Board Thread:Theories/@comment-25322628-20151223003430/@comment-27702860-20160522065844

Aggression25 wrote: If such abilities are rare, it would explain why you don't see that many Titans as large as the Colossal, defensive as the Armored, or as endowed as the Female. I suspect that there are two separate processes: that which makes a Normal Titan, and that which elevates one to a Shifter which keeps his consciousness. Leave aside the weird "Abnormal Titans" which. . . who knows?

I suspect that the Shifter "stuff" conveys a more complete transformation. Eren did not have full control over himself at first. Perhaps it is as if the Titans have the simple drive to eat humans. Some have theorized that it is to eat a Shifter, but I do not recall Ymir stating she had that drive during her decades of hell. That might be a drive created by "Whomever" created the idea. Perhaps it is as if the Titan "body" and its drive overwhelms the person. It still needs a person to exist. Without getting to technical, it may be similar to people who suffer severe brain injuries/dementing processes who are left with various reflexive and stereotypical motor abilities.

The Shifters retain their consciousness, and with practice gain greater control over the body. Hence Reiner eventually learns to "move" his consciousness or "self" to avoid Levy killing him.

I think. . ..

--J.D.

[Edited to correct various scribal errors.--Ed.]