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Émile Durkheim

Annie Leonhart

Annie Leonhart(アニ・レオンハート Ani Reonhāto) is a highly skilled graduate of the 104th Cadet Corps and a former member of the Military Police Regiment, where she ranked 4th due to her exceptional abilities in both swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Despite her talents, Annie is known for being a solitary figure who finds it difficult to work with others.

Annie possesses the power to transform into the Female Titan, one of the Titans under Marley’s control. Trained from a young age by her father, she was selected as one of Marley’s elite Warriors. In 845, Annie was dispatched alongside Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, and Marcel Galliard to infiltrate Paradis Island and retrieve the Founding Titan.

As the Female Titan, Annie became a major antagonist in the early stages of the series. However, after her true identity was uncovered by the Scout Regiment, she was defeated and encased herself in a hardened crystal to avoid capture. She remained in this crystallized state for about four years, imprisoned underground, before breaking free during the chaotic battle between the Jaegerists, Marleyan forces, and the Military.

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
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

Human Form:
Annie Leonhart is a teenage girl of short stature but with a well-developed muscular build, highlighting her combat training. She has blonde hair that she typically keeps tied back, with a fringe draped over the right side of her face. Occasionally, she pushes her hair aside, possibly for better visibility. Her facial features include an oval-shaped face, blue eyes, and a Roman nose. Annie’s eyes tend to carry a sullen, tired appearance. Her hair, a lighter shade of blonde than most, reaches the nape of her neck when left untied.

Annie’s usual casual attire consists of a hooded sweatshirt under a jacket and dark gray pants. While serving in the Cadet Corps and later in the Military Police Regiment, she wore the standard uniforms, often with her signature white hooded sweatshirt. A significant detail about her appearance is the ring she always wears, which contains a small, hidden blade. This allows her to self-inflict injury and trigger her Female Titan transformation.

Post-Crystalization Appearance
After being freed from her crystalized state, Annie lets her hair hang loose instead of keeping it tied back. She continues to wear herMilitary Policeuniform, now accompanied by a brown cloak. Later, she dons her white hooded sweatshirt with black pants worn by members of the104th Cadet Corps, as she joins their efforts to stop Eren.

Female Titan Form:
Annie Leonhart is a teenage girl of short stature but with a well-developed muscular build, highlighting her combat training. She has blonde hair that she typically keeps tied back, with a fringe draped over the right side of her face. Occasionally, she pushes her hair aside, possibly for better visibility. Her facial features include an oval-shaped face, blue eyes, and a Roman nose. Annie’s eyes tend to carry a sullen, tired appearance. Her hair, a lighter shade of blonde than most, reaches the nape of her neck when left untied.

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

Annie Leonhart, a skilled fighter and member of the Military Police Brigade, demonstrates her readiness for combat as she prepares for a fist fight, showcasing her agility and determination. Known for her exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills, Annie is a formidable opponent in the world of Attack on Titan

Personality

Annie Leonhart is a highly independent and reserved individual, preferring isolation and rarely forming close bonds with others. She tends to keep an emotionless and somber expression, seldom smiling and appearing indifferent to most situations. Annie has little interest in activities she deems meaningless and focuses primarily on achieving her goal of joining the Military Police Regiment, seeking an easy and stable life. Despite her aloofness, Annie holds a certain respect for individuals who display strong convictions and are willing to sacrifice themselves for noble causes.

Annie’s humor is sharp, sarcastic, and often deadpan, sometimes surfacing in tense situations. She can express truths through her humor, even when cornered, as seen when she was exposed by the Scout Regiment. Beneath her cold exterior, Annie can show intense emotions, especially in moments of stress or conflict. When angered or frustrated, she reacts violently, such as when she lashed out at Reiner Braun after the death of Marcel Galliard and when he mocked her during training.

