Reiner Braun, born in Liberio’s internment zone, is the illegitimate child of an Eldian mother and a Marleyan father. Shaped by his mother’s relentless ambition to earn honorary Marleyan status, he enlisted in the Warrior Program as a child. After inheriting the Armored Titan, he fought in Marley’s wars, contributing to the annihilation of a rival nation. At twelve, he infiltrated Paradis Island alongside Bertholdt Hoover, Annie Leonhart, and Marcel Galliard to retrieve the Founding Titan. Marcel’s death during the mission—sacrificing himself to save Reiner from a Titan—left lasting psychological scars, hardening Reiner’s determination to lead the operation despite dissent from his peers. Physically imposing, Reiner sports short blond hair, golden eyes, and a muscular frame, standing 185 cm tall during his cadet years. His 15-meter Armored Titan form is encased in thick plating, save for exposed joints, balancing formidable strength with surprising agility. This form shattered Wall Maria and withstood prolonged battles, showcasing both destructive power and tactical endurance. Reiner’s personality fractures under the strain of dual identities. Initially driven by loyalty to Marley and a desperate hope to reunite his family, his psyche splintered from years of deception, oscillating between a compassionate leader emulating Marcel and a ruthless Warrior fixated on his mission. The murder of Marco Bott, a comrade who uncovered his secret, deepened his guilt and mental instability. Ranking second in the 104th Cadet Corps, Reiner leveraged his strategic mind and dependable demeanor to infiltrate the Scout Regiment, forging bonds while covertly plotting to capture Eren Yeager. His unraveling became public when he recklessly exposed his Titan identity to Eren, later grappling with remorse over betraying Paradis allies. Post-Paradis, Reiner’s trauma spiraled into suicidal urges, tempered only by obligation to protect his family. His service in the Marley Mid-East War further numbed his emotions, yet he retained sharp tactical instincts, earning Eren’s acknowledgment as a calculating adversary. Reunions with former comrades highlighted his torn loyalties—between Marley’s demands and lingering empathy for those he once called friends. Reiner’s childhood was defined by his Marleyan father’s rejection, fueling his resolve to prove worth through the Warriors. Harsh training nearly disqualified him until Marcel intervened, securing his Armored Titan inheritance—a choice Marcel later confessed stemmed from guilt over favoring Reiner over his more skilled brother, Porco. Pivotal moments—breaching Wall Maria, failed attempts to capture Eren, and clashes in Marley’s wars—underscore his arc of indoctrination, fractured identity, and war’s moral grayness. Despite atrocities, flickers of humanity emerged: trusting Ymir’s autonomy, mourning Marco, and agonizing over the cost of his missions.