OVA
Description
Armin Arlert was born in the Shiganshina District inside Wall Maria. His parents faced execution for trying to explore beyond the Walls, leaving him with his grandfather. A forbidden book discovered in his grandfather's possession, depicting oceans, deserts, and ice fields from the outside world, ignited Armin's intense curiosity and lifelong desire to see these wonders. This passion made him a target for bullies, reinforcing his reliance on friends Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman for protection and fueling his early feelings of physical inadequacy and low self-worth.
Enrolling in the 104th Training Corps alongside Eren and Mikasa, Armin ranked among the physically weakest cadets but displayed exceptional strategic intellect. His analytical skills proved crucial during the Battle of Trost, where he conceived the plan for Eren to seal Wall Maria's breach using Titan hardening. He later deduced the Female Titan was human-controlled and identified Annie Leonhart as its wielder, noting behavioral inconsistencies like targeted killings over consumption. In the Return to Shiganshina arc, Armin sacrificed himself as a decoy against Bertolt Hoover's Colossal Titan, suffering near-fatal burns. Captain Levi controversially chose to revive him with Titan serum, leading Armin to inherit the Colossal Titan by devouring Bertolt and regaining human form.
As the inheritor, Armin's transformation unleashes catastrophic explosions, demonstrated during the Raid on Liberio where he destroyed Marley's naval fleet and parts of the internment zone. His Colossal Titan stands roughly 60 meters tall, featuring a skinless, skeletal physique with exposed ribs, elongated limbs, and a distinctive exposed windpipe, differing subtly from Bertolt's version with features like defined lips.
Appointed 15th Commander of the Survey Corps by Hange Zoë, Armin initially struggled with leadership anxiety and self-doubt, especially succeeding Erwin Smith. His tactical philosophy prioritized logic over emotion, endorsing necessary sacrifices for greater goals—a belief shaped by commanders like Erwin and Dot Pixis. This clashed with his innate empathy, causing deep guilt after morally difficult actions, such as killing to protect comrades or causing civilian casualties in Liberio, emerging from his Titan visibly distraught.
Armin maintained significant relationships. His bond with Eren and Mikasa formed his emotional core, though he later confronted Eren over his treatment of Mikasa and opposed his genocidal Rumbling. A romantic connection developed with Annie Leonhart, rooted in mutual respect; her earlier avoidance of harming him as the Female Titan hinted at underlying affection. He consistently visited her during her crystallized imprisonment, and after her release, they allied to pursue peace.
Following the Rumbling, Armin championed diplomacy, claiming responsibility for Eren's death to facilitate negotiations. He dedicated himself to global reconciliation as a peace ambassador, using his Colossal Titan defensively to protect Paradis Island. He realized his childhood dream of seeing the ocean alongside Eren and Mikasa, though the moment was overshadowed by the revelation of ongoing conflicts beyond the shore.
Physically, Armin evolved from a petite youth with feminine features, blond bobbed hair, and hazel/blue eyes to a taller, more defined soldier with shorter hair. His attire shifted from civilian clothes to the Survey Corps uniform, including green capes for expeditions and black variants for covert operations. His Pure Titan form, prior to inheriting the Colossal Titan, retained blond hair and a slender, rib-exposed frame.
Enrolling in the 104th Training Corps alongside Eren and Mikasa, Armin ranked among the physically weakest cadets but displayed exceptional strategic intellect. His analytical skills proved crucial during the Battle of Trost, where he conceived the plan for Eren to seal Wall Maria's breach using Titan hardening. He later deduced the Female Titan was human-controlled and identified Annie Leonhart as its wielder, noting behavioral inconsistencies like targeted killings over consumption. In the Return to Shiganshina arc, Armin sacrificed himself as a decoy against Bertolt Hoover's Colossal Titan, suffering near-fatal burns. Captain Levi controversially chose to revive him with Titan serum, leading Armin to inherit the Colossal Titan by devouring Bertolt and regaining human form.
As the inheritor, Armin's transformation unleashes catastrophic explosions, demonstrated during the Raid on Liberio where he destroyed Marley's naval fleet and parts of the internment zone. His Colossal Titan stands roughly 60 meters tall, featuring a skinless, skeletal physique with exposed ribs, elongated limbs, and a distinctive exposed windpipe, differing subtly from Bertolt's version with features like defined lips.
Appointed 15th Commander of the Survey Corps by Hange Zoë, Armin initially struggled with leadership anxiety and self-doubt, especially succeeding Erwin Smith. His tactical philosophy prioritized logic over emotion, endorsing necessary sacrifices for greater goals—a belief shaped by commanders like Erwin and Dot Pixis. This clashed with his innate empathy, causing deep guilt after morally difficult actions, such as killing to protect comrades or causing civilian casualties in Liberio, emerging from his Titan visibly distraught.
Armin maintained significant relationships. His bond with Eren and Mikasa formed his emotional core, though he later confronted Eren over his treatment of Mikasa and opposed his genocidal Rumbling. A romantic connection developed with Annie Leonhart, rooted in mutual respect; her earlier avoidance of harming him as the Female Titan hinted at underlying affection. He consistently visited her during her crystallized imprisonment, and after her release, they allied to pursue peace.
Following the Rumbling, Armin championed diplomacy, claiming responsibility for Eren's death to facilitate negotiations. He dedicated himself to global reconciliation as a peace ambassador, using his Colossal Titan defensively to protect Paradis Island. He realized his childhood dream of seeing the ocean alongside Eren and Mikasa, though the moment was overshadowed by the revelation of ongoing conflicts beyond the shore.
Physically, Armin evolved from a petite youth with feminine features, blond bobbed hair, and hazel/blue eyes to a taller, more defined soldier with shorter hair. His attire shifted from civilian clothes to the Survey Corps uniform, including green capes for expeditions and black variants for covert operations. His Pure Titan form, prior to inheriting the Colossal Titan, retained blond hair and a slender, rib-exposed frame.