Though Annie can appear detached, she feels guilt and sorrow over the lives she has taken. Her distress was evident when she tearfully apologized after disposing of Marco and expressed regret at her failure to capture Eren Jaeger. Her emotional depth is revealed in moments like this, contrasting with her otherwise cold and pragmatic nature. Annie takes pride in her combat skills, particularly her proficiency in hand-to-hand combat, though she downplays her abilities.

Annie is highly intelligent and a skilled tactician, often handling the spy work for the Warriors during their mission in Paradis. She can think critically and quickly adapt to situations, but she struggles with lying. Both Eren and Kenny Ackermann have pointed out her poor lying abilities, though she excels at recognizing dishonesty in others, as seen when she called out Armin Arlelt and Reiner for their deceptions. Annie is practical and honest about her flaws, openly acknowledging her faults without self-loathing, though she does harbor a sense of guilt for her actions.

Despite her ruthless nature and detachment, Annie’s primary motivation is her desire to return to a normal life with her father. She has little love for Marley but pursues her mission with the hope that completing it will allow her to reunite with him. This desire drives her throughout her mission, even as she expresses doubts and urges Reiner to return to Marley before her eventual capture. Her emotional breakdown in her Titan form, after failing to capture Eren, highlights her inner conflict.

After escaping her crystallized state, Annie undergoes a noticeable transformation in character. She becomes more willing to cooperate with her former comrades to stop Eren and the Jaegerists, and she openly acknowledges her past sins. Her confession to Hitch and her heartfelt admission to Armin—that she appreciated his visits during her years of confinement—reveal a deeper, more vulnerable side of Annie. Despite this, she continues to see herself as a “monster,” haunted by her past actions.

History

Annie Leonhart was born to a Subject of Ymir mother, although it is unclear what became of her. She was adopted by Leonhart, a man who hoped to gain a privileged life by training Annie to become one of Marley’s Warriors. From a young age, Annie underwent grueling combat training, enduring harsh conditions under her adoptive father’s relentless supervision. Eventually, Annie became incredibly strong, but the emotional toll of her upbringing caused her to lash out, crippling Leonhart in retaliation for the years of suffering she endured. This harsh training made Annie emotionally distant and callous, unable to care whether others lived or died.

At some point during her youth, Annie was chosen by the Marleyan government to inherit the Female Titan. She, along with other Warrior candidates, was deployed in battles that allowed Marley to crush their enemies using Titan power. Annie proved herself in these conflicts, helping to ease Marley’s concerns about sending the young Warriors on the Paradis Island Operation.

In the year 845, Annie joined Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, and Marcel Galliard on a mission to infiltrate the Walls and retrieve the Founding Titan. Before leaving, her adoptive father, feeling regret for how he had treated her, apologized and made Annie promise to return home alive. During their mission, the group was ambushed by a Titan, and Marcel was devoured after saving Reiner. Traumatized, Annie and the others watched in horror as Marcel was killed.

Afterward, Annie took out her anger and frustration on Reiner, beating him for his cowardice during the attack. She argued that they should abandon their mission and return to Marley, but Reiner, fearing the consequences of failure, manipulated her into continuing. Annie, still bitter but knowing they had no choice, reluctantly agreed to press on with their mission to secure the Founding Titan.

Abilities

Cover of the French edition of The Rules of Sociological Method (1919)

Annie Leonhart in her Titan form, the Female Titan, exhibits a towering presence and formidable strength. This transformation highlights her unique abilities and the strategic significance of her character in Attack on Titan, as she becomes a key player in the conflict between humans and Titans.

Annie Leonhart is one of the most formidable fighters from the 104th Cadet Corps, standing out alongside Mikasa and Eren. Ranked 4th among the top cadets, her abilities reflect her remarkable combat skills, though her ranking is often attributed to her tendency to slack off rather than her actual potential, which matches the best.

