Do you have any head canons regarding a backstory for Hanji? I always thought that it's super weird that Isayama didn't even give us like a few off hand comments about their past/background especially considering that they've been in the story for such a long time. Do you think he just didn't feel like he had the time or could that have been some kind of creative choice? (related: veterans prequel WHEN)
I’ve complained about this plenty. Hange is the only character in the main cast that wasn’t given any backstory. I thought for sure we’d get something before they died.
In chapter 55, Djel Sanes remembers some of the people he’d killed in service of the King. The flashback includes Historia’s mother, Erwin’s father, possibly Armin’s parents and a fourth panel of a man with glasses. An inventor. “An old fool who made guns that threatened the king.” He was never named or connected to the cast so I’ve claimed him for Hange’s.
Since there is no canon to interfere with me, I’ve given Hange a very happy childhood. My idea is that Hange had creative parents who nurtured Hange’s love of science. Hange grew up in a home filled with books and tools that Hange, their only child, had unlimited access to.
To outsiders the Zoe family was considered a bit strange but since their inventions often improved the lives of others, they were well regarded. The Zoe family could create artificial limbs for people in need, devise ways to improve indoor plumbing, and make fabulous toys for children. In time word spread about this inventive family and they became a focus of the MPs. In this headcanon of mine, Hange’s father was eventually tasked with building weapons. Because the MPs were mistrustful and fearful of anyone with intelligence, they took any deviation as a sign of rebellion and a threat to their power. Since this is my headcanon, I won’t kill him. I just won’t.
I like the idea that Hange played up the whole mad scientist schtick as a way to avoid trouble with the MPs. Hange wanted to be seen as crazy and not as valuable or as a threat. Hange made sure the neighbors and thus the MPs thought Hange was demented.
Since the Survey Corps was filled with nonconformists, it was a perfect fit for Hange. Hange was probably also aware they’d be able to secure research funds in the military. The canon story picks up from there.
I headcanon that Mama Zoe is still alive. Hange would regularly send Mama Zoe items from outside the walls, and later from Marley like newspapers, plants, or anything unusual or interesting. Mama Zoe has the future that I’d originally wanted for Hange. She spends her days surrounded by books and beakers and cats.
