Attack on Titan is one of anime’s most compelling and well-written stories, and it is filled with mysteries that fans are still attempting to unravel years later. As the series progressed, many of these puzzling questions were answered by the mangaka, Hajime Isayama. For example, viewers discovered crucial details about the series, such as how Titans came to be, the variety of distinctions between different types of Abnormal Titans, and how one inherits Titan powers.

The lore of Attack on Titan gets extremely deep and complicated, but the series does a phenomenal job at explaining necessary key points of the storyline and characters. However, all these years later, a few mysteries still have not been cleared up, or explored further.

Some of the biggest questions in the series that have gone unanswered are in regard to the mysterious and immensely powerful Ackerman clan. Mikasa Ackerman and Levi Ackerman, two main characters in the franchise, are members of this clan. Although their individual backstories were explored in detail, there are still many aspects of the Ackermans’ powers that remain secrets.

The Ackermans Are Amazingly Powerful, With Superhuman Strength

Mikasa and Levi are two of the most talented and physically mighty members of the Survey Corps

Mikasa’s phenomenal abilities with blades and ODM gear and Levi’s agility and brawn are unmistakable when watching the frequent Titan battles throughout Attack on Titan. Rather quickly, Mikasa rose in the ranks and became the number one Survey Corps member in her class, while Levi is an experienced squad captain who proudly boasts the title “humanity’s strongest soldier”. It is pretty widely accepted that Mikasa and Levi are two of the strongest characters in the series by far, but where this strength originated from is a bit puzzling. Both individuals were able to first access this superhuman skill in a dire situation.

Mikasa and Eren were both almost killed when Mikasa was attacked by kidnappers. She boldly defended the young boy, using her previously undiscovered Ackerman powers that were ignited at that moment. In a new manga chapter by Isayama titled “Bad Boy”, he revealed that Levi’s skills were awakened in a similar, tragic occurrence. Levi lost his beloved mother and, reeling from the earth-shattering loss, had a run-in with heartless criminals who attacked him after he found his mother’s tea set and tried to take it back. In the midst of the physical violence inflicted upon him, his powers were unearthed suddenly.

Ackermans Cannot Become Titans, Setting Them Apart From Eldians

Mikasa and Levi were never at risk of becoming Titans, due to their inherited Ackerman powers

However, although Mikasa and Levi’s origin stories were pretty well outlined in the series, one more baffling question surrounding the Ackermans’ powers remains: why are these characters immune to turning into Titans? The series revealed that due to their status as Subjects of the founder Ymir, any Eldian can become a Titan at any time. However, this fact does not hold true for the Ackermans and many viewers have wondered why this is. Titan immunity is not the only unique ability the Ackerman clan has. It is also impossible for an Ackerman clan member to have their memories changed, altered, or erased.

In a multitude of ways, the Ackermans are different from any other characters; Eldians, Marleyans, or any others. They have been shown to possess powers and immunities that make them resilient and nearly unstoppable on the battlefield. Mikasa and Levi both have killed more Titans than most other members of the Survey Corps, and no one can argue that the pair represent the top talent in the fight against the Titans. However, even though the story of Attack on Titan has concluded, there are still many unknown details surrounding how the Ackermans’ powers work and why they operate the way that they do.

Numerous Details Regarding The Ackermans’ Powers Remain Unknown

This conundrum remains one of Attack on Titan’s largest and most pressing mysteries

Unless Hajime Isayama releases another background chapter, fans may never have all their questions about the Ackermans’ powers answered. It is plausible that Isayama could write another chapter similar to “Bad Boy”, which elaborated on the mystery of Levi’s backstory. Another future chapter could definitely satisfy the curiosity fans have about the Ackermans’ skills. However, even if Isayama chooses never to delve deeper into these baffling mysteries, Mikasa and Levi are undeniably two of the most interesting and powerful Attack on Titan characters, and what has been revealed about their stories thus far shows they are incredibly written heroes as they are.