Two years since the end of the Attack on Titan anime, the lasting impact of the series has been near undeniable, snowballing into a behemoth franchise since its very inception in 2009. When Wall Maria was infiltrated by monstrous titans, Eren Yeager, alongside his close friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, embarked on a journey that led to mass death and destruction, operating as scouts to seek the truth behind their occupation within the inner walls.
The complicated and dramatic story in AOT, full of mystery and political intrigue, is renowned for its excellent duos, ranging from childhood friends to war survivors to friendships built on camaraderie and trust. These select duos have shaped the transcendent anime, powering it to new heights in the industry.
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Ymir & Historia Reiss
A Special Type Of Friendship Between Two Individuals That Hide Secrets
During Season 2, perhaps the most significant relationship and storyline that emerged was the mystery of Ymir and her friendship with Historia Reiss, a shy girl hiding plenty of secrets. Known as Krista before her royal background was revealed, Historia was a low-profile girl who endured an identity crisis, with Ymir, a former Marleyan citizen and Jaw Titan, acting as a close friend who encouraged Historia to stand tall, with her feelings towards Historia going beyond friendship.
Ymir's hardened personality and her complicated background, which led to her long slumber as a titan, culminate in attempts to flee with Reiner Braun and Bertolt Hoover, with Ymir insistent on taking Historia back to Marley. Despite their dramatic parting, Ymir's final letter to her beloved before being killed marked a tragic end to a heartwarming relationship, with Historia, the monarch of Paradis, holding the memories of Ymir deep within her heart.
Gabi Braun & Falco Grice
Marleyan Youngsters Soon Join The War Of Paradis
The introduction of Marley to AOT brought forth the youngsters of Falco Grice and Gabi Braun, two friends who would soon become major players in the war against Paradis. While Falco took a keen liking to Gabi, the headstrong young girl was intent on ridding the world of Paradis and its citizens, aiming to secure more freedom for Eldian Marleyans. However, their journey to Paradis, where Gabi murders Sasha Braus, their moments on the run, and their key contributions to Marley's surprise ambush in the Shiganshina District see the pair grow closer.
With Falco gaining the Jaw Titan's powers, their relationship manages to survive the Rumbling, starting fresh in rebuilding society, with Gabi eventually reciprocating Falco's feelings despite growing up in a downtrodden world.
Connie Springer & Sasha Braus
Comedic Duo And Heartfelt Friends
No tandem in AOT is as goofy and hilarious as scouts Sasha and Connie Springer, a lovable duo that often warms the hearts of audiences while most other aspects of AOT are drowned in evil and unfiltered violence. Since their first interactions together, Connie and Sasha have been inseparable, forming a special bond alongside Jean Kirstein, their close colleague. With Connie frequently mocking Sasha's mass-eating habits, a running gag, Connie and Sasha's silliness brings a lighthearted tone, a pleasant friendship who have complete trust on the battlefield.
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Sasha's sudden death at the end of Paradis' surprise attack on Marley, where Gabi shoots Sasha onboard their airship, marked one of the series' saddest events, emotionally ruining Connie, with the death of Sasha weighing heavily on Connie and his comrades' minds for some time.
Reiner Braun & Bertolt Hoover
Titan Best Friends That Go Undercover
Hailing from Marley, Reiner and Bertolt, the Armored and Colossus Titans are one of the strongest tandems throughout AOT, with the pair being chosen as Marleyan warrior candidates for the same mission. While Bertolt is reserved and introverted, Reiner tends to be a leader, as evidenced by their undercover mission to infiltrate Paradis, where Reiner takes charge of the group. After their initial destruction in Shiganshina, the duo go covert as Scout Regiment recruits, seeking to bring the Founding Titan back into the hands of Marley.
Their reveal to Eren about their powers and intentions is one of the show's most pivotal scenes, a shocking revelation that would change the dynamics of AOT forever. Despite their differing personalities, their brotherly bond was unbreakable, with Bertolt's death hitting Reiner hard, as he lost his best friend to their former comrades.
Hange Zoë & Levi Ackerman
Obsessive Scientist And Her Fed-Up Comrade
Two characters that have completely opposing personalities, Hange Zoë and Levi Ackerman, somehow become mighty close as their worlds open up as the Scout Regiment ventures forward to discover the mysteries of their sheltered world. Hange, a cranky and intelligent officer, and the monotone and stoic Levi, while different, collaborate and scheme the Scouts' next moves with their commander, Erwin Smith, both acting as his confidants.
