Is anyone else curious as to why Porco was able to pinpoint Levi and Mikasa as Ackerman’s the very second he laid eyes on them? Was he able to deduce their clan blood due to their skill in combat and strength or is there some kind of defining physical feature? Maybe it has something to do with him being a titan shifter and the the Ackerman’s being “byproducts of titan science”? Can they just sense it somehow?
I am more than open for discussion on this topic because it wasn’t just Porco. Zeke knew they were Ackerman’s too. Which, for Mikasa would make sense due to Reiner and Bertoldt knowing her surname. However, they didn’t know Levi’s. How did Zeke – without a shadow of a doubt – know Levi was an Ackerman without needing the proof of hearing his surname?
Maybe that’s exactly how it is. The shifters may be able to sense the Ackerman people as some sort of threat or have a hunch / feeling that they’re not a common human.
Don’t forget about the “Rogue” Titan attacking Mikasa twice in the Trost arc, when Eren lost control of his titan. That detail always seemed strange to me, because he kind of attacked her the way he was attacking the pure titans when he first transformed… but she was “just a human”? And on his very first transformation he was always ignoring people and just went on a rampage against the titans.
Just to add to this, in chapter 69 Uri knew that Kenny was an Ackerman without being told. And the panel where Annie called Mikasa a beast was another strange one.
In the monthly magazine (above), Kenny answered “絶対にねぇな Not a chance” when Annie asked him “Are you certain it’s not true (that you have a kid underground?)”
In tankobon volume 24 (below), his line is changed into “妹に誓ってねぇな I swore to my young sister, so not a chance.”
We’d all suspect his feeling for Kuchel and Levi were the reason Kenny was so repulsed at the idea of having an illegitimate child. Looks like Yams decided to make it official.
Temporary* forgive my auto correction I’m on mobile Dx
I sorta liked “temporal” 🙂
If you ascribe to Death of the Author, I can see where there could be some room for “what ifs”. What if that person dies, what if they change their mind? The manga hasn’t, and probably wont, cover all possible details of the Ackerbond.
But if you accept supplementary material like interviews with Hajime Isayama, we’ve gotten a clear picture of his authorial intent – that is the bond is the most important relationship if their life, one involving choice, instinct and lifelong devotion. Ackerman are not “ordinary people”.
MIKASA
I’ve discussed this here. Mikasa bonding with Eren as a child does present some unique challenges. Isayama considered a separation so Mikasa can develop individually, but knows that is something canon Mikasa wouldn’t want.
I think it is pitiful if Mikasa’s life is only about staying together with Eren. However to Mikasa, it is a wonderful thing to be with Eren forever.
So according to the interview, canon Mikasa would never want to separate from Eren. Even though it was a childish decision, her life is devoted to him.
Isayama did mention having her face a choice between “the right thing” and “the eren thing”. Mikasa giving up in the fight for Armin on the roof may have been what he was hinting.
KENNY
We have a full life story in the manga. Kenny chose Uri and followed him the duration of his life. When Rod made a disparaging comment about Uri, Kenny nearly slit his throat. The bond was still there.
As far as any regrets, we can look to the manga. As Kenny lay dying, he was remembering Uri and talking to him, even telling Levi about him. Kenny didn’t seem regretful. He seemed inspired.
In the recent Guidebook interview, Isayama says that giving the serum to Levi was the first selfless thing Kenny had done. In doing so, I’d like to think it was a moment where he attained something close his goal of reaching Uri.
LEVI
Levi was an adult man when he made the decision to “devote himself Erwin”, the person “whose existence exceeds that of Levi’s own” The interviewer specifically asked about Levi’s mindset once Levi learned Erwin’s goal had an element of selfishness.
To Levi, they had shared a promise to “save humanity together,” so his first thought is, “This guy’s words…why are they different from before?”
And even though Levi still didn’t understand things fully after discovering how Erwin had childlike motivations, he leaned towards the attitude of, “Alright then, let me help you anyway” rather than distrusting Erwin.
When he discovers that Erwin actually has a selfish goal like his “dream,” it can be said that he felt betrayed. However, he also recognizes that this person whom he cannot hope to surpass actually has “an innocent, childlike side that chases dreams.”
The interviews have let us know that Levi accepted this part of Erwin and continued to support him unconditionally.
There’s also this – the face says it all.
All of this being said, you’re absolutely welcome to believe what you want. Many people choose to view the Ackerbond within the confines of the manga. That’s fine. The manga provides solid indication of the intense and powerful dedication each Ackerman feels towards their chosen person.
Thanks for the ask!
@momtaku This is when I read posts like these that I realize how much I missed you on my dash. :3
“In the end, the Head of our family offered his own life to ensure the survival of the Ackerman family and was executed…but his honest, eager hopes seem to be nothing more than scraps of garbage now…”
“That’s all Kuchel left behind. A cold little brat on death’s door. I hadn’t lost my soul to the point that I could just leave him there and watch him die; but I wasn’t that great of a man to be able to raise him as my own”
― Kenny Ackerman
P.S. Thanks to @alemanriq’s amazing idea that inspired me to create this short comic.
midnight-in-town 