If one thing is clear about Mikasa Ackerman in Attack of the Titans, it’s that she’s extremely devoted to Eren Jäger, regardless of reason or logic. For most of the story, it seems that her loyalty stems from the fact that he saved her when she was a child, but recent plot developments suggest that another force is at play.
Coldly, Eren tells Mikasa that she’s compelled to protect him because of the way the Ackerman blood running through his veins is programmed. Be that as it may, it’s clear that Mikasa feels a deep attachment to her childhood friend, even if he doesn’t recognize her as much as he used to.
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10. Mikasa battles bullies at the very beginning of their encounter
During their very first interaction, it’s technically Eren who saves Mikasa (although this scene ends with the death of the man who strangles Eren through Mikasa’s intervention). Thereafter, she remains constantly vigilant when it comes to her best friend, and regularly lashes out at attackers who try to harm her.
In reality, Eren often feels offended by this “meddling”, thinking that Mikasa wants to treat him like a helpless child. This is clearly not the case, but neither of them will understand the true nature of their bond for some time.
9. She was almost killed trying to save him from Annie
The Female Titan easily crushes the personal team selected by Levi, leaving Eren deeply distraught at their deaths. He decides to transform and attack her, but soon realizes that she is far too powerful for him. When Mikasa intervenes, it seems the Female Titan is about to devour Eren, but Annie is content to keep him in her mouth before fleeing.
Mikasa sets off in pursuit, later followed by Levi (who eventually recovers Eren). However, it’s worth pointing out that Mikasa rushes recklessly and risks her life as well as that of her captain in her eagerness to save Eren.
8. Mikasa denies Ymir’s curse
Eren reveals that those who inherit one of the nine Titans will live no more than 13 years (due to Ymir’s curse), which shocks everyone who hears it. However, most of his friends understand the logic behind it.
For her part, Mikasa categorically rejects the possibility of such a thing, so intense is her love for Eren (and, to some extent, Armin). Although she’s generally one of the most reasonable people in the story, Mikasa’s reaction is quite unusual.
7. She almost let herself be eaten when Eren “died”
Eren saves Armin’s life by being swallowed whole by a Pure Titan, except for his torn-off arm. Everyone thinks he’s dead, and rightly so, as no one has ever survived a Titan’s stomach.
When Mikasa hears the news, she instantly falls into a catatonic state. She abandons almost everything and starts attacking her enemies without a second thought. Although she realizes that Eren is the reason she has to keep fighting, Mikasa would have been killed if Eren’s Titan hadn’t intervened.
6. Mikasa wants to follow him wherever he goes
Qualifying what Mikasa feels for Eren as love is difficult, as the word itself seems insufficient to describe the immensity of her emotions. Right from the start, she makes clear her intention to follow Eren wherever he goes and do exactly as he does.
Eren may complain about becoming Mikasa’s “little brother”, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate everything she’s done for him. Unfortunately, their relationship meets a serious obstacle much later in the manga.
5. She even joins the Exploration Battalion for him
Despite graduating top of the 104th Training Brigade, Mikasa refuses a cushy career with the Special Brigade, preferring to embark on extremely dangerous missions with the Exploration Battalion.
The reason for this is simply Eren’s determination to become a soldier in the Exploration Battalion, a decision Mikasa can’t and won’t stop him from making. What’s more, it’s fair to say that his exceptional fighting skills have developed, at least in part, to ensure Eren’s safety.
4. Mikasa doesn’t take off the red scarf for a long time
When they first meet, Eren gives Mikasa a red scarf to soothe her nerves after she’s been kidnapped and witnessed the murder of her parents. She wears it almost constantly, suggesting that the garment is a symbol of everything Eren means to her (whatever those symbols may be).
It’s interesting to note that Mikasa only removes the scarf when Eren announces that he hates her, making it clear in no uncertain terms that, because of her Ackermann blood, she has no choice but to protect him.
3. She forces Eren to eat bread
After the fall of Shiganshina, the survivors are led inside the Pink Wall, where each reluctantly receives pieces of bread from the Garrison regiment. Eren, as grumpy as ever, tries to fight with them. When he fails, he angrily throws his bread at Armin.
Just as he starts talking about “refusing charity”, Mikasa punches him in the face before shoving the whole loaf into his mouth. She knows that survival is a form of rebellion in itself, a concept Eren finds hard to understand.
2. Mikasa cares about him much more than the other way around
It’s really unfortunate that Eren doesn’t respond to Mikasa’s feelings, but then again, is it really possible for someone to return as much affection as she gives him?
If we take into account adult Eren’s words regarding his revelation about the Ackermann inheritance, it’s possible that Mikasa’s affection for him is merely an outward expression of their relationship. However, it’s important to recognize that her love isn’t necessarily subject to pre-established terms and conditions.
1. Eren’s first words remain engraved in his heart
After Eren kills two of Mikasa’s kidnappers, the third pounces on the young boy and begins strangling him. Eren glances at Mikasa and tells her to “fight”, but she doesn’t understand his intention. It’s then that Eren utters his most famous phrase: “If you win, you live; if you lose, you die. If you don’t fight, you can’t win!”
These words trigger Mikasa’s transformation from helpless child to confident young woman. She’s never forgotten them, and it’s unlikely she ever will.
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