Went back and forth on twitter some time ago with the conversation of "if eren was mind controlled or not" and the answer is surprisingly simple lol.
Eren says that memories and the "will to act" would be send down from paths to titan shifters. "Will to act" refers to the drive, determination, and conscious choice to move from thought to action when facing challenges and goals. Meaning that Ymir would give people the things they need to carry out certain actions.
In the chapter titled, From you 200 years ago, Eren asked if Ymir led him here. Obviously this would be pointless to include if this wasn't true (the inner debater in me is trying to snuff out counter arguments lol). This just confirms Ymir has choice/agency by allowing people to be led to certain events and etc.
From the previous 2 pages, we can confirm this to be the case: Eren was being mind controlled and brain washed by Ymir. Ymir sent Eren various memories to give him ideas and the will to act to guide him all to a certain goal. Before starting the rumbling Eren had all the determination in the world, afterwards he is a shell of a man who cries on the ground saying he could never be forgiven. We don't need 139 to confirm Eren was being mind controlled because we have evidence already that says Ymir is capable of doing it to anyone.
Let's all remember guys. Some people's "favorite anime" had an ending where the main character lost all agency so he could give the immortal witch girl a happy ending while sacrificing his life, his goals, his nation, and multiple of his friends.
yeah and it’s bad writing
At this point, just forget it.
Mid.
Bro was turned into a plot device😭
here's a clearer idea: he was not mind controlled, he was brainwashed. he got sent memories and will to act from ymir like she's whispering her from behind, it does messes his brain, but his decision is still on his hands. somewhere during the rumbling, eren literally mentioned "freedom."
and remove everything you know about ch 139. isayama confessed it's rushed. dont put it on the equation
How did you possibly get "mind control" out of that? The memories are obviously motivating Eren but nothing is locking Eren into this future other than his own will creating this future
mind control comes with the will to act, brain washing comes with the memories. eren wasnt locked into a future forced by his nature he was just following a path set by ymir regardless of if he wanted it or chose it