Summary
Within the war-torn world ofAttack on Titanlies a radical group of Eldians who seek to overthrow the oppressive Marleyan regime and restore glory tothe fallen Eldian Empire. Known as the Eldian Restorationists, this secret organization plotted to use the power of the Titans to destroy Marley from within and return Eldia to its former status as a dominant world power.
Through underground meetings and the acquisition of hidden historical texts, the Restorationists formed an ideology rooted in restoring Eldian pride and liberation from Marleyan subjugation. However, their plans would be cut short due to betrayal and the Marley government’s cruel punishment of turning suspected members into mindless Titans.
Leaders
The history of the Eldian Restorationists is tied to the aftermath ofthe Great Titan Warand Eldia’s fall from power. In the years following Eldia’s defeat, the remnants of the royal family that remained in Marley formed a revolutionary army to fight against their oppressors. However, this early organization was ultimately unsuccessful and crushed by the powerful public security forces of Marley. All members, including the father of future Restorationist Eren Kruger, were found guilty of treason and executed.
With the remains of the royal family dismantled, the seeds of resistance continued to grow in the shadows. Operating under various front organizations to conceal their activities, radical Eldian groups kept the dream of restoration alive through armed resistance and strategic planning. It was these underground cells that would eventually coalesce into the formidable Eldian Restorationiststhat Grisha Jeager and otherswould join. Though facing immense risks, their commitment to overthrowing Marley and restoring Eldia as the dominant power remained unwavering.
My comrades! We’ll overthrow Marley and restore the pride of Eldia!
The Radical Ideology of the Eldian Restorationists
The Eldian Restorationists held a radical ideology that rejectedMarley’s propaganda against the Eldians. Living under daily oppression in Liberio, the Restorationists believed themselves “enlightened” compared to other Eldians, refusing to accept Marley’s teachings that categorized Eldians as a “filthy” and demonic race due to their titan-shifting abilities. Because of the repression they faced, the Restorationists harbored a fanatical hatred of Marley and vowed revenge for centuries of Eldian subjugation.
Central to their ideology was the belief that the former Eldian Empire did nothing and that the only way to fight the wrongs endured by the Eldians on the mainland was to bring Eldia back to power. Historical documents provided covertly by the Owl led the Restorationists to develop a warped view of the Eldian Empire and Ymir Fritz. They believed there were no atrocities committed against non-Eldians and that the empire only brought peace and happiness to the different peoples. This was because, according to their ideology, the Eldians never had a brutal culture,since the founder, Ymir herself,would not have allowed the kinds of atrocities Marley claims the Eldian Empire committed.
The Restorationists also adhered to the racial supremacist mindset of the old empire, believing thatthe Subjects of Ymircomprised a chosen, superior race above all others. With this radical perspective, the Restorationists were united in their goal to destroy Marley.
To combat the oppression of their Marleyan rulers, the Restorationists plotted to make use of the power of the Titans once more. Namely, they sought to infiltrate the Marleyan militarythrough their Warrior programand gain possession of the ultra-powerful Founding Titan. With its ability to control all Titans at will, they believed the Founding Titan could be used to destroy Marley and restore global dominance to the Eldian people.
Grisha Jaeger and the Fall of the Restorationists
Grisha Jaeger joined the Restorationists at a young age after learning that his sister had been killed by the authorities in Marley. He dedicated himself to taking down the Marley government and restoring Eldia. While part of the Restorationists, Grisha married Dina Fritz, a woman with royal blood. They had a son named Zeke, whom Grisha believed would lead them to victory. However, at age 7, Zeke reported his parents to the authorities to protect himself and his grandparents. As a result, Grisha and the other Restorationists were arrested and sentenced to be turned intomindless titans on Paradis Island.
Before being sent to Paradis, Grisha was tortured for information about the Restorationists' plans and the identity of their informant, “the Owl.” The members of the group were then shipped to Paradis to be executed by being transformed. All except for Grisha and another man named Grice were transformed. Grice was simply kicked off the wall to be eaten by the Titans, while Grisha was kept alive for further questioning. Once most authorities had returned to their ship, Kruger saved Grisha by killing the leader, Gross. He then revealed himself as “the Owl” and transformed into a titan, slaughtering the remaining authorities.
After returning to Grisha from his massacre, Kruger explained his reasoning for saving Grisha and gave him a mission. The mission was to restore Eldia’s freedom and dignity by entering the Walls of Paradis Islandto retake the Founding Titan. Kruger told Grisha he would give him the power of the Titans to help complete this mission. At first, Kruger was met with resistance from a burned-out Grisha, but after Kruger gave him a picture of his family and continued convincing him, Grisha’s will was reignited, and he accepted Kruger’s mission.
