The Most Unforgettable Eren Yeager Quotes

Even now, years after the end of the manga, Attack On Titan remains one of the greatest stories of all time. The show ended in late 2023, but its influence on the anime medium can never be underestimated. Throughout the series, fans have been introduced to unforgettable characters, but only a few have made it to the end. One of these characters is Eren Yeager, our main protagonist.

Even though he began as a stereotypical hero, Eren underwent major character growth, even if his morality was destroyed in the process. As such, diehard fans of the series consider him one of anime’s most well-written and complex protagonists — although some may regard him as more of an antagonist later in the story. Throughout the series, Eren has had many memorable quotes that readers love.

Updated on September 11, 2024, by Christy Mathew: Although the vast majority of fans were satisfied with the Attack on Titan ending — and, by extension, Eren Yeager’s character arc — a vocal minority complained that the hero did not get his due. While fans debate whether he was the greatest character written or the worst, we’ve updated this List with more of Eren’s iconic quotes. The List has also been updated with more information about when this was said, as per CBR’s latest standards.

25 “We’re Born Free.”

Season 1, Episode 12: “Wound: The Struggle for Trost, Part 8”

We’re born free. All of us. Free. Some don’t believe it; others try to take it away. To hell with them!

At the beginning of Attack On Titan, Eren compares the complacent townsfolk to cattle, saying that a life behind the walls isn’t a life at all. He’s always believed in the concept of freedom and fought for it, even against constant threats like the Titans and the other enemies, Eren discovers later on. No matter what he faces, though, he never gives up the belief that everyone is free, and should be able to express that freedom. The character strongly believed this from the beginning when he was just a kid, but this quote explains why he does things later in the anime.

The freedom Eren referred to was arguably the most important concept in the story, becoming the driving force for most of his actions throughout his motley character arc. This quote is from Attack On Titan’s first season but remains true even after Eren turns against his friends and ignites the Rumbling. There’s also a little bit of irony involved, since murdering millions of people goes against the concept of freedom. But to him, this was being free, which showcases the essence of his actions.

24 “I Am Free. Whatever I Do…”

Season 4, Episode 14: “Savagery”

I am free. Whatever I do, whatever I choose, I do it out of my own free will.

Eren unexpectedly shows up to a conversation between Mikasa, Armin, and Gabi – the characters who helped Eren grow -where the former two question whether Eren has control of his actions or if other people’s influences or ideologies are controlling him. Armin asks if Zeke is the primary reason Eren launched his attack on Marley. From the beginning, Eren believes he’s in control of his actions, blaming no one for their outcome but himself.

This was Eren’s response to his friends thinking he was being influenced. He took complete responsibility, though his friends still thought he was being controlled and couldn’t believe he’d do something as violently drastic as ignite the Rumbling. The problem, however, is that Eren doesn’t really have free will. As the Attack Titan, he has no choice but to watch the future arrive and is completely powerless to stop it. Accepting responsibility in such a situation makes him all the more admirable.

23 “If Someone Is Willing To Take….”

Season 4, Episode 20: “Memories of the Future”

If someone is willing to take my freedom, I won’t hesitate to take theirs.

Eren has always been defiant and unafraid to stand up in the face of injustice. He eventually developed a black-and-white view of his enemies — hardly a surprise given everything he’d endured. Eren refused to show sympathy and now believed it was best to do to others what they’d done to him. After all, Eren had endured, he would go against anyone who threatened his freedom, regardless of whether they were a friend or foe.

At this point, Eren’s primary goal is self-preservation, which paradoxically flies against the idea of protecting the Eldian people in Paradis. Even if the people who try to take his freedom away aren’t necessarily his enemies, he’ll view them as such. This is why he attacks his friends when they try to stop the Rumbling. Eren’s black-and-white view of the world isolated him from his friends while raising questions about the moral implications of his choices. The quote symbolizes Eren embracing his darker side, which can be one of the many things that pushed him to the other side marking a turning point in the character’s life.

22 “You Were Ignorant Children.”

