The franchise of a generation, the Attack on Titan anime is finally approaching its end after a run that's spanned close to a decade. Although some Season 4 events have caused controversy among fans, the series has always been recognized as a fantasy masterpiece that beautifully incarnates elements of war, fascism, friendship and love. While Eren Yeager has one of the most heartbreaking backstories, Reiner Braun's stands out as well, and not just because they are two sides of the same coin -- Reiner can be viewed as the protagonist from another perspective.
Reiner is one of the most complex and well-developed characters in Attack on Titan. Stuck between his warrior and soldier persona, he has developed some serious emotional and mental problems throughout the series. However, Reiner had a life of turmoil back in Marley long before coming to Paradis. He was a little boy who enlisted to become a warrior (or Titan Shifter) in order to make his mother happy and proud. Here's everything you need to know about Reiner's journey with the Armored Titan.
Reiner was born in Liberio's internment zone as the illegitimate child of an Eldian woman named Karina Braun and a Marleyan man. Relationships between Marleyans and Eldians were strictly forbidden, so he was never allowed to see his father. When he was a child, his mother persuaded him to become a warrior candidate so he could inherit one of the Nine Titans. If Reiner could succeed in this, his family would become honorary Marleyans, which would allow him to reunite with his father.
When he became a Warrior candidate, it was clear that Reiner was very different from his peers. He was not as strong and agile as the other candidates, but his powerful loyalty to Marley has made him stand out. He found out that in a few years, the operation to reclaim the Founding Titan from Paradis Island would begin, and six of the candidates would be chosen to inherit the power of Titans. He was often mocked by his friend Porco Galliard who claimed that, because Reiner was the weakest among them, he would not be able to inherit the Armored Titan.
Although Reiner was annoyed by this mockery, he knew deep down that he was not worthy enough. Even one of his best friends, Bertholt Hoover, told him he should give up on his aspirations since he would only live for 13 years once he inherited a Titan. However, Reiner believed it was a small price to pay for being the hero to his family and to the people of Marley. When the time for selections came, Marcel Galliard influenced the army so Reiner would be selected as a Titan Shifter.
One day after the Warriors infiltrated Paradis Island for their operation, Marcel apologized and revealed that Reiner was never meant to be chosen as a Warrior. Marcel couldn't let his brother inherit a Titan and live a short life, so he talked Reiner up and criticized his brother Porco to influence the army's decision.
Of course, this shattered all the confidence Reiner had built up until that moment. After Marcel was eaten by a Titan, Reiner became assertive and stricter, and began to act more like Marcel. All these revelations -- and the guilt he felt toward his actions -- made him accept that his success and the happy family he pictured were nothing but fantasy.
Reiner Braun is one of the saddest characters in the Attack on Titan universe. Even though the readers/viewers are rooting mostly for the Islanders, Reiner has managed to secure a place in the hearts of many. That is probably because he's one of the key characters who, together with Gabi and Marco, taught viewers that one single answer or solution is rarely enough.