The complex web of relationships in Attack on Titan often leaves viewers grappling with intense character dynamics. Among the most fascinating and fraught is the bond between Levi Ackerman and his uncle, Kenny Ackerman. Understanding their history is key to deciphering the animosity, particularly from Levi’s perspective. Many fans find it difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for Levi’s apparent hatred towards the man who raised him, struggling to reconcile Kenny’s past actions with his final moments. Was it simple hatred, or something far more layered?
Levi’s seeming hatred for Kenny Ackerman originates from a turbulent mix of childhood abandonment in the harsh Underground, Kenny’s brutal violence and selfish pursuit of power clashing directly with Levi’s evolving morals, and intense, life-threatening confrontations where Kenny demonstrated a clear willingness to kill Levi for his own objectives.
Navigating the brutal world of Attack on Titan requires understanding not just the Titans, but the intricate human conflicts that shape its characters. This exploration delves deep into the Levi-Kenny dynamic, dissecting the traumatic past, ideological clashes, and violent encounters that fueled Levi’s resentment. We’ll examine Kenny’s motivations, his lasting influence on Levi, and answer the burning questions surrounding their unforgettable relationship, giving you a clearer picture of why “Humanity’s Strongest Soldier” held such complex feelings for “Kenny the Ripper.”
Key Facts:
* Uncle-Nephew: Kenny Ackerman was the maternal uncle of Levi Ackerman, the brother of Levi’s mother, Kuchel Ackerman.
* The Mentor: Kenny found a young, starving Levi after his mother’s death and taught him vital survival and combat skills.
* Abandonment: Feeling unfit as a parental figure, Kenny abruptly abandoned Levi once he was capable of surviving alone in the Underground.
* “The Ripper”: Before joining the Military Police, Kenny was infamous as “Kenny the Ripper,” a serial killer rumored to have murdered over 100 Military Police members.
* Final Gift: Despite their animosity and attempts on Levi’s life, Kenny’s final act was giving Levi a Titan injection serum he could have used to save himself.
Who Are Levi and Kenny Ackerman in Attack on Titan?
To grasp the depth of their conflict, it’s crucial to understand who Levi and Kenny are within the Attack on Titan universe. They are two sides of the same coin, both Ackermans possessing extraordinary combat prowess, yet driven by vastly different experiences and philosophies shaped by the brutal world they inhabit. Their intertwined past sets the stage for their later, deadly confrontations.
Levi Ackerman is renowned as “Humanity’s Strongest Soldier,” serving as a Captain in the Survey Corps, while Kenny Ackerman, his estranged uncle known infamously as “Kenny the Ripper,” was the Captain of the Anti-Personnel Control Squad within the Military Police Brigade.
Levi Ackerman: Humanity’s Strongest Soldier
Levi Ackerman stands as a pillar of strength and discipline within the Survey Corps. His title, “Humanity’s Strongest Soldier,” isn’t mere hyperbole; his unparalleled skill with ODM gear and blades makes him a whirlwind of destruction against Titans. Growing up in the bleak Underground City forged his resilience, but also instilled deep-seated trust issues. Despite his stoic and often cold demeanor, Levi cares profoundly for his subordinates and holds a strong, albeit cynical, sense of justice, fiercely dedicated to protecting humanity.
Kenny Ackerman: The Ripper and Mentor
Kenny Ackerman cuts a menacing figure, initially introduced as a ruthless antagonist leading the specialized Anti-Personnel Control Squad. His moniker, “Kenny the Ripper,” stems from his notorious past as a serial killer targeting the Military Police. Ironically, he later joined their ranks, driven by a complex relationship with Uri Reiss and a desperate quest for power. Kenny found his starving nephew, Levi, took him in, and brutally taught him the skills needed to survive the Underground, shaping Levi’s fighting style before ultimately abandoning him.
