in Attack on Titan

While the mysterious origin of the Titans and the various powers of the Nine Titans already set a dark tone in the beginning, the plot takes a significant turn with the introduction of the Paths.

The Paths added an additional and complex supernatural layer to Attack on Titan leading to a lot of mind-blowing events such as altering future memories or creating alternate realities. The concept of creating future memories with the powers of The Coordinate allows for the series to add a tiny element of time traveling which makes for a series ripe full of foreshadowing and story twists.