Season 4, Episode 05: “Declaration of War”

You were ignorant children. All of that was beaten into you by ignorant adults. What could you have done to fight back against that?

The citizens in Attack On Titan are constantly bombarded with propaganda. It’s one of the most sinister tools in existence because it preys upon the vulnerabilities of people’s psyches. Marley knows how to do this all too well. Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt are heavily affected by this from a young age, explaining why they callously instigate countless deaths across Paradis. They don’t even feel regret after harming innocent lives for the longest time because of the way their beliefs were shaped and they struggled to understand this as they grew up.

It’s easy to hate the trio at first, but once Eren learns the truth behind Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt’s actions, this black-and-white viewpoint starts to fade. He sympathizes with Reiner, one of the dumbest villains in the anime, who’s distraught and beating himself up after everything, saying there’s nothing they could have done as ignorant kids. At the end of the day, the duty of educating children falls on the adults. With this quote, Eren softens his thoughts about them as he challenges the notions of innocence in the face of ignorance.

21 “If You Win, You Live.”

Season 4, Episode 09: “Brave Volunteers”

If you win, you live. If you lose, you die. If you don’t fight, you can’t win.

Attack On Titan gets even bleaker by the time its fourth season rolls around, as Eren triggers the Rumbling, and the Titans feel insurmountable. For the first time in a long while, the cast starts to lose hope, many questioning why they’re fighting or if they’re strong enough to see the horrors through to the end. In a world like Attack On Titan, to not fight is the same as surrendering one’s life, and Eren’s always understood this. He said this with his desire to protect his people, as he agreed to go to any lengths, which included him triggering the Rumbling and unleashing the Titans on the world.

Eren stated that those who win the fight get to live, and those who don’t, die. It’s a grim worldview, but appropriate given everything he saw leading up to the end. More importantly, he practiced what he preached. He fought continuously for years, sometimes openly and other times in secret, but always with the same goal in mind: absolute victory. With this quote, Eren reinforced his belief that only fighting can lead to victory.

20 “I Want To See And Understand The World Outside”

Season 4, Episode 20: “Memories of the Future”

I want to see and understand the world outside. I don’t want to die inside these walls without knowing what’s out there!

Humanity is protected behind three enormous walls, the most important pieces new viewers need to know about, to avoid the man-eating Titans that roam the outside world. However, this doesn’t stop the people within from wanting a glimpse at what’s beyond the barriers. No matter what, humanity will always have hope that better things are lying just beyond the horizon. Optimism is never entirely out of reach. The quote signifies him fulfilling his long-standing dream of going to see the ocean. The quote showcases Eren’s deep desire to be free, which he shares with his friend Armin.

Along with Armin, one of Eren’s driving motivations is to see the world beyond the walls, and find out if things he’d only read about, are real. Rather than dying for the Titans outside the walls, Eren, decided dying sheltered inside them without seeing all the beauty beyond was worse. He eventually gets to see the ocean for the first time, learning that the world really is as enormous as Armin believed. On the other hand, the world outside would have been better off without Eren. This quote also encouraged Armin to continue fighting for his dreams along with his friend.

19 “I Have To Be The One To Do This!”

Season 2, Episode 12: “Scream”

I have to be the one to do this! I have to settle this!

At the beginning of the series, Eren’s mother Carla was eaten by the Smiling Titan, which significantly impacted Eren’s motives for the rest of the anime. One of the Garrison’s soldiers, Hannes, had the opportunity to save her along with Eren and Mikasa — but he only managed to save the children. When they finally met again, Hannes was ready to avenge Carla’s death. However, Eren also wanted revenge and was determined to make things right for his mother. Eren’s desire for revenge is not merely for his mother here, but also for the horrors of the world that is full of suffering and loss.

Unfortunately, the Smiling Titan ended up killing Hannes, but Eren found a power he didn’t know he had as he made the other Titans around them attack his mother’s murderer. This was a core moment for his development as a character. Eren settled the matter of his vengeance by utterly annihilating the Smiling Titan, and simultaneously revealing that he had the powers of the Founding Titan within him. This theme of revenge continued throughout the series as fans were forced to look at the ethical implications that came with Eren and his actions.

