Title: Attack on Titan: Our own Vertical Maneuvering Equipment
Series Identifier: n/a
Format: Anime/Manga
Genre:
- Action
- Adventure
- Anime
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Sci-fi
- Young Adult
- Other:
Conversation Topic:
- Difficult emotions
- Mental Health Services
- Problem Solving
- Resilience
- Standing up for oneself
- Working with others
- Other: Coping Skills
Relatable Experience:
- Abuse
- Acceptance
- Alcohol/substance abuse
- Blended Family
- Breakup
- Bullying
- Clarity/Understanding
- Coming of age/Getting older
- Coming Out
- Death
- Depression
- Disability
- Divorce
- Fear/Anxiety
- Fighting
- Foster Care/Adoption
- Making Others Worry
- Health (Physical)
- Loss (other than death)
- Guilt
- Moving
- New Life Event (New Rules)
- Single parent
- Separation
- Suicide
- Trauma
- Other:
Insights:
The vertical maneuvering equipment (立体機 動装置Rittai kidō sōchi?) is a set of equipment developed by humans allowing for great mobility when facing the Titans in combat. The equipment enables the user to fight in a 3D space as opposed to a 2D one. The equipment itself takes the form of a body harness that encompasses much of the body below the neck. Although the equipment can grant a skilled user tremendous mobility, it is a demanding art that requires strength, and skill, both of which must be honed through constant practice.
The simplest move possible with the vertical equipment is simply aiming and firing the grapple hooks at an object and then activating the gas mechanism to reel oneself toward said object. They can then disconnect the hook and continue moving forward.
Sometimes in life we face titans. They’re not typically giant creatures that want to tear down walls and eat us, but the damage they do can be just as bad to our minds. Like Eren, Mikasa, and Armin we need tools to fight our titans. Our coping skills act just like vertical maneuvering equipment. They can hold us up, we can aim at our titan, and can propel us forward. Never go to battle against your titans without them.
This can be broken down further by looking at the components of the VME.
Part 1: Hand Grips can be connected to Muscle Relaxation: Those in the core need to be familiar not only with the equipment that they’re using but also familiar with their body. A good way we can get used to our bodies is practicing Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Here are the steps
Hold the tension for 8-10 seconds, and pay close attention to how it feels. Then, release the tension, and notice how the feeling of relaxation differs from the feeling of tension.
● Feet Curl your toes tightly into your feet, then release them.
● Calves Point or flex your feet, then let them relax.
● Thighs Squeeze your thighs together tightly, then let them relax.
● Torso Suck in your abdomen, then release the tension and let it fall.
● Back Squeeze your shoulder blades together, then release them.
● Shoulders Lift and squeeze your shoulders toward your ears, then let them drop.
● Arms Make fists and squeeze them toward your shoulders, then let them drop.
● Hands Make a fist by curling your fingers into your palm, then relax your fingers.
● Full Body Squeeze all muscles together, then release all tension
Part 2: Grapple Hooks can be connected to our Social Supports: Our brains tell us to keep to ourselves when we’re feeling depressed. They tell us not to bother others or bring them into things because we don’t want to hurt them. Lean on your already created relationships. Reach out, text, call, visit. Say yes when they reach out to you. CALL 988 or 678-678 for the Trevor Project if you need help with unsafe or suicidal
thoughts
Part 3: Gas Powered Mech can be connected to Belly Breathing: Make sure to breathe in
through your nose and out through your mouth, inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds, then exhale for seconds. Pro-Tip: Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest to make sure your belly is raising/lowering instead of your chest.
Part 4: Iron Wire Propeller can be connected to moving our body. The corps tend to run across roof tops, but for us this could be running, walking, playing a sport, swimming.
Part 5: Blades can be connected to practicing mindfulness: It’s common to feel overwhelmed or outside of yourself when experiencing depression. A great way to help out is utilizing mindfulness exercises. The following is just one of many ways to practice mindfulness.
Similar to playing “I Spy” we will be using our sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste, to ground us. Look around you and name 5 things that you can see. Then touch or focus on how 4 things feel (your shirt against your back, or a pillow), Name 3 things that you can hear then 2 things that you can smell. Finally, focus on one thing you can taste. (Pro-tip if you don’t like the current taste in your mouth, change it. Take a sip of a drink or suck on a mint).
Usage/Anecdotes:
I made this a few years ago, I needed to teach one of my clients some coping skills, but they were not interested at first. Their affinity was anime, especially Attack on Titan. As this was also something I was into I made this connection for them in next session.
Reflection Questions:
How do you think the Corp would be if they practiced these skills along with their normal training?
What are some titans you’re facing right now? How can using our mental VME be helpful?
Link to Content: Attack on Titan and Coping Skills by The Nerdy Social Worker | TPT