An Alternate Universe Where Levi Chooses Erwin Over Armin

This article contains spoilers.

 

One of the biggest “what-ifs” in the Attack on Titan series revolves around Erwin’s death. Ever since the former commander died, the series dived deeper into problems that the remaining characters couldn’t escape from. But what if Erwin lived instead of Armin? Let’s go and speculate!

 

1. Better dealings with Marley

 

The Survey Corps didn’t just lose a reliable commander when Levi chose Armin, but they also lost one of the most intelligent people among them. Granted, Armin is also intellectually gifted, but he didn’t have enough political experience to deal with outsiders. Even Historia didn’t have enough experience to make strategic negotiations with Marleyans. When Yelena and Onyakopon said they wanted to develop Paradis, the military and the royal government reluctantly agreed and warmed up to them eventually. If Erwin was still alive, the military would’ve played a better role in preventing Yelena and Zeke’s plans to euthanize the Eldian race. Sounds like a reach? Not really, considering how great of a strategist Erwin was and how good he was with people. He might not be directly involved in the government with Historia, but the military wouldn’t have been complacent about Yelena or other outsiders. With Hange’s brains, Levi’s strength, and Erwin’s leadership, it would’ve been harder to divide and conquer Paradis.

 

2. The Yeagerists could’ve been suppressed

 

The Royal Government Arc was the best display of Erwin’s political prowess. He was able to stage a coup ‘d’état with Dot Pyxis. But upon Erwin’s death, the Survey Corps was fragmented. The controversial decision of letting Armin live caused a rift in the ranks. This rift was fueled further by Floch, who lived to see Levi inject Armin instead of Erwin. But if Erwin lived, people would objectively understand why the commander had to be prioritized. If the objectively correct decision was made, the respect and morale for the Survey Corps would not have gone down.  It’s important to note that Erwin is a persuasive figure, and had he lived to hear about Marley, he would’ve been able to keep the military in order. This is because he has tenure and respectability in contrast to Armin.

 

3. Prevention of Eren’s plans

 

Everyone regarded Eren as humanity’s hope. Not only that but Eren was also regarded as a friend by the majority of Levi’s squad. There was much hesitation to kill Eren because they believed that he was someone that could still be corrected through imprisonment. Had Erwin lived, he would’ve taken a pragmatic approach to reach the best possible outcome. This isn’t a far cry from Erwin’s character, as he had to sacrifice multiple lives for the cause of eradicating titans. If he lived to know of Eren’s plans, the ending of Attack on Titan would be arguably less destructive. Even if The Rumbling were to happen, Erwin who has lived his life fighting and strategizing against titans would’ve found a way to counteract the decision of Eren to stomp the world flat.

 

We could only have so many what-ifs, and it’s also possible that not a lot would change if Erwin lived. It could’ve even gotten worse without Armin around, but I doubt it. Not even Armin was able to stop Eren’s rampage, so it’s blissful to imagine what could’ve been if Erwin lived instead