18 “If We Kill The Enemy… Will We Finally Be Free?”

Season 3, Episode 22: “The Other Side Of The Wall”

So if we kill the enemy, the one waiting for us on the other side of the sea, will we… finally be free?

At the start of Attack On Titan, Eren and the others believed that if they got past the walls and eliminated the Titans, they’d be free. The question was asked by Eren when he and his friends were standing at the symbolic barrier that separated them from the Wall and the world outside. To them, the world outside the walls was freedom, and they’re the last people left who can defend humanity and claim it for themselves and everyone who’s fallen. They finally make it to the sea, the dream Eren and Armin shared since childhood, but it’s after learning they aren’t the last people alive.

Both sides see the other as the ultimate enemy, and after fighting for what they believe is freedom for so long, they can only hope to get it by eliminating who they perceive to be in the wrong. Marley might be the enemy awaiting them “on the other side of the sea,” but Eren goes on to destroy numerous other countries with the Rumbling. Paradis does obtain some temporary respite, but even that doesn’t last very long. This was when Eren had a simplistic desire for change rather than the humongous actions he did later on in the anime series.

17 “How Can You Call Yourself A Soldier?”

Season 1, Episode 04: “The Night of the Closing Ceremony: Humanity’s Comeback, Part 2”

How can you call yourself a soldier?

Jean and Eren have always had a very interesting relationship. When they first met, their goals in life couldn’t have been more opposite. While Eren wanted to join the Survey Corps and see the outside world — even if it meant he’d face his demise — Jean wanted to join the Military Police and live a safe life. They even got into a fight during the early stages of their friendship. Eren thought true soldiers would sacrifice anything necessary for a better future, which strongly contrasted with Jean’s views.

Eren is easily angered by those who don’t have strong morals they adhere to, and at first, Jean is only out for himself and his personal safety. Even though Eren and Jean eventually became close comrades, this line shows Eren’s disdain for Jean’s early character. That said, Eren doesn’t seem to understand that there are different ways of contributing to the community and that the military might be the only way to win. With this quote, viewers can be challenged to reflect on the philosophical implications of being a soldier.

16 “How Could Anything Be More Important…”

Season 2, Episode 02: “I’m Home”

How could anything be more important than keeping humanity from being wiped out?

When the Survey Corps found out that Colossal Titans were inside the Walls, they also learned that Minister Nick had known all along and refused to reveal this information. To convince Minister Nick to tell them everything he knew, the Survey Corps had Nick join them, forcing him to see firsthand the terrible conditions some of Paradis’ people were living in. This quote came from Eren in an attempt to get all the information possible to save humanity, by forcing Nick to witness these conditions.

Previously, Eren valued keeping as much of humanity alive as possible. His respect for human life, initially changed due to his eventual transformation as a complex character, making him an iconic anime hero. However, these words are now incredibly ironic, since Eren became somewhat of a villain himself — his eventual metamorphosis into a genocidal murderer makes him one of the most difficult anime characters ever.

15 “I Believe My Squad Will Be Victorious…”

Season 1, Episode 21: “Crushing Blow: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 5”

I believe my squad will be victorious! Fight well!

After his powers were discovered, Eren joined the Levi Squad and learned a lot from them. They became close comrades and earned his trust, and under their orders against the Female Titan, Eren learns to put his faith in them. Instead of transforming into a Titan, Eren puts his belief in Petra and the others while they are all pursuing the Female Titan. This quote comes from the character in a newfound trustworthy friendship he made with his soldier friends, which was crucial for Eren at the time.

With all his heart, Eren believes they’ll succeed, which is heartbreaking given the outcome. The Female Titan kills every single member of Levi’s Special Operations Squad. While it’s possible that these characters would have been wiped out either way, Eren deeply blames himself for the squad’s death, instead seeing his belief as an inability to take personal action. The quote came as an attempt to encourage his squad members by telling them he had confidence in their abilities. This is also why he furiously attacks the Female Titan after transforming.

14 “You’ll Never Know If You’re….”

