Mikasa's most difficult year

I'm sorry for not having written in a long while, and sorry for not writing in Latvian. But at least I want to renew a little tradition of mine with some thoughts on Mikasa Ackerman's birthday. She is hated by much of fandom, undeservedly, I think. One day I will write a long article refuting the reasons for hating her. Or at least link to the many people who have already done so. Today, since there is little time left, I just want to make an appeal to all her detractors to give her a break.

​We all know what a hard life she had up until now, so I won't rehash. And admittedly, this past year she messed up in a big way. Mind you, she was just being herself, looking out for the people she loves. That doesn't excuse her assaulting her superior officer in the middle of a battle, but it shouldn't have surprised anyone. If anything, it was surprising to me that she finally gave in after Hange intervened. What was particularly touching was that logical arguments did mot move her. She is consistently quite rational, except when the people she loves are in danger. But she was moved by Hange's empathy when Hange reminded her of all the people she had lost over the years. I think that says a lot about Mikasa, and maybe her cold exterior is finally beginning to soften just a little bit, after everything she has experienced. She has always had a soft heart, wanting to protect everyone. And while her extreme commitment to Eren is quite selfish, I have tried to explain show in a previous post that there are actually many examples where she has been sensitive and responsive to the needs of others, even strangers. It seems like she instinctively hardened her heart and limited her empathy after all the punishment, particularly her heart had taken. But it's there, and comes out when it can. At least so it seems to me. It's too much to hope that the upcoming year will be easy or pleasant, but let's hope that she is able to find peace.  

​And I apologize for the vagueness, but I wanted to try to say what I had to say without giving away very much.

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