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September 20, 2024
Attack on Titan | The Shining Centipede | The Source of All Living Matter
Learn more about the mysterious Shining Centipede that plays a pivotal role in Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan.
>Buy: Attack On Titan Merchandise & Gifts
Buy: Attack On Titan Merchandise & Gifts
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The Titan’s origin is one of Attack on Titan’s biggest mysteries, keeping both the fans and the Survey Corps in the dark about where the world’s greatest threat comes from. While the creation of Pure Titans is much more recent and has a human origin, the existence of the Nine Titans dates far back into history and ties to a much more mysterious and foreign creature - the Shining Centipede.
Where Does the Shining Centipede Come From?
It all began two thousand years ago when Ymir, a simple slave, fled from the king's relentless guards. Seeking shelter, she hid inside an unusually large tree, fell into a hidden pond, and started to drown.
Yet, Ymir didn't die. Instead, she encountered an alien creature that purposefully connected with her, giving Ymir Fritz the power of the first titan - the Founder. Known as 'the source of all living matter' or the shining centipede, this mysterious entity marked the true beginning of Attack on Titan’s story.
King Fritz didn’t hesitate to use this opportunity and indirectly claim these powers for himself. He married Ymir, making sure that she would follow his madness and aid the growth of the Eldian empire. Ultimately, she sacrificed herself for the king, giving birth to the Nine Titans.
The appearance of the alien centipede-like creature contradicts Attack on Titan's mythology, which previously depicted Ymir's empowerment through the pact with the devil. With this myth debunked, the shining centipede's origins may either be linked to an extraterrestrial background or an ancient entity existing since the world's creation.
The Source of All Living Matter Saving Eren Yeager
After granting Ymir the powers of the Founder, the shining centipede remained dormant for two millennia, its existence concealed from the world. Unfortunately, history repeated itself as it resurfaced, posing a renewed threat to global stability. And so, in Attack on Titan's fourth season, the conflict between the Eldians and Marley culminated as they sought dominion over the Titans' power once more.
Despite being on the side of the Survey Corps, Eren Yeager had a different vision than that of his squadmates. While they all aspired for freedom, Eren's concept of a liberated world was much darker.
Determined to realize his ideals, Eren initiated the Rumbling and was met with the Marleyan opposing force among whom was Gabi Braun. Using her marksman skills, she decapitated Eren, managing to briefly uplift her nation.
In the culmination of this battle, Zeke Yeager caught Eren's head and, utilizing the power of his Royal bloodline, summoned the shining centipede once more. The source of all living matter merged with Eren, integrating into his body and granting him the terrifying form of the Founding Titan.
The Centipede's Role in The Rumbling
After becoming an unstoppable force, Eren faced the collective might of humanity represented by the allied forces of Eldia and Marley. During Attack on Titan’s final battle, the Alliance’s main goal was blowing up the Founder’s neck, hoping to halt its world dominion. Eventually, after fighting the Ancient Titans and witnessing the Founder's true power, they activated the dynamites around Eren’s neck, unleashing the shining centipede one last time.
This time, however, this alien creature takes on a different, bulkier form, and fought independently. While Eren transformed into a Colossal Titan-like form and fought with Armin, the centipede faced Reiner's pure strength. Unsurprisingly, it matched the Armored Titan’s power, displaying firm determination in pursuing its objective.
Whether it was a deliberate attack or a desperate measure, the Hallucigenia-looking creature released a gas while fighting Reiner, transforming every ordinary human into Pure Titans. Fortunately, in their last beautifully orchestrated collaboration, the Ackerman duo of Levi and Mikasa unleashed an unstoppable attack on Eren, ending his madness with Armin's aid.
Following the defeat of the Founding Titan, the shining centipede vanished, breaking the curse of the Titans. All Pure Titans and Titan Shifters reverted to human form, the world was finally liberated and peace was achieved. Or was it?
Will the Power of the Titans Return?
The post-credit scenes of Attack on Titan’s final episode offer a glimpse of the future where a mysterious boy ventures through the wastelands of Paradis, discovering Eren's tree. Since Eren was buried near this tree, the theories suggest that just like two thousand years ago, there is a pool concealing the source of all living matter. Hajime Isayama, however, hasn’t confirmed the truth of these theories, choosing to leave the answer to this question open to the audience’s imagination.
Final Thoughts on the Shining Centipede in Attack on Titan
The shining centipede remains among Attack on Titan's enigmatic elements, leaving fans searching for definitive answers. Appearing unexpectedly beneath an unusually large tree, this source of all living matter completely reshaped the world upon encountering Ymir.
With the beginning of the Titan era, the world-leading nations had a new reason to fight, starting a war that would span for two millennia. While the series never explores the true origin and intentions of the shining centipede, all events point toward one logical purpose - surviving off others and causing world chaos.
And, even if it disappeared in the Attack on Titan’s finale, the possibility of the shining centipede existing beneath Eren's tree remains. The mysterious boy's discoveries only fuel this theory, leaving fans with yet another of Hajime Isayama’s unsolved enigmas, causing ongoing debates and theories within the anime community.
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