The once righteous protagonist, Eren Yaeger, morphs into a complex anti-hero in Attack on Titan’s fourth season. When he finally reunites with his cherished friends Mikasa and Armin after a long separation, fans are disturbed to see a coldness in Eren that was never there before. That is also why they want to know – Why Did Eren Say He Hated Mikasa?
With callous cruelty, Eren accuses Mikasa of lacking free will or true emotions when it comes to him. He spits out that her loyalty stems solely from her Ackerman lineage, engineered to serve the royal family Eren hails from. According to Eren’s harsh words, Mikasa selflessly saving his life as a child activated her innate Ackerman instincts to forever be his obedient protector and caretaker.
Essentially, Eren twists one of Mikasa’s most noble, loving acts into an involuntary biological response, robbing her of liberty and choice. This notion seems to vilify Mikasa’s once-admired devotion, suggesting she has no real affection or autonomy regarding Eren anymore. Such a claim clashes jarringly with the intimate bond between them depicted for years.
So why does Eren unleash this verbal abuse towards someone formerly so precious to him? The reasons are unclear but illustrate Eren’s chilling transformation.
Perhaps he aims to manipulate Mikasa’s emotions and behavior for the climax ahead. Or maybe part of Eren now truly resents Mikasa’s dogged loyalty. Either way, the attack represents the emergence of an Eren disconcertingly willing to weaponize even tender relationships to further his mysterious goals.
Why Did Eren Say He Hated Mikasa? Explained
A major reveal in Attack on Titan is when Eren tells Mikasa he has always hated her due to her lack of free will. He believes Mikasa only protects him because of her Ackerman bloodline, which was engineered to be loyal to the royal family that Eren is descended from.
Eren despises the idea of anyone being a slave to their genetics and unable to exercise free will. This hatred of enslavement aligns with Eren’s relentless fight for freedom for himself and his fellow Eldians, no matter the cost.
To Eren, Mikasa’s automatic devotion goes against his core belief that people should have the resolve to break free from any bindings, literal or figurative. Even though they were once very close, he seems to now resent Mikasa for accepting enslavement to her bloodline when he has fought so hard for liberation.
However, the logic behind this claim is questionable. Mikasa’s loyalty extends far beyond what any other Ackerman shows their leader. Also, Eren did not possess the Founding Titan power to control Ackermans when Mikasa first bonded to him. Her headaches likewise happen when Eren is in grave danger, not as a form of mind control.
So, while Eren cites lack of free will as why he despises Mikasa, that is likely an excuse. Their bond seems one of genuine care, not involuntary obedience. Eren’s words serve to shock and distance Mikasa as part of his mysterious agenda rather than exposing any lifelong hatred. They illustrate how callous he has become, willing to manipulate even loved ones to achieve his goals.
Did Eren Really Mean It?
There is a possibility that Eren is lying when he says he hates Mikasa in Attack on Titan. If so, what would motivate him to be so cruel to someone who has stood by his side for so long?
As Eren descends further into genocide, he may want to distance Mikasa and Armin so they don’t get caught up in his atrocities. His harsh words could be an attempt to stop them from rushing to his aid like they did when his Titan powers first awakened. Pushing them away now may be Eren’s way of protecting them from the carnage he is unleashing.
Eren’s actions could also be reverse psychology to ensure Mikasa and Armin will fight him without holding back when the final battle comes. So far, they have defended Eren, but his cruelty may be intended to make them oppose him when the time is right. Eren may need his friends to come at him with lethal intent if his mysterious endgame is to succeed.
Of course, there is also the possibility that Eren truly does hate Mikasa now for not exercising the free will he values so highly. Their once unbreakable bond may have been shattered by Eren’s transformation into a genocidal anti-hero.
Either way, Eren’s willingness to manipulate even his closest companions shows how much he has changed from the passionate but compassionate boy of the past. His claims of hatred for Mikasa represent a cold-hearted practicality in achieving his goals, whatever they may be.
