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what are the titans in attack on titan

The Titans in Attack on Titan are giant humanoid creatures and special “shifter” powers that drive the whole story, ranging from mindless monsters to nine unique, inherited Titan forms with distinct abilities.

Quick Scoop

In the world of Attack on Titan , Titans are:

  • Giant, man‑eating humanoids that appeared about 100 years before the main story.
  • Mostly mindless beings called Pure Titans, with a few strange Abnormal ones that act unpredictably.
  • Ultimately revealed to be transformed humans, created through a mysterious power rooted in the Eldian people and Ymir Fritz.
  • Centered around the legendary Nine Titans – special Titan powers that can be inherited and consciously controlled by their users.

Below are the main categories and the Nine Titans themselves.

Main Types of Titans

1. Pure Titans

These are the “standard” Titans you see roaming around outside the walls.

  • Vary in size (usually 3–15 meters).
  • Mindless, driven only by a desire to eat humans.
  • Easy to predict in battle but dangerous in large numbers.
  • Former humans transformed into Titans against their will.

2. Abnormal Titans

Abnormals are Pure Titans with odd, unpredictable behavior.

  • May run, jump, or move in unusual ways.
  • Sometimes show hints of strategy or “interest” in specific targets.
  • Extra dangerous because their actions break the usual patterns soldiers train for.

The Nine Titans (Core “Shifter” Powers)

The Nine Titans are special powers passed down through certain bloodlines for nearly 2,000 years after Ymir Fritz.

1. Founding Titan

  • The original Titan power connected to Ymir Fritz.
  • Can control other Titans and even alter the bodies and memories of Eldians when used by a person of royal blood.
  • Considered the most powerful Titan ability because of its world‑shaping potential.

2. Attack Titan

  • Known for its fighting spirit and freedom‑seeking nature.
  • Agile and offensive, built for close‑quarters combat.
  • Uniquely can access memories from both past and future inheritors, making it deeply tied to the story’s time‑bending perspective.

3. Colossus (Colossal) Titan

  • Huge, towering Titan famous from the first episode.
  • Can cause a massive explosion when transforming and emit super‑heated steam to burn or repel enemies.
  • Its size alone makes it a walking siege weapon against cities and fortifications.

4. Armored Titan

  • Covered in hardened, armor‑like plates.
  • Extremely durable, able to smash through walls and withstand heavy fire.
  • Sacrifices some speed and maneuverability for defense and impact.

5. Female Titan

  • A versatile Titan with high mobility and endurance.
  • Can harden parts of its body and has a scream‑based ability that can attract Pure Titans, though they will attack and devour it once they arrive.
  • Known for adaptability on the battlefield.

6. Beast Titan

  • Best known for its beast‑like appearance (often ape‑like).
  • Has incredible throwing power, used for long‑range, stone‑throwing bombardments.
  • Certain inheritors can also command other Titans, giving it battlefield leadership potential.

7. Jaw Titan

  • Small but extremely fast and lethal.
  • Possesses incredible bite strength and sharp claws, able to break hardened Titan structures.
  • In some inheritances, it even gains the ability to fly.

8. Cart Titan

  • Quadrupedal Titan used for long‑term operations and heavy transport.
  • Exceptional stamina, staying in Titan form longer than other Nine Titans.
  • Often equipped with armor, artillery, or cargo, acting like a living tank or supply vehicle.

9. War Hammer Titan

  • Can create and manipulate weapons and structures from hardened Titan flesh.
  • Can be controlled remotely through a cable‑like connection, with the user encased separately in a crystal.
  • Extremely versatile for both offense and defense, but its powers are draining if overused.

Mini Table: The Nine Titans

[5] [9][5] [3] [5] [1] [5] [1] [6][5] [1]
Titan Key Traits
Founding Titan Controls other Titans, alters Eldian bodies/memories (royal blood required).
Attack Titan Agile fighter, sees past and future inheritors’ memories.
Colossus Titan Massive size, explosive transformation, steam emission.
Armored Titan Armored body, high defense, wall‑breaking impact.
Female Titan Versatile, can harden body, scream to attract other Titans.
Beast Titan Beast‑like form, powerful throws, can command Titans (with certain users).
Jaw Titan Small, fast, powerful jaws/claws, can gain flight in some forms.
Cart Titan Quadrupedal, extreme stamina, carries weapons/support gear.
War Hammer Titan Creates hardened weapons/structures, remote‑controlled body.

Why Titans Matter in the Story

  • They start as the ultimate threat , forcing humanity behind the walls.
  • Over time, the series reveals they’re products of war, politics, and inherited trauma, not just monsters.
  • The Nine Titans become symbols of power, oppression, and the desperate attempts of different nations to control the world.

In fan discussions and forums today, Titans are often talked about less as “scary monsters” and more as metaphors for cycles of violence and the cost of revenge, especially after the story’s ending became widely known.

TL;DR: Titans are giant humans created by a mysterious power, with most being mindless Pure Titans and a special set of Nine Titans that grant unique, inherited abilities like controlling Titans, creating weapons, or becoming colossal walking bombs.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.