Mikasa Ackermann(ミカサ・アッカーマン Mikasa Akkāman) is one of the two deuteragonists ofAttack on Titan. She is the last surviving member of the Shogun clan on Paradis Island, making her a distant relative of the Azumabito family and granting her notable political influence in the nation of Hizuru.

Mikasa’s early life took a tragic turn when her parents were killed by bandits. She was saved by Eren Jaeger, after which she lived with him and his family for a year before the fall of Wall Maria. Although her deepest wish was to live a peaceful life with Eren, Mikasa decided to join the military to stay by his side. Known for her incredible combat skills, Mikasa was recognized as the top soldier of the 104th Cadet Corps and later joined the Scout Regiment to continue protecting Eren.

Mikasa Ackermann was born to an Ackermann father and an Asian mother. She lived a peaceful life with her parents on the farmlands within Wall Maria. As part of her heritage, her mother performed a painful scarring ritual on Mikasa, cutting the mark of their family into her skin, while also teaching her a unique style of embroidery. Being among the last of their race, Mikasa’s family was targeted by human traffickers, who murdered her parents and attempted to kidnap her to sell as a slave in the capital. Mikasa was only nine years old at the time.

Mikasa was saved by Eren Jaeger, who killed two of the traffickers. However, when Eren was overpowered by the third trafficker, he urged Mikasa to fight back. Initially terrified, Mikasa ultimately realized the harshness of the world and managed to kill the attacker, saving Eren. Afterward, Eren’s father arrived with the Military Police Regiment, and Mikasa was taken in by the Jaeger family. Eren gave her a red scarf, which she would treasure deeply. This traumatic event awakened Mikasa’s fighting instincts and marked the beginning of her journey toward becoming a formidable soldier.

Mikasa lived with the Jaegers in Shiganshina District until the Colossal Titan breached Wall Maria, destroying their home.

Before her parents’ deaths, Mikasa was a cheerful yet perceptive child, aware of the harsh realities of nature but still able to live happily with her family. This peace was shattered when criminals brutally murdered her parents in an attempt to kidnap her. Rescued by Eren Jaeger, Mikasa, even as a child, overcame her attackers and killed one of them. This traumatic experience shaped her view of the world as a cruel place where only the strong survive, leading to a more cynical and serious personality

After her parents’ murder, Mikasa became emotionally withdrawn, though she remained deeply caring towards her friends, especially Eren and Armin Arlelt, seeing them as the last family she had. Eren’s words about fighting to survive had a lasting impact on her, driving her to become one of the most skilled soldiers among the 104th Cadet Corps. Her primary motivation to join the military and later the Scout Regiment was to protect Eren, whom she loyally follows, despite her personal desire to live peacefully within the Walls.

Mikasa possesses a strong sense of justice, but her protective nature towards Eren often drives her actions. She frequently advises him but knows she cannot always influence his decisions, opting instead to follow him wherever he goes to ensure she can protect him. Her stoic and level-headed demeanor allows her to remain calm in most situations, even when facing great danger. However, her deep bond with Eren can cloud her judgment, leading her to act impulsively when he is in harm’s way, as seen when she attacked the Female Titan in a furious attempt to save him.

Despite her calm exterior, Mikasa’s emotions occasionally overwhelm her. She experienced deep despair upon believing Eren had died, briefly losing the will to live. However, memories of Eren revived her resolve, driving her to never give up again. Her bond with Eren defines her, and she has displayed a wide range of emotions for him, including anger, sadness, and tenderness. She continues to wear the red scarf Eren gave her when they first met, using it as a source of strength and comfort.

In the year 844, Dr. Jaeger and his son, Eren, visit the Ackermann family for a checkup on Mikasa’s pregnant mother. During the visit, Eren and Mikasa wander into the forest, where Eren tells her of his dream to join the Scout Regiment and explore the outside world. However, their conversation is interrupted by the howling of wild dogs, which had killed a group of travelers. Eren and Mikasa quickly return home and inform their parents of what they witnessed.

Following this, Dr. Jaeger frequently brings Eren with him on his visits to the Ackermann family. The two children avoid the forest, spending their time playing around the house. Eren tells Mikasa about his friend, Armin, and their shared dream of one day exploring the outside world together. Eren also talks to her about the vast ocean and how it is so large that merchants could never sell all of its salt.

