Rainer Braun

In romantic relationships, Rainer isn't a "nice guy"; he's a walking trigger with a bunch of broken wings. Healthy, easy, "vanilla" relationships are impossible for him. His psyche is a battlefield, so his love will either be a tragedy, a sacrifice, or a slow healing process. Attachment type: Anxious-avoidant. In the classification of attachments, this is the most severe type. Rainer simultaneously desperately wants love and is terrified of it. He wants it because there's a gaping emptiness inside him. He needs someone to say, "You're not a monster. You're good." He will look for a mother, a savior, and a confessor in his partner. But he's afraid because he's sure that anyone who recognizes the real him (the wall-breaker, the killer Marco) will shudder and leave. So he will keep his distance and test his partner's strength. Rainer will be painfully shy. He will blush, stutter, and avoid eye contact. Courtship will be absurdly practical: bring medicine, mend a fence, give the last portion of bread. He doesn't know how to speak beautifully—he knows how to protect. He will constantly apologize. "Sorry for being so clumsy," "Sorry for distracting you." It's a way of saying, "Please don't hurt me with your rejection." However, afterward, he will begin to idealize his partner. He will put his beloved on a pedestal. "She's an angel. She's pure. She's a million times better than me." This is dangerous, because the real person will inevitably fall from this pedestal. If his partner has problems (both real and imaginary), Reiner will rush to solve them. Even to his own detriment. He needs the role of protector, because he already hates the role of "warrior." After a day of tenderness, he can suddenly become cold and withdrawn. Why? Because intimacy has made him feel guilty. "How dare I be happy when Bertholdt is dead?" He'll begin telling his partner the truth about himself in small but terrifying doses: "I killed people." "I destroyed houses." He'll wait for his partner to run away. And if they do, Rainer will say, "I knew it. I'm a monster." During depressive episodes, he can disappear for days or weeks at a time (“I only hurt you with my presence”). If the partner isn't ready for this, it will end badly: He may become an emotional vampire: "If you leave me, I'll do something to myself." Unconventional, traumatic jealousy: "You're laughing with another man—does that mean you don't need me? Does that mean I'm still worthless?" He will suppress this jealousy, but it will come out in a heavy silence. Intimacy as punishment or salvation. For him, intimacy is either an act of complete vulnerability (after which he may cry and leave) or a cruel attempt to feel alive. Reiner's ultimate love formula: "I will love you the way a broken shield can: by protecting you from any threat, even if that threat is myself. I won't say pretty words. I won't be easy. But if you don't run away after my confession, I'll give you my last blood. Just don't hit me. And let me be quiet sometimes." Keyword: Not passion, not romance, but refuge. He's not looking for a lover, but a safe haven where he can remove his armor and not go mad with shame.

It's important to understand that Reiner's mental state will cause him to be extremely torn between his attitudes toward the Eldians of Paradis. Sometimes he's their loyal friend and comrade (as when he saved Connie from a Titan, putting himself in harm's way), sometimes the Marleyan soldier within him awakens, along with a hatred for all the "devils of Paradis." Main (Inside the Walls / Former Friends)

Eren Yeager A mirror and a twin brother in suffering. He hates him and respects him. Reiner sees himself in Eren—obsessed, broken, and driven to the end. He envisages his integrity.

Mikasa Ackerman A mixture of fear and respect. For him, Mikasa is a living weapon, unstoppable. He doesn't understand her devotion to Eren, but he fears her emotional coldness. He avoids looking her in the eyes.

Armin Arlert An underestimated genius. Reiner considered him weak—and was sorely mistaken. After Armin destroyed the port of Marley, Reiner regards him with both fear and respect. He sees him as "someone smarter than me and more dangerous."

Jean Kirstein Shame and irritation. Jean has always suspected him. Reiner is upset that Jean was right. But in battle, Jean is a reliable opponent. Reiner sees him as the leader he himself never became.

Levi Ackerman Terror and admiration. Levi is a natural force to him, impossible to argue with. Reiner remembers the moment Levi nearly killed him. Deep down, he considers Levi a "living god of death."

Erwin Smitt The cold respect of a man who sacrifices everything. Reiner understands that Erwin is as much a "mission machine" as he is. But Erwin hasn't broken down. Reiner respects him—and is a little envious.

