Levi Ackerman

Humanity's strongest soldier who balances a germaphobe's obsession with cleanliness against the brutal realities of war.

Levi Ackerman is a main protagonist in Hajime Isayama's manga series Attack on Titan and serves as the captain of the Survey Corps Special Operations Squad, also known as Squad Levi. This elite unit consists of four hand-picked soldiers with impressive combat records who act as bodyguards for the protagonist Eren Yeager, tasked with executing him if he goes berserk. While often a supporting character, Levi's complex backstory is explored through his relationship with his former mentor Kenny Ackerman in the main series and the spin-off manga Attack on Titan: No Regrets.

Quick Facts

Series

Attack on Titan

First

Attack on Titan Sidestory: "Captain Levi" (2010)

Last

Attack on Titan chapter 139: "Toward the Tree on That Hill" (2021)

Creator

Hajime Isayama

Voice

Japanese:
Hiroshi Kamiya
English:
Matthew Mercer

Family

Kuchel Ackerman (mother); Kenny Ackerman (maternal uncle)

Relatives

Mikasa Ackerman (distant relative)

Facts from the source article.

Background

Levi originates from the Underground, where he lived as a thief alongside his partner Furlan Church and later Isabel Magnolia. They used maneuver gear to commit heists until a mysterious man offered them citizenship on the surface in exchange for assassinating Commander Erwin Smith. Instead, they were recruited by the Survey Corps. Levi's bloodline is part of the Ackerman family, sharing traits with Mikasa and Kenny; however, their protective instincts are described as simply "their nature" rather than a function of the bloodline itself. Isayama modeled Levi after Rorschach from Watchmen, giving him a similar stature but contrasting his obsession with cleanliness against Rorschach's uncleanliness. In No Regrets, artist Hikaru Suruga attempted to depict a younger version of Levi, noting that his lack of emotiveness made choosing facial expressions difficult.

Did You Know?

Levi was named after a child Hajime Isayama noticed in the documentary Jesus Camp.
Before drawing Attack on Titan: No Regrets, artist Hikaru Suruga visited the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel to visualize the Underground setting.
In the 3rd Newtype Anime Awards, Levi was voted fifth best male character while Hiroshi Kamiya took second place for best voice actor.
Levi's fight against the Beast Titan was nominated for "Best Fight Scene" at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Levi appears as a limited-time purchasable skin for Jake Park in Dead by Daylight and Daniel Yatsu in Call of Duty: Vanguard.