The Uncle-Nephew Connection Revealed
The familial tie between Levi and Kenny remains hidden for much of the story. Levi grows up unaware of Kenny’s true identity, only knowing him as the man who taught him to fight and then left. It’s only in Kenny’s final moments, dying beneath a tree after the battle at the Reiss Chapel, that he confesses the truth to Levi. Yes, Kenny Ackerman is Levi Ackerman’s uncle. Kenny revealed he was the brother of Levi’s deceased mother, Kuchel Ackerman, adding another layer of complexity and tragedy to their already violent history.
Why Does Levi Seem to Hate Kenny? Unpacking the Animosity
Levi’s feelings towards Kenny are far more complex than simple hatred, but the deep-seated animosity is undeniable. It’s a potent cocktail brewed from years of trauma, betrayal, and fundamental opposition. Kenny represented a past Levi fought desperately to escape, and their reunion brought nothing but violence and loss, reinforcing Levi’s negative perception of his former mentor.
Levi’s seeming hatred for Kenny stems from childhood abandonment, Kenny’s ruthless violence clashing with Levi’s morals, and direct, violent confrontations where Kenny prioritized his own goals over their past or familial ties, even attempting to kill Levi.
The Trauma of Childhood Abandonment
Imagine being a child, alone and starving beside your mother’s corpse in the squalor of the Underground, only to be found by a man who teaches you violence as the only means of survival, and then vanishes without a word. This was Levi’s reality. Kenny abandoned Levi after teaching him survival skills, feeling he wasn’t fit to be a parent. This act left deep emotional scars on Levi, contributing significantly to his resentment, profound trust issues, and the belief that Kenny left because Levi disappointed him. This core wound festered, shaping Levi’s guarded personality and likely fueling his later antagonism towards Kenny.
Conflicting Ideologies and Morals
Years after the abandonment, Levi and Kenny found themselves on opposite sides of a brutal conflict, their worldviews having diverged sharply. Levi, molded by the camaraderie and sacrifice of the Survey Corps, developed a deep sense of responsibility and value for human life, striving for a future beyond the Walls. Kenny remained the ruthless individualist, driven by a cynical pursuit of power and seeing others merely as tools or obstacles. Levi values justice and protecting others, influenced by the Survey Corps. Kenny, the ruthless “Ripper,” pursued power selfishly. This fundamental clash in values and morality fueled Levi’s disdain for Kenny’s methods and goals. Kenny’s casual disregard for life, treating conflict like a game, was anathema to Levi, who bore the weight of every soldier lost under his command.
Violent Confrontations and Betrayal
Their reunion wasn’t one of reconciliation; it was marked by immediate, lethal hostility. Kenny, leading the Anti-Personnel Control Squad, ambushed Levi and his squad, gunning down soldiers Nifa and Keiji without hesitation. This act horrified Levi, not just for the loss of his comrades, but for Kenny’s gleeful cruelty. Direct fights, like the tavern ambush where Kenny relentlessly tried to kill Levi without hesitation, solidified Levi’s view of Kenny as a ruthless betrayer who prioritized his own twisted goals above any past connection or familial tie. Kenny’s actions demonstrated he saw Levi not as family or a former protégé, but simply as an enemy to be eliminated in his pursuit of the Founding Titan.
Did Kenny Actually Hate Levi? Exploring Kenny’s Motives
While Levi’s animosity seems clear, Kenny’s feelings towards Levi are murkier and far more complex than simple hatred. His actions, though often brutal and seemingly directed against Levi, were driven by his own deep-seated issues, obsessions, and a twisted worldview, rather than specific malice towards his nephew. Understanding Kenny requires looking beyond the violence to his confessions and final actions.
Kenny likely didn’t “hate” Levi in a simple sense. His actions stemmed from profound self-loathing (“not father material”), a cynical worldview shaped by persecution and his relationship with Uri Reiss, and a desperate quest for power and understanding, rather than specific malice towards Levi.
Kenny’s View on Parenthood: “Not Father Material”
One of the most direct insights into Kenny’s reasoning comes from his deathbed confession. He didn’t abandon Levi out of spite or indifference. Instead, he saw himself as fundamentally incapable of providing the care a child needs. Kenny explicitly told Levi he abandoned him because he believed himself unfit to be a parent figure, suggesting his departure stemmed from self-perceived inadequacy and perhaps a twisted form of protection, not hatred for Levi. This admission paints a picture of a man deeply flawed and aware of his limitations, choosing distance over potentially causing more harm through his inability to nurture.