Some time later, Mikasa is sent to Shiganshina to return a forgotten item to Dr. Jaeger. Upon arriving, she is greeted by Eren, who eagerly drags her along to watch the Scout Regiment return from a mission. They see the Scouts return in shambles, which leaves Mikasa concerned for Eren’s safety. Despite her worries, Eren remains steadfast in his desire to join the Scouts. When Eren confronts a citizen speaking against the Scouts, he gets into a fight and is badly beaten, but Mikasa watches helplessly.

As winter passes, Eren stops visiting Mikasa, which worries her. Eventually, her family moves to Shiganshina to be closer to Dr. Jaeger, as her mother has fallen ill. Mikasa blames herself for her mother’s sickness and apologizes to her. In Shiganshina, Mikasa asks Eren why he stopped visiting, and he reveals that the Scout Regiment has been disbanded. However, Eren and Armin plan to escape using a hot air balloon. Eren wraps his scarf around Mikasa and tells her to meet him in the forest in three days.

On the day of the escape, as a festival is being held, Mikasa rushes to meet Eren, but is suddenly grabbed by a mysterious masked man. The man cryptically tells her that she is lost in a world she created because she cannot accept Eren’s death. He hands her a knife, urging her to kill him, but Mikasa hesitates. Before she can react, an explosion shakes the district, and the man appears to be mortally wounded, though it turns out to be a trick.

Mikasa rushes to the meeting place, but instead finds Armin, who tearfully informs her that Eren has died saving him from a balloon accident.

Mikasa’s exceptional skills in using omni-directional mobility gear set her apart from her peers. During her training, Keith Shadis noted that Mikasa excelled in every subject and was a natural talent. Her mastery of the gear allows her to swiftly and efficiently take down Titans, making her a military prodigy. Many consider her prowess equal to that of “a hundred ordinary soldiers.” Her combination of skill, strength, and determination enables her to display lethal force against Titans, a quality rarely seen among even the most seasoned veterans. Her survival in two separate encounters with the Female Titan, who had effortlessly slain numerous experienced soldiers, further showcases her incredible combat ability.

• Character Design Inspiration: Hajime Isayama based Mikasa’s physical appearance on a woman he encountered while working a part-time job. He specifically modeled her scarf, hairstyle, eyes, and eyebrows after the woman. Initially, Isayama intended for Mikasa to be a Westerner, like the rest of the cast, but decided to make her part-Asian after being inspired by this woman .

• Name Origin: Mikasa’s name is derived from theMikasa, a historic pre-dreadnought battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which served as a flagship during the Russo-Japanese War. Isayama believed that naming a character after a famous warship would bring success to the series.

• Surname Meaning: Her surname, “Ackermann,” means “one who works the fields” in German .

• Scarf Preference: In an interview, Isayama mentioned that Mikasa would opt not to wear her scarf if the weather is too hot .

• Strength: According to Isayama, if the 104th Cadet Corps had an arm wrestling competition, Mikasa would come in first place .

• Merchandise: Mikasa is one of theAttack on Titancharacters to be made into a Nendoroid figure, alongside Eren, Levi, and the Colossal Titan. Additionally, a Nendoroid playset of theAttack on Titanworld was created.

• Video Game Appearance: In the gameAge of Gunslingers Online, a special Titan Mode was made as a tribute toAttack on Titan, featuring Elsa, an NPC modeled after Mikasa and voiced by Yui Ishikawa. A special skin for the Blade Class is also available.

• Pop Culture Reference: InThe Simpsonsepisode “Treehouse of Horror XXV,” Lisa Simpson is portrayed as Mikasa, wearing her hairstyle and military outfit, and using the omni-directional mobility gear in the anime-themed segment.

• Character Song: Mikasa is one of eight characters inAttack on Titanto have her own character song. Her song, “No Matter Where You Are,” stands out as she is the only female character with a song among the eight. The other characters with songs include Eren, Armin, Jean, Levi, Erwin, Reiner, and Bertholdt.

• Music Tribute: The metalcore bandVeil of Mayahas a song titled “Mikasa,” inspired by her character.