Hange Zoë became the 14th Commander of the Survey Corps, appointed by Erwin Smith before his death. They previously led the Fourth Squad, focusing intensely on Titan research and experimental innovation. Their appearance featured medium-length dark brown hair usually tied in a messy high ponytail, square thick-rimmed glasses held by headbands during combat, and later a black eye patch covering left eye damage from an explosion caused by Bertolt Hoover's transformation. Out of combat, they wore oval-shaped glasses. Standard attire included the Survey Corps uniform with an underlayer button-up shirt, a green cloak for missions, and a commander's bolo tie. Initial hatred drove Hange upon joining the Survey Corps, but their perspective transformed after kicking a 3-meter Titan's head and discovering its abnormal lightness. This sparked an obsessive yet compassionate approach to Titan research, leading them to name test subjects like Sawney and Beane and express empathy during painful experiments. They exhibited extreme emotional reactions, including erupting in meltdowns when subjects died. Despite their energetic, eccentric exterior, Hange concealed a capacity for ruthlessness, notably threatening Pastor Nick off Wall Sina for withholding Titan secrets and participating in the torture of military police officer Djel Sannes. Their scientific methodology relied on rigorous observation, hypothesis testing, and data analysis. Key discoveries included deducing Eren Yeager's Titan transformation trigger—activation during moments of clear purpose—and identifying the identical composition between the Female Titan's hardened skin and the Walls. Alongside Armin Arlert, they verified the Walls contained colossal Titans. Hange also engineered pivotal weapons like the Thunder Spear and the "Executioner from Hell" guillotine. Their strategic insights proved crucial, predicting Reiner and Bertholdt's retreat to a Titan forest and suspecting the Reiss Chapel's significance. Hange played instrumental roles in major conflicts. They attempted to capture the Female Titan using specialized restraints and pursued Annie Leonhart during her Stohess District rampage. During the Clash of the Titans arc, they contributed to uncovering the Titan serum's origins. As commander, escalating burdens led to visible stress and exhaustion while coordinating humanity's defense. They spearheaded peace efforts against Eren Yeager's Rumbling, forming an Alliance to halt global devastation. In their final act, Hange sacrificed themself to delay the advancing Colossal Titans, buying time for the Alliance's escape. Using Thunder Spears to eliminate several Titans, they succumbed to steam burns before being trampled. Final thoughts reflected on the Titans' strange beauty, followed by a dying vision of deceased Survey Corps comrades welcoming them. Per their earlier designation, Armin Arlert succeeded them as commander. Hange's gender presentation remains intentionally ambiguous. Creator Hajime Isayama instructed publishers to avoid gendered pronouns or balance "he" and "she" usage. The character song "Jibunrashiku" ("As Myself") aligns with themes of non-binary identity. While the anime design incorporates feminine traits, the manga presents a more neutral appearance. Hange typically uses the neutral Japanese pronoun "watashi."