Levi Ackerman

Name

Levi Ackerman

Alias

"Humanity's Strongest Soldier"

Species

Human

Gender

Male

Age

30s

Height

160 cm

Weight

65 kg

Relatives

• Ackerman clan — Kuchel Ackerman (mother, deceased) — Kenny Ackerman (uncle, deceased) — Unnamed great-grandfather (deceased) — Mikasa Ackerman (distant relative/cousin)

Birthday

December 25th

Birthplace

Underground City

Residence

Marley

Status

Alive

Occupation

Soldier

Rank

Squad Captain

Affiliation

• Survey Corps • Special Operations Squad • Scout Regiment

Former Occupation

Thug

Grade

A++

Titan kills

Solo: At least 89 In team: Unknown Total: At least 89

Appearance

Levi has short, straight black hair styled in an undercut curtain, as well as narrow, intimidating dull gray eyes with dark circles under them and a deceptively youthful face. He is quite short, but his physique is well-developed in musculature from extensive vertical maneuvering equipment usage. He is usually either frowning or expressionless; that, plus his extremely calm demeanor, often makes it difficult for others to guess what he is thinking. He is most often seen in his Survey Corps uniform, with a light gray button-up shirt underneath, along with his trademark white ascot. When embarking on expeditions outside the Walls, he also wears the Survey Corps' green hooded cloak. Once, when forced to take leave from his duties due to injury, Levi was seen in a black suit, plain white shirt, ascot, and dress shoes.[citation needed] However, since the beginning of the coup d'état, he has left the ascot off. For most of the time during which the Survey Corps was on the run from the military and monarchy, he simply wore his vertical maneuvering equipment harness over casual clothes.[citation needed] After a close-encounter explosion from a Thunder Spear set off by Zeke Yeager,[18] Levi now has several scars across his face including one across his right eye and is missing both the index and middle fingers on his right hand.

Personality

As a result of his early childhood years, Levi is described as a "clean freak" by those who know him personally as he prefers his environment and himself to be spotlessly clean. He is averse to having either himself or his equipment soiled, and has been known to wipe down his blood-smeared blades while still on the battlefield. However, he will not hesitate to touch filth if he deems it necessary. Despite his preoccupation with cleanliness, Levi is not very approachable. He rarely shows emotion, giving a cold impression to others. His manner of speaking tends to be very blunt, even insulting, and his comments are often coarse or inappropriate. He is not above provoking or belittling those who oppose or irritate him. His sense of humor tends toward the vulgar, insulting, and dark. All of this makes him unsettling to a great number of people. In his pre-Survey Corps criminal life, when he lived in the Underground City, Levi refused to take orders from anyone (as Petra Ral tells Eren), though he placed a great trust in his comrades, something he would later do with his subordinates. However, after he joined the Survey Corps, he came to greatly respect Commander Erwin Smith, whose orders he follows willingly because he trusts in Erwin's vision for the Corps. Levi's obedience is strictly limited to individuals he respects, and he has no problem showing open disdain for authority from anyone outside of this circle. At Eren's tribunal, he insulted the merchants by calling them "pigs" and told the Military Police that they were not competent enough to handle Eren,[22] mocking several MPs by observing that they have never battled or even seen a single Titan. He even sardonically suggests that they join the Survey Corps, which caused them to back off. He openly resents most of the MPs for their continual attempts to undermine the Survey Corps, and also presumably because of the criminal life he led before he joined the Corps.

Personality

Although he rarely shows it, Levi has a strong sense of morality and empathy. One of his most defining characteristics is the great value he places on preserving human life; this is especially shown when it was revealed that all Titans might have once been human themselves. The thought that he had unknowingly been killing humans all this time disturbs him greatly. Though Levi bore no malice against Eren, he was willing to resort to violence in order to save his life at his tribunal, eventually asking Eren whether he resented him for the beating. Levi himself has stated that he hates unnecessary casualties, and he tells his subordinates to use their judgment so that they can avoid blunders that may cost them their lives. Because of their hazardous profession and his personal values, he cares greatly for his subordinates' welfare. This is seen several times: when ordered to retreat early to Wall Rose at the end of the disastrous 57th Expedition, Levi was visibly distressed that so many of his soldiers had died on a fruitless mission. Later, he risked his life against the Female Titan in order to retrieve Eren from her mouth and also to protect to Mikasa, who had gone after her recklessly looking for vengeance. As they re-entered the gate, Petra's father approached him, cheerfully talking about his daughter and her unwavering devotion to the Survey Corps. Unbeknownst to him, his daughter had just been killed; Levi remained silent, he was too overcome with grief to reply. Levi was visibly affected by the loss of his entire original Special Operations Squad at the hands of the Female Titan, stating that he carries the will of his fallen comrades, and that their collective grudge against the Titans further strengthens his resolve to continue to fight.

