Attack on Titan: Character Guide and Descriptions

The end is near. Attack On Titan, one of the most colossal animated TV shows ever made, is reaching its final episodes this year, with a first group of them premiering in March and the rest later in the year. Eren Yeager and the Survey Corps struggle against the titans and the world that surrounds them is reaching its dramatic conclusion, and it promises to be a gut-wrenching and mind-blowing finale to one of the biggest odysseys to ever grace the silver screen.

Throughout its four seasons, the anime adaptation of Hajime Isayama’s manga has proven to be one of the most successful, critically acclaimed, and controversial anime shows in history. Over 400 million dollars in total media revenue, thousands of in-demand requests, and a loyal fandom are the results nearly a decade after its first episode. This dark fantasy about a post-apocalyptic world in which humans live behind walls to protect themselves from human-devouring (and human-like?) monsters called titans started out as a typical fantasy shonen and gradually became a complicated and mature look at the human race and its struggle to find peace and understanding. To this day, its probably one of the best cultural products to assimilate and incorporate the intricacies of human evolution and history. In honor of its final run, here’s a compilation of the story’s main characters.

Eren Yeager

Attack on Titan‘s protagonist is a strong-willed teenager that after witnessing his mother being devoured by a titan, vows to destroy every single one of them, and decides to join the Survey Corps, a military branch in charge of exploring outside the walls and exterminating the titans. In his first ever battle, right after his graduation, Eren is swallowed by one of the monsters, but soon reappeared as one of them and begins his fight against the invaders.

Throughout the many episodes of Attack on Titan, Eren has somehow simultaneously remained much the same, and also changed radically. His desire for freedom remains, but as time has passed, his methods towards achieving his goals become somewhat distorted from his comrades. The final act of the story finds him executing what he believes will be the course of action that will guarantee him and his loved ones their great emancipation from their long-lasting struggle.

Mikasa Ackerman

After her parents are killed in front of her very eyes, Mikasa is saved by Eren, whose parents then take her in as one their own. From that moment on, she felt an enormous sense of gratitude towards the Yeager family, and became extremely overprotective of Eren. Ever since witnessing such traumatic event, she lost all of her innocence and understood the world as cruel place, also causing her to become quiet and withdrawn. Taking on the role of Eren’s caretaker, she follows him into the Survey Corps, where she graduated at the top of her class, regarded as an unprecedented talent.

Armin Arlert

Armin is Eren’s and Mikasa’s childhood friend who joins them enlisting to the Survey Corps to help humanity and fulfill his dream of seeing the world beyond the walls. Armin knew of this because of an illegal book his grandfather possessed which contained information about the world outside the walls. Initially a very shy character dealing with an inferiority complex, due to his lack of physical strength and endurance, Armin proves his worth and courage in some of the most vital moments for humanity’s survival. His powerful intellectual and analytical capacity managed to save Eren from being killed after one of his first transformations, to identify the titan shifters that infiltrated the military, and subsequently defeat them in the key battle to retake their hometown.

Jean Kirstein

Initially set on joining the Military Police to pursue a safe life within the inner wall, after seeing his comrades die at the hands of titans, he decides to join the Survey Corps. Jean is a hot-headed person, usually clashing with Eren but at the same time finding admiration in him, he eventually becomes a commanding officer in the Survey Corps and one of the most enduring characters in the show.

Connie Springer

Outgoing and upbeat, Connie is one of the Survey Corps more optimistic members. Like Jean, he was initially keen on joining the Military Police, but is eventually persuaded to join the Survey Corps after hearing Eren’s passion and desire for freedom. His village is later on decimated, and his mother turned into a titan, which becomes an important concern for him later on the story. He develops a strong bond with Jean and Sasha.

Sasha Blouse

Sasha is a skilled hunter with exceptional instincts. Obsessed with food, this causes her troubles in her early days as a cadet, leading to her being called “Potato Girl.” Though she joined the Survey Corps reluctantly, eventually becomes one of its most important members. The final season reveals more to her personality than just the show’s comedic relief, and depicts her family in a more detailed way.

