#ackermysteries

[momtaku]

There's something I've been wondering about; is it ever explained why the noble bloodlines of the walls are immune to the King's memory powers? Are they actually Marleylans, or some other non-Eldian group?

No. I don't think it was. I remember writing reams of meta back in the day about the different bloodlines and wondering what it all could mean but either we read too much into it or else it was a storyline dropped. Mikasa's Asian heritage resulted in nothing and the Ackerman power was introduced but never consistent or explained.

For those reading who don't know what this is about, the Eldian history that opened Volume 22 referred to the “Subjects of Ymir” as the race that could be controlled by the Coordinate and transformed into titans. In earlier portions of the manga, the nobles (Ch 63), the Ackermans and the East Sea Clan (Ch65) were presented as minority bloodlines (or clans) who are part of the Eldian Empire and yet free from the mental manipulation that plagued the "slave class". The disconnect is that in 126 both Levi and Mikasa were transported to Paths by Eren acting as the Founded Titan and in 138 Mikasa's memories were revealed to be influenced by him.

In the end, the only thing truly immune to the Founding Titan's power was Hange's wheel. Go figure.

Thanks for the ask!

[momtaku]

Hey mom was 138 the first time we actually got confirmation that Ackermans can't be titanized? back in ch69 Kenny though about using the serum he took from Rod on himself before giving it to Levi so back then it seemed like they at least though it would work. During the serum bowl thing, it seemed odd to me that Levi always seemed set on administering it to someone else (only one man) and no one though about Levi using it on himself. Then later we find out about Ackermans being the byproduct 1/3

of titan science. So, at that point I (and many others) begin to wonder if that meant they couldn’t become titans. Then in the forest while everyone else was unknowingly drinking the tainted wine, Levi was looking for tea, so it made it seem ambiguous as to whether or not he drank any. When Zeke screamed to titanize everyone he seemed assured that Levi would be eaten, not that he was turned so Zeke ether knew that Levi didn’t drink the wine or that he did but couldn’t be turned. 2/3

A lot of what we know about the Ackermans is hearsay, coming from non-primary sources of Zeke or Ksaver. The only thing we did get from primary (grate-grandpa) was that their a unique bloodline, separate from the Eldians. Levi and Mikasa being able to enter PATHS made it seem like perhaps because their at least half Eldian that it might have been possible, but I guess now we know so long as someone is at least partly Ackerman they can’t be turned? 3/3

Oooh, you’re right. I’d missed the point that Zeke was 0% surprised that Levi wasn’t titanized which means Zeke either knew Ackermans were immune or else he was aware that Levi didn’t drink the wine.  While it was never stated, I think in my head I’d assumed Levi did drink the wine at some point in the forest and that’s why he was confident that he and Mikasa would not be victims of the poison gas. Now I’m not sure.

I think what’s going to be interesting is that happens to the Ackermans if the titan curse is removed. Do they lose their strength? Or worse? Let’s say for instance if the curse is undone and the mindless and wall titan die, would the Ackermans die as well?  I don’t think that will happen but it might still mean a significant biological change in Levi and Mikasa  😅

Thanks for this! I have plenty more to worry think about now!

[momtaku]

Hello! Do you think Isayama should've provided more explanations for the Ackermans? I know he neglected explaining a lot of things. Whatever Eren said wasn't the whole picture & I'll never forgive the fandom for how they treated Mikasa because of this. Though Zeke debunked Eren's claims but it didn't stop the negative perception. I love the three Ackermans & what they represent. I wanted to know to more about their history but i guess we'll never get that.

We got as more about the Ackermans than we did about PATHS, so I guess we should be grateful. I mean, I'd always like more but I think what we got was enough. Isayama provided an outline and we can extrapolate from there. Knowing for instance that the Founding Titan can muck with biology and learning from Willy about the infighting among the titan houses, it's reasonable that a previous Founding Titan tweaked the biology of one bloodline to create protectors for himself and his family. It's also reasonable that Karl ended that obligation when he decided the walled people would be best left to face consequences of the world's hatred.

It would be nice to get more Ackerman lore, but I doubt Isayama thought about it too deeply. I'd more trust the creatives in the fandom to fill in the gaps.

I know it's frustrating, but nothing will change people's perceptions. I point you to the 30% or so who believe Erwin would support the Eren and the rumbling despite Isayama spelling it out unequivocally in the manga.

If it helps, when that chapter was introduced, only a minority of people accepted Eren's words. Only 20% thought Eren himself believed what he was saying. The majority saw it for what it was. And at this point, anon, anyone holding onto the lies that Eren introduced in chapter 112 is doing so deliberately, either because it upsets Mikasa fans or because it justifies their headcanons. Knowing that should make it easier to ignore.

Thanks for the ask!

[momtaku]

When Eren said in Chapter 139 that Ymir had noticed Mikasa, it caught me by surprise. Why would she have been watching Mikasa? But then it occurred to me that she might have been watching every Ackerman bonded pair. The Ackerbond was never really explained in canon, and I now wonder if perhaps it existed as a side effect or result of Ymir's devotion to King Fritz? Perhaps Ymir has been watching all the Ackermans, all this time, for an Ackerman/liege pairing that would finally meet all the requirements. Historically, the Ackermans would have served the monarch, but there'd never been a liege with the means, motive, or opportunity to end PATHS, along with an Ackerman that would have the strength to end their liege. It makes me wonder what might have happened if Erwin had inherited the Colossal titan in SerumBowl. Though if he'd gone on to eat Eren and thus inherit the Founder, and then worked out a plan with Levi that involved his own destruction, I'm not sure anyone would have preferred that ending. What do you think?

