Attack On Titan: 10 Most Interesting Side Characters, Ranked

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In Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan, an impressive array of characters significantly influence the course of the entire storyline.

Highlighting the supporting roles, there are numerous figures whose brief appearances left an indelible mark on everyone.

These figures had an allure that made you eager to discover their reasons, past events, and background information, skillfully integrating them within the broader narrative plot.

Characters with intricate, spontaneous, or ethically challenging actions add rich layers to the Attack on Titan series, even if they don’t always take center stage. Here are some of the most captivating supporting characters in AoT whose presence greatly contributed to the epic Rumbling.

To prevent major spoilers about the intriguing characters in Attack on Titan, we advise you to either watch the anime ahead of time or read the manga before proceeding with this list.

10.
Lara Tybur

Why Did You Have To Ask Him?

Among the characters set to appear next, Lara Tybur stands out as one of the least examined yet, which makes her a great place to begin our examination. Born into the Tybur family, she occupied a significant role among the Eldians holding power in Marley.

To keep it hidden from both Marley’s administration and populace, she concealed her War Hammer Titan abilities. This cloak of secrecy allowed for deception, as Eren Jaeger, disguised as Eren Kruger while infiltrating Marley, couldn’t uncover the identity of the War Hammer Titan and ended up devouring Willy instead.

Sadly, her invincibility was shattered when Eren Jaeger struck her as she transformed into a Titan, thereby absorbing her Titan abilities. Interestingly, just before that, she labeled Eren as a traitor and inquired if he had any final thoughts to share.

During the entire fight, her calm and composed nature added an intriguing element to her brief appearance.

9.
Frieda Reiss

Suffering With Power!

Freida Reiss found solace in peace, affection, and unity throughout her interactions with Historia, her half-sister. Regrettably, a significant transformation occurred within her character after obtaining the Founding Titan, making her more open to the First King’s desires and viewpoints, which were often at odds with her previous self.

When Grisha Jaeger confronted her in the chapel and pleaded for her help to save her family from Titan invasion, she rejected him with an icy demeanor and a speech. While standing with her kin, they urged her to take his life when Grisha was defenseless. This eventuality culminated into one of the critical moments in the series, ending with her demise along with most of the Reiss family.

Before refusing Grisha’s aid, she hesitated, her countenance clouded with worry. Considering her character, this hesitation suggested to me that without the Founding Titan’s power, she could have prevented the invasion.

8.
Niccolo

Loss, Grief, And Healing

From blushing after Sasha praised his cooking to showing empathy and grief over Sasha’s family tragedies, Niccolo has experienced a dramatic transformation in his character.

Transformed by newfound understanding, Sasha – once an ardent Marleyan with disdain towards Eldians due to their lineage – shifted his perspective on life, others, and the world. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to share many scenes together in the series.

Upon discovering that Gabi Braun was responsible for her death, he became consumed by anger and harbored a desire to take revenge on Gabi, even asking Sasha’s father to carry out the act or doing it himself. However, when he listened to Mr. Braus’s heartfelt speech expressing his readiness to forgive Gabi, he let go of his anger and was moved to change for the better, dedicating himself to helping others instead.

It became clear later on when he consoled both Gabi and Kaya by explaining that everyone harbors a dark side within themselves.

7.
Hitch Dreyse

Less Stress, More Chill

Amidst a realm overrun by colossal Titans, Hitch Dreyse found herself serving within the ranks of the Military Police Brigade. Despite initially joining out of lethargy, her days proved challenging thanks to her superior officers assigning the majority of tasks to her.

Instead of typical, overly moralistic characters, Hitch’s sarcastic demeanor and casual persona lend a familiar touch to an otherwise harsh tale in Attack on Titan. One aspect of her character that struck me was her hidden depth of genuine care and compassion.

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Unlike other self-righteous characters, Hitch’s witty sarcasm and relaxed attitude make a relatable addition to the gritty narrative of Attack on Titan. A remarkable trait I noticed about her character was that she often hid her deep empathy and concern beneath a stoic exterior.

As a gamer putting myself in the shoes of that Military Police officer, I found it captivating how she balanced her responsibilities as a senior officer with caring for Annie. Her gradual character development, maintaining her unique traits throughout, was truly touching. Even though she didn’t necessarily become a hero or a villain, her impactful presence showed that everyone has a role to play and can make a difference in their own way.

6.
Floch Forster

Driven By Survivor’s Guilt?