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After Erwin's passing, Hange, the new commander, enacts even more trust in Levi, with the two trying to marshal the ever-changing Eren. In Levi's attempt to eliminate Zeke Yeager, his severe injuries leave him for dead, not before Hange comes to his rescue, a loyal friend despite the hell unearthing around them. With Hange's sacrifice to buy the Allied Forces enough time to escape Odiha, Levi and Hange share an emotional farewell for two friends who have come a long way from humble beginnings.
Eren Yeager & Armin Arlert
Best Friends That Soon Grow Distant
Friends from the beginning, Eren and Armin, two boys of the Shiganshina District, have progressed alongside one another as the countless threats to their lives continued to mount up. For years, Armin, an intelligent but timid boy, trails the headstrong Eren alongside Mikasa, with Eren often leading the trio into dangerous scenarios after the fall of Wall Maria. In their time in the Scout Regiment, the pair excelled, climbing the ranks, sharing mutual support as they sought to chase the dreams of their youth in the outside world.
The most significant moment between the pair was their involvement in the Return to Shiganshina, where Armin's sacrifice gave Eren the chance to take down Bertolt, the Colossal Titan, in an emotional farewell. Eren's love and care for his dear friend boil over to the surface as he and Mikasa fight for his case to be revived by Levi instead of Commander Erwin, an emotional act that brought Armin back to life. However, Eren would soon drift apart from Armin, humiliating his best friend, beating him to a pulp, as he took on the mantle to save his friends through the Rumbling. Despite fighting on opposing sides in the end, Armin was able to give his goodbyes to his best friend, marking the end of a friendship and an iconic duo throughout AOT.
Erwin Smith & Levi
Scout Regiment Commander And His Loyal Right-Hand Man
Very few duos in the entirety of the anime have as much connection and innate trust as the dynamic duo of Erwin, the Commander of the Scout Regiment, and Levi, the regiment's greatest warrior. As the one to bring the once-young scoundrel into the Scout Regiment fold after Levi's time in the Underground City, Erwin, a rising star in the making, molds Levi into his right-hand man, intent on carrying out Erwin's commands without hesitation. Throughout their developments, as Eren and his titan powers come into play, the partnership endures despite treachery and conspiracies rocking the Scout Regiment.
Erwin's great sacrifice in leading rookies from the regiment to their deaths enabled Levi a chance to take out the Beast Titan, with Erwin having complete faith in Levi's abilities to get the job done, despite not getting the opportunity to see what lies beyond the walls, a goal his father imparted on Erwin in his youth. After the Battle of the Shiganshina District, Levi desperately tries to revive Erwin, believing the commander to be the best chance of leading the Scout Regiment going forward, totally committed to his close friend, despite Eren and Mikasa pleading for Armin's case.
Eren & Mikasa Ackerman
Destined Duo That Have Stayed Side By Side Since Their Early Childhoods
AOT's most notable and popular duo is none other than protagonist and Founding Titan Eren, and the ODM Gear master Mikasa. Their fateful meeting, where Eren saves Mikasa from a home invasion that ends in her parents' tragic deaths, sets their relationship into motion, awakening Mikasa's Ackerman powers, and from that day forward, Mikasa chooses to protect Eren, her most treasured person. Growing up alongside Eren, the pair are inseparable, joining the Scout Regiment together after the tragedy of Shiganshina.
While Eren's erratic and aggressive persona would always surface, particularly once his Titan powers emerge, Mikasa was often there to bring the hot head down to earth. As Eren descends into becoming a genocidal maniac throughout the show, Mikasa is caught in a bind, struggling to follow the man she loves dearly. In the end, Mikasa was the one to finish Eren and the Rumbling, a saddening ending for a tandem who loved each other dearly but could never share their true feelings for one another due to circumstance, with Mikasa holding the memories of Eren close to her heart throughout the rest of her life.
Attack On Titan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2023-00-00
- Cast
- Matthew Mercer, Josh Grelle, Hiroshi Kamiya, Shiori Mikami, Jerry Jewell, Kishô Taniyama, Jessica Calvello, Masahiko Tanaka, Yui Ishikawa, Romi Park, Robert McCollum, Tomohisa Hashizume, Hiro Shimono, Trina Nishimura
- Seasons
- 4
- Japanese Title
- Shingeki no Kyojin
- Production Company
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.55 (Season 1)
