Armin Arlelt(アルミン・アルレルト Arumin Arureruto) is the 15th and current commander (団長 Danchō) of theScout RegimentinAttack on TitanEren Jaeger. He is also one of the two deuteragonists of the series, alongside Mikasa Ackermann, and is a childhood friend of both andMikasa Ackermann. Although Armin is physically the weakest member of the104th Cadet Corps, his extraordinary intelligence, strategic mind, and tactical brilliance make him one of the most valuable assets to humanity’s survival.

As a soldier in the Scout Regiment, Armin adopted the regiment’s traditional gear: the brown jacket with the Scout Regiment insignia, white pants, and knee-high brown boots. His green cape, worn during expeditions, became a symbol of his dedication to exploring the outside world. Though still not physically the strongest, his growing confidence and determination became more visible in how he carried himself.

Eren’s Founding Titan moved using its ribcage, with the ribs undulating like the legs of a millipede. Despite its grotesque appearance, it was fast enough to keep up with the advancing Rumbling.

Armin Arlelt is a deeply curious and empathetic individual with a brilliant strategic mind, who struggles with self-worth despite his undeniable intelligence and loyalty. From a young age, Armin exhibited a fascination with the world beyond the Walls, a trait that set him apart from his peers and branded him as a “heretic.” His discovery of a forbidden book about the outside world inspired him and Eren Jaeger to dream of exploring it together, solidifying their bond. However, his natural timidity and frail physique made him a target for bullies, and he often had to rely on Eren and Mikasa Ackermann for protection.

Throughout his early years, Armin struggled with low self-esteem, viewing himself as physically weak and a burden on his friends. This feeling persisted through his time in the 104th Cadet Corps, where he consistently doubted his own value, despite excelling in strategic thinking. Armin’s desire to prove his worth was a driving force behind many of his actions, and he longed to contribute to the success of his friends in meaningful ways. His turning point came when he realized that his intellect and strategic mind were as valuable as physical strength, and his plans became crucial to the success of the Scout Regiment.

Armin’s intelligence and ability to think analytically have consistently made him one of the most valuable assets to the Scout Regiment. He excels at formulating creative, effective strategies during battle, even under intense pressure. Despite being physically weaker than his peers, Armin’s tactical brilliance allows him to guide others to victory, as demonstrated when his plans helped bring down the Colossal Titan. His ability to think outside the box has led to many pivotal moments in humanity’s fight for survival, though stepping into leadership roles has often caused him anxiety. Armin is not a natural extrovert or leader by nature, but his deep investment in humanity’s future drives him to overcome these insecurities.

Though Armin is a tactical thinker, he is also highly empathetic, often wrestling with the morality of his decisions. His compassionate nature sometimes clashes with the harsh choices he feels he has to make for the greater good. This inner conflict was exemplified when Armin had to kill a person to save Jean Kirschtein, a necessary action that left him emotionally shaken. Armin has a kind heart, and his struggle to reconcile his humanity with the brutal reality of their world defines much of his character. He admires leaders like Erwin Smith for their ability to sacrifice their humanity for the greater good but has yet to fully embrace that mindset himself.

Armin Arlelt originally lived in theShiganshina DistrictofWall Maria. As a child, Armin was often bullied, leaving him feeling like an outcast. One day, after being beaten up by local bullies, he metEren Jaeger, who questioned why Armin never fought back. This sparked a friendship between the two, as they bonded over their feelings of being outsiders.

Armin’s curiosity about the world beyond the Walls came from a book he found, belonging to his grandfather. This book described fantastical places like salty oceans, deserts, and vast landscapes outside the Walls. Inspired by these ideas, Armin shared the book with Eren, and together, they dreamed of one day exploring the outside world. However, Armin’s fascination with the world beyond was considered heretical, and he was often harassed by others for his views.

After his parents were executed for attempting to escape the Walls, Armin was left to live with his grandfather. Despite the hardships, his friendship with Eren and their shared dream of freedom beyond the Walls continued to shape his path.

In the year 844, Armin was working alongside Eren to build a hot air balloon, dreaming of using it to escape the Walls and explore the outside world. When the time came to launch the balloon, it failed to gain enough altitude. Eren, in a final act of friendship, pushed Armin to safety before the balloon crashed into the Wall.

Later, Mikasa arrived at the meeting place where Eren had asked her to meet. Instead of Eren, she found Armin alone. Tearfully, Armin broke the devastating news to Mikasa, apologizing as he informed her that Eren had died saving him.

Armin, like all Titan Shifters, possesses the ability to heal from injuries rapidly, including life-threatening wounds.

Upon transforming into his Colossal Titan, Armin can create a massive explosion, as demonstrated during the Raid on Liberio. This explosion wiped out the Marleyan navy and port, sending shockwaves far inland, devastating the area.

Armin’s Colossal Titan is incredibly powerful, using its immense size to crush entire battleships underfoot and overwhelm opponents with brute force.

Similar to previous Colossal Titan users, it is presumed Armin can emit enormous amounts of hot steam, allowing him to push back enemies or inflict severe burns at close range.

• Hajime Isayama designed Armin with a rounded nose to give him a “mild-mannered and weak” appearance, making him stand out among the cast.
• The name “Armin” can be interpreted from an old German word meaning “whole” or “Herman,” meaning “soldier.”
• Isayama chose the name “Armin Arlelt” because it sounds similar to “aluminum” and the alliteration makes it easier to remember.
• Armin shares the same voice actors as the narrator of the anime: Marina Inoue (Japanese) and Josh Grelle (English).
• In a 2014 issue ofBessatsu Shōnen Magazine, Hajime Isayama mistakenly joked that Mikasa got along best with a girl named Armin, later clarifying that Armin is indeed male.
• Armin has his own character song,Far Away, joining the ranks of Eren, Levi, Jean, Erwin, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Mikasa.
• Armin is the only member of Squad Levi who did not graduate in the top 10 of the Cadet Corps.
• In a 2013 blog post, Isayama revealed he selected “K.U.F.U.” by Rhymester as a character song for Armin.