I had a similar thought that Mikasa being an Ackerman might have been a factor. Eren and Mikasa were the perfect combination to end this. Eren was an unstoppable force with an inborn drive to end the titan curse and Mikasa was an Ackerman with the immense physical power necessary to end  him.

I didn’t extend that thought to all Ackermans, but I agree with you that with their origin being largely unexplained, there’s plenty of room for imagination here.

Ending the titan curse didn’t need to be accompanied with global genocide. I think it could’ve been just as interesting and tragic if someone like Erwin had recognized what was needed to end the titan curse, and worked with his friends to make it happen rather than alienating everyone. Maybe someone will write it.

Thanks for the ask!!

[momtaku]

Hello Mom ! I'm actually wanting to ask you something, it's old but I really want an opinion from someone like you who is "neutral" on the subject because the answer will sometimes differs whether you're a rivamika fan or not. So I would like to know why Levi didn't fight Mikasa back during the serum thing ? Was it because he couldn't (was to weak to do so) or because he didn't want to and try to soothe her instead ? What is your pov on this please ?

I’m afraid this reply is going to be more preamble than actual answer. I get nervous when an ask includes a ship name and the word “neutral”. It makes me wonder if there is discourse happening somewhere and someone is looking to use my reply as evidence for or against. 

I also think it’s an incredibly douchy thing to dismiss a moment another ship community holds dear. I’m not a member of the r/m community, but all evidence is that they are awesome, one of the chillest, and whatever they headcanon for this moment isn’t something I’d want to interfere with. Shippy or not, they’ve watched every interaction between these two so they are in a great position to pick up any nuances or changes in characterization.

I don’t think you are doing either of those things, I just wanted to make sure we’re clear on that because I don’t want to be inundated with asks that veer into that territory. 

So on to your answer.

...I don’t know. 

Maybe it’s the obvious. Levi just fought off a horde of titans on level ground with no gas or gear and he’s exhausted. Or maybe it’s connected to the Ackerbond and Erwin’s failing power. Or maybe he doesn’t want to hurt Mikasa. Or maybe it’s a case of all of the above. But I do agree that Levi’s failing power and the indication that Mikasa at this moment was stronger than him feels significant. It feels like something that needs an explanation. 

There’s still much we don’t know about Ackermans, their ackerbonds and everything surrounding them. I don’t think this manga will end without clarification, so I’m hopeful whatever we learn about Ackerbiology will help us make sense of this moment.

Thanks for the ask!

[momtaku]

Hello Mom!I have a question,Does Mikasa know Levi is Ackerman?Because we saw that she took everything to heart what eren said so she obliviously thinks about her ackerman bloodline and about dedicating theirselves to somebody so I think she might think at one point who could be the one Levi dedicated himself to?

I’m sure she does but I doubt she’s had much time to reflect on what Eren’s words mean outside of her own relationship with him.

I do hope Levi and Mikasa get a another chance for an ackertalk before the series ends. I think Levi’s perspective, no matter how brief, could go a long way helping Mikasa feel more balanced about her heritage. He’d be the perfect person to adjust Mikasa’s thoughts and set the record straight about their relationships. For now though, I think Armin was doing a fine job of pointing out the flaws in Eren’s logic.

Thanks for the ask!

[momtaku]

Thank you so much for your answer about the serum moment ! I understand that the shipping thing is a very sensitive subject and I think I expressed myself badly on my side too ; the fact is that I always asked myself the question of why Levi didn't defend himself at this moment. But maybe Isayama made this an "open" ask.. But anyway thank you for your answer you're awesome !

You’re very welcome. Judging by the number of responses, it was a good question to be asking. I was looking at the post yesterday and was genuinely surprised at the number and variety of comments it received. If you haven’t looked at it, you should.  I think that emphasizes exactly what you say, this is an open ask. Something that needs clarification.  

I agree with something @cecldcecld wrote. “Mikasa stating his weaker is definitely meant to be taken as fact not something we should question.” The question is why. Is it important? Is it a hint to something involving either of their biologies. It doesn’t feel like a throw away statement.

Thanks for following up! Have a great day!

[momtaku]

Hi mom! Last chapter made me reflect a lot about the story. Right now, one thing that understandably doesn't get discussed enough is the Ackerman storyline. Eren said Ackerman are slaves to their genes, Mikasa apparently believes in him and Levi/Kenny are out of the picture, so they can't bring any clarity into this topic. How do you think this issue will be solved? Not only Mikasa has started to doubt about her own identity, but also Eren looked guilty/sad when he looked at the scarf scene.

I don’t know how it will be solved, but I’m confident this isn’t a plot thread he’ll drop. The Ackermystery is something Isayama has taken his time to set up. He’s been leaving a breadcrumb trail of information since chapter 6.  All that’s left is the final reveal. We need to learn the origins of the Ackermans and their true nature. All I can say is wait for it.