If eren wasn’t the main character, who would it be?
I’m probably gonna go off the topic while saying this, but I definitely think it could be Reiner.
If aot had the starting seasons showing Marley from his POV with the whole show centered around him, it would completely flip the narrative dynamic, but it would still be the best anime. Even Isayama himself said he has toyed with that concept.
Reiner would make an amazing main character because his story is SO tragic and messy. If the show started from his perspective, we'd see a brainwashed kid from Marley who breaks the walls out of duty, only to realize the "devils" inside are just normal, innocent people. The guilt quite literally splits his mind in two, making him toggle between a ruthless soldier and a protective big brother to the scouts. While Eren's story is about a victim becoming a villain, Reiner’s would be this intense psychological drama about a guy who did terrible things, completely broke down from the guilt, and is just desperately trying to find a way to redeem himself and protect the kids depending on him.
Focusing on him also completely changes how we see Gabi and Falco. Instead of them just being annoying or sympathetic enemies, they become Reiner's whole world. He views Gabi as a terrifying mirror of his younger, brainwashed self, and he's utterly desperate to save her from inheriting his Titan and his miserable fate. Falco becomes the under dog Reiner tries to mentor to protect Gabi, turning the final arcs into a deeply personal rescue mission. The whole story shifts from a war about freedom to a broken man trying to stop the next generation from repeating his horrific mistakes.
Holy yap but I felt the urge to come on here and give my opinion, what do you all think?