Personality

Despite his obedience to Erwin, Levi operates rather independently. Many of his Titan kills are solo, accomplished with little direct cooperation from other soldiers (due to him usually assigning them to hunt other Titans in the vicinity). Although he is looked up to by many, and he does not hesitate to give orders when necessary, Levi does not see himself as a leader in the same way Erwin is. He does not seem to have much use for hierarchy in general, and he leaves decisions up to his subordinates as often as he can. Though Levi is aware that his battle skill is in a different league from that of almost any other human soldier alive, he is not arrogant about it, as he knows from experience that no human soldier is invulnerable. Few will argue with his claims that only he can handle certain difficult tasks, because he has proven his ability to accomplish them. While Levi shows loyalty and empathy for his comrades, he shows no mercy towards the Titans, slaughtering them indiscriminately with obvious indifference. However, when the Titans are former friends and subordinates, Levi can briefly hesitate and wonder if they are still aware of their actions while trapped inside their Titan forms; regardless, Levi has displayed no problem in killing them. When dealing with individuals he perceives to be enemies to mankind, Levi is capable of behaving sadistically, even vindictively. For example, when the Female Titan was captured, Levi relayed his enjoyment at watching her suffer and described in chilling detail how he intended to mutilate her human body. He has also tortured Djel Sannes with Hange Zoë, punching him and twisting his already broken nose. After defeating Zeke Yeager a second time, he sadistically made it clear that he was going to torture Zeke for his crimes against Paradis and the Survey Corps, impaling him with a Thunder Spear. Levi displays no emotion during these times aside from bloodlust, shown by his methodically slicing apart Zeke's legs.

Personality

Levi is occasionally known to lose his calm demeanor and to use threats or violence to get others to listen to him, even if they are fellow members of the corps. An example of such behavior was shown when he directly ordered Historia Reiss to take on the role of queen when the question was presented to her. When she shakily says she is unfit, he grabs her and lifts her off the ground, choking her and telling her to fight back if she does not like it. He then drops her and yells at her to make her decision, but is however calm once again when she complies with his demands.

History

Levi is the son of Kuchel Ackerman, a prostitute who worked in the Underground and was made pregnant by one of her clients. One day, Kenny Ackerman, Kuchel's older brother, came to the city to see her only to find that she was dead. There, he found a young and squalid Levi sitting in front of his mother's bed. In a rare showing of compassion, Kenny decided to take care of him. He raised Levi as well as he could: teaching him knife skills, how to get along with people, and violent behavior. Levi also learned to use his own inner power that he possessed as a member of the Ackerman clan. Time passed and eventually, Kenny taught Levi everything he knew. However, he did not consider himself as a good father figure. One day, in the subterranean city, Levi started a fight which he won easily. At that moment, Kenny decided to leave him behind, satisfied that he had taught Levi the skills he needed to survive. Later, he became a notorious thug in the underground but eventually left the place to join the Survey Corps. Although he was at odds with Erwin, he ended up becoming one of his most trusted men.

Story

• 104th Training Corps arc — While on an expedition beyond the Walls, Levi and Hange recover the notebook of a soldier named Ilse Langnar. After reading the contents of the journal, Levi is left stunned and comments that it is what Ilse died for.

