A Tale of Walls, Seas, and Giant Naked Titans (What Is Freedom?)

Freedom: Why We’re All Obsessed

When someone says “freedom,” you might think of speaking your mind without getting canceled, paying off that soul-sucking credit card debt, or finally walking away from a job that makes you feel like a human spreadsheet. But freedom is bigger than politics, money, or any one thing. Sometimes, it’s about tearing down the walls—literally.

Attack on Titan: Breaking Free Is Messy

In Attack on Titan, Eren Yeager spends his early life trapped behind walls designed to keep people safe. Except they’re not safe—they’re basically living in a monster buffet where everyone’s a walking snack for giant, naked Titans. Naturally, Eren isn’t a fan.

For him, the ocean symbolizes freedom: a place beyond the walls, where he can finally breathe. But here’s the twist—when he does reach the ocean, he realizes that freedom isn’t just “escaping one cage.” On the other side are bigger problems: politics, history, and entire nations that kinda want him and his friends gone. Not exactly the postcard-perfect ending he imagined.

Eren’s Solution: Overkill

Eren’s answer? Flatten 80% of the planet in a genocidal tantrum he calls "freedom." Chill, right? It does buy his friends a little peace, but spoiler: people are people, and new conflicts pop up because humanity is basically addicted to drama. Eren’s quest for ultimate freedom is a grim reminder that smashing obstacles doesn’t guarantee happily-ever-afters—just more obstacles.

One Piece: Freedom, but Make It Fun

On the flip side, we’ve got Luffy from One Piece. Luffy’s dream is to become the Pirate King, not because he wants power, but because it means doing whatever he wants: sailing the seas, eating mountains of food, and living life on his own terms.

Luffy’s vibe? He’s all about joy, loyalty, and punching anyone who messes with his crew. Unlike Eren, he’s not brooding over humanity’s flaws. For Luffy, freedom is simple: laugh, live, and help others chase their dreams.

Oh, and when his heartbeat is called the “Drums of Liberation”? That’s not just poetic—it’s literal. He’s a walking symbol of freedom, inspiring people to ditch their chains, both figurative and literal.

Two Views, One Goal

Sure, Attack on Titan and One Piece are like night and day—one’s dark and broody, the other’s a technicolor carnival with bottomless meat feasts. But both boil down to the same thing: “I just want to be free.”

• Eren’s Freedom: Smash every obstacle in sight, consequences be damned.

• Luffy’s Freedom: Laugh in the face of obstacles and sail around them.

The Truth About Freedom

Freedom isn’t a finish line. It’s not, “Once I get X, I’m done.” Whether you’re tearing down walls or chasing dreams, there’s always another challenge waiting. These stories show us that freedom is a journey—a messy, endless, totally worth-it journey.

What’s Your Wall?

We’re not giant-slaying soldiers or rubber pirates (probably), but we all have walls to break: a dead-end job, family expectations, or that nagging “What if I fail?” voice in your head.

The key? You don’t need to flatten humanity (seriously, don’t). Freedom might mean starting a passion project, taking a leap of faith, or traveling somewhere new.

Final Thoughts

Freedom can look like making your own rules, like Luffy, or fighting for your place in a cruel world, like Eren. One path is lighter, one’s heavier, but both demand stepping out of your comfort zone and ignoring the naysayers who tell you, “That’s impossible.”

So, what’s your ocean?