The titans of the Attack On Titan universe have been depicted exclusively as a force for evil in the earliest acts of the series. As massive, human-like monstrosities obsessed solely with devouring everything in their vicinity, it's difficult for them to be viewed sympathetically, especially given that even their more intelligent counterparts (who would later be revealed as characters like Reiner and Bertholdt) acted maliciously.

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However, their existence has actually saved the Eldians in a number of nuanced and sometimes subtle ways. By juxtaposing the merits of the titans with their detriments, we can better ascertain whether or not Paradis would be better off without them.

10 BAD: The Founder Can (& Does) Alter The Entire Populace On A Whim

Frieda Reiss in Attack on Titan.

One of the most pernicious flaws in the presence of the titans was the will of Karl Fritz. He demanded that the Eldians remain docile and ignorant of their history, with their memories deliberately altered so that they couldn't realize the danger they were in.

Worse yet, he ensured that his successors followed his will through the usage of his abilities, binding his own bloodline to serve as his thralls and ensuring that "atonement" will continue beyond death itself.

9 GOOD: The Pure Titans Prevented A Premature Invasion By Marley

Levi Versus Zeke and Pure Titans

The pure titans were once Eldian revolutionaries who had since been injected with a mutating syringe and sent to the island of Paradis. While this was an effective tool for ensuring that the current residents of Paradis remained within the confines of the walls, it also provided them with a massive and uncalculated advantage against potential invaders.

Since the giants were mindless and nearly indestructible (healing from any injury unless hit at the nape of their neck), they served as unconventional guards that secured the countryside. As a result, Marley was unwilling to attack their island neighbors for the threat posed, especially with more promising and immediate targets to focus on instead.

8 BAD: The Titans Were Responsible For The Fall Of Shiganshina

Colossal Titan Attack on Titan

Since Marley didn't want to dedicate a concentrated military force to the procurement of the Founding Titan, they sent a small group of titan users who would become known as "the Warriors" instead. In their first canon appearance, they destroyed the walls of Shiganshina, resulting in the death of Eren's mother along with unfathomably high civilian casualties.

Though this would provide the Eldians with the insight to understand that the status quo was no longer acceptable, it came at a heavy price that they would never forget.

7 GOOD: The Rumbling Provided A Check Against Global Threats To Paradis

Rumbling AOT eren over the colossal titans

For all of Marley's atrocities, there was a sound reason that they attempted to steal the Founding Titan. Its user could accomplish the impossible, including full control of the entire Eldian race and the ability to launch (or stop) the Rumbling.

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The titans inside the walls themselves served as Paradis' greatest defense against foreign threats. Though technology had advanced to become capable of dealing with pure titans or titan shifters, there wasn't a single nation on the planet that might contend with every giant unleashed from the walls simultaneously.

6 BAD: The Mission To Reclaim Territory Had Massive Casualties Due To The Titans

Levi during the mission to retake Shiganshina, Attack on Titan season 3

After Shiganshina was destroyed, there was a massive population crisis since the Eldians lost much of their farmland. In order to circumvent this - and to potentially reclaim some of their lost holdings - the monarchy ordered that twenty percent of able-bodied adults would be sent on a mission to recover lost territory.

As expected, this was a disaster with unspeakably high casualties. It was one of the most appalling moments of the series since the Eldians were effectively forced to commit genocide against their own people.

5 GOOD: It Helped Them To Become The Greatest Superpower In The World At One Point

Ymir fritz titan in Attack on Titan

The strength of Ymir was used for the Eldian people to become a tremendously capable global superpower over a century ago. Even after her death, her might was divided among her children so that the current dynasty would never end.

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Ymir's power was so insurmountable that eventually, the only thing that could bring the Eldians down was the Founder itself. If not for Karl Fritz's actions, they would have never stopped ruling the planet.

4 BAD: The Titans Corralled The Population Inside The Walls For Generations

Shiganshina _ Attack on Titan

In addition to stealing the memories of its populace, there was a second and equally grievous consequence of the Founding Titan - it convinced the Eldians that they were everything that humanity had left.

As a result, Paradis was disinclined toward technological advancement since they didn't realize how far behind they were from the rest of the world. This shortcoming would become palpable against Marley, whose weapons outclass their own.

3 GOOD: The Titans Can (& Have) Saved The Injured From The Brink Of Death

Armin exposed face flesh AOT

By turning an Eldian into a titan, the subject's injuries are essentially "reset," allowing for miraculous recoveries from impossible damage. This was most prominently seen through Armin's recuperation after the battle against Bertholdt.

However, this is only an effective tactic if a titan shifter is nearby to be sacrificed. If not, the wounded party will remain a pure titan indefinitely - though some still might entertain this state as a preferable alternative to death, as seen through the predicament of Kenny Ackerman.

2 BAD: The Titans Turned The Eldians Into Grotesque Parodies Of Their Former Selves

Bearded titan looking at Armin AOT

Perhaps the most horrifying quality of the titans is how well they resemble their humanoid counterparts. It's easy to distinguish who a pure titan once was through features such as hair and facial structure (even if they're distorted). Connie could even recognize his mother immediately after returning to his village.

As a result, it is emotionally taxing to put them down, especially if the person doing so knew the titan before their transformation (as illustrated when Armin put Dot Pyxis to rest).

1 GOOD: Only Eldians Can Become Titan Shifters

Attack on Titan Final Season Eren Attack Titan
Screenshot

The best blessing (and curse) of the titans is that only Eldians can become them. Subsequently, they have exclusive access to the nine titan shifters, weapons of unmatched utility that can single-handedly destroy cities.

If not for their racial affinity to command these giants, the Marleyans would have no use for the Eldians in the internment zone, and nothing would have prevented them from being methodically exterminated.  In this regard, the titans are responsible for saving every Eldian outside Paradis itself.

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