Ever since their paths crossed, Attack On Titan's Levi Ackerman and Eren Jaeger have forged a pretty rocky relationship. It’s one complicated by a ceaseless mistrust and resentment, yet held together by mutual respect and understanding that they must keep each other alive at all costs.
Since the first time Levi vowed to take responsibility for Eren when he insisted on joining the Survey Corps, the solemn captain has kept his promise. Levi has proven to continually, even to his eventual regret, help Eren out in sticky situations -- whether that be saving his life, passing down his wisdom and experience, or indirectly appealing to his emotional needs.
10 Saved Eren And Armin From Two Titans In Trost District
One of the most epic moments in the series takes place when Levi’s true strength, prowess, and timeliness are witnessed for the first time. In The Battle for Trost, Part 9, Eren was stuck in Titan form while Armin desperately tried to pull him out. When finally cut free, Eren was completely weak and vulnerable -- a perfect time for two towering Titans to come up behind the pair, ready to snatch and devour them.
This was also a perfect time for none other than Levi to cyclone in with his swords and ODM gear to slice up the Titans right in front of their eyes.
9 Took Responsibility For Eren When He Requested To Join Scouts
The first time Eren was rescued by Levi, he awakened in a dark prison cell overlooked by the captain and Commander Erwin. When asked what his intentions were, Eren responded with voracious fervor in wanting to join the Survey Corps and basically become a Titan slaughtering machine. Immediately, Levi steps up to say that he will be responsible for Eren.
“It isn’t that I trust him,” he says. “If he betrays us or loses control, I’ll kill him on the spot. (...) Because only I can do it.” Levi’s instincts tell him that Eren is going to make severely rash decisions based on his unbridled rage, and accepts the fact that he is the most capable person to prevent that from happening and endangering them all.
8 Exerted His Command Over Eren To Get Him Out Of His Trial
Although it might not have seemed like it on the surface, Levi’s brutal beating of Eren during his trial to discern whether or not he was a threat to humanity was an act in Eren’s favor. Levi says mid-strike, “pain is the best tool for discipline,” which definitely worked in getting Eren to shut his mouth while he was making himself look bad, and in gaining momentary sympathy from the jury.
Ultimately, Levi’s exertion of raw power over Eren showed the jury that he definitely had this kid under control, and even prompted Erwin’s proposal for Eren to be placed under Levi’s command to make sure he doesn’t act out or try anything funny. If it wasn’t for Levi, Eren could’ve said his last words right in the middle of that courtroom.
7 Protected Eren From His Squad When His Hand Turned Into A Titan
Back when Eren was still in training and did not understand the logistics of his Titan powers, he inevitably faced instances of activating them unpromptedly. The first time this happened, he accidentally turned his hand into a giant Titan hand when picking up a spoon. Amid his panic, he heard Levi telling him to calm down, but soon realized that he was actually talking to the squad that was about to kill him.
Even as uncertain as Levi was about Eren’s abilities and intentions, he still trusted that he was on their side, and was able to keep the situation under control and his soldiers at a distance.
6 His Speech To Eren Allowed Him To Trust The Levi Squad
Captain Levi’s monologue given to Eren while they and the Levi Squad were running from the Female Titan is one of the most touching parts of the series. Levi, arguably out of all characters, is able to think with the most rational mindset and stick to the mission without getting swayed by emotions. He passes this skill down to Eren as he faces an overwhelming crisis: turn into a Titan and fight back, or look forward and trust his comrades’ plan?
Levi acknowledges his and Eren’s difference in experience and knows that holding him back is futile. Thus, rather than forcing an action, he allows Eren to decide for himself. Although the battle ended with many casualties, the Scouts’ initial victory that weakened the Female relied on Eren’s crucial moment of selflessness.
5 Recaptured Eren From The Female Titan
After facing a crushing blow to his Titan body, Eren was kidnapped by the Female Titan. Levi, who initially assumed Eren was dead, was convinced by Mikasa that he was still alive, and quickly strategized on the spot to save him.
Despite watching the Female wipe out their comrades, they gave up on killing her and instead prioritized recapturing Eren before she escaped the forest. With impeccable speed and technique, Levi debilitated the Female, sliced open its jaw, and retrieved Eren before retreating with Mikasa. He reminded her that saving Eren, not killing the Female, was the more important objective.
4 Levi Squad Freed Eren After Rod Reiss Transformed Into A Titan
Although this was a collective effort executed by the entirety of the Levi Squad, one can still attest to Levi’s command and strategy which resulted in Eren’s swift escape from the Reiss Chapel. Not only was the so-called King of the Walls about to eat Eren to obtain the power of the Founding Titan, but Kenny’s assassination squad was also coming for their necks.
Thankfully, Historia, Levi, Jean, and Connie were able to unlock Eren’s chains and pull him out just as the foundation beneath them began to crumble. Even as Eren begged his allies to leave him, there was no way they were going out without a fight.
3 Revived His Childhood Best Friend With The Titan Injection
Levi’s decision to revive Armin instead of Erwin wasn’t entirely based on Eren’s emotions, but it was undoubtedly influenced by them in some way. When Eren was vouching for why Armin was the better choice, he reminded Levi that Armin’s dreams were to go to the sea, and that he cared about more than just fighting.
There’s no denying the unavoidable bias that Eren has for Armin, seeing that they grew up together and always shared the same dreams. Levi’s ultimate decision to revive Armin not only served the benefit of humanity, but for Eren’s sanity and morale to not shatter completely.
2 Slashed The Jaw Titan’s Grip On Eren Just In Time
It’s safe to say that Levi’s entry point into Season 4 was just as epic as the first time he saved Eren from those Titans in Season 1. This time, instead of saving a vulnerable and debilitated Eren who was still mostly unaware of his true Titan potential, he saves him mid-showdown with the ruthless Jaw Titan.
As Eren struggles to shake Galliard loose from his shoulders as he is inches away from biting into his nape, Levi swoops in without a second to spare and cleanly slices the Galliard’s jaw loose before he could sink his teeth in.
1 Rescued Eren From Marley With A Pleasant Greeting
By this time in Season 4, it can be affirmed that Eren’s escape plan worked, but yet again only with the help of his comrades. This time, though, he might’ve gone too far. After executing his solo mission to destroy Marleyan civilians, he sacrificed the trust that his friends once had in him. Still, they saved him nonetheless. Moreover, Levi was the only person to give him the talking-to he deserved -- that is, kicking him in the face and commenting on how he “look[s] like he fell into a pile of sh*t.”
Rest assured that Levi will do whatever it takes to propel his beliefs forward -- in this case, rescuing Eren -- but not without awarding the proper punishment.