Story

• Battle of Trost District arc — Levi is seen leaving Trost District, along with the rest of the Survey Corps, on the 56th Expedition Beyond the Walls—the same day the Colossus Titan attacks the district. While on the expedition, Levi sees a soldier caught in the jaws of a nearby Titan and kills it. As more Titans approach, Levi orders Petra Ral to take care of the injured soldier while he takes care of the remaining Titans. After clearing the immediate area, Levi checks on the injured soldier, who is quickly succumbing to his injuries. In an attempt to comfort the scout in his dying moments, Levi assures him that he has done his duty well. As the soldier dies, Erwin arrives and informs Levi that they are returning to Trost. Levi is unwilling to turn back so soon, is forced to concede when Erwin informs him that Wall Rose has possibly been breached. Levi arrives back in Trost in time to find two Titans bearing down on four soldiers at the base of the Wall. He quickly kills the Titans, and demands that the soldiers fill him in on what has happened.[33] Three days later, after Eren wakes up in the dungeon beneath the courthouse, Levi assures him that the higher-ups will let him join the Survey Corps—and that he himself will make sure Eren does not get out of hand. Should that happen, Levi says, he will not hesitate to end Eren's life.

Story

• The Female Titan arc — After Eren issues a verbal challenge to the audience during his trial, Levi violently beats him on the spot, mockingly observing that while chained on his knees, Eren is perfectly placed for his kicks. Armin has to restrain an infuriated Mikasa from coming to Eren's rescue and killing Levi. She glares at Levi after the trial, seemingly unnerving him. Unknown to Mikasa, the beating was an act in defense of Eren that gave the impression that despite Eren's fearsome Titan powers, Levi (and by extension, the rest of humanity) could still control him. After the trial, Levi hands Eren over to his Special Operations Squad for the next month. They move into the old Survey Corps HQ inside Wall Rose. Levi orders Eren to sleep in the castle dungeon so that if he accidentally transforms, he will not cause problems.[36] During this month, Hange conducts experiments to try to get Eren to transform. If Eren goes out of control in Titan form, Levi intends to cut him out of the nape in a manner that would sever his human limbs, which would grow back in any case. However, Eren fails to transform, and his hands do not heal from his bites. The Squad decides to postpone any further experiments.[37] One day, while having tea with them, Eren leans over to pick up a spoon and accidentally generates a partial Titan body. The alarmed Squad threatens him, and Levi has to defuse the situation.[38] Levi tells Eren not to take their actions personally, and that they have good intentions. Later, after Hange explains why Eren triggered his Titan form, Levi's entire squad punishes themselves, and apologizes to Eren for acting on assumption. During the 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls, Levi and his team are ordered to ride in the safest area of Erwin's formation. When the formation is suddenly attacked by a horde of Titans coming at their right flank, they change course toward the Titan Forest, and Levi's squad takes the central route.

Story

• The Female Titan arc — During the 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls, Levi and his team are ordered to ride in the safest area of Erwin's formation. When the formation is suddenly attacked by a horde of Titans coming at their right flank, they change course toward the Titan Forest, and Levi's squad takes the central route.[40] Once the Female Titan appears, his squad begs Levi to give them orders, but he continues to ride forward and look straight ahead.[41] Eren badly wants to transform and fight the Female Titan, but Petra and her comrades urge him to trust them, and Eren hesitates.[42] Levi tells Eren that he is not wrong for wanting to transform and that nobody can know the correct choice until after they have made it. Whatever Eren chooses to do, Levi says, he should do it and believe he will not regret it. Eren then declares that he trusts completely in his squad's victory, and they keep going through the Forest.[43][44] This enables the Survey Corps to capture the Female Titan. Shortly afterward, Levi gets separated from his squad. He reunites with Erwin and prepares to extract the human in control of the Female Titan from the nape of her neck.[46] He and Mike attack her and try to cut her hands, only to discover her ability to harden her skin.[47] After Erwin orders the cannons to be loaded with explosives and aimed at the Female Titan's wrists, Levi, standing on her head, taunts her with threats of violence, telling her he would like to face her in her human form over the deaths of countless of his soldiers. In response, the Female Titan begins to roar.[48] Shortly after, Titans come at her from all directions and devour her. On Erwin's order, Levi and the rest of the Survey Corps elite try to protect her from them, but they fail due to the sheer number of Titans. Erwin orders the Corps to retreat back to the Karanes District.

