For an anime series about fighting off man-eating titans and ensuring the survival of humanity, Attack on Titan still manages to tackle the little things our characters face head-on, including their relationships with one another. Despite the high probability that they'll die at any given moment, the characters form powerful connections with each other over the course of the show. And those connections — along with the high-stakes action sequences, of course — are what keep viewers tuning in.
And while all of the characters have interesting dynamics with one another — whether it’s as a group or one-on-one — there are a few pairings that are especially entertaining to watch when they’re interacting onscreen. These 10 Attack on Titan duos are some of the series’ greatest pairings.
10 Jean And Conny
Jean Kirstein and Conny Springer have one of the most underrated friendships on Attack on Titan, but it's one that true fans can appreciate, especially after rewatching the series. These two have been pals since Jean weirdly wiped his trust on Conny at the start of season one, and they've had each other's backs since then.
Even when the two of them are facing titans with the odds stacked against them, they make sure to look out for one another. Conny risks his life to save Jean during the Battle of Trost District, and Jean has returned the favor several times over. The two also balance one another, with Conny’s more laid-back personality complementing Jean’s more serious nature.
9 Christa And Ymir
Christa and Ymir have a complicated relationship — one that's obviously more than just friendship, even if it never actually goes beyond that during the series. The two of them are a well-balanced pair, with Christa being genuinely concerned with the well-being of others and Ymir being primarily self-interested.
But Ymir never puts herself first when it comes to Christa, and that's part of what makes their dynamic so compelling. Christa is the one person that Ymir is willing to open up to, and she's the person Ymir winds up fighting and dying for. These two are the definition of a strong female power couple, and their moments together will be missed.
8 Sasha And Conny
A show like Attack on Titan needs comic relief to balance out the high stakes and moral ambiguity it throws at its viewers, and Sasha's relationship with Conny provides that comedy tenfold. Two of the most spirited members of the Scout Regiment, Sasha and Conny can be found arguing more often than not — though it's usually over something ridiculous, like whether or not Sasha can eat all of the Scouts' rations.
It’s also fascinating to witness Sasha and Conny turn off the humor when they’re in the throes of battle (though sometimes they act silly, even then). But whether these two are driving their superiors crazy with their antics or taking down titans side by side, their friendship is always delightful to watch.
7 Reiner And Bertolt
Reiner and Bertolt might be traitors, but there's no denying that they make a powerful duo. After all, they have managed to deliver chaos and destruction to multiple districts that were once safely housed behind 50-meter walls. Only the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan could pull off that sort of devastation. (Okay, the Beast Titan might be able to as well.)
Reiner and Bertolt are also well matched in their human forms as well, appearing to have a brotherly relationship with one another that sometimes involves brutal honestly. We get a taste of that when Reiner confronts Bertolt about being more dedicated to their mission, as well as during the moments Bertolt is forced to snap Reiner back to reality. It’ll be interesting to see how Reiner comes with the loss of his closest friend heading into the fourth and final season of Attack on Titan.
6 Mikasa And Levi
Ackermans are known for their superior skills on the battlefield, and watching two of them fight side by side is truly magnificent. Though Mikasa and Levi have certainly had their differences — particularly toward the end of the show’s third season — their talent when working together more than compensated for it. They're nearly unstoppable when they team up, something fans see when they attempt to steal Eren back from the Female Titan during the first season.
More epic fight scenes with Levi and Mikasa at the forefront are definitely on the wishlist for Attack on Titan season four. The Beast Titan likely wouldn’t stand a chance against these two, though watching them fight with each other some more could have equally epic results.
5 Armin And Mikasa
Another underrated friendship on Attack on Titan is the one between Mikasa and Armin, as the series places more of an emphasis on Eren's relationship with both of them. (Such is the life of the protagonist.)
But fans paying close attention can see how much Mikasa and Armin care for one another, and their friendship truly is a charming one. Mikasa’s attempts to console Armin when he’s the only survivor of his group during The Battle of Trost District serve as the first glimpse of how close the two of them are, but her reaction to his near-fatal encounter with the Colossal Titan is telling as well.
4 Levi And Hange
Hange Zoë is equal parts passion and intellect, but that can cause her to come off as a bit bizarre at times. For that reason, it’s a joy to watch her interact with any of the characters on the show. But her brand of eccentricity is especially comical when aimed at Levi, whose monotone demeanor is the polar opposite of Hange’s personality.
For two characters who are so different from one another, Levi and Hange have a pretty great working relationship. They both know when to get serious — especially when it comes to protecting Erwin and the other Scouts — but they're also capable of joking around with one another while they're in the field. Their dynamic is a powerful one, and with the two of them leading the Scouts, they're bound to win the war against the titans.
3 Eren And Mikasa
Eren and Mikasa are two of the closest characters within the Scouts Regiment, the result of growing up in the same home for most of their childhood. The two have looked out for each other ever since Eren saved Mikasa from her parents' murderers, and they've impacted one another in some pretty significant ways. Without Eren, the fighter within Mikasa never would have awoken. And without Mikasa to ground him, Eren would make some pretty detrimental decisions.
Mikasa will do anything to protect Eren, and the same is true for him — even if he doesn’t always show his affection as outwardly. Their dddication to one another is unparalleled on the show, and that’s why they make one of the strongest pairings.
2 Levi And Erwin
The commander of the Scout Regiment and its most powerful captain were bound to have a solid working relationship, but Levi and Erwin are nearly unbeatable when they team up. The combination of Erwin's intellect and Levi's skill on the battlefield has saved the Scouts on several occasions — and it even almost allowed Levi to defeat the Beast Titan, even if it was at the expense of Erwin and the rest of the regiment.
These two have quite a history with one another, and it’s clear that everything they’ve been through has made their loyalty to each other unwavering. Levi is willing to obey Erwin’s commands, even when he doesn’t necessarily agree with them, and Erwin trusts the captain to make the right calls, even when he isn’t around. They’re not just comrades, they’re friends — and that makes them all the more compelling to watch.
1 Eren And Armin
Eren's friendship with Armin is one of the focal points of Attack on Titan, and it's been the catalyst for quite a few of the major storylines that have appeared on the show. These two are endlessly loyal to one another, and they've proven that time and time again. Eren jumped into a titan's mouth to pull Armin out, a move that nearly resulted in his death. (Thank goodness for those Titan regeneration abilities, right?)
And let's not forget Armin's heroic sacrifice from the show’s most recent season. He allowed the Colossal Titan to burn him alive in order to give Eren an opening to defeat the enemy. Not only does this scene emphasize how much these two care for one another with its flashback to their childhood, but it shows how effective they are when working together. If anyone will put an end to their struggles with the Marleyans, it’s these two.