Jean Kirschtein
Jean Kirschtein
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ジャン・キルシュタイン
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| Alias |
“Horse face” (馬面 Umazura) |
| Personal Description | |
| Rank | Commanding Officer |
| Age | 15 (850) 19 (854) 22 (857) |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Birthplace | Trost District |
| Residence | Wall Rose |
| Status | |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Family | Kirschtein family |
| Affiliation | Survey Corps Scout Regiment Special Operations Squad |
| Debut | |
| Episode | That Day: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 2 |
| Anime movie | Attack on Titan Part 1: Guren no Yumiya |
Jean Kirschtein(ジャン・キルシュタイン Jan Kirushutain?) is a graduate of the 104th Cadet Corps, where he ranked 6th among his peers. Originally from Wall Rose’s Trost District, Jean entered the military with the goal of living a comfortable and peaceful life in the safety of the Military Police Regiment. However, his experiences and growth during training led him to change his mind, and he ultimately decided to join the Scout Regiment, dedicating himself to the fight against the Titans.
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Émile Durkheim
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| Born |
David Émile Durkheim
15 April 1858 Épinal, France
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| Died | 15 November 1917(aged 59)
Paris,France
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| Nationality | French |
| Alma mater | École Normale Supérieure |
| Known for | Sacred–profane dichotomy Collective consciousness Social fact Social integration Anomie Collective effervescence |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies |
| Institutions | University of Paris, University of Bordeaux |
| Influences | Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill |
| Influenced | Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1] |
Appearance
Jean Kirschtein displaying a determined expression during a battle, showcasing his growth as a soldier and his unwavering resolve in the face of danger.
Jean Kirschtein is a young man with short, light ash-brown hair that is trimmed shorter on the sides and back, creating a darker hue. He has sharp, intense light-brown eyes that are often described as having the same fierce look as Eren’s. Jean is of average height, muscular build, and is often noted for his scowl and long face, earning him the nickname “horse face.” He typically wears the standard Scout Regiment uniform, paired with an olive-gray button-up shirt.
In casual settings, Jean can be seen in a white button-up shirt, dark pants, and a dark-brown vest. By the year 854, Jean’s appearance matures—he sports a goatee and his hair grows longer. He also grows taller, standing at 190 centimeters (6’3″). While infiltrating Marley, Jean wears a black Scout Regiment uniform equipped with anti-personnel omni-directional mobility gear.
Personality
Jean Kirschtein has a blunt and straightforward personality. He often speaks his mind without hesitation, even when it may cause conflict or is unwise. His pragmatic nature is evident in his desire for a safer, more comfortable life, which initially motivated him to join the Military Police Regiment, avoiding dangerous situations whenever possible .
As a cadet, Jean was hot-headed, easily frustrated, and quick to resort to violence when provoked . He was also highly cynical about humanity’s chances against the Titans, often mocking the optimism of others like Eren, seeing resistance as futile . However, despite his outward self-centered attitude, Jean is capable of great leadership, as Marco once pointed out. He understands others well, and his pragmatic outlook allows him to make sound judgments under pressure . During the battle for Trost, Jean’s ability to lead became crucial when his fellow soldiers were left confused and without direction . His leadership was also evident when he encouraged Armin and Reiner to fight the Female Titan despite the overwhelming odds .
Jean deeply values the lives of his comrades and is often haunted by the guilt of having to leave some behind to save others . He was willing to risk his own life in battle, not just for victory but to reduce casualties . His protective nature extends to his critique of Erwin’s decisions, especially when Jean questioned whether the lives lost were worth the secrecy Erwin maintained .
Although often cautious and doubtful, Jean grows more willing to take risks, even becoming hesitant but ultimately accepting plans that involve fighting Titans directly .
History
Jean Kirschtein was born and raised in the town of Trost within Wall Rose. He had a relatively peaceful and comfortable upbringing under the loving care of his mother. From a young age, Jean dreamed of living an easy life as a member of the Military Police, stationed in the inner district of Wall Sina, where the threat of Titans was distant, and life was more luxurious. This desire for safety and comfort strongly influenced his decision to join the military, where he aimed to earn a place in the Military Police Regiment, avoiding the dangers of life outside the walls. However, his journey would take a different path as he matured and became more involved in the fight for humanity’s survival.
