Attack On Titan is a captivating dark post-apocalyptic fantasy about humanity being forced to live behind three giant walls for their survival. It has many mysteries and twists and turns, and the story takes quite a few interesting directions. It’s not the story that makes the series so intriguing though, but the characters.
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On that day, humanity received a grim reminder that these are the Nine Titans of Attack on Titan.
Attack On Titan has some fantastic characters, so it’s only fitting to take a moment to talk about them. Characters like Eren Yeager, Levi and Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert are ones for the ages and make what could have been a mediocre series into something truly special.
10 Jean Kirstein
Jean Kirstein starts the series as an unlikeable character, constantly fighting with Eren, but slowly grows on you over four seasons. He becomes a leader in the group and builds strong relationships with the rest of the main characters, showing his strength and bravery.
Given his growth, determination, and likability by the end, Jean is one of the best characters in Attack On Titan, especially considering how disdained he is at the beginning of the series.
9 Hange Zoe
Hange Zoe is an eccentric Titan-lover who is endearing from the moment the audience meets them. Despite their eccentricities, they have a serious side and eventually become the Scout Regiment’s commander.
Hange always strives to do the right thing and feels the pressure of their position. Despite this, they’re bold and always come up with out-of-the-box ideas. They also have a clear sense of justice. Hange makes difficult choices no one else is willing to make. Another note is that they’re neither canonically male nor female, though some translations do go with “she,” which adds more depth to Hange’s character.
8 Zeke Yeager
Whereas Eren is a character that can be defined by nature, Zeke is a character that is defined almost solely by nurture. He did not have a happy childhood and was brainwashed by his parents into becoming a warrior candidate to fight for the Eldian restoration.
Zeke is also a nihilist, believing the sole purpose for existing is to reproduce. He is the perfect foil to both Eren and Levi, making him one of the best villains in the story. Zeke is a multifaceted character, twisted by his family and the dark world he was forced to grow up in.
7 Annie Leonhart
Annie begins the series by coming off as rather cold, not mingling with the rest of her peers. She later becomes a major villain in the first season of the anime and manga, which ends with her defeat.
Annie’s character really shines, though, in the final season. She makes a triumphant return and teams up with our heroes. Annie takes a liking to Armin, of all characters, making her more likable. She’s very dynamic, and her motivations for fighting in the war are rather simple: she wants to return to her father. Her journey from villain to hero is fascinating, making Annie a very intriguing character.
6 Reiner Braun
Reiner is one of the author’s favorite characters in the series, and it shows. He’s the Armored Titan and a villain for the majority of the story. Reiner’s a tortured soul, though, and experiences a split personality due to the devious actions he’s had to undertake.
He eventually becomes a hero though, struggling with the fact that he and Eren may be “the same.” Reiner’s complexity is why he shines, and it’s hard to outright hate him as the series goes on.
5 Levi Ackerman
Levi Ackerman is a fan-favorite in Attack On Titan, and it’s clear why. He’s the strongest character, physically, in the story and is involved in some of the greatest fight sequences in the series.
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Levi also has a “coolness” factor about him that’s hard to articulate; he doesn’t express his emotions very often, so when he does, it’s an important moment. His rivalry with Zeke is one of legend. Levi Ackerman is humanity’s strongest soldier and a reason why Attack On Titan became so popular to begin with.
4 Armin Arlert
Armin Arlert is a weak young boy when the series begins, but as time goes by, he becomes the hope of humanity. He has a disdain for himself, wishing that he were stronger and not so useless (in his mind.) That being said, Armin is a master tactician and highly intelligent.
Armin saves the party more times than one can count. He continues to grow in a key leadership position in the Scout Regiment, and by the end of the series, Armin becomes the commander of the unit and the savior of humanity, just as Levi predicted.
3 Mikasa Ackerman
Mikasa Ackerman’s devotion to Eren is one of the things that defines her, but she has a multitude of different attributes that make her a standout character.
Mikasa’s not as strong as Levi, but as she inherited the Ackerman genes as well, she’s incredibly powerful. She’s in love with Eren, and this love is a cornerstone of the series. Mikasa’s famous quote, “The world is cruel, yet it’s also incredibly beautiful,” is one that touches many. Mikasa’s dedication to her friends, her compassion, and her strength all make her a foundation of the manga and anime series.
2 Erwin Smith
Erwin Smith is the commander of the Scout Regiment and is one of the best characters in Attack on Titan. He is lauded as a devil who is willing to sacrifice anything in order to save humanity, but the psychology of Erwin Smith goes much deeper than that.
Erwin hates the mounds of corpses that he has built upon himself and yearns to discover the truth about the world. He, like Armin, is a master tactician and a seasoned soldier. Erwin’s will shines throughout the series, and even while losing an arm, screams at his soldiers to press on despite his devastating injury. It’s Erwin’s sheer intellect and his persevering will that make him so interesting.
1 Eren Yeager
Eren Yeager, is by far the best character in the series. He’s actually both the protagonist and antagonist of the series, making him all the more interesting.
Eren is a product of nature, which is explored in the episode Memories of the Future. He’s all about securing his own freedom at any cost, even if he needs to take that freedom from others. That being said, there’s more to the character than this. Eren is a pathetic character who wants to save his friends yet becomes warped by his own power. His complexity makes him the ultimate anime character.
