The Colossal Titan is one of the most terrifying and iconic figures in anime. Towering above buildings and belching steam like a furnace, its appeara
The Colossal Titan is one of the most terrifying and iconic figures in anime. Towering above buildings and belching steam like a furnace, its appearance in Attack on Titan shook the anime world. Not only is it massive in size, but it also has massive symbolic weight within the story. Whether you’re a fan of the anime or manga, the Colossal Titan stands out as a force of fear, destruction, and profound storytelling.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into everything about the Colossal Titan—its origins, its powers, its role in the story, and how it became a defining figure in one of the most popular anime series of all time.
What Is the Colossal Titan?
The Colossal Titan is one of the Nine Titan powers in the world of Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin), created by Hajime Isayama. It first appears in Episode 1, kicking a hole into Wall Maria and allowing hordes of Titans to invade humanity’s territory. This shocking introduction set the tone for the rest of the series—violent, intense, and full of mystery.
The Titan stands at a monstrous 60 meters tall—over 10 times taller than most regular Titans. Its unique design shows muscles and tendons without skin, resembling a flayed corpse or an anatomical model. Its eerie, skinless face became one of the defining images of Attack on Titan.
The People Behind the Titan
Unlike many Titans in the series, the Colossal Titan is not a mindless creature. It is controlled by a human called a Titan Shifter—someone who has inherited one of the Nine Titan powers.
Bertholdt Hoover
The original inheritor of the Colossal Titan during the main timeline is Bertholdt Hoover. A quiet, polite young man, Bertholdt is introduced as a cadet in the 104th Training Corps. Behind his calm demeanor, however, he is secretly a Warrior from Marley, sent to infiltrate human society and assist in its downfall.
Bertholdt’s struggle is emotional and psychological. He doesn’t enjoy killing, but he believes in his mission. His transformation into the Colossal Titan causes enormous death and destruction, yet he rarely shows anger or hatred. His internal conflict makes him a compelling villain—one driven more by duty than malice.
Armin Arlert
Later in the series, Bertholdt is defeated, and Armin Arlert inherits the Colossal Titan. This moment is pivotal, as it marks a turning point in Armin’s character development. Formerly a weak, shy boy with a brilliant mind, Armin is forced to accept a power that he never asked for—a power built on destruction.
With Armin, the Colossal Titan becomes a different kind of symbol—not just one of destruction, but of reluctant leadership and difficult choices. Armin uses it carefully, aware of the devastating consequences that come with every transformation.
Colossal Titan’s Powers and Abilities
The Colossal Titan isn’t just big—it’s also one of the most dangerous Titans due to its unique abilities. Let’s break down its core powers:
1. Immense Size
Standing at 60 meters tall, the Colossal Titan is the tallest among the Nine Titans and one of the tallest overall in the series. Its sheer size allows it to destroy city walls, crush buildings, and stomp over enemies with ease.
2. Explosive Transformation
Perhaps its most deadly weapon is its transformation. When the human shifter becomes the Colossal Titan, the resulting explosion can level an entire area. This makes the act of transforming itself a nuclear-like attack—instantly deadly to anyone nearby.
3. Steam Release
The Colossal Titan can emit huge amounts of superheated steam from its body. This steam burns anything that comes too close and can repel enemies trying to climb it or attack it. The steam can even be used tactically to protect the Titan from attacks or to escape from combat.
4. Slow Movement
Despite its power, the Colossal Titan has a significant weakness—its slow speed. Its massive size and weight make it cumbersome in battle. This forces its inheritor to rely more on surprise, strategy, and its explosive abilities rather than agility.
Symbolism and Themes
The Colossal Titan is more than just a big monster. Like many elements of Attack on Titan, it carries deep symbolic meaning.
Destruction and Power
The Colossal Titan represents absolute, unstoppable destruction. It’s the living embodiment of a bomb—silent until it explodes. When it appears, it changes the battlefield instantly. This overwhelming power mirrors the destructive capabilities of real-world weapons of mass destruction.
War and Guilt
Both Bertholdt and Armin are deeply conflicted characters. Bertholdt is a spy and saboteur, responsible for thousands of deaths, yet he is portrayed with empathy. Armin, who once dreamed of seeing the world, inherits a Titan that can destroy it. This duality—idealism versus brutal reality—is central to Attack on Titan.
Fear and Hopelessness
When the Colossal Titan appears, it brings fear. It towers over the walls that were supposed to protect humanity. Its design—with no skin, blank expression, and mechanical movements—feels less like a monster and more like a force of nature or death itself.
Major Appearances in the Story
The Colossal Titan appears at key moments throughout Attack on Titan, shaping the course of the story.
- Episode 1 – The Fall of Wall Maria: The Titan appears suddenly and kicks a hole in Wall Maria, allowing Titans to invade the city. This event leads to the death of Eren’s mother and sparks his quest for revenge.
- Battle of Trost: The Colossal Titan appears again to attack another wall, forcing the new cadets into their first real battle. Eren faces it but is unable to defeat it.
- Clash of the Titans Arc: Bertholdt is revealed as the Colossal Titan in one of the most shocking twists of the series. His betrayal stuns the characters and viewers alike.
- Battle of Shiganshina: Bertholdt’s final transformation destroys half the district in a blinding explosion. Armin sacrifices himself to defeat him, only to be revived and inherit the Titan.
- The Rumbling Arc: Armin uses the Colossal Titan sparingly, but critically. His transformation helps stop Eren’s plan and shows how even overwhelming power can be used responsibly—if reluctantly.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Colossal Titan has become one of the most iconic figures in anime. Its face has been plastered on posters, video games, clothing, and even theme park attractions. It has appeared in crossovers, commercials, and fan art across the globe.
Its introduction in Attack on Titan helped redefine what anime could be—visually bold, emotionally complex, and thematically rich. The Titan’s image of peering over a wall, steam rising from its body, became a symbol for the entire series.
Even people who haven’t watched the anime often recognize the Colossal Titan by sight alone.
FAQs About the Colossal Titan
1. Why is the Colossal Titan so big?
Its massive size is one of the traits of the Titan power itself. It was designed to instill fear and cause maximum destruction. Unlike most Titans, its size is part of what makes it deadly—even before it attacks.
2. Who had the Colossal Titan before Bertholdt?
The series never shows the Titan’s full lineage, but Bertholdt inherited it as part of Marley’s Warrior Program. The previous holder remains unknown.
3. How did Armin become the Colossal Titan?
After being critically injured, Armin was given a Titan injection by Levi. He transformed into a Pure Titan and ate Bertholdt, inheriting the Colossal Titan power.
4. Can the Colossal Titan defeat the Founding Titan?
While the Colossal Titan is immensely powerful, the Founding Titan has abilities that surpass it, including controlling other Titans. Still, in the final battle, Armin uses strategy alongside power to confront the Founding Titan effectively.
5. Why does the Colossal Titan emit steam?
The steam is a byproduct of the Titan’s immense energy. It can also be used intentionally by the user to repel attackers or damage structures.
6. Does the Colossal Titan have weaknesses?
Yes—its slow movement, limited duration of steam emission, and energy costs make it vulnerable in some situations. Skilled opponents can exploit these weaknesses.
Conclusion
The Colossal Titan is a towering figure in every sense of the word. It looms over the story of Attack on Titan both literally and thematically, shaping the fates of its characters and symbolizing the terrifying power of war. From Bertholdt’s cold duty to Armin’s reluctant burden, the Titan has evolved along with the series.
It’s more than just a monster. It’s a question: What does it mean to have power that can destroy everything? And what kind of person dares to use it?
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