#aot quotes

[acmeangel]

I think about this dialogue from S1 all the time; to me, it succinctly sums up the differences between Erwin and Levi’s perspectives and motivations.

When it comes to Erwin, it’s much like what Armin said in S1: the people who are capable of making change have to be able to throw everything away and abandon their personal humanity in order to save the greater humanity. Erwin embodies this perfectly—he never hesitated to sacrifice the lives of others on behalf of a greater cause, and even knew how to inspire them into willingly self-sacrificing.

What was that greater cause? For Erwin, it was his dream of finding out the truth and avenging his father—it just so happened that this aligned with what was best for Paradis. If it weren’t for his own personal ambitions, I don’t believe Erwin would have had the same level of commitment or drive.

Erwin knew that all of the deaths of his soldiers and the civilians caught in the crossfire were potentially pointless (and we eventually see that catch up to him right before his death); but at the same time, he knew each death and sacrifice was a necessary step in uncovering the truth.

That’s not to say he saw no value in human life or that he was an evil person—it’s just that he saw more value in the bigger picture and the greater cause, and he didn’t have time to consider his personal humanity in that pursuit. Erwin knew that he needed people like Levi and Hange to stay alive in order to achieve this bigger picture goal since they filled in the gaps of skills he lacked himself.

This also isn’t to say Erwin is purely selfish, nor is he the only one with personal motivations—Eren was motivated by his mother’s death, Mikasa was motivated by protecting Eren, Hange was motivated by learning about Titans. The list goes on.

Levi is uniquely one of the few characters without selfish motivations and dreams (which is ironic since people view him as cold and heartless). Levi had no ulterior motives pushing him to the other side of the war, and nothing personal to gain.

He chose to follow Erwin because of that look Erwin had in his eye—the same look Armin had in his eye—hope for the future, like he could see something no one else could. Levi, simply, didn’t want to make choices he would regret, even though he openly admitted that he never truly knew or understood what the outcome of those choices would be. He believed that following Erwin’s command—and eventually choosing Armin—was the best way to do this.

Levi doesn’t view the lives of his comrades or squad members as disposable. He has a fiercely protective and loyal nature. We see this time and time again—when he adamantly tells a dying soldier that his death wasn’t in vain and that he’d made a difference, how he doesn’t ever truly forgive Annie and Reiner for the lives they took from the Scouts, and his incessant need to avenge Erwin’s death, to name a few.

To me, Erwin and Levi are somewhat of a yin and yang in this way—Erwin was willing to do everything it took to achieve his dream, no matter the sacrifice, and Levi was willing to do everything it took to make sure those sacrifices weren’t made for nothing.

Erwin had to be willing to send people to their pointless deaths; Levi had to make sure those deaths weren’t pointless in the end.

This is a little bit of a half-baked ramble, but I always found this exchange so interesting and telling.

[merf8]

The moment you hesitate, it's all over

~ Levi Ackerman

[dystopicbrain]

[terrystoenail]

“There is no greater salvation than never being born in this world” is such a hard bar I can’t believe it came from an anime about giant naked people running around

[leviismybby]

Levi and (y/n) playing strip poker

Levi: "I won the first round. Take everything off."

(y/n): "That's not how it works-"

Levi: "Did I fucking stutter?"

[ilynpilled]

im gonna be real with you guys a little you are all deeply fucking stupid

[wedarkacademia]

no bond is stronger than a girl and the first anime she ever watched

[houseofcrying]

[zekescherries]

[twilovesshuake]

Levi: WHOEVER CAUSED THIS MESS IS GOING TO-

Y/n: It was me...

Levi: ..be forgiven because everyone deserves a second chance.

[majoryeager104]

Kidnapper: We have your child  Levi: I don’t have a child?  Kidnapper: Then who just asked for warm milk and made us cut the crusts off their sandwich?  Levi: Oh god, you have Armin

[pengnin]

[yu-huuuu]

Y/N, texting Levi: Levi! Help I’m being kidnapped Levi: Where are you? Y/N: I’m with some strange person. In a car. Help. Levi: I’ll call Hange. Hange, answering their cell: Y’ello? Levi: Where’s Y/N? They texted me that they were being kidnapped. Hange: Y/N? Whaddya mean, they're right next to me- Hange: Hange: I’ll call you back. *hangs up* Hange: THE NEW HAIRCUT ISN’T THAT BAD! Y/N: WHO ARE YOU?!

[lucysarah-c]

Erwin: Did you call a member of the military board stupid?

Levi: No. I asked. "are you stupid?"

Erwin: *turning around to face the military board and Zackly* He said he asked.

[shorenblogs]

Eren: The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?

Mikasa: You know who else is beautiful?

Eren and Mikasa, at the same time: Armin Arlert.

[leviismybby]

Petra: "Two times a week is the best!"

Hange: "See I disagree, i think once a week is more than enough."

(y/n): "Once a week? No way, at least twice a day. Levi would go crazy."

Hange: "Levi cleans his room twice a day?"

(y/n): "Wait...what are we talking about?"