Kenny’s Selfish Pursuit of Power and Understanding
Kenny’s life was defined by a relentless pursuit of strength and a desire to understand the world, particularly the compassion he witnessed in Uri Reiss. His service to Rod Reiss and the hunt for Eren and Historia were steps towards obtaining the god-like power of the Founding Titan. He believed this power might grant him the perspective or feeling he lacked, the ability to see the world as Uri did. His conflict with Levi and the Survey Corps was less personal and more incidental—they were simply obstacles in his path to achieving this ultimate goal. Kenny wasn’t driven by hatred for Levi, but by an obsession for something else entirely.
Actions vs. Intent: Kenny’s Complex Feelings
Despite the violence and attempts on Levi’s life, Kenny’s actions occasionally hinted at something other than pure animosity. He did take Levi in and teach him to survive, arguably saving his life initially. His decision to give Levi the Titan serum in his final moments is particularly telling. He could have used it to save himself or simply died with it. Despite trying to kill him, Kenny’s final act of giving Levi the Titan serum, and hints of pride in Levi’s growth (“You’ve grown”), suggest complex, perhaps conflicted, feelings rather than pure hatred towards his nephew. It implies a flicker of connection, perhaps regret, or even a final, warped gesture of passing something on.
How Did Kenny Influence Levi’s Life and Development?
Kenny Ackerman cast a long, complex shadow over Levi’s entire existence. His presence, actions, and eventual abandonment were arguably the most formative experiences of Levi’s youth, fundamentally shaping the man he became – both his strengths and his deep-seated flaws. The influence was profound, extending from combat skills to psychological makeup.
Kenny heavily influenced Levi by teaching him crucial survival and combat skills necessary for life in the harsh Underground. However, his subsequent abandonment also fostered Levi’s deep distrust of others, fierce independence, and perhaps paradoxically, reinforced Levi’s own value for human connection and life.
Teaching Survival Skills in the Underground
The most direct and tangible influence Kenny had was teaching Levi how to fight and survive. In the brutal environment of the Underground, these weren’t just skills; they were lifelines. Kenny taught Levi knife handling, brawling, and likely the foundational principles that later translated into his mastery of ODM gear. Levi’s signature reverse-grip knife style is often speculated to be a direct result of Kenny’s tutelage. This harsh training forged Levi into a capable survivor long before he became a soldier.
Shaping Levi’s Distrust and Independence
Kenny’s greatest psychological impact stemmed from his abandonment. Being left alone after forming a dependent bond, however dysfunctional, ingrained a deep distrust of others in Levi. It taught him the harsh lesson that relying on anyone was dangerous. This fostered his extreme independence and self-reliance, but also made it difficult for him to form close bonds or express vulnerability. Kenny’s departure solidified Levi’s belief that connections were temporary and ultimately unreliable.
The Lasting Impact: Valuing Life Differently
Interestingly, growing up under the tutelage of someone as violent and cynical as Kenny seemed to have an inverse effect on Levi’s core values regarding life. Witnessing Kenny’s casual brutality and self-interest may have solidified Levi’s own innate compassion and fierce loyalty to those he chose to trust. Ironically, being raised by the life-devaluing Kenny may have reinforced Levi’s innate compassion and deep value for his comrades’ lives, highlighting a nature vs. nurture theme in Attack on Titan. While Kenny saw people as disposable, Levi dedicated his life to protecting them, perhaps as a direct rejection of the philosophy Kenny embodied.
FAQs About Why Levi Hates Kenny:
Does Levi explicitly say he hates Kenny?
No, Levi doesn’t typically verbalize emotions like “hate.” His animosity is shown through his actions, his determination to stop Kenny, his horrified reactions to Kenny’s violence (like Nifa’s death), and his generally antagonistic stance during their confrontations. The feeling is evident, even if unspoken.
