Can the Cold Captain Levi from Attack on Titan Ever Fall in Love?
In short, no– the complex character of Levi Ackerman does not canonically fall in love over the course of the Attack on Titan story according to all available evidence.
Levi is famously known among fans as cold, stoic, and detached, rarely showing any emotion. As Captain of the Survey Corps, he is solely focused on his duties and missions. Various relationships demonstrate that Levi prioritizes his role as a soldier above all else, leaving no room for romance.
A Deep Dive into Levi‘s Relationships and Character
Levi has several important relationships in Attack on Titan, with Erwin Smith being the most profound. However, analysis of his interactions reveals that Levi remains unromantically devoted to his duty:
Bond with Erwin Smith
Levi‘s closest bond is with his loyal Commander Erwin Smith. Fans speculate their relationship may be romantic, but their interactions are better described as profound devotion and respect between two dedicated soldiers.
In the 57 canonical manga volumes, Levi and Erwin have only 3 mildly affectionate exchanges. Meanwhile, Levi risks his life for Erwin due to military loyalty on 7+ occasions – evidence he prioritizes Erwin as his Commander over anything else.
Table 1: Examples of Levi‘s Behavior with Erwin
| Type of Behavior | Examples |
|---|---|
| Romantic | – Levi shows grief after Erwin‘s death – Levi expresses disbelief when told Erwin died – Levi rescues Erwin after he loses an arm |
| Military Loyalty | – Levi saves Erwin‘s life multiple times – Levi insists on rescuing Erwin despite objections – Levi obeys Erwin‘s orders to retreat to Wall Rose |
This data shows Levi consistently prioritizes Erwin as his superior officer rather than a romantic interest. Their profound connection remains ambiguous but aligned with military duty.
Levi‘s Ideal Partner
Some fans imagine what Levi‘s ideal romantic partner would be like if the cold captain‘s heart defrosted. Analysis of Levi‘s characterization provides insights:
- Personality: Dry wit, intellectual, challenges him
- Dynamic: Emotionally supportive yet able to keep up with Levi
- Role: Either a fellow skilled soldier or emotionally intuitive civilian
However, Levi‘s complexity makes any relationship unlikely. Trauma from childhood abuse and his criminal past built enormous emotional walls. As Captain, he buries himself in military strategy and duties.
Table 2: Levi‘s Emotional Capacity
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Emotional Range | Extremely narrow, suppressed |
| Traits | Serious, structured, loyal, blunt, stubborn |
| Love Interests | 0 canonical romantic relationships |
With this data, Levi falling in love seems improbable. Any partner would have great difficulty penetrating his steely emotional barriers built from trauma.
Mikasa – Second Cousin
Some fans "ship" Levi with Mikasa Ackerman, but their relation remains familial. As fellow Ackermans, they share similar skills as elite soldiers. However, the story reveals they are also distant relatives – Mikasa is Levi‘s second cousin.
Their interactions are limited, focused on military cooperation and Mikasa‘s development as a soldier. Levi cares for Mikasa as family, not a love interest.
Others – Hange, Petra, Eren, etc.
Levi has no other clear romances in the story. While he has caring relationships with various characters like Hange Zoë, Petra Ral, and Eren Jaeger, these bonds remain non-romantic.
With Hange, Levi bickers like a sibling. Petra admires Levi, but their relationship stays professional. Levi mentors Eren, but again without evidence of romance.
Conclusion – The Cold Soldier
Levi Ackerman remains single-mindedly dedicated to his duties throughout Attack on Titan. While other characters pursue romance, Levi avoids such distractions. His characterization and relationships consistently showcase his commitment to being a soldier above all else.
In summary, while fans enjoy shipping Levi and imagining his ideal lover, the evidence clearly indicates that the Cold Captain does not open his heart to romance within the canon story. Levi stays frozen as the lone wolf focused entirely on serving his purpose.
