TV-Series
Description
Bertholdt Hoover is a fictional character from the Japanese manga and anime series, distinguished by his towering height of 192 cm, short black hair, and often anxious expression, usually seen with a nervous sweat. He was born in the Liberio internment zone and was conscripted as a Warrior candidate for the nation of Marley, ultimately inheriting the power of the Colossal Titan. His primary motivation stems from a personal family tragedy; his father was seriously ill, and Bertholdt chose to become a Warrior to secure Marleyan medical care for him, a decision that drives his otherwise reluctant participation in the brutal mission against Paradis Island.
As a person, Bertholdt is defined by a profound internal contradiction. On the surface, he presents as quiet, withdrawn, and remarkably timid, often described by his comrades as having a weak will and a complete lack of initiative. He tends to follow the lead of his more assertive friend, Reiner Braun, and despite possessing exceptional talent that allowed him to graduate third in the 104th Training Corps, he remains an unassuming figure who prefers to stay in the background. He admits to being a coward, and his low self-esteem makes him heavily reliant on others for direction. However, this mild exterior masks a deep well of guilt and inner turmoil over his actions. He is acutely aware of the devastation he caused, particularly the death of Eren Yeager's mother and the breaching of Wall Maria, and his quiet demeanor is a way of coping with this overwhelming remorse. When the mission demands it, he can suppress these feelings entirely, transforming into a detached and cold individual capable of horrific violence, rationalizing that the cruelty of the world makes such actions inevitable.
His role in the story is that of a catastrophic antagonist and a tragic figure. Initially appearing as a background member of the 104th Cadet Corps alongside Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, his true identity as the Colossal Titan is the catalyst for the entire plot, as it was his kick that destroyed the gate of Shiganshina District five years prior to the main events. He and Reiner serve as sleeper agents, their mission to recover the Founding Titan for Marley. His strategic importance is immense; his Titan form stands at a staggering 60 meters, making him by far the largest threat humanity faces. He is directly responsible for the fall of Wall Maria and later participates in the mission to breach Wall Rose. His defining confrontation occurs during the Battle of Shiganshina, where he is ultimately defeated by Armin Arlert, who devours him to inherit the Colossal Titan's power.
The most significant relationships in his life are with his fellow Warriors, Reiner Braun and Annie Leonhart. His bond with Reiner is particularly strong; they are childhood friends who have endured the same trauma and guilt, and Bertholdt is rarely seen without him, often acting as a stabilizing voice of reason against Reiner's fractured psyche. He also harbors a deep, unspoken romantic affection for Annie, a fact noticed by both Reiner and Armin, and he is easily driven to anger if he feels she is threatened. Within the 104th, despite his betrayal, he held genuine regard for his comrades like Jean and Connie, referring to them as precious people, which only deepens his internal conflict when he is forced to kill them.
Bertholdt undergoes a notable transformation throughout the series. Initially passive and hesitant, he evolves into a hardened and determined enemy by the time of the Shiganshina battle. Having accepted his role as the villain, he sheds his former indecisiveness and declares his intention to wipe out all of his former friends, no longer seeking to justify his actions but simply stating that this is the reality they live in. Yet, this hardened shell breaks completely in his final moments. When faced with the horrifying prospect of being eaten by a Pure Titan, his terror overrides his warrior resolve, and he reverts to a desperate, crying child begging for Reiner and Annie to save him.
Regarding his abilities, as the Colossal Titan, Bertholdt possesses the power to generate explosive transformations and emit scalding hot steam at high pressure from his body, a defense mechanism that burns any attackers and makes close-quarters combat nearly impossible. He learned to control this immense power almost instantly upon inheriting it. In his human form, he is also highly proficient, demonstrating excellent marksmanship with rifles and skill with omni-directional mobility gear, enough so that he was considered one of the top cadets.
As a person, Bertholdt is defined by a profound internal contradiction. On the surface, he presents as quiet, withdrawn, and remarkably timid, often described by his comrades as having a weak will and a complete lack of initiative. He tends to follow the lead of his more assertive friend, Reiner Braun, and despite possessing exceptional talent that allowed him to graduate third in the 104th Training Corps, he remains an unassuming figure who prefers to stay in the background. He admits to being a coward, and his low self-esteem makes him heavily reliant on others for direction. However, this mild exterior masks a deep well of guilt and inner turmoil over his actions. He is acutely aware of the devastation he caused, particularly the death of Eren Yeager's mother and the breaching of Wall Maria, and his quiet demeanor is a way of coping with this overwhelming remorse. When the mission demands it, he can suppress these feelings entirely, transforming into a detached and cold individual capable of horrific violence, rationalizing that the cruelty of the world makes such actions inevitable.
His role in the story is that of a catastrophic antagonist and a tragic figure. Initially appearing as a background member of the 104th Cadet Corps alongside Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, his true identity as the Colossal Titan is the catalyst for the entire plot, as it was his kick that destroyed the gate of Shiganshina District five years prior to the main events. He and Reiner serve as sleeper agents, their mission to recover the Founding Titan for Marley. His strategic importance is immense; his Titan form stands at a staggering 60 meters, making him by far the largest threat humanity faces. He is directly responsible for the fall of Wall Maria and later participates in the mission to breach Wall Rose. His defining confrontation occurs during the Battle of Shiganshina, where he is ultimately defeated by Armin Arlert, who devours him to inherit the Colossal Titan's power.
The most significant relationships in his life are with his fellow Warriors, Reiner Braun and Annie Leonhart. His bond with Reiner is particularly strong; they are childhood friends who have endured the same trauma and guilt, and Bertholdt is rarely seen without him, often acting as a stabilizing voice of reason against Reiner's fractured psyche. He also harbors a deep, unspoken romantic affection for Annie, a fact noticed by both Reiner and Armin, and he is easily driven to anger if he feels she is threatened. Within the 104th, despite his betrayal, he held genuine regard for his comrades like Jean and Connie, referring to them as precious people, which only deepens his internal conflict when he is forced to kill them.
Bertholdt undergoes a notable transformation throughout the series. Initially passive and hesitant, he evolves into a hardened and determined enemy by the time of the Shiganshina battle. Having accepted his role as the villain, he sheds his former indecisiveness and declares his intention to wipe out all of his former friends, no longer seeking to justify his actions but simply stating that this is the reality they live in. Yet, this hardened shell breaks completely in his final moments. When faced with the horrifying prospect of being eaten by a Pure Titan, his terror overrides his warrior resolve, and he reverts to a desperate, crying child begging for Reiner and Annie to save him.
Regarding his abilities, as the Colossal Titan, Bertholdt possesses the power to generate explosive transformations and emit scalding hot steam at high pressure from his body, a defense mechanism that burns any attackers and makes close-quarters combat nearly impossible. He learned to control this immense power almost instantly upon inheriting it. In his human form, he is also highly proficient, demonstrating excellent marksmanship with rifles and skill with omni-directional mobility gear, enough so that he was considered one of the top cadets.