#ackerbond

[onthearrow]

Hello! I wanna read Tiny Anthem because everyone says it's a masterpiece and the description looks fun, but I'm worried by the Ackerbond tag. Could you please describe how it's featured, what's your view on it? Does it mean no self-determination, with the Ackerman obeying literally any order even if it hurts them, sometimes without realizing why? Or is it more like fate or just strong emotional bond but with the Ackerman still having free will and actively choosing to follow/obey rather than being forced to?

Oh anon fabulous question! Vague spoilers for Tiny Anthem ahead.

To answer your question: Yes, Levi has free will. In fact, the fic is very much about self-determination. I use the ackerbond and Paths as plot devices to achieve the fic's happily ever after. I would not write a fic in which ackerbonded characters are compelled to obey their liege. I consider that a rather dark theme and generally don't like complicating a romance with something that emotionally manipulative. It's just not my style. In TA the ackerbond is more of a deep emotional connection and an innate sense to protect.

I will note that there is a section of the fic in which Levi is exceptionally rude to Erwin, blaming him for all of his problems. A lot of people take issue with this chapter (the comments section is a shitshow) but please rest assured that this is part of his character growth.

Feel free to reach out again if you have additional questions 🥰

[commanderbonded]

Levi has an Ackerbond with Zeke and no one's gonna change my mind. Yeah I know what you're thinking, but it's still an Ackerbond to me, just the opposite of the original version

[nukethefreezer]

Any headcanons of Kenuri? (If u have its alr if u dont)

Oh em gee I’ve never done anything like this before… I feel like the yams really neglected to properly explore the fact that Kenny, at one point, understood that Uri has an expiration date. I feel like when and how Kenny found out would have surely changed their entire dynamic not to mention Kenny’s purpose. It’s almost like Kenny was ‘awakened’ twice: once when he got caught by Uri’s Titian and again when he discovered the terms of Uri’s fate. I have a headcannon that they discussed Uri’s passing (not the fact that memories or the founding is passed on or anything) before the scene we saw by the lake and Kenny distanced himself from Uri for a little while after finding out only to come crawling back… refusing to talk about it in depth once he did… sorta just making light of it/brushing it off whenever Uri asked him if it was something he wanted to talk about more. I think Kenny would have found that to be the easiest way to deal.

The other Ackermans might have an inkling that their ‘host’ isn’t long for this world but they never had to reconcile with a set expiration date and unfortunately I’m a sucker for angst…

I also love how different fic authors interpret the effect of the founding on Uri’s autonomy. Does it just keep Uri from doing basic things like activating the rumbling, enlightening the people, and stopping the Titians outside the walls? Or does it become Uri and make him the man he is? I have a headcannon that Uri is pretty much entirely different in character compared to who he was before inheriting the founding… not a husk because I don’t like the connotation… just different? but I would love to know what Kenny thinks LOL. Not that I think o Kenny would care… I just think the wonder would’ve crossed Kenny’s mind at some point though.

I’ve said too much I’m so sorry I’ve never gotten one of these lil question things before but that is another thing I love about this ship!! The idea of fate and autonomy! They both have to grapple with the idea of the Ackerbond and Fritz’ Vow even though the parameters (and/or legitimacy) for both is a little hazy.

… erm lighter HCs:

-Even omnipotent Uri can’t cook for shit.

-After Kenny abandons Levi he asks Uri to keep an eye on Levi by looking through eldians Levi interacts with.

-Kenny can read but never well enough to teach Levi so sometimes Uri reads to Kenny.

-Uri could keep his relations with Kenny a complete secret (founding mind powers loll) but Rod knows and isn’t a fan. Uri thinks Rod’s pestering about being so close to a man like Kenny makes his relationship with Kenny feel more real.

Please talk to me about them god I love them so much there’s so much more I could and I am sure there are so many aspects to their dynamic I’ve never even considered.

[captainleviswifee]

So OP blocked me that's alright. But after some ppl told me a bit. HEAR ME OUT. I could be wrong, BUT. This sounds a lot like the arguments often posed in twt by shippers. The constant drawing of parallel between Eren and Mikasa, then Levi and Erwin is a tactic used by shippers in twt to validate their ship. They attack ppl if you disagree with them, no matter how polite you are. Block you and just simply reply to your logical arguments with ad hominems to rage bait you and then villainize you later if you react. I was blocked then they replied with this: This fan mistranslation, is meant to validate Ackerbond. Some shippers who hc Ackerbond and push it on others as canon, usually also put Levi in a degrading light to make the other character he's shipped with in a holy light. (nothing wrong with hcs though! just like dont push it on others and aggressively tell everyone that its canon when its not)

This is the original paper.

