I have been sitting on this theory for a long time and I’m finally going to type it out.
DISCLAIMER: This is my personal opinion. In no way am I stating what I say here is canon or completely accurate. if you disagree with my opinion, that’s perfectly fine! Everyone has a different interpretation, but if you are going to send me messages trying to argue points of view with me or send me hate messages; please do us both a favor and just don’t even bother with it.
I honestly think the strength of the Ackerman family was the result of an experiment to test and see if the titan serum would work on people outside of the Eldian bloodlines. It was a failed experiment in the sense that none of them became titans, but the end result was their insane strength, their rapidly healing bodies, super high stamina, etc. Basically, a family of super human’s who carry the experimental titan gene in their DNA that can be passed down to anyone having Ackerman blood, but it has to be activated in some kind of dire situation which is the catalyst of having said power.
They have to have a reason to use it, and loyally choosing to follow someone else and dedicate their strength seems to enhance their abilities. Seems like a very fitting sub-product to a king that holds the power of a god with the sword of the world at his back. If they dedicated themselves to him, surely they would be an unstoppable force. Which was true, but he quickly realized that because they weren’t Eldian, he couldn’t control them or wipe their memories with the coordinate regardless of the titan gene. Thus, he had them hunted and killed.
I mean… They had to find out that the titan serum’s only worked on Eldian’s one way or another, right? I think the Ackerman’s are the result of this, which would explain a lot of things. One of them being why Zeke refers to them as a “sub-product of titan science”.
In the most recent interview, Isayama has reiterated Levi’s goal of killing the beast titan. I don’t doubt it for a second. And all I can say is zeke better run boi because Levi is gonna make good on that promise.
BUT… (and this is just my opinion)
if working with Zeke is to the benefit of humanity and Levi knows this, I believe Levi would do “the Erwin thing” aka the right thing which is suck it up and deal with it since protecting humanity is something Erwin and Levi both prioritize.
HOWEVER… (and this is just my opinion)
there is no way Zeke isn’t going to be revealed to be a total and complete psychopath worthy of death, so I feel pretty confident we’ll see Levi fulfill his promise to Erwin and kill the Beast Titan
“there is no way Zeke isn’t going to be revealed to be a total and complete psychopath worthy of death”
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
Hi! Yeah, it was so unexpected that she would like it as much as she did, even though I knew she would enjoy it. 🙂 But she’s so cute indeed, she has the craziest theories even though she’s barely finished s1. xD
Anyway, about the newest chapter: it makes sense to me that in the end Eren is the one who’s fighting for freedom even if he has to be presented as a peace-ruiner, I mean…
it fitted him from day one. And since he’s got the coordinate power, I do agree that the goal of this staged play (probably an alliance made of Willy + Magath + Kiyomi + maybe Eren and Zeke) is to get support for an all-out attack on Paradis Island, where we have a lot of huge titans resting in the walls and waiting for Eren’s signal.
Besides, I really doubt that Armin and Mikasa are on the continent (Mikasa because of ch1 and Armin because a titan had to stay to protect the Island just in case), which makes it obvious that we’re going back to Paradis for the final battle, to Reiner’s dismay most likely.
Now that Willy revealed the truth, the ambassadors from other countries will supposedly be able to convey that Eldians aren’t the problem but that the island, led by Eren Jaeger is, hence the all-out attack on Paradis where Armin, Annie, Ackermans, the Survey corps and wall titans are waiting.
As for the Ackerman family, I’m pretty sure a very large part of the fandom (and ex-fans of SnK who are sometimes still lurking around) is waiting for the explanation to the mystery around them. We have the beginning of an answer though…
which is a lot compared to before.
They’re the ace cards though, since even Zeke doesn’t like them, which is definitely why we still don’t know the entire truth about titans and “byproducts of titan science”.
Anyway, thanks for passing by Anon 🙂 Have a nice day!