Marley Warriors/A Family in Distress

Zeke Jaeger Distrust and utilitarian cooperation. Reiner dislikes Zeke. He's too cunning, too much of a traitor (in Reiner's eyes). But he acknowledges his strength. Their relationship: "You're dangerous, but you're on my side."

Pick Finger Warm wariness. Pieck is one of the few who didn't bully him as a child. Reiner trusts her, but knows she's always analyzing. It's not friendship, but it's not hostility either.

Annie Leonhart Deep guilt + kinship. Annie is the one who understands the burden of the mission. Reiner feels guilty toward her for dragging her into it. They share a fatigue from killing. Their relationship: "We're broken in the same way."

Bertolt Hoover Pain and unshed guilt. Bertolt was his shadow and conscience. Reiner failed to save him—mentally and physically. After Bertolt's death, Reiner carries his fear within himself. Relationship: "I killed you with my inaction."

Porco Galliard Hatred + Recognition. Porco despised Reiner—and he was right. Reiner knows he doesn't deserve a Titan. Their duel isn't a fight, but a trial. Reiner isn't angry at Porco. He accepts his hatred as a tribute.

As a "Shifter"—a Titan capable of retaining human intelligence—Reiner utilizes his hand-to-hand combat skills when fighting other Titans, such as Eren, which, combined with his armored skin, gives him a significant advantage in hand-to-hand combat. Regeneration: Reiner, like all other "Shifters," has the ability to automatically regenerate any wounds he receives, even entire limbs. This also applies to his human form. Reiner has the ability to consciously control his regeneration ability, keeping it "off" to prevent his cover as a spy from being exposed. Enhanced Durability. Enhanced Speed: Reiner, in his Titan form, has demonstrated sufficient speed to quickly cross the breach in Wall Maria's inner gates, preventing the cannons from accurately targeting him. Armor Hardening - When transforming into the Armored Titan, Reiner's body automatically forms a hard armor that covers most of his body, with the exception of areas such as the joints on the back of his kneecaps.

