If you are a fan of Attack on Titan, you might have wondered about the relationship between two of the most powerful characters in the series: Levi Ackerman and Mikasa Ackerman. They share the same surname, but are they siblings, cousins, or something else? In this article, we will explore the history and secrets of the Ackerman clan and reveal the truth behind Levi and Mikasa’s connection.
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The Origin of the Ackerman Clan
According to Attack on Titan lore, the Ackerman clan was one of the noble families that lived in the kingdom of Eldia before the Great Titan War. They were loyal to the royal family and served as their sword and shield. They also possessed a special power that allowed them to awaken their full physical potential and resist the memory manipulation of the Founding Titan.
However, when King Fritz decided to retreat to Paradis Island and erase the memories of his subjects, the Ackerman clan refused to follow him. They opposed his pacifist ideology and wanted to fight against Marley, the enemy nation that had oppressed Eldians for centuries. Because of their defiance and their threat as combat specialists, the Ackerman clan was hunted down and persecuted by the king’s forces.
The Branches of the Ackerman Clan
Some members of the Ackerman clan managed to escape the king’s wrath and fled to different regions of Paradis Island. They formed two main branches: one that lived in the interior of Wall Sina, and one that lived near Shiganshina District in Wall Maria.
The interior branch was led by Kenny Ackerman, a notorious serial killer who was known as Kenny the Ripper. He was also the uncle of Levi Ackerman, who was born from an affair between Kenny’s sister Kuchel and a client. Kenny abandoned his sister and nephew, but later returned to take care of Levi when he found out that Kuchel had died. He taught Levi how to survive in the underground city and how to fight with blades.
The Shiganshina branch was led by Mikasa’s father, who married an Asian woman from Hizuru named Carla. They lived a peaceful life in a secluded cabin in the woods, until they were attacked by human traffickers who wanted to sell Carla for her rare bloodline. Mikasa’s parents were killed, but she was saved by Eren Yeager, who also killed two of the kidnappers. Eren then gave Mikasa his scarf and told her to fight for her freedom. This triggered Mikasa’s awakening as an Ackerman, and she killed the third kidnapper with ease.
The Connection Between Levi and Mikasa
Levi and Mikasa first met during Eren’s military trial, where Levi brutally beat Eren to show that he could control him as a Titan. Mikasa despised Levi for his actions and swore to kill him if he ever hurt Eren again. However, Levi was indifferent to Mikasa’s hostility and focused on his mission as a captain of the Survey Corps.
Their relationship changed when they worked together to rescue Eren from the Female Titan, who turned out to be Annie Leonhart, a Marleyan spy. Levi saved Mikasa’s life twice during this operation, but also injured his leg because of her recklessness. He scolded her for letting her emotions get in the way of her duty, which made Mikasa realize her mistake.
Later, when they were on their way to save Eren from Rod Reiss, the true king of Paradis Island, Levi asked Mikasa if she ever had a moment when she felt a power awaken in her. He then revealed that he had experienced something similar when he fought against Kenny, who told him about their shared bloodline as Ackermans. Levi also explained that Kenny was his uncle and that he had inherited his last name from him.
This was the first time that Levi and Mikasa acknowledged their connection as distant relatives from the same clan. However, they did not seem to have any personal attachment or affection for each other. They respected each other as comrades and fighters, but they also had different priorities and goals. Levi was devoted to his duty as a soldier and a leader, while Mikasa was devoted to her love for Eren and her friends.
The Fate of Levi and Mikasa
As Attack on Titan reached its final arc, Levi and Mikasa faced many challenges and losses. Levi was severely injured by a thunder spear explosion that killed most of his squad. He then had to decide whether to use a Titan serum to save either Erwin Smith or Armin Arlert, two of his most trusted allies. He chose Armin over Erwin, but not without regret.
Mikasa also had to deal with Eren’s betrayal and transformation into a ruthless enemy. She tried to understand his motives and to stop him from destroying the world with the Rumbling, but she also had to face the reality that he had changed beyond recognition. She ultimately decided to kill him with a kiss, fulfilling his wish to end his suffering and freeing him from the curse of the Titans.
After Eren’s death, Levi and Mikasa parted ways. Levi retired from the military and lived with the remaining members of his squad, who had turned into Titans and then back into humans. He was wheelchair-bound and blind in one eye, but he still had a sense of humor and a strong will.
Mikasa buried Eren’s head under a tree and visited his grave regularly. She wore his scarf until the end of her days, and never married or had children. She was also visited by a bird that resembled Eren’s spirit, who wrapped the scarf around her and thanked her for everything.
Conclusion
Levi Ackerman and Mikasa Ackerman are two of the most popular and powerful characters in Attack on Titan. They are both descendants of the Ackerman clan, a noble family that rebelled against the king and was persecuted for generations. They are not siblings or cousins, but distant relatives who share a common ancestor.
Levi and Mikasa have a complicated relationship that evolves from hatred to respect to acknowledgement. They are both loyal to their friends and their ideals, but they also have different personalities and paths. They both survive the war and the Rumbling, but they also suffer a lot of pain and loss. They are both tragic heroes who fight for freedom, but also pay a high price for it.
According to Fiction Horizon, Attack on Titan never gives a concrete answer to how Levi and Mikasa are related, but it is assumed that they are distant cousins. According to CBR there is evidence that they share the power of the Ackerman clan with Kenny, who is Levi’s uncle. According to TechNadu, Levi and Mikasa probably have an ancestral blood connection because they both originate from the Ackerman clan, but they are not personally related.