Historia Reiss

Initially Krista Lenz, in the third season her true identity is revealed to be the unlawful daughter of the real king within the walls. Historia‘s traumatic childhood made her become someone reliable always looking to please others, hoping to some day die heroically after joining the Survey Corps. Her father eventually reaches out to her again in hopes she will take over his reign from the shadows.

Levi Ackerman

The most powerful of all humans, Levi Ackerman is the small, agile, and incredibly strong head of an elite squad within the Survey Corps. Though he seems emotionally distant and unapproachable, he has a strong respect for structure and discipline. His intervention at Eren’s trial is what makes it possible for him to not be killed by the Military Police and be made a responsibility of the Corps.

Erwin Smith

Erwin is the 13th commander of the Survey Corps, a gambling man set on achieving his personal mission and knowing the truth about humanity’s history. Charismatic, bold, and mysterious, Erwin becomes “humanity’s greatest hope” as his plans manage to bring humans their first victories over titans.

Hange Zoë

Hange Survey Corps veteran and scientist in charge of studying titans. These create in her an abundant sense of fascination, which made her knowing of Eren a moment of absolute joy. Her invention of gadgets towards fighting titans managed to move humanity forward and gain substantial advantages in combat.

Floch Forster

Part of Eren’s recruit class, Floch joins the Survey Corps in the second half of the third season. After surviving the battle at the end of said season, and knowing the truth of the world, he becomes hateful and vindictive towards outsiders. He represents the ones who did not face the same adversities as the departed Survey Corps, thus being more insensitive towards violence.

Related: Is Attack on Titan Over, and Should it Be?

Reiner Braun

Reiner stood out from the original cadet class as a responsible and dedicated soldier, always looking out for all of his comrades. When his true identity is revealed, it’s a such a shocker that even him, is surprised and eventually deals with the consequences of living a double life. By the final season, Reiner has changed, his ardent and powerful personality has decayed into one of someone clearly scared by war, personal demons, and guilt.

Bertolt Hoover

Quiet, reserved and analytical, Bertolt Hoover is one of the best cadets of his class. After joining the Survey Corps his identity along with Reiner’s one, is revealed in the second season. Though at times doubtful and weak, by the third season he has overcome his doubts and clinched on his decision to use his power as one of the strongest characters in the show.

Annie Leonhart

Cold-hearted and distant, Annie Leonhart always seemed to be hiding something. Raised to fight and become a soldier, superb with swords and hand-to-hand combat, Annie is one of the most lethal characters in the series. After her true identity is revealed, she crystallizes herself in order to avoid capture.

Zeke Yeager

The War Chief of the invading forces has one of the most complicated and heart-breaking storylines of the saga. As the first son of Grisha Yeager, and Eren’s half-brother, Zeke‘s heart is divided, and his decisions are always filled with mystery and deceit.

Porco Galliard

Porco is a stubborn and energetic warrior, carrier of the Jaw Titan. He was set to inherit the Armored Titan, but his brother praised Reiner instead of him to save him from becoming a weapon. He makes his first appearance in the fourth season where he becomes one of the leading characters of the Marley arc.

Pieck Finger

Surprisingly appearing at the end of the third season as the Cart Titan, saving Zeke and Reiner from being killed, Pieck is not seen in human form until the final season. A powerful warrior with a keen eye for detail, she is always ready to protect her comrades.

Related: Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 3: Plot, Cast, Release Date, and Everything Else We Know

Gabi Braun

Gabi is a young warrior candidate aspiring to inherit the Armored Titan. She is dedicated to showing the world her race are not devils, and becoming accepted by society. Her attitude and energy reflect the one of Eren at the beginning of the story.

Falco Grice

Falco is a kind-hearted boy and warrior candidate. He constantly trifles with Gabi while having a clear crush on her. His emotional maturity and openness to understanding others marks a significant difference with the rest of characters in the show.

Grisha Yeager

Grisha is Eren and Zeke’s father. A human from outside the walls who held in his basement the truth of the world, unknown to the people living within the walls. Initially a man of radical notions and nationalist ideals, as his life sinks into tragedy his heart changes and becomes a merciful and dedicated man, becoming kind parent to Eren. Most of the events happening in this story are set in motion by a decision made in his childhood.