I really enjoy him, like probably 98% of the fandom. xD
I’m very curious about the mystery behind the Ackerman family but aside from that I enjoy his character immensely because he feels unapproachable as a character and yet he also feels so tired by the fact he had to fight for basically all of his life.
Honestly, I wish he would be able to find happiness at the end of the story, in whatever form will suit him: whether it is a family or simply building a tea shop… But as I said before, I don’t really see a lot of characters surviving the ending of SnK at this point.
I really can’t wait for when we see him again (probably once people from Marley go to Paradis Island again) and I want to see how him and his old squad are behaving towards each other. The thing with Levi is that he couldn’t help losing people ever since being very young because he’s one of the only strong humans around, which meant that not everyone could survive like he did which is why he keeps on losing people who mattered to him.
Despite that though, his squad isstill around ever since ch50, they survived through everything so far when the rest of the Scouting Legion was wiped away, so I just want to read more about Levi and what he thinks of his subordinates (if they’re still his subordinates, which might not be the case after 3 years), a bit like the end of ch69 (Kenny’s death) if you will.
More insights would be great and I’m looking forward more content with Mikasa, since they’re both Ackermans and she’s definitely the only one he can trust to survive like him, which I think should be a relief, since he never had any guarantee about any of his other comrades before.
Anyway, in short he’s one of my favorite characters. 🙂
About Historia
Well… I don’t dislike her, but she’s clearly not one of my favorite characters and I think the reason for that is that I definitely can’t separate her in my head from her duo with Ymir, which is why she never really… marked me as a character (don’t know if that’s how you say it in English, sorry :/).
She and Ymir were an amazing duo, who gave me many feels, but because they were built as a duo since the beginning, from the moment they were separated in ch50, I became unable to really get any kind of big interest in Historia’s character.
The thing is, I definitely think she has a lot of redeeming qualities as a character, if just because she’s a brave and honest girl who has to shoulder an unbelievably heavy burden, but my interest for her only held for the time of the revolutionary arc.
I really enjoyed how she defied her father and I’m definitely looking forward to what her role as the Queen will be when Marley attacks, but as of right now, she’s clearly not the one I’m looking forward to see again on the Island’s side. 🙂
I hope I answered your question and don’t worry, I don’t think I dislike anyone, besides maybe Zackley and the Marley governement!
Have a nice day/evening, the official translation for the chapter will be out on the 9th 🙂
Not at all, Anon, thanks for passing by in the first place!
And I love how you’re describing Levi, because that’s exactly how I see him too! As you said his philosophy about choice is quite interesting, and I wonder if after what happened with Erwin and Armin, he’ll have more big choices to make. I’m certainly looking forward to how Isayama intends on writing his character until the end.
As for Historia, you’re definitely right too, characters must share focus otherwise it would be too boring. That’s why I’m glad that Reiner and the other warrior kids are getting some focus lately!
I really enjoy him, like probably 98% of the fandom. xD
I’m very curious about the mystery behind the Ackerman family but aside from that I enjoy his character immensely because he feels unapproachable as a character and yet he also feels so tired by the fact he had to fight for basically all of his life.
Honestly, I wish he would be able to find happiness at the end of the story, in whatever form will suit him: whether it is a family or simply building a tea shop… But as I said before, I don’t really see a lot of characters surviving the ending of SnK at this point.
I really can’t wait for when we see him again (probably once people from Marley go to Paradis Island again) and I want to see how him and his old squad are behaving towards each other. The thing with Levi is that he couldn’t help losing people ever since being very young because he’s one of the only strong humans around, which meant that not everyone could survive like he did which is why he keeps on losing people who mattered to him.
Despite that though, his squad isstill around ever since ch50, they survived through everything so far when the rest of the Scouting Legion was wiped away, so I just want to read more about Levi and what he thinks of his subordinates (if they’re still his subordinates, which might not be the case after 3 years), a bit like the end of ch69 (Kenny’s death) if you will.
