Attack on Titan's character development is on another level, going much deeper than most other anime series. Most characters are adored by fans, while a few are hated. In particular, one Marleyan character who was first introduced in season four has attracted the ire of viewers, and I don't feel she deserves this harsh critique.

Gabi Braun may be the most despised character in Attack on Titan, and even after she changed and matured, some people still refuse to forgive her and look at her experiences with empathy. Although she did make mistakes, her journey mirrors Eren's, who is much more praised for his very similar actions on the other side of the battlefield.

Gabi Braun Does Not Deserve the Hate She Gets in Attack on Titan

Most Viewers Despise Her Overconfident Persona or Her Act of Revenge Towards Sasha

People primarily hate Gabi for two reasons: her tenacious, somewhat cocky personality and her act of vengeance against Sasha Braus. Gabi can be haughty and is not shy about her confidence in her abilities and commitment to defeating her enemies. Although her demeanor can be a little intense, she spent her entire childhood being trained as a loyal Marleyan soldier, causing her to adopt this fearless persona. She is also fairly young, only fifteen years old, so her true personality has not had a chance to fully take shape, and she has a lot left to learn about life.

Primarily though, the action that earned Gabi the most hatred was her ruthless attack on Sasha. During the Survey Corps' Raid on Liberio, thousands of Marleyans were killed, and Gabi had to witness many familiar citizens and people she had grown up with slaughtered right before her eyes. Understandably, she was overcome by rage and lashed out at the first Eldian she came across, who unfortunately happened to be Sasha. She snuck onto the airship she knew the enemy soldiers were on and fired haphazardly, and the bullet just so happened to strike Sasha and kill her instantly.

Gabi's Experience Mirrors Eren’s, on the Opposite Side of the Conflict

Early on in Attack on Titan, Eren Talks and Behaves Very Similarly to Gabi

Although I don't agree with Gabi's choice to kill Sasha, it is clear to see that she was motivated by rage, pain, and the beliefs that had been instilled in her for years. Gabi grew up being taught that Eldia was the enemy, and after the attacks, she had no reason to believe otherwise. They were strangers to her, who attacked her home and killed thousands of her people, so given the situation and the information she had, it is understandable that she despised them. Ultimately, her character arc was shockingly similar to Eren's, yet fans give him a lot more grace.

I don’t agree with people who hate Gabi but praise Eren, because they had very similar experiences, and only wanted to achieve freedom for their respective country. When Eren was Gabi's age, at the beginning of the series, he had a similar outspoken, reckless personality, and spoke openly about his intention to kill all the Titans on his own. As the story progressed, Eren began to view everyone not from the island of Paradis as a threat to be eliminated, and that is why he started The Rumbling with the Founding Titan, which caused far more damage than Gabi's one act of revenge.

Gabi's Backstory Is One of the Most Meaningful in Attack on Titan

The Story Gives Eren Time To Change and Mature, but Gabi’s Story Is Only Shown Briefly

Eren and Gabi are two sides of the same coin, and both represent two children who grew up during a time of war and were instructed to view the opposing side of the war as a mortal enemy beyond redemption. People are able to sympathize more with Eren because he is the main character and focal point of the series, but only a snapshot of Gabi's story is included in Attack on Titan. She does not make her first appearance until the timeskip in season four, so her screentime is much shorter and less detailed than Eren's arc that lasts four entire seasons.

Had the roles been reversed, with Gabi as the main character and most of the series taking place in Marley, I wonder if fans would have a more positive perception of Gabi and her character development. This is the true genius of the final season of Attack on Titan. It causes watchers to question everything they have seen thus far in the series, and wonder who the true enemy really is. Isayama, the mangaka of the series, has spoken before about how Attack on Titan is a story meant to depict the futility of war, and the cycle of violence it perpetuates.

Gabi's Story Shows the Core Message of Attack on Titan

Her Character Arc Highlights the Repercussions of War and Why the Conflict Began in the First Place

Eldians were mistreated and oppressed by Marley for most of Attack on Titan, but as a child, Gabi did not see the wrongfulness of Marley's treatment towards Eldia. She lived in fear of the "island devils," as people around her called them, and because they were Titan shifters, she was terrified they would destroy the world. However, Gabi changed as she was confronted with the truth, and I appreciate her arc because she is willing to apologize and it she was misguided, judgmental, and unintentionally caused harm. All the conflict in Attack on Titan stems from both sides harshly refusing to see the other side's humanity.

Gabi's story is proof that people can grow and alter their worldview, and once she begins viewing the Eldians as people just like her and her loved ones, she becomes a much better character. I understand why people have trouble looking past Gabi's past transgressions, but I do have pity for her, since she grew up only hearing horror stories of the Eldians. By the end of Attack on Titan, Gabi takes responsibility for her cruel actions, and although this does not negate the pain they caused, it proves she is a lot more complex and meaningful character than people give her credit for.