My Soldiers Rage! - Erwin Smith's Powerful Speech [Attack on Titan]

Few speeches in anime resonate as deeply and tragically as Erwin Smith's "My Soldiers Rage" speech in Attack on Titan. 

Delivered before the final charge against the Beast Titan in the Battle of Shiganshina, Erwin's words pierced through the despair his soldiers felt, igniting a flame of defiance and purpose in their hearts. 

In this blog post, I will analyze the speech and its impact on the characters and the audience.

The Speech: My Soldiers Rage!

Before the charge, Erwin Smith gives a speech to motivate the soldiers and prepare them for their sacrifice. 

Note: This passage is inspired by the character Erwin Smith from the anime series "Attack on Titan." His speech occurs in Episode 16 (Perfect Game) of Season 3.

The speech is divided into two parts: the first part is a conversation between Erwin and Floch, and the second part is Erwin’s motivational speech to his soldiers. In the first part, Erwin tries to make Floch understand the harsh reality of their situation.

Here is the transcript of the speech from the anime:

Erwin: There's no point standing around. You'll only be showered by more boulders. Ready your horses on the double!

Floch: Be honest, are all of us riding to our death?

Erwin: Yes, we are..

Floch: And since we're dying anyway, you're saying that it's better? Before we even start fighting?

Erwin: I am...

Floch: But wait, if we'll die anyway, then who cares what we do? We could just disobey your orders. And it wouldn't mean a thing, would it?

Erwin: Yes, you're precisely right.

In the second part, Erwin shifts from a pessimistic tone to an optimistic one. He rallies his soldiers to face their inevitable doom with courage and defiance. 

He urges them to express their anger and frustration at the Titans and the world that oppresses them. He commands them to rage, scream, and fight, as a way of asserting their humanity and dignity. 

Everything that you thought had meaning: every hope, dream, or moment of happiness. None of it matters as you lie bleeding out on the battlefield. None of it changes what a speeding rock does to a body, we all die. 

But does that mean our lives are meaningless? Does that mean that there was no point in our being born? Would you say that of our slain comrades? What about their lives? Were they meaningless?...

They were not! Their memory serves as an example to us all! The courageous fallen! The anguished fallen! Their lives have meaning because we the living refuse to forget them! 

And as we ride to certain death, we trust our successors to do the same for us! Because my soldiers do not buckle or yield when faced with the cruelty of this world!

My soldiers push forward! My soldiers scream out! My soldiers RAAAAAGE!

—Commander Erwin Smith

The speech concludes with Erwin expressing the strong determination of the Survey Corps. Despite the harsh realities of their situation, they refuse to give up.

Instead, they push forward, screaming out in defiance of the world that seeks to destroy them. Their rage is a powerful force that drives them to continue fighting for humanity's survival.

Here's the video of the scene from Attack on Titan anime where Erwin gives his last speech.

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The Significance of the Speech

Erwin's speech is a call to action, a reminder to his comrades of the importance of their mission and the value of their lives.

In a world where death is constant and hope seems lost, Erwin's words inspire his soldiers to keep fighting, to keep pushing forward even in the face of overwhelming odds.

The speech also reveals Erwin's character, showcasing his leadership skills and his unwavering dedication to the military and his comrades. 

He is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of humanity, and he expects the same level of commitment from his soldiers. Erwin's passion and conviction are contagious, inspiring his troops to fight with renewed vigour and determination.

The Themes of Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a series that explores several themes, including the value of life, the nature of humanity, and the importance of hope.

Erwin's speech touches on all of these themes, highlighting the importance of remembering the fallen and the value of their lives. The speech also touches on the theme of sacrifice.

Erwin and his soldiers are willing to give their lives for the greater good, for the sake of humanity's survival. This selflessness is a recurring theme throughout the series, as characters constantly grapple with the cost of their actions and the price of survival.

Finally, Erwin's speech highlights the theme of rage. The soldiers' rage is a response to the cruelty and injustice of the world they live in.

It's a raw, emotional response to the senseless violence and destruction that surrounds them. The rage is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still a spark of hope, a spark that can ignite change and fuel the fight for survival.

Conclusion

Erwin Smith's "My Soldiers Rage!" speech is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering those who have fallen and the impact their lives have had on others

The speech inspires his soldiers to keep fighting, to keep pushing forward even in the face of overwhelming odds. It highlights the importance of remembering the fallen, the value of their lives, and the power of hope and rage in the face of adversity.

Erwin's words are a testament to his leadership and his unwavering dedication to the military and his comrades, and they serve as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward.