Attack On Titan: The Main Characters Ranked By Intelligence
The world of Attack on Titan is brutal and hard. To survive on Paradis Island or inside the containment zone of Marley requires wit, quick thinking, and the ability to analyze a situation from multiple angles. Many of the characters introduced in the series have demonstrated their level of intelligence in high-stakes battles, but there are other types of intelligence as well.
While some characters are known for their strategic thinking and planning others excel at digesting information in the blink of an eye and reacting to it appropriately. It's not enough to be strong, in order to survive characters have to be smart, too.
10 Dot Pyxis
Dot Pyxis is the top officer of the Garrison Regiment in the southern district and played a crucial role in the defense of Trost District when it was attacked by the Armored and Colossal Titans. He is level-headed and possesses a unique ability to stay rational even in tense situations.
He wisely put his subordinate Ian Dietrich in charge of the elite soldiers tasked with protecting Eren as he attempted to seal the breach in Wall Rose, which proved crucial to the success of the operation given that other squad leaders were tempted to abandon the mission.
9 Mikasa Ackerman
Although she is quiet and rarely makes her opinions known, Mikasa Ackerman is one of the most analytical characters in the series. She is arguably the second most dangerous soldier in the Scout Regiment and is behind only Captain Levi in terms of skill. Her capability using Omni Directional Mobility Gear is further testament to her quick thinking and analytical skills, and whatever she does she acts as if she was born with a natural gift.
In her fights against Annie Leonhart, she demonstrated her perceptive ability by targeting Annie's joint to disable her moment and prevent her escape.
8 Annie Leonhart
As a member of the elite Warrior Unit, Annie Leonhart distinguished herself early on as one of Marley's best and brightest. She has a strong sense of self-preservation and is able to use her keen awareness to quickly assess a situation and determine if she needs to fight or flee in order to survive.
In her attempt to capture Eren she demonstrated her intelligence when she adroitly responded to Levi's blistering attack by going on the defensive and protecting the nape of her neck. Even when she was eventually captured, she avoided interrogation by encasing herself in a diamond using her hardening ability to bide her time until she could escape.
7 Reiner Braun
Reiner has sharp intellect and strategic prowess. While he originally struggled as a member of the Warrior Unit he eventually grew into his role and became the de facto leader of the infiltration mission to retrieve the Founding Titan.
Through repeated battles Reiner proved himself to be a visionary commander who knows what it takes to win. He orchestrated the successful attack against Wall Maria, and he would have breached Wall Rose as well if not for the timely emergence of Eren's Titan powers.
6 Eren Jaeger
Eren Jaeger is unique in that he is arguably one of the least intelligent characters at the start of the series. As a cadet he repeatedly acts without thinking, putting himself and his fellow cadets in harm's way.
However, over time he becomes increasingly self-aware and strategic as he unlocks the secrets of the Attack Titan. His reckless behavior becomes more calculated and cunning, such as when he correctly anticipates the Scouts coming to save him after he infiltrates Marley in an unauthorized surprise attack.
5 Levi Ackerman
Widely considered to be humanity's strongest soldier, Levi Ackerman is more than just a talented killer. In his role as a captain of the Scouts he successfully led numerous challenging missions and was often tasked with personally protecting Eren from enemies. He is able to quickly analyze situations better than almost anyone alive, as demonstrated by his peerless skill with ODM gear.
During his fight with the Beast Titan outside Wall Maria, he managed to effectively attack Zeke's nape despite having no trees or buildings nearby, highlighting his resourcefulness and perceptiveness.
4 Zeke Jaeger
In contrast to humanity's strongest soldier, Zeke Jaeger is viewed as Marley's strongest warrior. The War Chief of the elite Warrior Unit has demonstrated his devious intelligence multiples times in his encounters with the Scouts. He is a strategic thinker who is able to plan multiple steps ahead and is well aware of his strengths and weaknesses.
In the battle to retake Wall Maria, Zeke's throw attack decimated the Scouts, and even though he was defeated by Levi he was able to escape with his life. His decision to play both sides of the conflict between Marley and Paradis Island to advance his own goals is further proof of his ability to weigh the scales of battle and determine the surest path to victory.
3 Armin Arlelt
Armin Arlelt is the most quintessentially intelligent character in the series. He is curious and book smart along with being a brilliant tactician. His plan to block the breach is Wall Rose proved to be a turning point in humanity's fight against the Titans and cemented his status as a key member of the Scouts.
In addition to being highly analytical, Armin is also the most emotionally intelligent character in the series. He cares for both allies and enemies and feels profound sadness at any loss of human life. During the raid on Liberio, he emerged from his Titan form with tears running down his cheeks, which demonstrated how much more empathetic he is than his peers.
2 Hange Zoe
Hange Zoe's curiosity and intelligence are her defining features. She was the first person inside the walls to study Titans from a scientific perspective and managed to maintain detached from her terrifying subjects in order to stay objective.
She is a brilliant inventor and was responsible for turning Erwin's and Armin's strategies into reality through her ingenuity, such as her invention of the Special Target Restraining Weapon designed to capture the Female Titan. While she is not Armin's equal in terms of strategic planning, Hange's pure thirst for knowledge is unmatched.
1 Erwin Smith
Erwin Smith proved himself time and again to be both an excellent commander and genius strategist. The former commander of the Scouts came up with brilliant tactics including the Long-Distance Enemy Scouting Formation that were employed with great success in the war against the Titans and Marleyan Warriors.
Erwin is a visionary leader who will stop at nothing in his quest to defeat the threats facing the Eldians of Paradis Island. He is able to remain rational even in the most trying situations, such as when he accurately calculated that the only way to buy enough time for Eren to defeat the Armored and Colossal Titans at Wall Maria was through a suicidal charge.