Omni-directional Mobility Gear (ODM)

Eren initially struggled with using the omni-directional mobility (ODM) gear during his training. In the early balancing tests, he frequently tripped and fell, drawing mockery from his peers. Eren received advice to clear his mind and focus, but he still struggled. After his gear was revealed to be faulty, Eren tried again with a different set of equipment and balanced with ease, proving his ability when given proper gear.

Martial Arts

Annie’s fighting style is one of her most unique and defining abilities. It focuses on using kicks, throws, and holds to subdue larger or stronger opponents, making her combat style efficient and deadly. This martial art was taught to her by her father, and she passed it on to Eren during their training. Annie employs this same fighting style in her Female Titan form, using her agility and powerful kicks to overwhelm her enemies, which Eren recognized during their battle.

Female Titan

Cover of the French edition of The Division of Labour in Society

A close-up of Annie Leonhart, revealing her unmasked face. Her expression reflects her complex personality, characterized by a blend of determination and emotional depth. As a central figure in Attack on Titan, Annie’s character explores themes of isolation and conflict, making her one of the series’ most intriguing characters.

Annie Leonhart’s Female Titan is one of the most formidable of the Nine Titans, possessing a unique array of powers and combat abilities that set her apart from others. Her Titan form stands at 14 meters, making it the third shortest among the Nine Titans, yet her skills and abilities make her a fearsome opponent in battle.

Regeneration

Like all Titans, Annie can regenerate her injuries. However, she has shown advanced control over this ability, focusing her healing on specific parts of her body to speed up recovery. This tactic allowed her to selectively regenerate an eye while in battle to gain an upper hand against the Special Operations Squad by surprising them with her vision restored faster than expected.

Crystallization (Hardening)

Annie can harden parts of her Titan’s skin at will, a skill similar to that of the Armored Titan. She uses this to block attacks or strengthen her punches and kicks, allowing her to damage Eren’s Titan significantly while protecting herself. Despite this, her hardened skin cannot be maintained indefinitely and will chip under sufficient force. Annie also used her crystallization ability to encase herself in a protective crystal cocoon after being captured, similar to the War Hammer Titan’s structural hardening.

Titan Control (Scream)

Annie’s Titan form possesses the ability to summon nearby pure Titans with her scream, though her range is limited. This skill was used strategically during the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, where she lured Titans to her position to break up the Scout Regiment’s formation and attempt to capture Eren. Later, when captured by the Scouts, she used her scream to attract Titans, who devoured her Titan form, allowing her to escape unnoticed in her human form. While not as powerful as the Founding Titan’s control, Annie’s ability still proved highly effective.

High Mobility and Endurance

The Female Titan exhibits exceptional mobility and endurance compared to other Titans. Annie can run long distances while engaging in combat, as seen during the 57th scouting mission, where she fought off numerous soldiers and the Attack Titan. She also demonstrated the ability to transform multiple times in quick succession without needing an extended recovery period.

Adaptation

Annie’s Female Titan has the rare ability to incorporate other Titans’ traits. This adaptability is an important feature that allowed her to quickly learn and master Titan abilities, as seen in her usage of Titan powers in complex and strategic ways during her missions.

Relationships

Leonhart (Adoptive Father)

Annie had a complicated relationship with her adoptive father, Leonhart. Initially, Leonhart viewed Annie as a tool to elevate his social status by making her a successful Warrior Candidate. He put her through grueling training that hardened her emotionally. In retaliation, Annie eventually crippled him. However, just before she left for her mission to Paradis Island, Leonhart apologized for his treatment of her and asked her to come back alive. This unexpected change in his behavior deeply affected Annie, and his request became her driving motivation throughout her mission. Annie was distraught when she believed her father died during the Rumbling but was later relieved when she reunited with him at Fort Salta.

Eren Jaeger

Annie and Eren shared mutual respect during their training days, with Annie teaching Eren parts of her unique fighting style. However, once she was revealed as the Female Titan, she relentlessly pursued and fought Eren twice. Eren was deeply shaken by Annie’s betrayal, and despite Mikasa suspecting Eren had “special feelings” for her, Eren harbored far less malice toward Annie than toward Reiner and Bertholdt.

