#hange analysis

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CW: pretty depressing content, extreme bummer behavior

Though it was immensely upsetting for the audience of Attack on Titan, I think, despite everything, choosing to face death was somehow fitting for Hange's character. Life and death are two sides of the same coin, and Hange spent their time on Earth loving life, and perpetuating their faith in hopes of finding out what more it had to offer than what was set out before them. "What we can see and the true nature of what actually exists are totally different things." Death was an essential part of life that they had yet to discover. It was the side of it which was always shrouded in the dark. It makes sense for them to give themself over into death's arms rather than be stolen away.

And being afraid to die probably meets everyone as a feeling at some point in their lives. There's no doubt that Hange was terrified, in fact, it's obvious by the way they try not to look terrified. Yet the fact that they rise to meet death anyway is fitting. Even if I'm still heartbroken that they died, I'm glad that they were able to die as themself.

However, another thought which I've had for a while regards their last words. When Hange goes out to fight the titans, they give a wistful sort of sigh and say, "Titans truly are magnificent." This is a semblance of their former self, of their mad, eccentric nature showing through one last time. Then as they're fighting and see no signs of the airplane taking off, they exclaim to themself, "Still nothing?!" or "They need more time?!" This is, to some extent, indicating the heroism of their sacrifice, because if these had been their last words, it would've clearly stated, "They died to give their comrades more time."

(Haha, hold on, I did not read the manga correctly. Switching to an anime-only analysis, which is less credible, but oh well). So, neither of these were their last words [in the anime]. It had simply been "hot." While it's still clear that they died a hero to their comrades from looking at the context of the situation, I had been ruminating for a while on the fact that the sole word "hot" had been pain-related. It had been physically related. There's nothing related to Hange's incredible intellect or skill or love for life in having that as a last word, and I just think it shows that, no matter how heroically Hange may have died... they died. No matter how heroic, no matter how beautiful a death may look, death is still death. No matter how amazing they may have been, the pain of the fire could still strip them down to their primal instincts and mind.

We all know how Hange actually cared for how Levi felt after knowing that titans are actually human. I loved how the directors added Hange's change in expression when she heard Levi speak out. Connie is still grieving in his own world and Erwin is secretly celebrating in his heart.

And I also love how the scenes goes from

1) Focusing on Erwin after he knew about the news.

2) Levi's shocked expression

2) Hange noticing Levi's feelings after she explained it is just a hypothesis

3) Then it focuses to Levi. And straight to Hange. Just focusing on the two of them at this moment.

Because they know Mikasa and Levi cant.

The lyrics at this moment reminds me not just about Eren killing the bandits to save Mikasa, but also Hange killing her subordinates to save Levi.

All she ever wanted to do is save his life

And when you rotate Levi from the OP scene, it is as if he is being held by Hange as she found him by the river.

And we shall never forget how Hange cradled him so tightly to protect him. 😢

The first time he defied his leg injuries, he hopped out of the wagon to listen in on updates on Hange what happened at the frontlines in Season 2.

The second time he defied his leg injuries is when he struggled to be near Hange "interrogate" Yelena in The Final Chapters.

The last time he defied his leg injuries, there is no pretense on what he wanted. He wanted Hange to stay, but he knows he cant.

No wonder he had to grab her head and force her to look at him.

Oh... 2 titans in front of Hange