Attack on Titan is looming large over the shonen world, and this series proves that a protagonist doesn't have to be an idealistic superhero to be compelling. Eren Yeager began as a fairly conventional shonen lead, but now he has become an antihero radical, matching the chaotic and intense tone of Season 4. But what if someone else was in the lead?
The story of Attack on Titan features many other compelling and dynamic characters who all have something to offer, and if Attack on Titan was told through their point of view, the terrifying world of Attack on Titan would feel fresh and intriguing all over again. Who else could have been in Eren's shoes?
10 Reiner Braun, The Conflicted Warrior Of Marley
As it is, the story of Attack on Titan is fascinating becaue of its huge paradigm shift when the Marley Empire was revealed at the end of Season 3. But what if the story began with the Marley Empire and the feud between Marley and the Eldians, through Reiner's eyes?
Reiner Braun is an Eldian, a warrior of Marley who bears the fearsome Armored Titan. He is tough but vulnerable, proactive but a bit reckless, and he is conflicted in this current war. He would make a wonderfully compelling protagonist in this world.
9 Hange Zoe, The Titan Expert Who Seeks New Vistas Of Knowledge
Some story heroes are compelling because they are sympathetic and intensely relatable, while other heroes are compelling because they are intense and driven by a particular passion or goal. Such characters can get away with having relatively few flaws since they're meant to be a spectacle, not a sympathetic character (or at least, not entirely so).
Hange Zoe is a fun character who won over fans not by being intimately relatable, but through their amusing personality and passion for science and discovery. Hange could be a welcome ray of sunlight in this story as the hero, rather than as a side character.
8 Captain Levi Ackerman, The Grim Antihero Who Gets Results
Many works of fiction have proven that a stone-cold antihero can be as compelling and fun as a warm-hearted lead, with Guts the mercenary being one example, and to a lesser extent, Ichigo Kurosaki (who's known for his good heart but punkish attitude). What about Levi?
Ever since his introduction, Captain Levi Ackerman has stunned viewers and readers with his icy resolve and astonishing combat skills, and he has an in-depth backstory to give him some dimension. He could easily take over Attack on Titan as its no-nonsense antihero.
7 Sascha Braus, The Country Girl Who Stays True To Herself
Levi would make a thrilling antihero and Hange is a spectacle to watch, but Sasha Braus won over fans' hearts with her earnest, honest, and down-to-earth personality. She is a friendly and warm character to whom many viewers can relate.
It also helps that Sasha has a few unique traits to make her stand out, but not in excess. She is a practical and self-reliant person, since she grew up hunting for food with bows and arrows, and she has the sheer guts to steal meat from the storehouse. Anyone would want to follow her adventures.
6 Erwin Smith, The Model Commander Of The Scouts
In some regards, commander Erwin Smith would be a compelling lead in the same vein as Levi Ackerman, but with a few twists. Like Levi, Erwin is always in business mode, and he is likable because of his strength of spirit and professionalism more than his charming personality.
Erwin may not have a deep backstory quite like Levi's, but he is fairer and kinder to his fellows, and he has more charisma as a leader. Fans could really dive deep into what this great commander is thinking if he were Attack on Titan's protagonist.
5 Jean Kirstein, The Earnest Soldier
Jean Kirstein may not be the single most memorable character in Attack on Titan, but he has many of the right ingredients to be a shonen hero, and Attack on Titan could definitely have been told through his eyes. It helps that he's a fairly unbiased observer and isn't given to extremes.
Jean works hard, plays hard, and has a strong sense of fairness, while also nursing a passionate desire to prove himself and become a great soldier and leader. If a bit more spice is added to his character, he'll be fit to lead Attack on Titan.
4 Mikasa Ackerman, The Protective Friend Of Eren Yeager
Mikasa Ackerman serves as Eren's squadmate and good friend, and she has strong protective instincts where Eren is concerned. Mikasa can look after herself, but she puts Eren's safety first, and this selfless attitude makes her highly appealing.
That would give Mikasa a lot of warmth as the lead of Attack on Titan, and her elite skills in combat and steely resolve would make her thrilling to watch in combat. And as the lead, fans could dig a little deeper into what Mikasa is thinking during all this turmoil.
3 Armin Arlert, The Strategist
Mikasa and Levi would be fun to watch as elite protagonists in combat, but if Armin Arlert were the lead instead, fans could really see this world through the eyes of a vulnerable underdog. In battle, Armin stood no chance until he later obtained the Colossal Titan.
Armin is a thinker and negotiator, and if he were the star, fans would be on the edge of their seats as Armin fought to stay alive while thinking up plans to fight back against the Titans and later, the Marley Empire. He would be a real standout shonen lead.
2 Historia Reiss, Once Known As Krista Lenz
Historia Reiss was once known as Krista Lenz, a petite and unassuming girl who somehow survived the chaos of the Titans while having unremarkable combat skills. But this, and her gentle personality, would make her sympathetic as Attack on Titan's heroine.
As for the stock shonen "hidden inner power," Historia fulfills that trope with her historic blood, which would be revealed to the reader bit by bit. If Historia were the protagonist, Season 4's plot would change somewhat, so she could be a more proactive lead and not just the mother of future Beast Titan wielders.
1 Zeke Yeager, The Revolutionary Eldian
Zeke Yeager is a Marleyan warrior, but like Reiner, he is not 100% committed to the Marleyan cause, and like his half-brother Eren, he only wants what's best for the Eldian people. He is proactive, cunning, and resourceful, which either makes him a dangerous villain, or a thrilling protagonist.
If Zeke had been the main character all along, viewers could watch as Zeke transformed from a boy with royal blood to a mighty warrior and then Eldia's restorationist hero, while witnessing the Marleyan wars firsthand and discovering what's behind the Paradis Island walls.