Story

• The Female Titan arc — However, Erwin notes that the steam from the Titan bodies will make it difficult for the rest of the Survey Corps to see the signal flares. He then realizes that the human inside the Female Titan may have escaped, and he orders Levi to replenish his gas canisters and blades. After the Female Titan returns and kills Levi's entire squad and captures Eren, he and Mikasa join forces to rescue him. Levi tells Mikasa to distract the Titan but avoid trying to kill her, since she is able to harden her skin. Levi then proceeds to attack the Female Titan, and after a series of successful attacks, he incapacitates her. Seeing that the Female Titan is now helpless, Mikasa disobeys Levi's orders and attempts to kill the person inside the Titan. However, the Female Titan swings her hardened fist at Mikasa, and Levi is forced to pull Mikasa out of the way. While doing this, Levi injures his left leg. Using the momentum he gained from the last attack, Levi then proceeds to cuts through the Female Titan's facial muscles, causing her to open her mouth and release Eren. He grabs Eren and flees with Mikasa, whom he reprimands for having risked the life of her "special friend" for the sake of vengeance. As he leaves, he takes one more look at the beaten Female Titan and is visibly surprised to see it crying. As they enter Karanes after retreating, the Survey Corps receives a hostile response from the public for their failed mission. Levi is approached by Petra's father, who reveals that she wrote to him frequently. He tells Levi that, as a father, he is worried about Petra's decision to dedicate her life to him, as she is still quite young and has her whole life ahead of her. Levi continues to walk silently ahead without responding. Days later, Eren is summoned to the Capitol for a trial to decide his fate. Beforehand, Levi, Erwin, Eren, and the other survivors reunite in the old Survey Corps HQ. Armin tells them his theory about the Female Titan's true identity

Abilities

• Vertical Maneuvering Equipment • Strength • Intelligence — Levi Ackerman's statistics as of year 850: Combat = 11/10 Initiative = 10/10 Wits = 8/10 Teamwork = 2/10 Cleanliness = 8/10 • Awakened power • Sword-Wielding Technique • Thunder Spears — Levi does not seem to favor using Thunder Spears, since he does not carry them during the raid on Liberio, contrary to the other members of the Survey Corps's ground forces. However, he is competent enough with them to blow Zeke out of his Beast Titan's nape when Zeke tries to escape after turning Levi's soldiers into Titans.

Relationships

• Kuchel Ackerman - It is presumed that Levi was able to bond with his mother to some degree before her death when he was very young. While it has not been confirmed, It is believed that he was able to recognize that she was ill and had passed away due to the somber look on his face when his uncle Kenny discovered Kuchel's body. • Kenny Ackerman - Kenny looked out for Levi during his childhood and taught him the skills needed to survive in the underground city. He told Levi that he was a friend of his deceased mother.[182] However, he eventually abandoned him due to believing that someone like him was not fit to be a parent.[183] Years later, they had an antagonist relationship due to being on opposite sides of the coup d'état.[81] When Kenny finally laid dying, Levi found him and the latter gave information about the Ackerman clan and revealed that he was really the older brother of Levi's mother, making him Levi's uncle. Levi was shocked to learn this and questioned his reason for abandoning him. In his last words, Kenny stated he was unfit to be a parent, and Levi then watched solemnly as his uncle died. • Erwin Smith - Levi and Erwin's relationship was not initially an amicable one. Erwin eventually became one of the few people Levi places full trust in, obeying his every command and judgment.[51] However, this did not stop Levi from speaking in his usual rude manner around him.[185] Erwin was also one of the few people that could maintain a casual conversation with Levi, able to exchange brief banter with one another on equal grounds.[186] Levi was very angered after Erwin was killed by Zeke, and years later, Levi held onto his promise to Erwin that he would kill the Beast Titan.

