Zoë Hange served as the 14th Commander of the Survey Corps, appointed by Erwin Smith before his death. They previously held the position of Squad Leader for the Fourth Squad, specializing in Titan research and experimentation. Their appearance featured medium-length dark brown hair usually tied in a high ponytail with parted bangs, light brown eyes, and thick-rimmed square glasses secured by a head strap during missions, switching to oval-shaped glasses off-duty. An injury sustained during the Battle of Shiganshina cost them their left eye, leading to the permanent use of a black eye patch. They frequently wore the standard Survey Corps uniform with a button-up shirt and green cloak. Hange brought energetic curiosity and a profound fascination for Titans, often prioritizing research over personal safety. This enthusiasm drove unconventional methods like naming Titan test subjects and attempting conversation. Initial hatred toward Titans shifted after discovering a Titan head's abnormally light weight, fueling relentless scientific pursuit. They demonstrated compassion, crying during painful Titan experiments and mourning their deaths. Despite a typically cheerful demeanor, Hange displayed necessary ruthlessness, such as threatening Pastor Nick by dangling him off Wall Sina for information or smiling during the torture of Djel Sannes. Leadership responsibilities intensified their stress and anger, though strategic clarity prevailed in crises. Their intellectual contributions proved foundational. Key discoveries included identifying the trigger for Eren Yeager's Titan transformations—activation requiring a clear objective—and analyzing the hardening properties of the Female Titan's crystal, which matched the Walls' composition, revealing the Titans within. They deduced the human origin of Titans after the Ragako village incident. Hange designed advanced weaponry like the Thunder Spear using rediscovered military police technology and formulated tactical plans, such as predicting Reiner and Bertholdt's retreat to a Titan forest. Their analytical approach relied on systematic hypothesis testing, data collection, and observation. Hange participated in critical missions. They spearheaded the capture and analysis of Titans Sawney and Beane, both later killed by Annie Leonhart. During the 57th Expedition, they deployed specialized restraints on the Female Titan, though her summoning of Pure Titans caused the plan's failure. In Stohess District, Hange led efforts to recapture Annie, provoking her crystallization through taunts. Following Erwin's death at Shiganshina, Hange assumed command, grappling with the ethical and strategic burdens of escalating conflict with Marley. They opposed Eren Yeager's genocidal Rumbling but prioritized delaying his advance to buy allies time, ultimately sacrificing themselves in a solo charge against the Colossal Titans. Before death, they named Armin Arlert as the 15th Commander. Hange's gender remains intentionally unspecified in the manga, with creator Hajime Isayama directing the use of both male and female pronouns interchangeably or neutral terms. Anime and live-action adaptations depict Hange as female.