Erwin Smith - Attack on Titan
Erwin Smith is the commander of the Survey Corps , a branch of the military in the Attack on Titan series. Although quite mysterious, he proves to be a reliable and trustworthy leader. He is always on the front lines and is responsible for planning and executing expeditions beyond the walls.
Erwin's goal is to protect humanity, and he gladly takes on this responsibility. He understood that having Eren Jaeger in his ranks offered hope for the future of the world. That's why he's a soldier at heart, putting his own life before others, especially for the greater good.
As a commander, he had to make sure the soldiers realized that they would surely die, but it would not be in vain.
"If you were told to die, could you do it?"
Profile
- Name: Erwin Smith
- Date of birth: October 14
- Height: 188 cm
- Weight: 92 kg
- Place of birth: Unknown
- Appearance: Muscular and robust. Blond hair parted on the left side. Tall, severe facial features, and thick eyebrows.
- Mission: Surveying Corps
Personality and character
Erwin demonstrates his bravery and valor by charging head-on toward the Beast Titan . He fully understands its goals and is willing to sacrifice his own life to achieve them. This makes Erwin a highly respectable commander.
Erwin has a keen sense of judgment and perception, as he thinks very analytically.
As a commander, he excels in combat, but he also knows how to take initiative quickly and keep a cool head. He speaks words full of wisdom and judgment, albeit with a stern expression.
According to the Attack on Titan Guidebook (p. 77), Erwin has mixed feelings when recruiting people for the Survey Corps, as many soldiers die during expeditions. He expresses his feelings and confronts them with reality to ensure they know what they're getting into. However, since it's for a good cause, he notes that every soldier and every sacrifice contributes to the larger goal of saving humanity.
Having excellent character judgment, Erwin finds Levi Ackermann , who eventually plays a critical role in the Survey Corps. Although Levi was a rogue in his youth, Erwin sees great potential in him and asks him to join him on the 23rd expedition beyond the walls. This event is further explained in Attack On Titan: A Choice With No Regrets: Part One, an OVA first released in 2014.
Levi joined the Survey Corps under Nicholas Lobov to assassinate Erwin. It was clear that Erwin had withheld information that could have cost Lobov his position of power. The reward for killing Erwin would have been citizenship of the surface world.
It was later revealed that Erwin was fully aware of this plot. However, knowing that Levi had been sent to kill him, he was confident that Levi would do well in the Survey Corps. Levi was considered a natural with maneuvering equipment and could use blades very well, even though he was not yet disciplined or trained.
During the 23rd expedition, disaster strikes, as Levi becomes the sole survivor of his group after being separated during an encounter with a Titan. Shocked by the death of two important people at the hands of a Titan, Erwin accepts him into the Survey Corps to participate in future expeditions.
By accepting Levi, a thug, Erwin Smith demonstrates not only his empathy, but also his knack for judging the competence of those around him. These two traits make him such a good leader.
Erwin's Story
Erwin's childhood story is revealed in Season 3 , Episode 3, in a conversation between Erwin and Pixis.
The son of a history teacher in his hometown, Erwin was a naturally curious and inquisitive child who questioned the way the world worked. One day, during his father's history class, Erwin asked a question. His father sidestepped the question midway through the class and continued as usual.
During a serious conversation with Erwin later that day, he mentioned that the history books were contradictory and mysterious. A hundred years ago, humans were attacked by Titans and created the Wall to protect themselves. However, the written records of history were apparently lost in the process. His father theorized that the king had altered his people's memories, making the masses easier to control.
Pixis also realized that if the king had not done this, the construction of the walls would not have been possible [Season 3, Episode 3 Old Story].
As a young boy, Erwin was naive and told his friends what he had heard from his father. One day, the Military Police came to question him. Since that day, his father has never returned.
It was later revealed that Erwin's father was detained, tortured, and killed in a distant city, although this was presented as an accidental death.
Although he hadn't fully understood it as a child, Erwin understood that the leaders within the wall were altering people's memories to selfishly protect their power, their wealth, and their way of life. Those who threatened their way of life would be destroyed.
Throughout his life, Erwin is haunted by the idea that his father was killed by the "greed" of humans and the "stupidity" of his own son. Since his father's death, Erwin's mission in life has been to prove whether his father's theory is correct or not.