Armin Arlelt

Annie developed a deep respect for Armin, even sparing his life during her rampage, which led to Armin discovering her true identity. After Armin inherited the Colossal Titan and Bertholdt’s memories, he frequently visited Annie while she was trapped in her crystal, confiding in her. This connection deepened their relationship, with Armin eventually confessing his feelings for Annie. When she returned to the battle, Annie immediately asked for Armin’s location and was relieved to find him safe. Three years later, their bond remained strong.

Mikasa Ackermann

Annie and Mikasa shared a rivalry, especially after Annie’s identity as the Female Titan was revealed. Mikasa aggressively confronted and aided in Annie’s defeat. After Annie’s reemergence, they managed to improve their relationship somewhat, with Mikasa even discovering Annie’s feelings for Armin. However, their relationship remained tense, especially regarding their conflicting views on Eren and the Rumbling.

Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover

Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt were close as Warrior comrades, though Annie often acted cold toward them, especially Reiner. Annie and Reiner had a particularly tumultuous relationship, with Reiner manipulating her into continuing their mission after Marcel’s death. Annie beat Reiner for his cowardice but eventually followed his leadership. Both Reiner and Bertholdt were shocked and angered by Annie’s capture. Reiner felt immense guilt over Annie’s fate, driving him to the brink of suicide. Before they parted again, Reiner asked Annie to take care of Gabi and Falco, which she agreed to.

Marcel Galliard

Though not shown interacting much, Marcel’s death deeply affected Annie, as she blamed Reiner for his demise. Marcel’s death was a pivotal moment that caused tension between Annie and Reiner.

Zeke Jaeger

Zeke knew of Annie’s skills, especially her expertise in kicks. Despite this, he did not prioritize her rescue after learning she was captured, believing she could handle the situation herself.

Hitch Dreyse

Annie and Hitch, despite their differences, developed a unique bond. Hitch frequently teased Annie during their time as roommates but later felt anger towards the Scout Regiment for Annie’s presumed death. After learning the truth about Annie’s identity, Hitch guarded her crystal and spoke to her during her four-year confinement. Upon Annie’s escape, they rekindled their relationship, with Annie opening up about her past to Hitch. Hitch, in turn, thanked Annie for sharing her story, showing how their bond had evolved over time.

Marco Bodt

Annie played a role in Marco’s death, removing his omni-directional mobility gear after hearing him discover Reiner and Bertholdt’s secret. Annie was visibly traumatized by Marco’s death, later waking up from nightmares about her part in it. This incident haunted her, adding to her inner turmoil.

Trivia

  • Anime vs. Manga:In Episode 23, Annie’s smile differs from the manga. In the anime, she starts smiling slightly before laughing out loud. Creator Hajime Isayama explained that the laugh expresses multiple emotions: sadness, shyness, sincerity, guilt, loneliness, and fear. Annie is portrayed as a human being rather than a villain.

  • Goodbye, Wall Sina:In the visual novelGoodbye, Wall Sina, it is revealed that Annie cleans her room daily because her roommate, Hitch, messes it up within half a day.

  • Hairstyle:Hajime Isayama based Annie’s hairstyle on a photo of singer Avril Lavigne.

  • Name Meaning:

    • Anniemeans “grace” and is a Germanic diminutive of the Hebrew name Hannah.
    • Leonhartis derived from the Spanish wordleónand the Dutch wordhart, meaning “Lionheart,” a fitting name for someone who strives to be a great warrior.
  • Fighting Style:Annie’s fighting technique is similar to Muay Thai.

  • Limited Wardrobe:Annie owns very few clothes, mostly hoodies.

  • Character Song:Annie has a character song in Linked Horizon’sShingeki no Kisekialbum titledKanojo wa Tsumetai Hitsugi no Naka de(She Lies in a Cold Coffin).