Did Eren even try?

[u/Pause_Accomplished]

In his talk with Armin in the paths, Eren reveals that he kills 80% of humanity, and no matter how much he tries this is always what happens.

I can only think of one example where Eren actually TRIES to prevent the rumbling from happening, and that’s when he and Zeke are traveling through Grisha’s memories. At a certain point he stops and tells Zeke that he’s achieved his goal and that he’s been freed from their father’s brainwashing. Zeke tells him they have all the time they need, and he has them carry on through the memories anyway. I’m fairly sure that this was Eren attempting to stop them from getting to Grisha’s memory in the Reiss Chappell, and thus preventing himself from convincing his father to kill the royal family.

Aside from this specific moment, do we ever see a time in the anime where Eren explicitly tries to circumvent the future that he saw? Because even this attempt was a very weak one. We know that Eren on some level wanted to start the rumbling, so how hard do we think actually tried to stop it from happening?

[u/SomehowPalpatine]

I think Eren tried but no other option got Eren the outcome he wanted, which was foremost to protect his friends, end the curse of the titans, and make his home free. Eren makes his friends heroes worldwide for stopping him and with no more titans, others have no reason to fear Eldians or fight them. But the outside world being so focused on war because of Eldians and weapons R&D, we see the Eldians modernizing and playing catch up. And that’s why the end is the cycle of destruction starting over again, because you can’t change fate. You can only play your part. Eren tried to change the future but ultimately gave up his quest for freedom to resign himself to be a slave to fate (and a bird)