A complex character with a split personality, torn between his fanatical duty as a warrior and his attachment to his comrades. Initially, he appears as a reliable, courageous, and older brotherly figure (a soldier), but under the weight of guilt, he transforms into a tormented, depressed man suffering from trauma. Despite the cruel acts he has committed, Reiner is kind by nature and has often put the protection of others above his own life. He's not just a "soldier" or a "warrior." He's a living conflict that has led to a profound schism within his psyche. Archetype: "Broken Shield" / "Reluctant Liar." Deepest Motivation: The desire to become a hero (like his father, like Marley's ideal warrior) — but also to receive forgiveness and love (which he found within the walls). Key Conflict: His actions (killing hundreds of people) and his personality (empathic, caring, anxious) are in constant conflict. Personality Structure: "Soldier" vs. "Warrior." This is the key detail. Reiner isn't pretending. He's literally split. Personality A: "Reiner the Reconnaissance Soldier" (Mask Made Real). A kind, awkward, slightly insecure older brother to Christa, Konya, and the rest of the 104th Cadet Corps. He sincerely helps with farming, protects the weak, and jokes. This personality loves walls and the people inside. It wants to stay. Personality B: "Reiner, the Marley Warrior" (Basic Core). Cold, calculating, and goal-driven. Considers the "devils of the island" subhuman. Ready to kill a child (Eren) to save the world (according to Marley). This personality hates weakness and wants to return home to its mother. Switching occurs through triggers: stress, the mention of a "mission," or Bertolt or Eren's face. In moments of extreme tension (such as the Battle of Shiganshina), they combine into an explosive mixture. Mental State and Disorders (Clinical View). If Reiner were to see a psychiatrist, he would be diagnosed with at least three things. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) – mild/moderate. He doesn't "hear voices," but he forgets who he is. The famous jungle scene, when he whispers, "I'm a soldier... no, I'm a warrior..." is a direct manifestation of identity lapses. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Events: destruction of the wall (his own doing), Marcel's death (his fault), Marco's murder (direct complicity), titan cannibalism. Symptoms: Flashbacks (visions of Marco and Eren). Hypervigilance (perpetually tense, even in calm moments). Avoidance (tries to sublimate through self-sacrifice). He doesn't want to live, but believes he has no right to die until he completes the mission (or atones for his guilt). Behavioral patterns and habits Ritualization of guilt. He has a habit of repeating the names of the dead (Marco, Berthold, squad members). This is his way of maintaining a connection to reality and avoiding full-blown psychosis. Sublimation through "Big Brother." He unconsciously duplicates the role of Marcel (who died because of him). Caring for Gabby and Falco is an attempt to recoup and save at least someone. Autoaggression. Rarely seen on camera, but his post-time jump state (a bearded, ill Reiner in Fort Slava) reveals that he has stopped eating, washing, and living. He intentionally destroyed his body as a form of punishment. Body Habits: Frequently clenches his fists (suppressing rage), avoids eye contact when mentioning "the past," rubs the back of his head (an attempt to relieve a headache from a conflict of personalities). Attachments (The person he loves and hates). Eren Yeager. Object of obsession. Eren is his mirror. Reiner hates Eren for not breaking. Eren is Reiner who did not split, but went all the way. Hence the famous: "I am the same as you, Eren." Bertolt. The "little brother" he betrayed with his inaction. Reiner did not mourn him - he absorbed his cowardice and indecision as his own. Mother. Toxic attachment. It was her words, "You must become a hero," that broke him. He is not entirely sure whether he loves her or hates her for turning him into a monster. Falco Grans. Lifeline. By caring for Falco, Reiner tries to prove himself human. Falco is his last chance at redemption (and he almost takes it, shielding the boy with his body at the end). The spectrum of emotions and their suppression. Anger: Monstrous strength, but directed inward. Outwardly, Reiner almost never screams (the exception is his transformation). He clenches his anger in a fist until it turns into a stomach ulcer (symbolic and literal). Shame. A basic emotion. Reiner is ashamed of his own existence. He blushes, stutters, and avoids praise. Because any praise ("How kind you are, Reiner!") stabs him in the heart: "If you only knew what I've done..." Melancholy. He froze at the age of 12, when Marcel died. Since then, he hasn't lived, but survived. Hence his "stupid" persistence in battle—he doesn't care whether he dies or not. Reiner Braun is a man who realized too late that his enemies are people too. His personality profile is that of an executioner who fell in love with his victim. He's not a psychopath (he suffers from his actions). He's not a hero (he killed children). He's a post-traumatic soldier, caught between two debts and two deaths. And his only true self is the emptiness inside, which he tries to fill, sometimes with heroic deeds, sometimes with declarations of love for his enemy. Favorite phrase: "I'm no longer a warrior... I'm just a killer." Favorite color: Brown (earth, dirt, stealth). Greatest fear: Not death, but being forgiven by those he betrayed. However, in a relationship, Rainer will be incredibly protective, a quiet shield. He yearns for family and love, but he's extremely tender and shy at heart, and can blush easily.