Abilities
Jean Kirschtein in his Titan form, demonstrating the unique abilities and challenges that come with his transformation, as he grapples with the implications of wielding such power in the fight against the Titans.
Tactical Intelligence
Jean is known for his ability to stay level-headed and make quick, effective decisions in high-pressure situations. His pragmatic nature allows him to assess the battlefield clearly and devise strategies to ensure survival, earning him the rank of 6th best among the 104th Cadet Corps.
Omni-directional Mobility Gear
Jean is exceptionally skilled in using omni-directional mobility gear. His ability to maneuver with ease on open terrain—considered challenging for even experienced soldiers—sets him apart. He has demonstrated great competence in killing Titans, even when he lacks his full gear, showcasing his adaptability in combat.
Thunder Spears Expertise
Jean has shown considerable proficiency in the use of Thunder Spears. During the Battle of Shiganshina, he was able to inflict severe damage on Reiner Braun’s Armored Titan and critically wound the Cart Titan by shooting through its left eye, leaving it vulnerable to further attacks.
These abilities solidify Jean as a strong and reliable soldier, capable of both quick thinking and skilled combat.
Relationships
Eren Jaeger
Jean and Eren initially had a fierce rivalry, with Jean viewing Eren’s eagerness to join the Scout Regiment as reckless, while Eren saw Jean’s desire to join the Military Police as cowardly. This rivalry pushed Jean to work harder during training . Over time, however, Jean came to respect Eren’s courage and potential as a Titan, setting aside their enmity and working together for humanity’s survival .
Marco Bodt
Marco was Jean’s closest friend since their cadet days. Though Jean would often mock Marco’s idealism, it was Marco who helped Jean realize his leadership potential. Marco’s death during the Battle of Trost deeply affected Jean and served as a turning point in his growth, motivating him to become a more responsible soldier .
Mikasa Ackermann
Jean has had a long-standing crush on Mikasa, admiring her beauty and strength. He often blushes and stutters around her, and has rushed to her rescue multiple times . However, Jean does not fully understand her devotion to Eren, seeing it as excessive, and this partially fueled his initial resentment towards Eren. Despite this, Jean’s admiration for Mikasa continues, as he has been seen going to great lengths to protect her .
Armin Arlelt
Initially, Jean was wary of Armin’s dedication to Eren, but over time, they developed mutual respect due to their similar rational natures . Jean and Armin often engage in deep discussions about morality and strategy, with Jean taking a more humanistic approach, while Armin leans towards pragmatism. Despite these differences, the two have grown close as friends .
Trivia
- Early Draft:Jean and Armin Arlelt were originally envisioned as a single character in Hajime Isayama’s earliest drafts ofAttack on Titan.
- “Heel” Character:Isayama intended for Jean to play a more antagonistic or “heelish” role, pointing out the moments when the protagonists were being deceitful. His “mean” face was specifically designed to fit this role .
- Influence:Kishō Taniyama’s voice performance as Jean influenced how Isayama wrote the character moving forward.
- Name Meaning:“Jean” is the French version of “John,” meaning “God has been gracious.” Isayama chose the name because it gave the sense that Jean was a representative of the people .
- Favorite Character:Isayama has expressed on multiple occasions that Jean is his favorite character , although at one point in 2017, Reiner Braun replaced him as Isayama’s favorite . However, after the manga’s conclusion, Isayama reaffirmed that Jean is his favorite character.
- Arm Wrestling:If the 104th Cadet Corps had an arm wrestling competition, Jean would be evenly matched with Eren Jaeger .
- Body Language:When Jean is conflicted, he has a habit of tightly clenching his fist and staring at it .
- OVA Spotlight:In the second OVA, Jean takes center stage as the main character, with Eren, Mikasa, and Armin acting as supporting characters.
- Character Song:Jean is one of eight characters to have his own character song. His song is titledRusty Honesty. The other characters with songs are Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Reiner, Bertholdt, Levi, and Erwin.