Season 4, Episode 3: “The Door Of Hope”

You’ll never know if you’re not the one who’s continuing to take that path… unless you keep moving forward.

The Attack On Titan universe is grim, and early on, many characters give up and surrender to their fear of the Titans. It’s an incredibly bleak world with horrifying threats around every corner, and Eren and the others are constantly giving their all while fighting for both their lives and those around them. Many characters are killed while trying to escape the Titans, while others simply lie down and accept their fate. This quote reminds viewers how Eren believed perseverance is important when one faces difficult situations.

The quote came as an encouragement from Eren to his comrades. There are many points where the decisions of Eren and his comrades directly translate to ally or civilian deaths. Eren admits at one point that, if he and his friends knew what becoming soldiers would do to them, they likely wouldn’t have stepped on the battlefield. As such, his response to Jean’s apathy becomes hypocritical in hindsight. Even so, there’s only one way to know what the final outcome is, and that’s to keep moving forward.

13 “I Never Needed To Happen.”

Season 3, Episode 07: “Wish”

I never needed to happen.

When Eren and Historia were kidnapped by her father, Rod, they learned of the events that led to Eren becoming a Titan. His father, Grisha, stole the Founding Titan from Frieda, Historia’s sister, before killing other members of the Reiss family. He then allowed Eren to eat him so that he could gain the power of a Titan, leading to the set of actions that happened later. After learning this, Eren felt guilty for being responsible for the deaths of many soldiers who believed he was special.

This quote marks a milestone in Eren’s character development and he directs this quote toward Historia. Learning the truth about his own nature placed a new weight on him, and even pushed him to sacrifice himself to give the Reiss family the Founding Titan back. However, Historia explained everything Grisha did was to save humanity, which ultimately calmed Eren. What’s worse, however, is when Eren later realized that it had always been he who had forced Grisha to commit those atrocities.

12 “I’ll Destroy Them!”

Season 4, Episode 28: “The Dawn of Humanity”

I’ll destroy them! Every last one of those animals that’s on this Earth!

Eren had always wanted to go outside the walls and fight the Titans. However, after his mother was killed, this goal became the most important thing to him. Eren wanted to get revenge against the Titans for destroying his family and home. From a young age, vengeance against them was all he thought about, as Eren hated every Titan in existence with every fiber of his being. The quote was said when he was agitated about the loss of loved ones and his shattered world.

As the story progressed, he and the other characters learned that the Titans were not their true enemies and that it was other countries in the world that used the giant cannibals to kill them. Ultimately, this quote shows Eren’s conviction, even if he ended up fulfilling his goal as an antihero. All the Titans on Earth vanished when the Shining Centipede was destroyed, finally bringing an end to eighteen centuries of violence. This quote depicts Eren’s youthful desires and his completely simple goal of destroying the Titans.

11 “You’re Not Soldiers.”

Season 2, Episode 09: “Opening”

You’re not soldiers. You’re not warriors. You’re just murderers.

When Bertholdt and Reiner were revealed to be the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan, Eren fought against the two men he had once looked up to. However, they won the fight and kidnapped him, as well as Ymir. Stopping to rest in a forest, Reiner and Bertholdt had a deep conversation with their victims. The two called themselves “warriors” rather than “soldiers,” at which point Eren yelled these words at them.

When considering his future, it’s ironic that Eren called Bertholdt and Reiner murderers. However, this is very on-brand for the younger Eren. His journey from main character to main antagonist is still one of the most profound narratives in anime and this quote is a great example of his transformation. Eren ultimately goes from soldier to warrior to murderer, effectively neutralizing his former convictions. Eren’s words were full of disgust for them as he believed they betrayed Paradis and the Survey Corps.

10 “I’m The Same As You.”

Season 4, Episode 05: “Declaration of War”

I’m the same as you. I didn’t have any other choice.

After learning Reiner was the Armored Titan, Eren hated the man he thought of as his older brother. However, after the Survey Corps found out the truth about Paradis and Marley, he began to understand why Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie broke down Shiganshina and Wall Maria. When discussing this with Reiner during their tense reunion, he told his old friend that the two of them were much more alike than they had once thought.

