The relationship between Eren and Mikasa isn't as straightforward as it should have been. Despite their connection being central to Attack On Titan, Eren's view of Mikasa always seemed to fluctuate. He was never as clear about his feelings as Mikasa was. She never hid the fact that she liked him.

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Eren, on the other hand, had moments where he was downright hateful towards Mikasa, namely when he outright said he hated her in an effort to push her away. It was a heartbreaking scene that helped Eren's descent into villainy. At the same time, there were plenty of moments when Eren showed he loved Mikasa, especially at the end of the series.

10 Eren Protected Her From Her Kidnappers, Killing Two Of Them

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Eren proved his love for Mikasa before the two of them really knew each other. When Eren and his father managed to track down the men who'd kidnapped and murdered Mikasa's family, he didn't hesitate to save the day. He lured one of the robbers in close enough for him to stab them and then rushed the second with a makeshift spear. He never once worried about his own life, only wanting to make sure that Mikasa was ok. It was the start of a relationship that became the foundation of the series.

9 Eren Gave His Scarf To Mikasa When She Said She Was Cold

eren gives Mikasa his scarf attack on titan

Eren and Mikasa's relationship was built from the time they spent together as kids. While they were far too young to be thinking about love in a more adult sense, it was clear very early on that Eren cared about her a lot. A big example of that is the scarf he gave her, one that was an indispensable part of Mikasa's attire for a majority of the series. It was a symbol of their care for one another, proof that a simple gesture as trying to warm Mikasa up was enough to bind the two together forever.

8 He Saved Mikasa While In His Titan Form When It Was First Revealed

Attack on Titan — Eren saves Mikasa

When Eren's Attack Titan first revealed itself, he bursts out of the mouth of the titan who'd eaten him and goes on a rampage. He tries to kill every titan in his path and ends up saving Mikasa in the process.

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It may not have been a conscious decision, but that makes it all the more significant. For much of the series, he's always felt like he's needed to protect Mikasa from danger, a feeling she'd always tried to return to him in kind.

7 Eren Partially Transformed Into A Titan To Block A Cannonball Shot At Armin & Mikasa

Eren Yeager Mikasa Ackerman Armin Arlet

After Eren woke up from his titan transformation, the military saw him as nothing more than a threat that needed to be put down. To do this, they were more than willing to sacrifice the lives of Armin and Mikasa. They fired a cannonball at the trio, forcing Eren to think quickly. He bit down on his hand and partially transformed into a titan, blocking the cannon with his body to shield his friends. It's one of the moments that showed how important both of them were to him.

6 He Promised To Wrap The Scarf Around Mikasa's Neck As Many Times As Needed

eren founding titan power

When Reiner and Bertolt attacked Eren, the ensuing battle was massive. The pair seemed to manage a victory as Eren had exhausted his powers due to injuries, and it only looked like a matter of time before he'd be theirs. While Eren ends up unwittingly unlocking the powers of the Founding Titan to ward them off, it took a pep talk from Mikasa to let him rediscover his conviction. In response to Mikasa's words, Eren promises to always wrap the scarf around her neck as many times as necessary. It's proof Mikasa has always been the person he cared about most in the world.

5 He Was Willing To Make Himself Out To Be The Monster To Protect Mikasa From Military Repercussion

Mikasa Eren headbutt

When Eren was looked at as more of a weapon rather than a person, Eren willingly went along with it. He was always willing to be the victim if it was necessary to keep his friends safe. The ending of the series is proof enough of that.

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He went through extra steps when it came to Mikasa. He was willing to paint himself as the monster if it meant that Mikasa could avoid repercussions from the military. He was never willing to let her drag her life down because of him.

4 His Annoyance At Her Constant Protection Showed He Wanted To Be The One Watching Over Her

Mikasa and Eren from Attack on Titan

As they grew older, Mikasa was always the one protecting Eren rather than the other way around. She was stronger than he was and far better at combat than he could ever hope to be. It made him harbor an annoyance that she kept treating him like a little brother to her older sister. On the surface, that just seems like him being childish, but in reality, he merely wanted the roles reversed. He wanted to be able to be the one to protect her, and the proof is in how he acted with his titan powers.

3 The Disappointment He Felt When His Friends Interrupted Their Moment On The Way To Marley

Mikasa kisses Eren

The journey across the sea was the perfect moment for the two of them to express how they felt towards one another. When Eren asked Mikasa what he meant to her, she said family but was cut short once their friends arrived. It stopped what could have been a confession of love, and Eren's disappointment afterward showed that's what he wanted to hear. He was never going to be the one who made the first move, needing Mikasa to say it first so he could come to terms with how he felt.

2 Eren Asking Mikasa To Forget About Him After His Death

Mikasa Punching Eren

By this point in the story, Eren already knows he's going to die and take all of the titan's powers with him. He's made peace with that fact and wants Mikasa to do the same. He doesn't want her to hold onto feelings for him, shutting herself off from ever being happy again. By pushing her away and telling her to forget about him, he's giving her a chance to still be happy.

1 He Admitted His Feelings For Mikasa To Armin During Their Final Goodbye

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While he tried to push Mikasa away so she could remain happy when he was gone, Eren admitted to Armin that he wanted to be with her. The way he broke down in front of Armin was a perfect example of the conflicted feelings within Eren. He'd lived his life by a script for so long that he never had a chance to make the choices he'd wanted to make. If it were up to him, he'd be living the life where both of them were able to live a happy life in Marley rather than what would come to pass.

NEXT: Attack On Titan: 10 Ways Eren Played A Better Villain Than Hero