Attack on Titan is an incredibly popular anime and audiobook series that has captivated audiences around the world since its debut in 2009.
It’s full of intense action and thought-provoking storylines, but one aspect of the show that stands out most to viewers is the sheer number of casualties incurred over the course of the story.
Real Titan fans know, that from major characters to nameless side characters, no one is safe from death in Attack on Titan anime, despite the large AOT universe.
We’ll take a closer look at some of the most important deaths in the series and what they mean for the characters and story as a whole.
Table of Contents
Sasha Braus death

Sasha Braus was one of the 104th Cadet Corps, and she was killed by a Titan during the Battle of Trost. Sasha was a kindhearted person who cared deeply for her friends and comrades, and her death left the Survey Corps devastated.
Erwin Smith death

Erwin Smith, commander of the Survey Corps, was one of the most important characters in Attack on Titan.
He was a brave leader who inspired others to fight and never gave up, even in the face of certain death when he tied to capture the Beast Titan. Finally, during the mission, he became a target of the beast titan.
Erwin Smith death was a turning point in the series, and it showed that even the strongest characters can be defeated.
Bertholdt Hoover death

In the year 845, during the Battle of Shiganshina District, Bertholdt Hoover was killed by Levi Ackerman. He had a painful death, but it was a traitor’s path that he choose, and had to deal with the consequences.
His death marked the end of the battle and the beginning of humanity’s recapture of Wall Maria. His mission was to get the Founding Titan powers and bring them to the Marleyan Warriors.
Kenny Ackerman death

Kenny Ackerman was one of the most important members of the Survey Corps, and his death was a huge blow to the group.
He died from the debris injuries, but before his death, he gave Pure Titan formula to Levi.
Rod Reiss death

On April 7th, 134 years after the start of the Great Titans War, Rod Reiss was killed by his daughter Historia.
This occurred when Rod tried to forcefully turn Historia into a Titan form in order to gain control over the remaining Titans. However, due to her strong will and determination, she was able to resist his transformation attempt, leading to his death.
Hannes death

It was Hannes’s death that finally made Eren realize the gravity of the situation. Hannes had been like a father to Eren, always looking out for him and trying to protect him.
He was killed by the same titan which Eren knew from past fights – the Smiling Titan.
So when he was killed by that titan, it hit Eren hard. It was also a turning point for the other characters. With Hannes gone, they realized that they were now completely alone in their fight against the Titans.
Marco Bott death

Marco Bott was one of the 104th Cadet Corps, and he was in the same squad as Eren, Armin, and Jean.
He was a very talented soldier, and he always tried to look out for his friends. He was killed during the battle against the Female Titan.
Grisha Yeager death

Grisha Yeager was the one who found out about the existence of Titans and warned the people of Wall Maria about them.
He was also the one who trained Eren Jaeger to fight the Titans and gave him the power of the Founding Titan. However, he was killed by a Titan during the Battle of Trost District.
Carla’s death

Carla Jaeger, the mother of Eren Jaeger, was one of the first casualties in the Attack on Titan anime series.
After Colossal titan destroyed Maria’s wall, Carla Jaeger was eaten alive by a Smiling Titan while trying to save her son’s life. This tragic event when you see how titan eats your mother served as the catalyst for Eren’s quest to exterminate all Titans.
Dina Fritz death

Dina Fritz was a member of the 104th Training Corps and one of Eren Yeager’s childhood friends, who later transformed into a pure titan form. She was killed during the Battle of Trost District when she was swallowed by a Titan.
Faye Yeager death

Faye Yeager death occurred in the year 850, during the 104th year of the titans’ attack. She was one of the first victims of the titans, and her death had a profound impact on those who witnessed it.
Faye was killed by a titan that ate her husband Grisha, who then went on to kill Faye’s daughter Sasha. This event caused great grief and rage among the survivors, which would eventually lead to their decision to join the Survey Corps and fight back against the Titans.
Ymir Fritz death

In Attack on Titan, the death of Ymir Fritz is one of the most heartbreaking deaths in the series. Ymir was the first titan (jaw titan) and the progenitor of all other Titans. She was also the one who gave birth to the Eldian race. Her death signaled the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
Ymir died at the hands of Dina Fritz, her own great-granddaughter. Dina had been brainwashed by Marley into thinking that Eldians were monsters that needed to be destroyed. When she confronted Ymir, she showed no mercy and killed her without hesitation.
Ymir’s death was a turning point in the story. It signified the end of an age where Titans ruled supreme. It also showed that there were those who would stop at nothing to ensure that Titans were destroyed.
This event set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the fall of Maria’s wall and Shiganshina District.
Porco Galliard death

In the first season of Attack on Titan, we see the death of Porco Galliard, one of the members of the 104th Cadet Corps who also had jaw titan powers.
He is killed by a Titan after being separated from his group during a mission. This death is important because it shows how dangerous the Titans are and how easily they can kill even experienced soldiers. It also motivates the other members of the 104th to keep fighting and try to stop the Titans.
Lara Tybur death

On April 7th, during the Battle of Shiganshina District, Lara Tybur was killed by the Colossus Titan. Her death marked the end of the Tybur family line, as well as the last of the founding families of Maria’s wall.
Udo & Zofia death

Udo and Zofia were two of the most important people in the early days of the Survey Corps. They were both highly respected members of the corps, and their deaths had a profound impact on those who knew them.
Udo was killed in battle, while Zofia died as a result of injuries sustained during a mission. Both of their heartbreaking deaths were mourned by their fellow Survey Corps members, and their loss is still felt to this day.
Petra’s death

In the first season of Attack on Titan, Petra Ral was one of the most important members of the Survey Corps. She was a skilled fighter and helped train new recruits like Eren Jaeger.
However, she met her end during a mission to retake Maria’s wall from the Titans. Petra was killed by a Titan that had infiltrated their ranks, leaving behind her grieving mother and sister.
Mike Zacharias death

In the year 845, on the 58th day of the Siege of Shiganshina District, Zacharias was part of the 104th Cadet Corps’ expedition beyond Maria’s wall to explore and reclaim Wall Maria’s lost territory.
When their expedition was ambushed by Titans, Zacharias saved Armin’s life from a Titan before being devoured himself.
Nanaba death

Nanaba was one of the 104th Cadet Corps, and was part of the Special Operations Squad. She was killed in action during the 57th Expedition outside the Wall.
Franz Kefka death

Franz Kefka was one of the soldiers who died during the battle against the Titans. He was part of the 104th Cadet Corps and was in the same squad as Eren Yeager.
Kefka was killed when a Titan lunged at him and snapped his neck. His death was avenged when Eren killed the Titan responsible.