Relationships

• Hange Zoë - Levi was introduced to Hange during his first expedition as part of the Survey Corps. Levi had gradually become more familiar with Hange, able to comfortably reach out and reprimand them when they got too carried away.[187] After years of working side by side, the two shared a strong bond of trust, and Levi did not doubt any theories they may have had on the Titans, even if he disliked them.[188] • Eren Yeager - As humanity's strongest soldier, Levi commands great respect from Eren.[189] Upon encountering Eren personally, Levi treated him like an animal, wary of his Titan shifting power, though he was impressed by Eren's passion.[190] Upon getting to know him, Levi began treating Eren as he does most others: dismissively and coldly. However, Levi also becomes a mentor of sorts to Eren, understanding the potential good the young recruit is capable of, and offering advice during Eren's moments of doubt.[191] He later becomes more patient with Eren, forgiving his mistakes, and nurturing his growth as a soldier, and as a vanguard for humanity's hope.[192] Eren's assault on Liberio, and the formation of the Yeagerists leaves Levi dismayed at how Eren has turned out.[citation needed] When facing the army Titans Eren has recreated on his Founding Titan, Levi laments that they cannot worry about Eren's safety and that they must kill him, stating there were many things he wished to say to him.

Relationships

• Mikasa Ackerman - Mikasa quickly took a disliking to Levi, one of the first actions she witnesses is of him beating Eren at his military trial.[194] Since then, Mikasa held a grudge against Levi, swearing to one day make him pay for his actions.[195] She would later lash out at Levi, blaming him for Eren's capture by the Female Titan, and her carelessness would later result in Levi needing to rescue her at the cost of injuring his leg.[196] While sidelined, Levi repeatedly offers advice to Mikasa, who deeply regrets her mistake and endeavors to protect Eren in his place.[197][198] By the time of the Survey Corps' rebellion, Mikasa has largely set aside her bitterness for Levi, choosing to trust his leadership.[199] Levi and Mikasa share the same physical and intellectual traits. The two share the last name Ackerman, indicating both hail from the same bloodline. • Armin Arlert - Armin seems to greatly respect Levi for his incredible skills and ability to fight Titans. In turn, Levi has grown to acknowledge Armin's impressive deductive skills and ability to form plans. Despite his general coldness towards others, Levi has given Armin emotional support whenever he doubts himself: this was first seen after Armin killed an enemy soldier to protect Jean, and while Levi admits it was still murder, he thanks Armin for ensuring that every member of his squad survived.[202] Then, after learning Armin was given the injection instead of Erwin and wondering why he was saved when Erwin was the most logical choice, Levi tells Armin that he has powers and skills that no one else does.

Relationships

• Petra Ral - Petra served under Levi in the Survey Corps and was later hand-picked by him to be in his first Special Operations Squad. She harbored a deep respect for him and was proud to be a part of his team. Levi seemed to trust her and her capabilities as a soldier, as she held one of the highest records for killing Titans (48 assist kills and 10 solo kills). Her father informed him of her intentions to dedicate her life to serving him and the squad, possibly because her father assumed that she had feelings for him. • Jean Kirstein - highly skilled and talented soldier, though he has an arrogant side. Due to their completely different ideologies and ways of thinking, Jean is often seen butting heads with Eren Yeager. • Connie Springer - outgoing and impetuous. He has an easy time expressing his opinions, and enjoys flaunting his skills, especially during his days as a trainee. Despite being in the military, Connie starts off as rather unfocused, and enjoys goofing around and messing with his friends, but can also be a bit dense at times. • Sasha Braus - Sasha was a friendly, fun-loving girl with a compulsive appetite. Originating from Dauper Village, she had a local accent, but actively hid it out of embarrassment by using formal speech, even when conversing with her fellow trainees. • Historia Reiss - current Queen of the Walls. She is also the illegitimate child of the nobleman Rod Reiss and is the last remaining member of the Reiss royal family. • Eld Jinn - elite soldier in the Survey Corps. He was hand-picked by Captain Levi and included in the Special Operations Squad. • Gunther Schultz - one of the Scout Regiment soldiers hand-picked by Captain Levi to join the Special Operations Squad. • Oluo Bozado - elite soldier in the Survey Corps who was selected to be part of the Special Operations Squad, being led by Captain Levi Ackerman. He was a blunt yet efficient soldier, tasked to monitor Eren Yeager, together with his fellow Squad Members.

People killed

• Duran • Five merchants • Seven other members of the Anti-Personnel Control Squad — Indirectly • Erwin Smith • Bertolt Hoover — Failed Attempts • Kenny Ackerman • Reiner Braun