· By Books That Changed My Life
Why Maitreyi Loves Attack on Titan?
When the line between hero and villain blurs, how do we evaluate justice? For actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hajime Isayama’s dark manga masterpiece provided an early masterclass in systemic oppression, political propaganda, and the danger of moral certainty.
Quick Answer
Actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan shares how Hajime Isayama's manga Attack on Titan shaped her worldview on ethics, the cycle of violence, and political activism. The series moves beyond simple action to challenge ideas of moral righteousness, systemic oppression, and historical trauma. Through her personal journey, Ramakrishnan highlights why Attack on Titan serves as a profound allegory for real-world conflict and human empathy.
Introduction
Growing up in a household deeply committed to social justice, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was never sheltered from real-world conflict. Her parents, both union representatives and Tamil genocide survivors from Sri Lanka, instilled in her a duty to question authority and stand up against oppression from an early age. When she discovered Attack on Titan in middle school, the narrative resonated not just as an entertaining fantasy, but as a striking reflection of world history and human nature.
Key Insights
- The Perpetuation of Historical Cycles: Oppressed groups risk replicating the exact cruelties of their oppressors when motivated by absolute birthright or revenge.
- The Illusion of Simple Heroism: Narrative perspectives determine who appears "good" or "bad"; true critical thinking requires questioning the narrator's agenda.
- Active Engagement Over Indifference: Remaining neutral in the face of systemic conflict is equivalent to supporting the oppressor.
"It is about how humanity has the constant desire to oppress, to conquer, and take over people. It is a vicious cycle that we cannot get out of." — Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
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About the Guest
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is a Canadian actress widely recognized for her breakout lead role in Netflix's critically acclaimed comedy series Never Have I Ever. Raised in Mississauga, Ontario, by parents who survived the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka, she is an outspoken advocate for social justice, union rights, and authentic representation in media.
About the Book
Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin), created by Hajime Isayama, begins as a survival story about humanity living behind massive walls to protect themselves from man-eating giants known as Titans. As the narrative unfolds through the perspectives of childhood friends Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert, it deconstructs its original premise. What initially appears to be a straightforward battle between good and evil transforms into a complex exploration of war, ethnic discrimination, state propaganda, and the unending cycles of retribution.
Hot Topic Sweaters and Playground Protests
Before starring on screen, Ramakrishnan was a middle schooler wearing winged Hermes-style shoes and sporting a single blue clip-in hair extension. Proudly embracing her inner nerd, her very first self-funded clothing purchase was an Attack on Titan sweater from Hot Topic—a garment she still carries to auditions today as a lucky charm.
Her home environment was equally distinct. At age five, she attended her first protest to raise awareness about the Tamil genocide. By middle school, she was organizing student walkouts over provincial education cuts. Her father regularly challenged her to read newspaper articles and defend her viewpoints against his deliberate contrarian arguments. This upbringing primed her to view media critically rather than passively consuming entertainment.
Deconstructing the Illusion of Righteousness
At thirteen, Ramakrishnan initially viewed Attack on Titan through the same lens as its main protagonists: a clear-cut struggle where humanity represented good and the Titans represented evil. However, as Isayama gradually revealed the world outside the walls, the narrative shattered those assumptions.
"I love to find stories that make me feel stupid," Ramakrishnan notes, explaining how the series forced her to analyze her own biases. The story reveals that every faction operates from its own traumatic history and political propaganda. By stripping away absolute morality, the series demonstrates how former victims can easily become oppressors once they obtain power.
Reflection & Call to Action
Ramakrishnan's connection to Attack on Titan demonstrates how fiction can mirror real-world political realities. Breaking real-world cycles of conflict begins with dismantling personal ignorance and actively listening to opposing experiences rather than reflexively defending one's own stance.
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FAQ Section
Q: How did Maitreyi Ramakrishnan first discover Attack on Titan?
A: She discovered the anime adaptation while in middle school and turned to the manga volumes in her school library to continue the story during an extended anime hiatus.
Q: Which character did Ramakrishnan relate to most as a teenager?
A: She related most to Sasha Braus ("Potato Girl"), appreciating her humor, love of food, non-athletic nature, and relatable reluctance during military training.
Q: Why does Ramakrishnan argue Attack on Titan is inherently political?
A: She highlights how the series mirrors real-world ethnic violence, propaganda, and colonial dynamics through the struggle of the Eldian people and the surrounding nations.
Q: What lucky item does Ramakrishnan bring to her acting auditions?
A: She brings an Attack on Titan sweater purchased from Hot Topic during her middle school years.
Final Thoughts
Attack on Titan endures because it refuses to offer easy answers or comfortable moral high grounds. Through its relentless narrative shifts, it reminds readers that confronting systemic cruelty requires constant self-examination, empathy, and the courage to break destructive cycles.
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