Do you know where the source is of Yams saying that Kenny was romantically interested in I? I've heard lots of people say that and I'm wondering if it is true or not
I’m going to assume you meant Uri, Anon.
As with many relationships in SnK, Kenny and Uri’s is not explicitly stated as romantic to my knowledge. I also don’t know of any interviews where Yams says it is (if there are, I want to know badly!). Nevertheless, they clearly have a bond that is important to them both, so I’ve tried to gather the information I think might be most compelling for anyone who is interested. Please note: I wouldn’t say I ship these two, but their bond is tragic and ambiguous, so I might as well because they’re up my alley.
We all know that Kenny Ackerman is a difficult person. He lives for himself. He’s ruthless and violent. He’s earned the name Kenny the Ripper with good reason. He has no qualms about fighting and trying to kill his own nephew, Levi, after all.
And yet, when he meets Uri, Kenny hesitates.
Uri prostrates himself before Kenny, and something changes (the jolt). I’d say this is the moment Kenny finds his liege as an Ackerman: Uri.
Later, when he’s asked about it, Kenny says he offered his help to Uri because Uri was the strongest guy around. It’s true that Kenny does respect strength (and little else), but he doesn’t seem very certain of this answer when he gives it. When Uri is reminiscing about their meeting he speaks of it very differently, he’s much more certain and sincere in his words.
Here Uri is expressing his trust and belief in Kenny. It’s pretty touching, especially given the circumstances of their meeting. Kenny, however, adds to himself that he was never able to feel the same way Uri did. He wasn’t able to say things with such certainty. Perhaps Kenny never knew exactly what he felt about Uri. Perhaps Kenny didn’t believe he had the capacity to feel anything. Perhaps Kenny badly wanted to feel the way Uri did, to trust him and believe in him to such a deep level, but was never quite able to. Perhaps not, this is all speculation.
To put the length of their relationship (whatever it is) in perspective we can examine the dates a little. Kenny and Uri met in 829. Uri died in 842. That means that Kenny spent nearly 13 years as Uri’s right-hand man. Kenny died in 850. He didn’t return to a life of crime, but stayed with the Interior Police that entire time- 8 additional years spent loyal to the memory of Uri. That’s certainly a lot of loyalty either way.
We also learn that Kenny wanted to obtain the power of the Founding Titan from Eren (he becomes upset when Rod mentions that only someone of royal blood can fully utilize it). Kenny later states, while dying, that everyone is drunk on something, himself included, and implies that he was drunk on power. This is how he explains away his motivation to possess the Founding Titan. But I think there’s a little more…
Let’s recall something else Kenny said.
When Freida consumed Uri, Kenny says he saw him in her. She spoke of the same ideals: love and peace among all mankind. He then wonders if she can think that way because she has such great power. This is the moment he realizes he wants this for himself, the moment his dream of taking the Founding Titan begins. But, does he want the Founding Titan’s power? Or, perhaps, does he want some part of Uri? Does he want the capacity to feel the things Uri did?
Did Kenny stay loyal to Uri for 8 years after his death, watching Freida and seeing his liege in her? Or did he just stick around to be in a good position to take the power of the Founding Titan?
What exactly is Kenny after?
I’ll leave that to you to decide, Anon, it’s open to interpretation.
Let’s go back one last time to Kenny’s dying words. No matter what direction he goes in, his conversation keeps circling back to one man: Uri. In the end, we get this scene:
Kenny and Uri, side by side, framed in such a quiet and calm way by the water. It’s idyllic.
Is this romantic? I think you can decide whatever you like. That’s the beauty of SnK- so much is left unsaid and open to the reader’s interpretation. I’ve tried to be as objective with this information as I can, and I hope you don’t find my recap too biased. I also hope this information helps you decide for yourself, whatever conclusion you come to!
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