Kenny Ackerman

A ruthless uncle who shaped humanity's strongest soldier while searching for his own purpose.

Kenny Ackerman is a central figure in Attack on Titan, recognized as the maternal uncle and former mentor of protagonist Levi Ackerman. Their relationship is defined by a complex dynamic of mentorship and eventual conflict, serving as a crucial pillar for exploring Levi's backstory during the main series.

Quick Facts

Relation to levi:: Maternal Uncle and Mentor

Lore & Background

Kenny Ackerman's history is deeply intertwined with the Ackerman bloodline, which also includes Levi and Mikasa. The protective instincts of these characters do not come from the bloodline itself; it is simply their nature. Kenny was responsible for raising Levi following his mother Kuchel's death, instilling in him survival skills before their paths diverged. His backstory was explored significantly when dealing with Levi, particularly highlighting their connection and the tragic nature of their relationship which became a focal point for character development.

Reader's Guide

Serving the Reiss family, he leads the Anti-Personnel Control Squad, an elite unit equipped with maneuvering gear and guns made for killing humans, and he fights his nephew Levi more than once. His significance lies in being the key to unlocking Levi's backstory, a narrative thread expanded upon in discussions regarding their fight and the emotional weight of their connection. The source emphasizes that critical reception praised the expansion of this relationship, noting it as a highlight for character depth. Fans should look to the third season and the 'No Regrets' spin-off context (where his influence on Levi is established) to understand his full impact.

Did You Know?

The introduction of Kenny in the third season helped make Levi easier for audiences to understand.
Hiroshi Kamiya, Levi's Japanese voice actor, befriended Yamaji Kazuhiro (Kenny's actor) to explain their characters' misrelationship as they are meant to fight.