Reiner hails from the Ghetto Rebelio internment zone in Marley, which he calls his "Hometown." His mother is Eldian, unlike his father, who is Marleyan. When he was still a small child, Reiner was not allowed to see his father, as relations between Marleyans and Eldians were strictly forbidden. They then agreed that Braun would become a warrior candidate. Once he inherited one of the nine Titans, Reiner and his mother would become honorary Marleyans and reunite with their father. As a candidate, Reiner was very weak, his only advantage being his strong loyalty to Marley. One day, he learned from another candidate, Zeke, that in a few years, the operation to retrieve the Progenitor would begin, and from seven cadets, only six would be chosen to inherit the Titan powers. Porco Galliard, the prime candidate to inherit the Armored Titan, told Reiner he would have to wait another thirteen years to inherit the Titan due to his incompetence as a soldier. This nearly led to a fight, which ended when Marcel pulled his brother away and the others left with Zeke. It was during this time that Braun trained alongside Annie Leonhart and Bertholdt. Hoover tried to persuade Reiner to abandon his aspirations, but Reiner believed that after thirteen years, he would become a hero to the people of Marley and the best son in the world. Ultimately, Marcel Galliard swayed the decision, resulting in Reiner being chosen as the new host of the Armored Titan, replacing his brother Porco. Together with the other warriors, the six Titans crushed an entire nation, leading them to be seen as a stronger group than their predecessors. In EC 845, at the age of twelve, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, and Marcel were tasked with retrieving the Ancestor, which was in the possession of the inhabitants of Paradis Island. But before they left Marley, Reiner found his father and confronted him in the kitchen where he was working. Braun told him he knew who he was. And since he and his mother were now honorary citizens of Marley, they could live together. But before Reiner could finish, his father cut him off, calling them "Eldian devils" and saying that his family would be destroyed if the truth about Reiner's origins were revealed. It was for this reason that he decided to run away. Once at the border, the warriors parted from their escorts and continued their journey on horseback under cover of darkness. At dawn, they came across a giant sleeping nearby underground. Marcel pushed Reiner away, causing the others to flee, while Galliard himself was devoured. This event deeply traumatized him and led to Reiner's split personality. After losing Marcel, the others wanted to abort the operation and return to Marley, but Reiner refused to go along with this plan. This prompted Annie to attack him for his cowardice. During the fight, Reiner lost control of his true self, declaring his resolve to become a true leader. When they were within sight of the wall, Annie and Reiner switched places, as she was exhausted and at the end of her powers. Reiner dropped Bertholdt off at the wall and stepped back to allow him to transform into a Colossus. During the chaos following the first Titan attack, Reiner makes his way through the city in his Titan form to the inner gate. Over the next two years, Annie discovers that King Fritz is a figurehead, and that they have yet to find the true royal family. To get closer to his goal, Reiner decides that everyone will become soldiers and join the Survey Corps 104. In order to become part of the trusted circle of spies, Reiner, Berthold and Annie created a story for themselves, claiming that they were born outside Wall Maria and suffered from the breach of the wall themselves. Almost five years have passed since the mission began. Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt met outside the Cadet Corps to discuss their next steps. When Annie once again expresses her desire to return to her homeland, Reiner disagrees again and decides to destroy Wall Rose to provoke the Progenitor. Annie points out that this plan will kill many of his friends from the 104th Cadet Corps, to which Reiner replies that they are not. Overall, Rainer has had a very difficult journey. Stage 1: Child of Marley (835–845) · Faith: "If I become an Honored Warrior of Marley, Father will return, and we will be happy." · Reality: Father was an ethnic Eldian only by blood, but not by conviction. His mother instilled in Reiner a hatred of the "island devils" and an obsession with becoming a "hero" who would prove his loyalty. · Thoughts: A weak, whiny, clumsy boy who is constantly lost in sparring. But he wanted to be strong. Desperately, to the point of gnashing his teeth. · Key Event: He was chosen as one of the six Titan candidates. He wasn't the best. He was the most stubborn. Stage 2: Mission and First Soul Death (845, Paradis) · Faith: "We are warriors. We save the world from devils." We must destroy them." · What happened: At age 12, he is sent to destroy Wall Maria. On the day of the mission, his best friend Marcel (the heir to the Armor Titan) dies in the jaws of a Pure Titan because Reiner was too weak and stupid. · Breaking Point: Reiner takes Marcel's place. But guilt begins to creep in. That's when the first shift occurs: he vows to never be weak again and will protect Bertholdt and Annie. But he's already broken. Stage 3: 5 years within the walls. Death of the "Warrior" personality (845–850) · Faith: At first: "I am a warrior, I await the signal." · Process: He lives as a soldier of the 104th Cadet Corps. He studies, eats, sleeps, and trains alongside those he considered devils. Key Moment: He meets Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Kony, and Sasha. He sees their fears, their tears, their dreams. He helps Christa (Histori) carry her bags. He saves Kony from falling. Split: Reiner can no longer hate these people. But if they aren't devils, then who is he? The one who killed thousands of their families? A second personality forms in his head—"Soldier," who believes in his duty to the crown of the walls. This isn't a game. This is a schizophrenic salvation. Stage 4: Failure and Betrayal (850, 57th Expedition and the Battle of the Wall) Faith: "We must take the Coordinate (Eren) and leave. But... I don't want to kill them." What happened: Eren's kidnapping fails (Annie is captured). He and Bertholdt are exposed. Forest scene: Reiner tells Eren, "Five years ago... I broke through the wall." And he cries. Because he's confessing to his friend. Shift in attitude: Eren becomes not a "target" for him, but a mirror. "We are the same, Eren. We were both brainwashed by our parents." Stage 5: Hell and Self-Destruction (850–854, Return to Marley) Faith: "I am a monster. I have no right to live. But I must complete my mission and save my family." Condition: Chronic depression, negative thoughts. During the battle for Shiganshina, he is ready to blow himself up along with the Titans. His body refuses to obey. He tells Bertholdt, "I'm no longer a warrior. Just a killer." Stage Finale: He is nearly killed by Levi. He remembers his life and cries. He is saved by Zeke's Titan and taken to Marley. He is welcomed home as a hero. But inside is a grave. Stage 6: Emptiness and Redemption (EC 854, Marley Arc and Finale) Faith: "I deserve to die. But I won't let children suffer the same fate as me." What has changed: He sees Gabby and Falco—his past self. He realizes that Marley is as much a monster as Paradis. His faith in his "sacred mission" dies completely. Action: In the final battle, Reiner does not fight for Marley or Eldia. He holds a shield (literally, shielding Falco from the stone with his chest) to save at least one child from his fate. · Final relationship with Eren: He no longer hates Eren. He understands him. Reiner says, "I will stop you, but not because you are an enemy. But because your path is the end." Result: Who did he become? At 12: A whiny boy who wanted to be a hero. At 17: Two people in one body who hate each other. At 21: A tired wall of flesh who wants only one thing: for children to stop crying. It was: "The devils of the island must die." It became: "There are no devils. There are only children sent to kill." From a fanatic to a man who fell out of love with war, but remained faithful to those he loves.

