Is Mikasa In Love With Eren?

Warning: Manga spoilers will be ahead! We will be marking the segment which the manga spoilers will start

In Season 4 Part 2, a significant scene between Eren and Mikasa ensued. It made fans wonder: what is the exact nature of Mikasa’s feelings towards Eren? Does she view him as a family member? Or a lover?

In the scene, they were stationed somewhere in Marley and stumbled upon refugees. Eren wandered off on his own while the Survey Corps are discussing their plans. This led to Mikasa searching for him.

Eren then asked Mikasa the question: What am I to you?

Mikasa stuttered, the question catching her off guard. She then proceeded to say, “You’re family.”

But is her reply true? This article will be giving you the answer by referring to the anime and manga! Rest assured that we will be giving a warning before proceeding to the manga reference, so that you will not be spoiled.

Eren Saved Mikasa

In Season 1, we were shown that Eren and Mikasa met when Eren’s father, Grisha, was to meet with Mikasa’s parents as a doctor. When the tragedy happened with Mikasa’s parents brutally murdered, Eren saved her. Eren killed the murderers who planned on trafficking Mikasa.

In such a severely scarring event, Mikasa sounded hopeless at first that she no longer has a home. Grisha then offered her to stay with them, and Eren affirmed that she has new home. He then wrapped his red scarf around her so she could get warm.

That very moment touched Mikasa’s heart. It has left a mark on her mind and heart. This is the foundation of Mikasa’s feelings towards Eren. It was made apparent that whenever Mikasa thinks about Eren, she remembered Eren wrapping his scarf around her vividly.

Since this is what jumpstarted Mikasa’s feelings, it is easy to assume that Mikasa viewed Eren as someone very important to her. He gave her a home when she has lost one. He gave her warmth when she needed it. He was a hero in her eyes. At first, this could be interpreted that she viewed Eren as a new family.

Read More: Can Ackermans Become Titans?

The Red Scarf

Mikasa treasured the memory so much that she wears the red scarf anytime and everywhere. We rarely get to see her remove the scarf. It is the most important object to her and is a symbol of her bond with Eren.

With her attachment to the scarf, it was clear that Mikasa’s feelings towards him are deep. The memory of him wrapping his scarf around her is deeply engraved. This can be the first hint that she may not view him as her family, but instead as a potential love interest. But it can still be interpreted that it was just because he was the only family she has left, given her past.

The only time she has let go of her scarf is when Eren had gone rogue. It was when he had hurt her, and deflected from Survey Corps. She removed the scarf, a telltale sign of her pain towards his actions. She thought that Eren really hated her, so it made her heartbroken. Moreover, she does not approve of his Rumbling plan too.

Mikasa’s Goal Revolves Around Eren

Eren’s importance to her was made apparent when Mikasa told Eren that she will follow him whenever he goes. If Eren wants to join Survey Corps, she will join too. If he prefers Military Police, then she will prefer that one too.

It was as if she had made it her life’s goal to be with Eren. This is why she was always saddened whenever Eren separates himself from them. She expressed this sentiment to Armin, and wondered why Eren always wanted to do things on his own.

Most notably, when Mikasa heard that Eren “died” during the Trost battle, Mikasa had lost her will to live. She even got herself ready to get eaten by a Titan. It was only until she recalled Eren’s words to her to fight that she regained her will back.

When Eren saved her that day, he gave Mikasa a reason to live. Something to strive for. He also awakened Mikasa’s dormant Ackerman powers. She decided to fight and live on for Eren.

When Eren betrayed the Survey Corps, Mikasa’s world have come crashing down. She was in denial at first, and did not want to believe Eren’s painful words. But when she came to terms with it, she grew more withdrawn. She also removed her red scarf. This was the start of Mikasa’s own character development separate from Eren’s. This was probably the point that Mikasa realized that her goals revolved around Eren, and thus needed to be independent from him.

Considering this, it is the major hint that Mikasa’s feelings for Eren probably ran deeper than being a family to her. It was not something simple as being a family… it was something quite complex.

Read More: Were Ymir and Historia Together?

Mikasa’s Protectiveness

Mikasa is also highly protective of Eren, and she usually loses her calm composure whenever Eren is in danger. She gets impulsive, and Levi has to calm her down. In the first instance, Mikasa rushed off to save Eren in the forest despite Levi’s warnings. Mikasa even blamed Levi on endangering Eren’s safety.