However this is the correct translation by a Japanese native who translated for us: Original source is here! They kindly took the time to translate this paper for us AOT fans!

ALSO Ackerbond has been disproven by Vol 35, Bad Boy chapter. When Levi awakened his powers to defend himself for his own goal (to get his mom's possessions back). He didn't need anyone to awaken his powers as an Ackerman, not even a host.

That fan mistranslation also contradicts with the OFFICIAL Character Encyclopedia. There was no mention of either one of them being better than the other because of some instinct in their blood.

DISCLAIMER: All ships are okay! What's not okay is to push it onto others that HCs and not cannon things as cannon! Including attacking others in the name of your ship!

Please don't bring twt behavior here. We do not condone any form of harassment onto other regardless if they're a fellow Levi stan or not. They are NOT one of us. Best to do is not engage with the toxics and just let them scream into the void. They probably need to let whatever those frustrations out.

Also someone else also disowned another fan who was harassing OP. Saying they're not one of us. Then OP blocked that person who was already disowning the harasser. sus if you asked me.

[jean-kirschtussy]

do u still think the ackerbond is a real thing. i mean zeke technically debunked it with saying he never heard of it but he isnt an ackerman. also its weird how yams purposefully shows us how each ackerman was really loyal to their own "liege" or all of them just that full on hufflepuff loyal (sorry hp reference)

As of writing this now I don't think it's real, but I gotta admit that when the Ackerbond was first brought up in the manga I thought it was real. Keep in mind that the one month between chapter releases really gave you a lotta time to sit down and overanalyze every single panel in the one chapter you got.

I thought the Ackerbond was an interesting view on the concept of "choice" that recontextualized both Mikasa, Kenny, and Levi's sense of undying loyalty. In a story where "freedom" is a big buzzword, it begged the question of how much freedom did Mikasa, Kenny, and Levi really have if they were essentially fated to be bonded to one person only.

Of course, when this was debunked I accepted the fate of my theory, but for a while I was convinced that the Ackerbond was real.

[loveandpeaceanddoughnuts]

thinking about the blurred lines between devotion and love, submission to a superior figure and sexual submission, particularly in the military/similar hierarchies where you’re required to trust your superior with your life and free will but also just isolated environments where social norms no longer apply (ex., the American West)

the bonds that only happen under the constant threat of utter destruction and the context of selflessness (not having a self, obedience, belonging to a whole -squad/regiment/crew/etc)

the rich tradition of homoerotic relationships formed in these settings (historical and fictional) where existing social norms and expectations can no longer apply

yes this is about eruri would anyone want to see an over-researched cowboy au with works cited 👀

[leverwings]

wip from soaring ⚔️🪽 out TOMORROW!!

my interpretation of the ackerbond comes to life tomorrow!!

subscribe on ao3 for delivery straight to your inbox 👀

--

“Out here, beyond those damn walls, there might be something to free us from our despair.” Erwin’s voice breaks at the end, and the way he says it resonates deep in Levi’s gut. Levi’s hands shake to the tune of the tremor in his voice. 

Erwin takes a deep breath, and his voice steadies. “But there are people, blinded by greed, and complacency, and arrogance—” Levi inhales sharply— “who would keep us from it. Blinded. They cannot see the other side.” 

They do not want to see, Levi finishes for him. The words don’t make it to his mouth. 

Erwin pushes the blade down to stand, and Levi’s eyes follow him up, and up, and up. He wonders madly if Erwin will continue his ascent, leaving the ground behind. 

“And what about you, Levi?” His name on Erwin’s tongue buzzes at the base of his skull. “Will you kill me? Return to the Underground?”

The rain has stopped. A breeze ruffles Levi’s hair, dissipating the last of the steam from the tips of his ears. It carries the scent of ozone, dew-dropped grass, the mineral tang of the mud. Levi’s tongue is too big in his mouth. He watches Erwin loom over him and is suddenly seized by the sense that he is teetering over the precipice, gazing over the expanse of something indescribable, enormous, unfathomable. There is a hand lovingly placed in between his shoulder blades, and deft fingers are weaving wire through his sternum, knitting the wound shut. 

The clouds part, and sunshine unfurls from behind Erwin’s broad shoulders. 

“Fight with us, Levi.” His voice shakes with conviction. “We need you.” 

The hand at Levi’s back gives a gentle push, the wire pulls taught, and Levi soars.

[alecistired]

Ackerman curse:

To memorise your face, your mannerisms. Searching for you in every lifetime. Holding dear to the echo of you. Aching for just a glimpse.