Through Commander Erwin’s suicidal assault, Floch evolved into a deeply troubled supporting character, who took extreme measures as a devoted Yeagerist. This transformation turned him from a fearful person into a brutal and stern figure, solely focused on Eldia, his native land.

Undoubtedly, he proved himself to be an exceptionally courageous solider. Given that he was the lone survivor who had heard Erwin’s final address and understood Eren’s strategies ahead of everyone else.

Despite being heavily swayed by men whose intentions he was unaware of, Floch remained persistently ignorant and blind to anything outside their ideals. This ignorance led him down a path of power-seeking and the senseless killing of innocents. Deep down, though, I believe he was always fearful of events not turning in his favor.

It became clear that he felt deeply concerned for Mikasa’s safety when he displayed fear on her disappearance, and in his last moments, he implored Hange and Jean not to pursue Eren anymore because he represented their last remaining hope.

5.
Dhalis Zachary

Twisted And Sociopath

Among all characters, none is as unsettlingly psychopathic as Dhalis Zachary. His inclination toward sadism cannot be excused, not even when it’s traced back to his resentment against the monarchy and nobility. Despite serving as a premier responsible for all three military branches, he showed scant concern for humanity’s salvation.

As a gamer, I saw it as my time to claim respect after years of being scorned due to my common birth. What mattered most to me was my masterpiece of pain and torment, a creation I deemed the epitome of artistic brilliance.

As a gamer, I aided Erwin’s rebellion against the monarchy not out of any noble intentions, but purely because of my personal grudge. In hindsight, my actions were just as questionable as those of his enemies or morally ambiguous characters in Attack on Titan, for they all walked a fine line between right and wrong.

4.
Kaya

Sasha Fan-Girl

There is no doubt that Kaya has had one of the saddest backstories in AoT for her traumatic past.

Kaya found herself immobile after witnessing her mother being consumed by a giant pure titan. It was Sasha Braus who came to her aid and saved her life. From that moment on, Kaya admired Sasha greatly, aspiring to assist others just like her hero did.

It was quite striking to observe her character blossom in such a brief span. This transformation was vividly depicted during her heartfelt discussions about their shared past with Gabi and Falco, particularly on the farm.

Nearly on the verge of tears, I was struck when she revealed that her mother had no connection to the ancient crimes of Eldia. However, what truly captivated me was witnessing her transformation as Kaya discovered it was Gabi who killed Sasha – a transformation marked by anguish and fury in response to her sorrow.

3.
Kenny Ackerman

Certified Free Bird!

In the past, Kenny Ackerman earned a notorious reputation as “Kenny the Slayer,” having taken the lives of more than 100 Military Police officers.

Kenny maintained a strong bond and unwavering loyalty only towards Uri Reiss, cherishing a lifelong friendship. His curiosity about the Titans and their immense power secretly kindled a yearning within him to acquire divine power by serving Rod Reiss. Yet, when he discovered he was unable to tap into those powers, his frustration led him to rebel against him.

As Uncle to Levi Ackerman, he nurtured him like a parent until he became self-reliant. However, even on his deathbed, he never disclosed the truth to Levi.

It’s impressive how Kenny seemed to have a greater self-awareness than many other characters, and it was fitting that he appeared to be inspired by the character Trevor from Grand Theft Auto V, given their shared energetic chaos.

2.
Hange Zoë

Sole Titan Research Team

In the world of Attack on Titan, Hange Zoë, with her independent mind and scientific inclination, consistently outshines many other characters. Due to the limited understanding that the Survey Corps had regarding the Titans, Hange’s relentless pursuit of knowledge proved vital in humanity’s survival.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admire Hange for her compassionate nature and selfless deeds. Her quirky personality often brought a much-needed dash of humor amidst the somber, depressing moments in the series. However, it was disheartening to see her display this side less frequently as the danger to humanity intensified.

As someone who’s never delved into her backstory, I find myself captivated by her charm every time. It’s her lightning-fast wit and vivacious spirit that keep me hooked!

1.
Eren Kruger

Owl And A G.O.A.T!

Eren Kruger played an indispensable role in the storyline, altering its course significantly. Without him, neither Grisha nor Eren Yeager would have obtained the powers of the Attack Titan. What left me amazed was when he spoke about Armin and Mikasa; he was just as oblivious as Grisha. Yet, he urged Grisha to establish a family within the walls.

As Eren Jaeger delved into his father Grisha’s memories, a profound sense of interconnection became evident. Additionally, I found it fascinating to observe the striking similarities between the two, particularly in their shared intense anger towards the world and regret over the unintentional taking of innocent lives.

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2025-05-02 17:10