Speaking of this, Mikasa also wanted to exact revenge against Levi for beating up Eren in the trial. Levi’s status as the Survey Corps captain and his intimidating demeanor did not faze Mikasa at all. She seemed to be the only character who does not fear him even in the slightest. It was all because she remembered Levi beating up Eren.

Mikasa’s protectiveness even annoyed Eren especially in the earlier seasons. Eren even lost his temper towards her when she wanted to come with him. He probably found Mikasa’s protectiveness overbearing, and he wanted to prove himself as a formidable soldier who does not need saving. Mikasa wanted him to assure her he’ll come back safe and sound.

The Alleged Kiss

There were reports that the Attack on Titan author, Hajime Isayama, intended to make Eren and Mikasa kiss way back in Season 2’s Episode 37 or in the manga’s chapter 50. However, he was too shy to draw them and was concerned about writing their dynamics after the kiss.

If we recall that episode, it is where Hannes just got killed by a Titan. Eren got immensely frustrated that he cannot do anything. He screamed his anger to himself, and that he had not changed things.

Mikasa was there to comfort him, and reminded Eren of how he saved her. She expressed her gratitude towards him, even shedding tears. This was probably one of the rare times we get to see her more vulnerable and softer side.

From her movements, it seemed as though she was leaning towards him. This further supported the report that Isayama originally intended for them to kiss. It also gave off a romantic vibe, considering the atmosphere seemed bright. Mikasa’s face is showing a faint blush, and her eyes are sparkling. It is quite ironic because at that time, they were surrounded by Titans with a slim chance of surviving.

From that scene alone, it can be assumed that Mikasa’s feelings lean more to a romantic side. If he is just a family to her, then there would be no indication that she was leaning in towards him. She could have just hugged him instead. The scene would not have given off a romantic vibe with all the lighting and slow-mos.

Mikasa’s Jealousy

To further support Mikasa’s possible romantic feelings, in Season 3, Eren and Historia were seen talking to one another. Mikasa then approached them with an almost unreadable expression, yet her eyes expressed her displeasure. She then took over Eren’s task, and offered to accompany Historia instead.

Mikasa’s Hesitation and Hope

Despite being deeply hurt by Eren’s betrayal, Mikasa still holds onto hope that Eren will come back to his senses. When Armin assumed that Eren activated the Rumbling to help them, Mikasa wanted to believe it. She even asked in a soft tone, “Did he truly come back?”

During the Rumbling plan, Mikasa still does not entertain the idea of killing Eren. Annie confronted her about this, as killing Eren would be the most sensible solution. Mikasa argued back that it is not the only solution, in which Annie berated her that her only goal in life is all about Eren.

At that point, Mikasa did not want to face the reality that killing Eren might be their only solution. How could she when she had been devoted to Eren ever since they were children?

Mikasa also started bargaining by herself at this point. She reflected back to the question Eren asked of her: What am I to you?

She wondered if things could have been different if she had given a different answer… which already is an obvious indication that she does not merely see him as family. She views him as a love interest… her beloved. Her partner and soulmate.

Read More: What is Zeke Yeager’s Plan?

MANGA SPOILERS

If you are an anime watcher only, then this section may not be for you. It will contain spoilers from the manga. Do not scroll any further.

Alternate Reality

When Mikasa came face to face with Eren to kill him, Eren gave her an illusion of what life would have been if Mikasa admitted her true feelings.

They apparently ran away together from everything and everyone. They lived together as a couple in a cottage, located in the middle of nowhere. Their fellow comrades have been searching for them, but they have decided to leave everyone behind. Mikasa showed hesitation of their decision, but Eren insisted that he wanted to spend the rest of his short life with just her.

Eren then told Mikasa to dispose of the scarf once he dies so that she will be free of him. He wanted her to be happy.

The Kiss

It is now a real kiss this time. She decapitated Eren and bade him goodbye by kissing him on the lips. It is utterly tragic. She only ever expressed her true feelings when Eren had died. Eren also had not witnessed Mikasa’s feelings by himself. He only learned it from Armin, in which the latter told him that it was stupid to think that Mikasa will find someone else to love.

So, without any doubt at all, Mikasa is truly in love with Eren.