Attack on Titan: Connection between Levi’s Awakening and His Mother Revealed

The recent Attack on Titan spin-off manga uncovers a surprising correlation between Levi’s awakening and his mother.

On April 30, 2024, Hajime Isayama released a new Attack on Titan one-shot manga titled Bad Boy, which centers on Levi Ackerman. It was included in the new Attack on Titan Artbook: Fly, but unfortunately, the book was only available in Japan.

Despite being the strongest soldier of humanity, Levi Ackerman’s life has been filled with pain as a tragic character in Attack on Titan. While his time in the Survey Corps resulted in the loss of countless subordinates, his life before was even more difficult.

The true scope of it is unveiled in Bad Boy. The one-shot illustrates the lovely bond between Levi and his mother Kuchel before her tragic passing. Additionally, the manga also discloses the circumstances surrounding Levi’s awakening of his Ackerman abilities.

Levi’s true awakening in Attack on Titan occurred following the death of Kuchel and his subsequent orphaning in the harsh underground city. After being beaten and faced with the threat of being sold, Levi’s true power was only unleashed when the men began to tamper with Kuchel’s memories, an act that struck fear into his heart.

Despite being just a malnourished child, Levi was able to unleash his true potential as an Ackerman when the men took away his mother’s teacup, the only remaining item of hers. His awakening allowed him to fight off the men and gruesomely tear one’s face with just his fingers, capturing the intense and grotesque panels that showcase Levi’s frightening abilities.

During the serialization of Attack on Titan, Hajime Isayama disclosed that an Ackerman experiences an awakening when they are faced with intense fear or danger. For Levi, his awakening was triggered by a combination of both, fueled by his strong devotion to his mother. He tapped into his full potential while fighting to safeguard his mother’s cherished possession.

Despite being a must-read for all Attack on Titan fans, the emotional revelation of Levi’s awakening in Bad Boy is currently only available in physical copies and exclusively in Japan. The release date for the manga’s global and online availability has not yet been announced.

Despite the global release of the new Attack on Titan taking some time, you can still discover whether Mikasa gets married after Eren’s death, the identity of Ymir and her powers. You may also be curious about the fate of Zeke and if Mikasa manages to free Ymir in Attack on Titan.