Reiner and Eren’s relationship was inarguably one of the most complex in the series. This quote emphasizes how, in the end, they’re two sides of the same coin. Each of them wants to fight to save their own people, even though they’re both Eldians. That said, it seems that Eren really didn’t have a choice in the literal sense. The quote signifies how the characters had both made decisions that were shaped due to their environments and circumstances.

9 “I’m Not Planning On Handing It Down To Any Of You.”

Season 4, Episode 10: “A Sound Argument”

I’m not planning on handing it down to any of you.

Knowing that Eren would die in a few years due to the inheritors of the Nine Titans only living for thirteen years, he and his friends had a conversation to determine who would become the next Attack Titan and Founding Titan. Mikasa, Jean, Connie, and Sasha had all volunteered to take his place, but Eren refused. He said the quote during that time when he understood the burden of getting a Titan’s power and was not willing to let his friends suffer through it.

Although this line initially sounded a little selfish, Eren reasoned that he cared about them too much to want them to die while they were still young. This quote shows that, despite becoming their enemy and regardless of how things went in the end, Eren cared deeply about his friends and did everything he could for their freedom. On the other hand, Eren probably knew how everything was going to turn out, so this quote could just be him stating facts, making viewers wonder if Eren was right all along.

8 “Stand Up! If We Manage to Win…”

Stand up! If we manage to win, we’ll be the ones who change things!

Eren said this quote to his comrades when they were facing an enemy, which made him a contender for being a great leader. When his comrades were looking for encouragement amid the chaos and death, the character stepped forward and said these words of encouragement for them to fight against their opponent. Eren’s words were not just meant for encouragement, but also for them to realize the power of taking action collectively as a team.

The quote helped viewers witness early on how Eren can rally people around his vision, which was something that became crucial for the actions he took in the future. This quote by Eren led to the Survey Corps, who fought with a new vigor and did their best and they emerged victorious in the battle. The saying showcased the character’s leadership qualities as well as the show’s central themes involving sacrifice, resilience and the power of the human spirit.

7 “I’ll Wrap It Around You Again…”

Season 2, Episode 12: “Scream”

I’ll wrap it around you again… as many times as you want. Now and forever. That’s a promise!

After witnessing so many tragedies around him, Eren starts to break, laughing hysterically while lamenting everyone he couldn’t save. Mikasa comforts Eren, thanking him for teaching her how to live happily and for the scarf she always keeps with her. In return, Eren promises Mikasa he’ll always be there to wrap his scarf around her. The scarf is symbolic throughout the anime of love and the bond between Mikasa and Eren. This was one of the very few softer sides of the characters that was shown in the anime.

Mikasa and Eren don’t get many tender moments throughout Attack On Titan, showing their softer sides and how much they’ve been through with each other. The scarf also plays a significant role in the final episode of the series. As Mikasa expresses her grief in front of Eren’s grave, a bird suddenly wraps her scarf around her neck. The last words in the story are Mikasa thanking Eren for still comforting her.

6 “I Have the Freedom To Defend the World’s….”

Season 4, Episode 29: “The Final Chapters”

You have the freedom to defend the world’s freedom and I have the freedom to continue moving forward.

Eren became the greatest killer in the entire series when he resolved to destroy the other countries so they wouldn’t attack Paradis anymore. The Survey Corps had to join forces with Marley’s Warrior Unit to stop him, which included Eren’s former comrades and friends. At first, they had hoped to convince Eren to end his rampage, especially after seeing the destruction of Liberio and the resulting massacre. The quote signified how both he and his former friends could have the freedom to make conflicting choices.

However, Eren told them that he wouldn’t stop unless they defeated him, as both groups had the freedom to destroy or defend what they saw fit. Fans were shocked by the heartbreaking battle between these characters. They were once inseparable, but Eren’s stubbornness wouldn’t allow things to be any different. In any case, the freedom motif was once again integrated into his character arc. This quote enabled viewers to recognize the ideals Eren used to share with the ideals he followed later on.