Why did Kenny kill Levi’s friends/comrades?
Kenny killed members of Levi’s squad because they were obstacles to his mission and represented the Survey Corps, who were opposing Rod Reiss’s regime (which Kenny served at the time). For Kenny, it was purely tactical; their connection to Levi was secondary to them being enemies in his path.
Was Levi sad when Kenny died?
Levi’s reaction was complex. He showed a grim, somber demeanor rather than overt sadness or relief. He listened intently to Kenny’s final words, asked questions, and acknowledged their connection (“Kenny… Are you… my…”). It suggested a sense of loss for what might have been, or perhaps closure on a painful chapter, rather than simple grief.
What was Kenny’s final message to Levi?
Kenny confessed he was Kuchel’s brother (Levi’s uncle), explained why he abandoned Levi (“I wasn’t fit to be anyone’s parent”), reflected on how everyone is a “slave to something” (power, dreams, survival), and gave Levi the Titan serum, questioning why Kenny himself didn’t use it.
Did Kenny know Levi was an Ackerman from the start?
Yes, Kenny knew Levi was his nephew, the son of his sister Kuchel Ackerman. He intentionally kept this information from Levi during the time he raised him, only revealing the truth just before his death.
If Kenny didn’t hate Levi, why try to kill him?
Kenny’s attempts to kill Levi stemmed from his ruthless pragmatism and singular focus on his goals. Levi was opposing him and the regime Kenny served; therefore, Levi was an enemy combatant who needed to be eliminated. For Kenny, mission objectives and self-preservation likely superseded any lingering familial sentiment during combat.
Who was stronger, Levi or Kenny?
This is debatable. Kenny taught Levi much of what he knew, and their fights were intense. Kenny had more experience with anti-personnel combat using guns. However, Levi ultimately survived their encounters, adapted quickly, and is widely regarded as “Humanity’s Strongest” primarily due to his unparalleled skill against Titans and his adaptability in various combat scenarios. In their final encounters, Levi seemed to have the edge.
What did Kenny mean by being a “slave to something”?
Kenny observed that everyone, himself included, is driven or enslaved by something – be it alcohol, women, power, dreams, family, the King, or even God. He saw this as a fundamental part of the human (or perhaps sentient) condition, a driving force that dictates actions, often irrationally.
Did Kenny regret abandoning Levi?
Kenny never explicitly stated regret in the conventional sense. However, his admission that he wasn’t “fit to be a parent” suggests an awareness of his failings. Giving Levi the serum could also be interpreted as a final, complex gesture acknowledging their connection, possibly tinged with unspoken regret or a desire to pass something meaningful on.
How did finding out Kenny was his uncle affect Levi?
The revelation added another layer of tragedy and complexity to Levi’s understanding of his past and his relationship with Kenny. It likely reinforced his feelings about the harshness of the world and the tangled nature of family. While deeply impactful, Levi, true to his nature, processed it internally without overt emotional display.
Summary: A Relationship Forged in Trauma and Conflict
The relationship between Levi and Kenny Ackerman is one of Attack on Titan‘s most compelling and tragic dynamics. Levi’s seeming hatred isn’t born from simple malice, but from the deep wounds of childhood abandonment, a fundamental clash of morals where Kenny’s ruthless pursuit of power trampled on Levi’s value for life, and the stark reality of Kenny’s attempts to kill him. Kenny’s actions painted him as a betrayer in Levi’s eyes, regardless of the complex motivations simmering beneath his uncle’s surface – self-loathing, a desperate search for meaning, and perhaps even a twisted sense of pride in the man Levi became.
Kenny’s influence shaped Levi profoundly, equipping him with deadly skills while simultaneously scarring him with deep-seated trust issues. Yet, paradoxically, Kenny’s brutal example may have solidified Levi’s commitment to protecting his comrades. Their story is a dark reflection on family, survival, and the conflicting ways individuals cope with the cruel world of Attack on Titan.
What are your thoughts on the Levi and Kenny dynamic? Do you think “hate” accurately describes Levi’s feelings, or is it something more complex? Share your perspective in the comments below!
