Attack On Titan is one of the most compelling anime series because it forces characters to grow, regardless of whether they feel prepared for all the changes that come alongside it or not. In far too many cases, characters put off their own growth due to fear, indecision, or simply not having an opportunity to understand what their full potential is. When Titans are threatening one's life at every corner, there's not much choice except to adapt and grow with each passing moment.
Of course, one of the things that makes Attack On Titan so interesting is that not everyone develops in positive ways. Some characters are driven by hatred, revenge, or simply because their goals require them to go down a path that most won't agree with. Either way, there are a ton of characters who develop into near-unrecognizable versions of themselves by the end of the series.
This list contains potential spoilers for the end of the Attack On Titan manga!
10 Jean Evolves From Snobby Coward To Dedicated Leader
In the beginning, Jean is someone who simply wants to join the ranks of the Military Police and live a life as far away from the Titans as one can realistically achieve. However, after a speech from Eren and praise from Marco — combined with the latter losing his life during the Battle for Trost — Jean starts to reconsider.
Jean's real-world experience culminates into a weight on his shoulders that he can't simply toss aside, even if doing so would guarantee his safety. He instead becomes a selfless, compassionate leader who's able to keep the good of the group in the forefront of his mind and make the necessary sacrifices to keep them safe.
9 Eren Slowly Walks Down A Path That He Can't Return From
Eren's dark descent is one that's incredibly well-documented throughout the course of the series. It's not just the Fall of Shiganshina that causes him to believe in such extreme black-and-white ideals that drive him to violence. It's seen as early as the day that Mikasa's parents are killed, and Eren kills two of her kidnappers in return as a small child.
The rest of the series sees Eren fall farther down this path, until — when combined with the entire truth he spends a majority of the series searching for — he reaches a point of no return. His actions end up reigniting a conflict that wipes out four-fifths of the entire remaining population.
8 Mikasa Opens Up To Others And Is Able To Stand Up To Eren
Mikasa is someone who doesn't show much emotion at all in the beginning, and the only person she's interested in opening up to is Eren. He's the only family she has left, but it still doesn't excuse how readily she shuts others out just because of her obsession with his safety.
She grows over time, though, becoming someone who opens up to others — not just Eren — and genuinely cares for them, rather than just surface-level interactions. Not only that, but in the end, she has to help put a stop to Eren's tirade once and for all.
7 Sasha Goes From Comedic Relief To Serious Sharpshooter
Sasha's initially far better suited to the role of comedic relief than the serious faces that dot Attack On Titan's lineup. This makes sense when they're all still young and growing, with her character providing some relief for many of the more tension-filled moments in the earlier parts of the series.
In order to survive in a world that's as harsh as AOT's, though, characters have to harden over time. Sasha is able to take her hunting background, along with the sharpshooting skills that come with it, and becomes an excellent marksman, one who's tragically brought down by the humanity she keeps hold of.
6 Armin Learns To Trust In His Own Strategies
Armin starts out as a timid, self-conscious character who has a habit of following the lead of others. It isn't that he can't think for himself, but because of being a lifelong victim of bullying, Armin's made to feel like he's incompetent and can't measure up to those around them. Instead, Armin looks to others for guidance.
Thankfully, this is something he works through as the series progresses. Armin becomes a brilliant strategist, with his invaluable plans saving countless lives, starting all the way back during the HQ raid when they have to blind a group of titans simultaneously in order to secure fuel.
5 Underneath Ymir's Cold Exterior Is A Kinder Side
Ymir is someone who initially appears cold and detached, similar to Annie, who also has a confrontational side that feels similar to Jean. Even early on, though, she shows signs that she might end up being someone capable of showing great empathy through her interactions with Historia.
She isn't the only person that Ymir displays this trait around either, as she saves Erwin's life, even when she blames him for the failure of the plan involving Historia's future. Of course, it's still Historia that her sweeter and more caring side comes out around more than anyone else.
4 Historia Reveals Her True Identity And Claims Her Role As Queen
Historia wants to be seen as a good person more than anything, and this leads to incredibly dangerous self-sacrificial tendencies. When she's later abandoned by Ymir, Historia is only pushed further into a pit of despair, and she loses sight of herself and how she should act.
This makes her journey upwards all the more satisfying, as she begins to believe in herself and develops the strength that she lacked before. By the end of the series, she's completely transformed from someone who feels as if she has no purpose into a true Queen.
3 Bertolt Embraces All The Worst Aspects Of Himself
Bertolt begins as someone who doesn't stand out from the rest of the crowd and prefers to follow the whims of others rather than making a mark of his own. When he begins to accept himself later in the series, it's all the worst parts of himself that enable him to commit heinous acts without feeling remorse.
Bertolt changes over time, becoming someone who's okay with committing heinous acts due to accepting it as the new nature of the world. He even goes as far as to express disappointment whenever his plan to wipe out many soldiers fails, showing just how much of a disregard he gains for human life.
2 Erwin Changes From A Selfish Character To A Selfless One
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Erwin is initially someone who places his own interests above the fight for humanity's survival. He's even willing to consider abandoning his comrades, just for the slim chance of being able to reach the Basement to uncover the secrets lying in wait there.
Erwin's never shown to be heartless, though, and instead feels remorse for all the lives that he sacrifices in the name of his ambitions. His obsessive drive to achieve his dreams at all costs is born from the suicidal urges he feels from all the guilt. In the end, he's also able to redeem himself, as he charges onto the front lines alongside his soldiers instead of prioritizing his dreams.
1 Levi Goes From Underground Thug To Humanity's Savior
Levi is heralded as humanity's savior, despite his cold and uncaring demeanor, for his superb abilities when it comes to fighting back against the Titans. He isn't just someone who talks a big game; he also possesses the skills needed to back them up.
Initially, though, he could never picture himself as a member of the Survey Corps, fighting for humanity's survival. He's captured by Erwin and given a choice to either join them or be handed off to the Military Police, with Levi choosing the former.