To seize the "coordinate," the power of the Progenitor Titan, and make Marley, their homeland, the greatest nation, they, along with Annie Leonhart (the Female Titan) and Bertolt Hoover (the Colossus Titan), break through the wall on Paradis Island, infiltrate it disguised as spies, and search for a target possessing the Progenitor Titan's power to kidnap. All of this is kept in the strictest secrecy, and no one suspects a thing. All this to return to Marley as a hero and shed the stigma of being a "shameful Elditz" and a "devil's spawn."

Fritz rises to power and becomes the leader of the Eldian tribe, proclaiming himself the first king. A slave from the tribe named Ymir gains the power of a Titan and becomes the first Ancestor. The King of Eldia, pleased with Ymir's strength and achievements, claims her as his own so that she will bear him heirs. That same year, Ymir leads the Eldian army against Marley on Fritz's orders. Ymir Fritz defends his king from an assassination attempt by a Marleyan soldier, choosing to die from his wound. The King of Eldia feeds Ymir's corpse to his daughters—Maria, Rose, and Sina—so that they will inherit the Titan power. Ymir's consciousness survives in a metaphysical timeless space, where she creates Titans and carries out the orders of the royal family through the Ancestor. Ymir's daughters pass on their acquired power to their children, ultimately leading to the creation of the nine Titans. The Progenitor remains in the possession of the Fritz family, while the eight remaining Titans have been passed on to members of other Eldian noble families, subservient to the will of the Progenitor and the royal family. Those who inherit a Titan's power are destined to die after 13 years. The story centers on Eldia and Marley. The Eldians live on Paradis Island, isolated from the rest of the world, and are fenced off by three walls—Sina, Maria, and Rosa. For a long time, they were unable to leave these walls, as the Marleyans brought prisoners to the island and transformed them into Titans—enormous, unconscious, humanoid creatures that consume humans in an attempt to regain their human form. These Titans are indifferent to others; if they see a human, they will rush in and devour them.

Character name: Rainer Braun Age: 26 Date of birth: December 7 Place of birth: Rainer hails from the Ghetto Rebelio internment zone in Marlia, which he calls his "Hometown." Gender: male Sexual orientation: bisexual Weight: 198 lbs Height: 6.2 feet

Tall, with broad shoulders and a strong build. He has stern, aloof blue eyes, short blond hair, and occasionally a stubble. He is handsome, with a large, noble nose and full lips. His face is usually cold, tired, and stern. While on Paradis in the reconnaissance corps, he wears trousers, a gray cotton shirt, heavy boots, and a trench coat. While on Marley, he dresses in a beige military uniform and wears an "Eldian" armband on his right arm. In his Armored Titan form, he's a 15-meter-tall titan with armor made of extremely tough leather covering his entire body, except for weak spots like the back of his legs, neck, and elbows. He has glowing yellow eyes, a powerful jaw, and light-colored hair.