The Top 15 "Attack On Titan" Characters, Ranked

Part 2 of the final season can't come soon enough.

Attack on Titan hit the scene in 2013 and made an immediate impact in the anime world. Other than its unique storytelling and gruesome violence, I was particularly captured by the mystery that was the Titans, and how they got to the island of Paradis. This was something that, unlike The Walking Dead, was fleshed out in an entertaining four-season arc. With Part 2 of the final season coming out in 2022, I wanted to rank my top 15 characters.

Funimation

This list is sure to have some 🚨spoilers🚨, so beware!! 

15. Kenny Ackermann

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Kenny's story revealed to us a greater history of the Ackermann name and gave us some exciting action scenes. We were also introduced to anti-personnel ODM gear, which Kenny's crew was using to hunt down the Scout Regiment. He gave Levi's crew a new danger they weren't used to — other humans.

14. Ymir

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Ymir's transformation from wandering Titan to Historia's protector was a great arc to see run its course. It's unfortunate that the time jump in the fourth season robbed us of seeing more of her, besides a quick flashback that revealed her fate. 

13. Hannes

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One of the most tragic losses Eren suffers is seeing Hannes being killed by the same Titan that killed his mother — the Smiling Titan. Watching him take his last stand to defend Eren and Mikasa while also atoning for not saving Eren's mother made his death all the more heartbreaking. 

12. Bertholdt Hoover

Funimation

Along with Reiner and Annie, Bertholdt was around since the beginning, which made his betrayal even more shocking. After his literal big reveal as the Colossal Titan, we got to see the difficulties of being a mole amongst comrades but never deterring from your mission, no matter the cost. 

11. Zeke Jaeger

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Like many others on this list, Zeke's childhood wasn't filled with the best memories. This was a person who ratted out his own parents to gain the trust of his oppressors, as well as ensure his spot in receiving one of the nine titans. His alliance with his half-brother and the fights with Levi both make him another interesting character to watch. 

10. Jean Kirschtein

Funimation

Jean's rise from being one of Eren's antagonists in the early stages of the show to a reliable member of the Scout Regiment has been good to see. His blunt personality has made him a straight shooter and even gotten him into some funny confrontations with his comrades. Jean having to take a life in Season 3 was a great reminder of how these characters have grown and have had to make difficult decisions for not only the sake of their own lives, but the lives of their comrades.  

9. Historia Reiss

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After her debut in Season 2, Historia's arc gave us a more in-depth look at the history of her royal family and the cover-up that they were involved with. This opened up a can of worms that led to a number of big events in the third season, primarily her deciding to go against her father and allowing Eren to keep the founding Titan power her family had possessed for so long.  Her rise from cadet to royalty is amazing to watch, considering she wasn't a part of the core Scout crew in Season 1. 

8. Reiner Braun

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Seeing Reiner's internal battle with playing both sides made you somewhat empathize with him. He is a soldier out to complete his mission, but ends up befriending his enemies. We see the two sides of Reiner meld together after years of playing both sides. This kind of nuance given to what seems to be a bad guy is what makes this show so complex. 

7. Sasha Braus

Funimation

The always-eating Sasha was a comedic foodie that thought with her stomach before anything else. Having been brought up hunting for her next meal, food became Sasha's crutch during times of difficulty. She was the heart of our core cadets, so seeing her shocking demise in Season 4 really hurt.

6. Hange Zoe

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Hange's rise from scientist to commander was a great story to see blossom. Through her many trials and tribulations, you get to see her charisma die down a bit and see her more gritty side come to life. This is a character who, despite her many quirks, uses her genius intellect to help guide her fellow scout members.

5. Erwin Smith

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The commander whose life was determined by finding out the truth about Titans. He never got to see the origins, but made sure to have no regrets on his search. His ability to galvanize his fellow scouts and strategize under pressure made him the perfect leader for the Scout Regiment. In the end, his last decision was indicative of his foresight as a commander and the trust he earned. He recognized Armin as the future, and sacrificed his chances at the truth by denying the serum that would've saved his life. 

4. Armin Arlelt

Funimation

The innocence in his eyes and pureness in his heart are what make Armin's character so lovable. We get to see immense character development as his life changes, from being somewhat safe and protected to being dangerous and bold. Armin's loyalty to Eren becomes painful to watch, as you see him slowly lose hope in his longtime best friend.

3. Levi Ackermann

Funimation

Slaying Titans is no easy task, but Levi tends to make it look effortless. His aggressive nature on the battlefield is the opposite of his more reserved, nonchalant personality. Disciplining his cadets by cleaning to his obsessive standards can be comedic, but watching him rage out is why he is so widely adored. 

2. Mikasa Ackermann

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One of the biggest fan favorites, Mikasa stole the show from the moment she defended Eren in their youth. Her unwavering loyalty to Eren gives her otherworldly strength. Bearing the Ackermann surname comes with certain badass expectations, and she easily lives up to all of them. Although her blind loyalty to Eren can sometimes be concerning, I'm curious to see if it holds after seeing Eren's destructive ways.

1. Eren Jaeger

Funimation

I've thought of Eren's arc thus far as one of my favorites of any protagonist in anime. Eren has been through the wringer of trauma, from losing his mother before his very eyes to becoming the thing he once feared. His evolution has been a sight to see, with his utter disregard for life if it doesn't match the agenda he now pursues. Once the veil was lifted and the history of Titans revealed, Eren becomes an entirely new character, and the results feel nerve-wracking.  

What do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments below, and share your own rankings!