Born to Underground prostitute Kuchel Ackerman, Levi was raised by maternal uncle Kenny Ackerman after her death. Kenny instilled survival skills, combat techniques, and violent behavior before abandoning him, deeming Levi self-sufficient. A childhood trauma occurred when merchants brutally beat Levi during his attempt to reclaim his mother's stolen tea set. His Ackerman powers awakened in that rage-filled moment, enabling him to kill the attackers. The incident forged his lifelong habit of holding cups by the brim—the handle broke when he later tried to use the tea set. In his youth, Levi rose as a prominent figure in the Underground's criminal underworld. He formed a close-knit trio with Furlan Church and Isabel Magnolia, using stolen vertical maneuvering gear for thefts. Their activities drew surface nobleman Nicholas Lobov, who coerced them into assassinating Survey Corps commander Erwin Smith for surface citizenship. Captured during the mission, Erwin offered clemency in exchange for their enlistment. When Titans killed Furlan and Isabel on an expedition beyond the walls, the loss drove Levi to abandon the assassination plot. He dedicated himself to the Survey Corps under Erwin's command, adopting a "no regrets" philosophy. Levi possesses exceptional combat prowess, earning the title "humanity's strongest soldier." His Ackerman bloodline grants heightened strength, reflexes, and instinctive combat mastery triggered by survival instincts or protective urges. Despite his small stature, rigorous use of vertical maneuvering equipment developed his musculature. He maintains an expressionless or stern demeanor, with dull gray eyes and dark circles. Early in the Survey Corps, he wore a white ascot discarded after the coup d'état. Later, a Thunder Spear explosion engineered by Zeke Yeager caused facial scars, a damaged right eye, and the loss of his right index and middle fingers. Stoic yet intensely pragmatic, Levi self-describes as a "clean freak," exhibiting meticulous hygiene and order—even wiping blood from blades mid-battle. He speaks bluntly, sometimes vulgarly, and scorns authority figures outside his respected circle, primarily Erwin Smith. Emotionally reserved, he values human life deeply and feels profound responsibility for subordinates' well-being, grieving losses like his Special Operations Squad and Petra Ral. Preferring solo missions, he trusts his team's judgment in critical moments. His moral complexity manifests in ruthless tactics against enemies—torturing prisoner Djel Sannes or pursuing sadistic vengeance against Zeke Yeager—juxtaposed with protecting allies like Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman. Levi's loyalty to Erwin Smith defined his service; he obeyed orders unquestioningly, believing in Erwin's vision for humanity's freedom. During the Battle of Shiganshina, he honored Erwin's final wish to "give up on [his] dream and die" by using the Titan serum to save Armin Arlert instead. Levi then focused on fulfilling his promise to kill Zeke Yeager, achieved during the Rumbling conflict. In the final battle against Eren Yeager, he sustained further injuries while helping stop the Rumbling. Post-war, he lived peacefully in a wheelchair, mentoring Gabi Braun and Falco Grice while reflecting on fallen comrades. His story concludes as he salutes their spirits, symbolized by birds flying toward a tree.