Content Warning: Manga Spoilers!

Fan ships are a hot topic in the anime community, and everyone forms their own opinion about the ones that become mainstream or even when it becomes canon. Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman are the most common fan ship from Attack On Titan, and it's one of the few that canonically makes sense.

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Their relationship has endured the highs and lows of individuals who have literally had to fight for their lives more often than not. What they've been through was sure to put a rift between them a time or two, and, still, their love endured.

Saved Her Life

Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan

Eren was only 9 years old when he met Mikasa during his father's house call to the Ackerman home. Even at this young age, Eren knew he couldn't just sit idly by, and, when he found the murderers in the cabin and Mikasa on the floor, he outwitted them and saved her life—one of the nicest things Eren did throughout Attack on Titan. When he was going to lose consciousness, he urged Mikasa to help, and something changed within her.

From that point forward, Mikasa not only lived with the Yeager family, but Eren showed her kindness and shared his scarf with her, and they stood up for each other against bullies throughout the rest of their childhood.

Eren's Scarf

Attack On Titan: Eren giving Mikasa his scarf in childhood and in the Corps

After Eren gave Mikasa his scarf when they were kids, it became a staple to her everyday clothes. When Eren couldn't turn into a Titan to take down the Smiling Titan,, his intense disappointment overtook him until Mikasa saw his breakdown and brought him back to reality. She reassured him that, through all of their troubles, he has been there for her and shown her how to live with purpose.

She acknowledges that the scarf was the first symbol of their commitment to each other. Eren even proclaims "I'll wrap that around you as many times as you want. Now and forever... a much as you want!" Not only is this representative of how their relationship works, but how he motivates her, as he immediately gains Titan-like strength in human form and calls upon the Titans for the first time while they escape.

Even In Death

Attack On Titan - Manga: Eren admitting his feelings for Mikasa to Armin and Mikasa sitting at Eren's grave.

As Eren is dying, he visits each of his friends on the Paths, an invisible connection for memories and close friends or family; Armin has an outburst about how Mikasa should move on from Eren and will find someone better, but Eren cries out that he doesn't want that and admits to his childhood friend that he's loved Mikasa the whole time. It's the second time fans heard him admit his feelings, but it's more meaningful now that he's admitted it to someone as important to him as Armin.

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Three years after his death, fans see Mikasa sitting at the tree that is Eren's grave and the bird that is said to be Eren reincarnated. The bird fixes Mikasa's slipping scarf and she smiles, knowingly.

They're Equals

Attack On Titan Fan Art of Titan Eren and Mikasa on his shoulder.

As kids, Eren and Mikasa protected each other and Armin from bullies. Even when they joined the 104th Cadet Corps, when Eren became a Titan, and even when Mikasa was revealed to have Ackerman abilities, they never thought one was better than the other. Yes, Eren had his own self-doubts to go through, but he never thought of Mikasa as less-than.

The fan art creation is a perfect representation of the power of this duo. When Eren became a Titan and became even more essential to the goal of protecting humanity, Mikasa did not back down from not only protecting him from what the politicians might deem necessary, but she encouraged him that he could do what he believed was right and that she would be by his side.

Witnesses

Attack On Titan: Ian telling Mikasa to defend Eren

Early in Mikasa and Eren's careers in the 104th Cadet Corps, even leaders and fellow soldiers considered Mikasa and Eren to be a couple. Squad Leader Ian Dietrich even remarked "defend your boyfriend!" during the Battle of Trost.

Eren's Titan form was revealed rather quickly during the battle, and Mikasa was pulled away to be given orders while Eren wasn't moving. Instead of fearing Eren, she wanted to help him. When Ian told her to defend him, she blushed and tried to somewhat cover her feelings by saying, "he's my family." She knows it's more than that, but to have others know it felt like a different story.

Respect

Attack On Titan: Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman sitting in the field.

Attack On Titan has a way of developing characters' respect for each other through battle, words, or politics. Eren and Mikasa are no exception; Eren rarely, if ever, stopped Mikasa from doing what she wanted. If she wanted to protect him, he knew he couldn't stop her, and he vowed to himself to be strong enough so that she wouldn't need to put herself in danger for his sake.

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Similarly, Mikasa saw that Eren wanted to make his own judgment calls, and, even when she disagreed, she knew that all she could do was be there for him. They respected each other's boundaries, and, while things may have gone out of control a few times, Mikasa never lost her passion for Eren.

Almost-Sacrifice

Attack On Titan: Mikasa almost gets eaten by a Titan and chases down the Female Titan

Mikasa has almost died twice because of her love for Eren. Their first real battle in Trost proved to be one of the deadliest to their squad. When Eren was swallowed by the Bearded Titan, Mikasa froze and was almost eaten because she hesitated and for once wasn't aware of her surroundings.

In another battle, the Female Titan tired out all of the Scout Regiment in the forest. But, when Eren is nearly eaten again, Mikasa chases her down, sacrificing accuracy for speed. In her need to save Eren, she almost gets herself and Captain Levi killed.

Against All Odds

Attack On Titan: Eren saying he hates Mikasa.

Eren wasn't always seen as a kind individual, especially by those that did not know him as well as Mikasa or Armin. But, his betrayal and fluctuating ideals still confused his friends and squadmates—Mikasa most of all.

When Eren left and Mikasa begged him not to go, he would do anything to push her away for her own safety, including breaking her heart. While she went about life until the Rumbling believing his words, she also did not let it stop her from being the one who helped him move on to true freedom by killing him and ridding him of what he thought was his duty.

Freedom

Attack On Titan: Mikasa holding and kissing Eren's head.

Eren fights his whole life to protect those he loves in Attack on Titan. Even when he does it under the guise of being reckless, selfish, or hateful, he knows where his mind and heart are. Mikasa believes in him the whole time.

Mikasa decapitates Eren's human form and kisses him, knowing his worries are gone—but so is the love of her life. She exemplifies her dedication and love even further by taking Eren's head with her so she and Armin can mourn together and so Eren can have a proper burial at his favorite childhood tree.

What Could Have Been

Attack On Titan - Manga: Mikasa's Vision and refusal to remove her scarf

During their infiltration of Marley, Eren confronts Mikasa asking, "what am I to you?" When she essentially rejects him by telling him she considers him family, he doesn't address it again. But, fans see inside his mind and learn that he would have dropped everything to run away with her if she admitted her love.

After the Rumbling, Mikasa begins to get headaches that provide visions of what her life could have been if she and Eren had let their love take them away from it all. Unfortunately, this vision is also when Eren tells Mikasa to throw away the scarf and forget him because he hopes she'll find happiness. Mikasa, back in reality, refuses and tightens the scarf.

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