More insights would be great and I’m looking forward more content with Mikasa, since they’re both Ackermans and she’s definitely the only one he can trust to survive like him, which I think should be a relief, since he never had any guarantee about any of his other comrades before.
Anyway, in short he’s one of my favorite characters. 🙂
About Historia
Well… I don’t dislike her, but she’s clearly not one of my favorite characters and I think the reason for that is that I definitely can’t separate her in my head from her duo with Ymir, which is why she never really… marked me as a character (don’t know if that’s how you say it in English, sorry :/).
She and Ymir were an amazing duo, who gave me many feels, but because they were built as a duo since the beginning, from the moment they were separated in ch50, I became unable to really get any kind of big interest in Historia’s character.
The thing is, I definitely think she has a lot of redeeming qualities as a character, if just because she’s a brave and honest girl who has to shoulder an unbelievably heavy burden, but my interest for her only held for the time of the revolutionary arc.
I really enjoyed how she defied her father and I’m definitely looking forward to what her role as the Queen will be when Marley attacks, but as of right now, she’s clearly not the one I’m looking forward to see again on the Island’s side. 🙂
I hope I answered your question and don’t worry, I don’t think I dislike anyone, besides maybe Zackley and the Marley governement!
Have a nice day/evening, the official translation for the chapter will be out on the 9th 🙂
DISCLAIMER: This is my personal opinion. In no way am I stating what I say here is canon or completely accurate. if you disagree with my opinion, that’s perfectly fine! Everyone has a different point of view, but if you are going to send me messages trying to argue points of view with me or send me hate messages, do me a favor and please just don’t even bother.
So since it has been confirmed that the Ackerman clan are known as a subproduct of titan science on the mainland of Marley, and thought to be Myth’s until Zeke, and I assume Reiner too, confirmed their existence to the Marlian governent, what if Annie knew this so called legend about the Ackerman’s too?
What if she knew and after hearing Mikasa’s surrname, came to the realization that the myth was actually trueand that is where Mikasa’s insane strength and skill came from? And then, having made that connection, made the comment that Mikasa was a non-human beast when asked to share her fighting techniques, and instead of meaning it as and insult, meant it as an actual fact.
Annie calls Mikasa a beast, and later, Zeke calls Levi an outright monster. And he means it too. Not a monster in the sense of how powerful he is, but a literal living fucking nightmare that tore him to shreds, killed all of his titans, and managed to chase him all the way back over the wall.
Even being fully aware that Levi had no blades left at his disposal to fight with, Zeke fled the battlefield and left Bertoldt to die as a result of having his power stolen. Choosing to risk the wrath of Marley and the loss of one of the most powerful titan abilities over having to possibly fight Levi again without his ability to shift.
That is how frightened of facing off against one of them Zeke truly is, and with good reason too.
So, after seeing two titan shifters (people who can shift into legitamate man eating rage-beasts that have killed TONS of people) refer to both Ackerman’s who have no abilities other than their strength (as far as we know) as something ghastly and fearful, on top of calling them a subproduct of titan science, mixed in with how fast they heal and how strong they are; I can’t help but question if those having blood of the Ackerman clan are actually 100% human.
I can’t help but wonder if the reason they’re so feared, so strong, immune to the Founding Titan, and were at one point treated as a rogue weapon needing to be destoyed by the government they once served was actually because they are the ‘failed product’ of a titan shifter.
That the Ackerman’s are actually the result of human compassion and monster strength in one body. That they are, for all intents and purposes, a pefect mix of human and titan that was never intended to exist.
I wonder if they’re essentially a shared titan shifter that stands on the fine line at all times instead of needing to shift from one form to another. A perfect inbetween that is free of the paths connected to the Founding Titan, free of the 13 year life limit, and free of the curse that taints their blood.
I can’t help but wonder if they’re actually the unintended, combined success of titan science and human nature.
midnight-in-town 