#snk86

1. Her Titan form resembles the one in the mythical book

Don’t you think there’s a remarkable resemblance? From the big head, face to the claws and jagged teeth.

Although I admit, that little girl there looks nothing like our Ymir. And yeah, the panel right after this one shows a female Titan that’s definitely not like the Dancing Titan (which fans have called Ymir’s Titan form) But it’s a 1802 year-old story book, and legends tend to exaggerate as it’s passed on. Historia’s book showed a less demonic version of the creature, as well as a darker haired girl.

We’ve already got different interpretations of history thrown about as it were.

Remember that in Historia’s book, the girl is portrayed as selfless and kind. This ties in with another clue later on. I save the best for last ;)

2. Ilse Langner vs Ymir

Can we blame that Titan for mixing them up? Let’s not forget that the words 'Ymir-sama’ and 'Ymir’s people’ were part of the crucial mystery regarding the Titan.

If Ymir used to be the Progenitor Titan whom all Titan power originated from, it makes sense, if you approach it mythically, for slightly more intelligent Titans to recognise and worship her. Who knows, maybe that abnormal Titan Ilse encountered had been around since Legendary Ymir’s time?

3. She can read ancient text

Reiner is a Warrior. He’s from outside the walls. The fact that Reiner can’t read it means the label is not written in the language on the continent. So it may be an ancient language or even forbidden Eldian characters. We know that the Marleyan government actively uses propaganda and possibly falsify history to oppress Eldian citizens. This might include wiping out Eldian culture and text.

We know from chapter 86 that there indeed was an ancient language that’s difficult to decifer.

The only thing that’s bugging me about this clue is how it ended up in an abandoned castle. I don’t know if canned food has an expiry date of over sixty years (since Ymir has to have learned it before becoming a wandering Titan). In any case, it has to be old enough that it’s obsolete to Eldian citizens now!

But still, if the label was really written in ancient Eldian language, then OMG Ymir, can you be...?

Continuing with...

4. This conversation with Reiner and Berthold

While this could mean that by returning to the continent Ymir will be forced to die pass on her Titan powers, WHAT IF she’s actually going to be interrogated for her connection and/or possible knowledge of the original Ymir.

Think about it, if our Ymir is actually THE legendary Ymir Fritz, she would have been hailed as a god/goddess more than once in her lifetime by the Eldian people. Could it be that the last look on Ymir’s face here is nostalgia? 

5. Ymir’s history

Who is Ymir? Like who is she really?

As we know, mindless titans are transformed Eldian citizens serving out punishment from the Marleyan government. That’s why I’m quite sure Ymir came from outside the walls too.

But her background is really an empty slate before this point. We don’t even know her last name! We didn’t get any flashbacks, only sparse dialogues between her and Historia, Reiner and on this occasion - her thoughts.

The scene from Castle Utgard

“I was hated for the fact that I exist in this world. And I died...for the happiness of a great many people. But there was one thing I wished for with all my heart. If I’m ever given a second chance in life, I wanna be able to live only for myself.”

First I just assumed she was referring to her existence as a man-eating titan. But no one knows that she used to be a titan (Ymir herself says she doesn’t remember this period as well, except for that she was in an endless nightmare) so she couldn’t really be hated by anyone even if she ate people.

Ymir said she died for the sake of many people. A GREAT many people for that matter. Who could she have sacrificed herself for?

Now that I think of it, Ymir may have a very bad temper and a bad mouth, but she is actually kind, selfless and caring (not unlike Levi Heichou) It’s only because the cute and innocent Krista was always next to her that many of us fail to notice these qualities.

- She helped Historia save a fellow trainee (whose name I can’t remember)

- She came with Krista to give Sasha water and bread after the girl ran for five hours on their first day; the rest of the trainee squad didn’t seem inclined to check on Sasha.

- She told Connie a joke when he was thinking that the Titan sitting on his home may be his mother, to distract him from the heartbreak of finding out the truth. Historia alone understands this.

- She is willing to sacrifice her life to save her friends, the members of the 104th Squad at the battle of Utgard.

- She saves Reiner and Berthold following Eren’s activating the Coordinate.

- She’s willing to return with the Warriors to their homeland and possibly dying as a result. She declined their offer to escape, even though she could have done so any time when she recoverd.

Historia even at one time said during the battle of Trost that everyone was emotional by the deaths of their friends, which is why they (Ymir and Connie) are bickering like this. Though Ymir quickly followed her words with a 'Marry me Krista!’, Connie admitted she was bad-mouthing even worse than usual.

Our Ymir supposedly finds a lot in common with Historia, which is why she befriended her. She also constantly urges Historia to be true to herself and live with pride in her identity. Could it be that once long ago, Ymir also tried to be a kind person who thought only of others but, in the end, became tired of it? She even 'died’ in order to save many people. Maybe after having led a life for the sake of others she grew tired of it? Maybe that’s why she swore that if she was given a second chance (and she was) she’d live only for herself.

And I don’t think 'living only for myself’ necessarily means selfish. After Historia embraced her identity and became queen, we see that she’s a cheerful girl who still does a lot to help others, especially orphans. In a way, Historia’s a lot like the kind-hearted Krista. The only difference is that she no longer has to force herself to be caring and understanding. If the parallel between Ymir and Historia continues, maybe Ymir’s also living for herself while retaining a sense of compassion for others.

Someone on the AoT wikia once wrote this about Ymir:

“Oddly, her personality appears to be a foil of Krista. Due to Krista's dark past, Krista often pretends to be a sweet girl so that others will remember her fondly. However, her true nature is darker, depressed, and lonely. Ymir's true persona appears to be much more selfless and quite emotional.”

I didn’t pay much attention to Ymir before, but when I read these words I immediately know they contain some truth. 

Ymir is a kind person. You know who else is? That girl from Historia’s book - the could-be Ymir Fritz. Grisha when he was younger believed that Ymir gave the people of the world wealth and prosperity, as well as making the lands bountiful - that certainly seems like a caring leader.

Conclusion

If you start thinking about counter-arguments, there really are many holes to poke at with this theory. For example, the theory would make Ymir over 1800 years old (looking good?) and raise questions on how exactly did she survive passing on the power of the Titans to 9 Shifters.