Expendables and Expeditions: The Role of Utilitarianism in Attack on Titan

What lengths are you willing to cross in the name of the greater good? What price are you prepared to pay at the promise of salvation?

These are only two among the countless questions Hajime Isayama’s internationally acclaimed manga series, Attack on Titan, invites its viewers to ponder. First released in the year 2009, the story has since risen to monstrous heights, steadily cementing its position as one of the most impactful shōnen animes of the decade—and perhaps even of all time. With its emotionally gripping storyline, complex and loveable characters, heart-pounding action scenes, and gut-wrenching twists, the global commendation with which it was met is no longer surprising. The series does not shy away from topics such as war, violence, sacrifice, and morality—and in doing so, it has become a gold mine for philosophical and ethical discussions.

But what is it about, even?

All events in this manga-turned-anime lead back to a curious island named Paradis, where a series of three, towering walls provide what is believed to be the last of humankind refuge from titans. Resilient to damage, gigantic in size, and endlessly hungry for humans, these nude, humanoid creatures embody a glaring power imbalance that quickly engulfs the narrative with a sense of dread.

Enter the Survey Corps—the sole military branch audacious enough to confront what millions of other characters hope to never encounter in this universe. Tasked with venturing beyond the walls, soldiers from this unit exhaust every option possible to rise above their gigantic enemies and safeguard what little chance of survival humanity has left, whether it involves studying titan behavior and biology, devising new weapons, reclaiming lost territory due to titan invasion, or engaging in direct combat with them (Otapedia, n.d.).

And leading at the forefront is Erwin Smith.

Few characters in the show are as revered as they are condemned, and this controversial man is among them. Intelligent, perceptive, and dangerously eloquent, Erwin made for a charismatic and effective leader. His strategic brilliance, unwavering commitment to their goals, and infectious courage in the face of overwhelming danger have brought humankind closer to the truth than any other commandant in the history of Paradis. By being transparent about the harsh realities of their duty and sharing a clear vision and purpose of what their work entails, Erwin won over the trust of the Scouts—veterans and newcomers alike (Erwin Smith, 2014).

But where others exalt an able commander, some only see a ruthless killer. Another trait to which people attribute Erwin’s expertise at leading is his capacity to make harsh decisions—even if it's the kind that would involve sending his men, all of whom are ready to stake their lives at his command, straight into the jaws of death. This cold, calculating pragmatism manifests in several of Attack on Titan's most pivotal moments: the capturing of the Female titan, the reclaiming of a kidnapped Eren, and the return to Shiganshina (the first town to experience the brunt of titan assault). In each of these situations, hundreds of Scouts ended up being chewed or crushed to death.

With this, it becomes clear what ideology guides Erwin's actions: utilitarianism. This ethical theory asserts that the morality of actions are determined by the consequences brought about by certain decisions (McCombs School of Business, 2025). To illustrate this, a utilitarian would opt for the choice that “produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people”—precisely the logic lacing Erwin’s choices. His willingness to gamble with the lives of his comrades—and in the end, his own as well—is rooted in the implicit, unyielding belief that such sacrifices are absolutely necessary to further the cause of humanity. With this, a sacrificial "for the greater good" mindset is underscored, and the idea that their lives are a comparatively smaller price to pay for the salvation of millions of other humans becomes obvious. Armin Arlert, another brilliant strategist in the series, sufficiently articulates this point:

"If there’s anyone who can bring about change, it’s someone capable of giving up what matters most. … In particular, people who are capable of abandoning their humanity when forced to rise above monsters.” (Isayama & Araki, 2013)

Erwin does not revel in this, however. He fully understands the weight of his actions and carries the burden of every soldier lost under his wing. His conscience remains, even if it is glaringly inferior to his resoluteness. At one point in the series, just before leading an entire troop of terrified scouts on a suicide charge, he sits in exhaustion, recalling his fallen comrades and envisioning them watching him closely, waiting to see what becomes of the sacrifices they made (Isayama & Koizuka, 2019). It is also worth adding that Erwin's desperation for the truth was strongly influenced by personal ambition—one which he ultimately decides to abandon in the end. By sacrificing a long-held dream to lead his comrades and fight for humanity one last time, Erwin exhibits another utilitarian impulse.

At the end of this discussion, one can only return to the age-old question: Do the ends justify the means? What good is having a conscience if it's never actualized? On one hand, the cumulative result of his decisions did lead the Survey Corps to victory against their enemies. In the end, humankind did uncover the truth about titan history—a revelation that did serve Paradis island’s best interests and prevented the total annihilation of their race. On the other hand, it was these same decisions that sent hundreds—maybe even thousands—of seasoned soldiers to their brutally tragic ends, leaving countless families in the story wounded for life. Even if they are objectively living in a “better” Paradis now, the visible societal progress will serve as a constant reminder of the cost with which it was achieved: the lives of their children, mothers, fathers, spouses, and siblings.

I personally believe there is no single “right” answer to this question. After all, our judgements depend on subjective beliefs about what constitutes the “greater good.” Most fans would likely say that Erwin’s goal—knowledge about the real nature of titans and the world—would be that greater good, especially since the narrative framed it in such a way. However, we cannot know if everyone else in the story (and in the fandom) shares this sentiment. They may interpret the “greater good” as the achievement of social equality (as a hierarchical system still exists in the story) or simply the preservation of peace within the walls (even if this comes at the cost of living in ignorance). As an avid fan myself, even I remain conflicted about Erwin's character. While it may be easy to pin him as the "devil", as Floch calls him in season 3—and to a large degree, he is; denying that after the mountain of corpses scene would be ridiculous—, it would equally be neglectful to ignore the circumstantial urgency cruelly imposed upon him and the scouts.

Either way, the series provides a vivid picture of how utilitarian reasoning can be employed to legitimize war and militaristic force—a practice that will catalyze catastrophic outcomes when abused. Erwin’s character also exemplifies how actions aren’t inherently good or evil, just as how people aren’t one-dimensional that they exist solely as noble heroes or diabolical antagonists. After all, in the grand scheme of things, human morality is not absolute. We all are capable of causing varying degrees of both harm and good, though certain choices certainly carry consequences far heavier than some, especially in the context of war. The least we can do is strive to live with greater awareness and consideration for others, opt for paths that maximize collective human flourishing and minimize misery—and, perhaps, hope that we’ll never be crammed into a position that forces us to weigh one life against another.

Art Credits to @tasya_rey

|| December 20th, 2025

Sources

Erwin Smith. (2014). Attack on Titan Wiki. https://attackontitan.fandom.com/wiki/Erwin_Smith

Isayama, H. (Writer), & Araki, T. (Director). (2013, August 25). Erwin Smith: The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, Part 4 (Season 1, Episode 20) [TV series episode]. In Ishikawa, M., Tsunoda, N., Furukawa, Y., Imai, Y., Ueda, Y. (Executive Producers), Attack on Titan. Wit Studio.

Isayama, H. (Writer), & Koizuka, M. (Director). (2019, May 20). Perfect Game (Season 3, Episode 16) [TV series episode]. In Ishikawa, M., Tsunoda, N., Furukawa, Y., Imai, Y., Ueda, Y. (Executive Producers), Attack on Titan. Wit Studio.

McCombs School of Business. (2025). Utilitarianism. Ethics Unwrapped; The University of Texas at Austin. https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/utilitarianism

Otapedia. (n.d.). Survey Corps - Attack on Titan [Review of Survey Corps - Attack on Titan]. Otapedia. https://otakumode.com/otapedia/anime/attack_on_titan/survery_corps