Attack On Titan: 10 Characters Who Changed The Most

Attack On Titan has seen a huge shift since the anime first hit the screens almost a decade ago in 2013. With the latest season bringing the hit anime soon to a conclusion, there are many characters that fans have gotten used to, some much loved and others less so.

The journey and the changes that some of these Titan characters have been through are undeniable, each having endured a lot as the series has gone on. But some have been through more than others, prompting a lot of changes to their personalities.

Armin

Armin Arlet is a character who has been through a lot and changed more than almost any other character since his first appearance in the series. Starting out from the first episode, Armin was timid, frail and often picked on, his natural curiosity for what lay outside the walls making him a target to the other children.

Through the events of the series, especially after inheriting the Colossal Titan, Armin has grown a much thicker skin, and the actions that he’s taken, particularly in the later series, really reflect his change in character. Younger Armin, for example, would never have nuked an entire city, unlike the older, war-experienced Armin.

Connie

Connie Springer came into Attack On Titan in the first season as a member of the training cadets. Originally coming across as both outgoing and easy-going, Connie was more often than not seen goofing off with the other cadets, particularly forming a strong bond and friendship in Attack On Titan with Sasha.

However, as the show progressed and Connie was exposed to more dangers, including many close encounters with various Titans, his cheerful and enthusiastic demeanor began to wane, particularly in the later series, showing the audience a much more serious and reserved side to Connie that fans might never have expected.

Erwin

As the commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith was much loved by fans for his complex character and rallying speeches, providing some of the best moments across the anime.

Coming across as serious and calculating, Attack On Titan‘s Erwin made some big mistakes and was a strong-willed character who never backed down. Season 3 gave fans a changed Erwin, who was forced to accept his fate and lead the final charge, his unachieved goal of discovering Eren’s basement left behind.

Historia

Despite not having much screen time in the first or the most recent season, Historia Reiss has been a very impactful character in the show. Taking on the new identity of Krista Lenz, she was initially introduced as a member of the training corps. Coming off as shy, uncertain and kind, fans were shocked at this character’s backstory.

Taking back her old name, along with the title of The Ruler of the Walls, Historia’s personality shifted dramatically to a strong young woman who was starting to believe in herself. Not only defying her father, Rod Reiss, but also being the one to kill him, shows the dramatic transformation that her character experienced over the course of the anime.

Zeke

First appearing as the Beast Titan at the start of season 2, it took the entirety of the season before fans were treated to a glimpse of him out of Titan form, and only in season 3 do audiences get to really learn about his character. The mystery surrounding his character and the dangerous and powerful Titan form that he used to fight initially made Zeke out to be an untouchable villain, the antagonist that even Erwin would lose his life trying to defeat.

The later seasons brought the introduction of Zeke’s backstory, deepening his complex character and giving fans a much more human side to this personality. The developing relationship between Eren and changing allegiances has also meant that Zeke has become very different to audiences than when he first appeared.

Mikasa

While this character’s development may be more subtle than some of the others, Mikasa Ackerman has still been through a big change since the first episode. From her first appearance, it was clear that she was withdrawn and stoic, never really showing much emotion and always keeping a strong level head, no matter the situation.

While there are still elements of this to her character, she has become a lot more emotional, often showing her caring side more openly and reacting more emotionally in certain situations. Especially after the surprising time skip in the anime, her skill as a soldier increased drastically, now rivaling Levi’s.

Floch

By far one of the least liked characters in the series, Floch was only introduced in season 3. A member of the Survey Corps, Floch was by his own admission, a coward. His strong belief that lives should not be taken away meaninglessly, propelled him to attempt to save Erwin when they were the only remaining living soldiers in the charge against the Beast Titan.

Despite his one heroic act in Attack On Titan, Floch has practically made himself into an antagonist in the most recent series, working against many of the show’s protagonists after joining the Yeagerists. He also has demonstrated a much more ruthless and violent side to his character that opposes his original cowardice when he first appeared.

Reiner

Reiner Braun has seen a lot of changes in personality throughout the series. This is largely due to the consistently added complexities to his character as the anime slowly revealed more and more about him and where he came from. As a child, he was quiet but driven — qualities that often came through his personality later on.

Leading his double life as the older brother figure of the Training Corps and a Marleyan soldier took a huge toll on Reiner, influencing a split personality and memory loss for some time. This change in itself was a big development for the character, but arguably the biggest change came in his loss of drive and enthusiasm in the latest season, with his will for the war to end being his only driving point left.

Jean

Arguably one of the characters who has seen the biggest changes to his personality throughout the series, Jean was introduced to fans as the arch-rival to main character Eren in the Training Corps, way back in season 1. Hot-headed and prone to fights, particularly with Eren, young Jean was often self-centered and mocking.

But through the events in the anime, Jean matured drastically, becoming a lot more aware and responsible, a strong ally to Eren and the others, and no longer a rival. This complete transformation is very reflective of the journey that the characters have been on, as they have all been forced to mature at a young age due to the actions of each season.

Eren

As the main character in a hit series, it can be expected that Eren Jeager would have seen a lot of character development, both in terms of plot and personality, but it would be fair to say that Eren has changed a lot more than the typical protagonist. In the first series, young Eren was strong-willed, impulsive and hardheaded. He was also extremely passionate and determined, making him stand out from the other young cadets.

As the show progressed, a lot of these qualities started to diminish. While this was a transformation that started subtly long before, it had started to become more obvious by the end of the third season. By Eren’s first appearance in the fourth, the cheerful young boy that fans knew and loved had become stoic and expressionless, his uncertain allegiances turning him into the latest series antagonist.