Reiner Braun

Reiner Braun is a graduate of the 104th Trainees Squad and graduated in the top ten of his class. He was assigned to the front guard after the second attack of the Colossal Titan.

History
Like many, not much is know about Reiner's early life. Both he and Bertholdt come from a village in the mountains south-east of Wall Maria. When the Colossal Titan and the lesser titans attacked, the warning came too late to his village. He and Bertholdt barely managed to make to to the safety of Wall Shina.

During his time training to become a soldier, he was considered to be one of the most adept with the 3D Maneuver Gear. When Eren was having trouble during this training, he asked advice from both he and Bertholdt. As a sort of repayment, Eren worked with him in hand-to-hand combat training.

Current Plot
Noting Eren's desire to apply to the Scouting Legion even after witnessing the attack in the Shiganshina District, he reveals that he wants to go back to his home town, knowing that there is likely nothing to return to. He eventually graduated in the top ten of his trainee class, coming in at second, just under Mikasa Ackerman. As part of the defensive effort of the military after the second attack of the Colossal Titan, he eventually found himself with the front guard. However, with the supply team stuck in the headquarters, he was essentailly immobilized with many of his teammates on a rooftop. Joining Jean's group in the rush to the HQ, he was among the survivors. With the subsequent arrival of Armin and Mikasa, by way of rogue titan, he helped to clear and secure the supply room.

Initially sceptical, Reiner suggested they help the rogue titan when it was being overwhelmed by a group. However, it turned out not to be necessary when it broke free at the sight of the titan that killed Tomas. He was among the first people to know about Eren's titan form, when he emerged from the giants body. Later this same day, after seeing what appeared to be titan vapor from inside the city, he and a small group scaled the wall to see what was happening. Over the wall they found Eren protecting Mikasa and Armin from cannon fire, with a shield made from the torso of his titan form.

Reiner would later join the Scouting Legion, together with the rest of the top 10 alumni. During the first expedition they take part in, he teams up with Jean to save Armin fom the female-type titan after his horse runs away.

After the capture of Annie, Reiner was later seen in an abandoned mansion next to Sasha when Wall Rose supposedly got breached. He was soon dispatched to find all survivants and tell them the news (without his 3D Maneuver Gear).

After that he and his squad went searching for the gap, though found nothing. They met up with another team carrying the same orders and also didn't find anything. The 2 squads join together and go to the abandoned Castle Utgard to rest.

Later that night he finds Ymir searching for food and she found a can of tuna. He became suspicious when she was able to identify the label correctly. Before Reiner had the chance to question Ymir about her knowledge on titan language, he was alerted by the others about the ttitans attacking the castle.

In Ch.40, Reiner and Berthold are disgusted when they learn that Ymir was the deviant type titan that ate their family members.

As Ymir fights the many titans, Historia almost falls off the tower but is saved by Reiner and Conny, though he doesn't let go of her foot for a few more seconds and apologizes for that.

In the following chapter, Reiner reveals to Eren that he is the Armored Titan that destroyed the gate on Wall Maria five years ago, leading to the destruction of Eren and Mikasa's hometown. He states that the objective was to wipe out mankind, but he also says that it's no longer necessary. He asks Eren to come with him, saying that if he does there will be no need to attack the wall again. When Eren acts as if can't be serious, Reiner becomes disheartened and the furious, prompting Mikasa to attack him and Bertholdt. After he and Bertholdt Fubar, who is revealed to be the Colossal Titan, come under suprise attack by Mikasa and the rest of the Scouting Legion, he and Bertholdt transform and Reiner grabs Eren and Ymir. His hand is blown off by Eren who, enraged by their betrayal of humanity, transforms in his grip.

Quotes
"You have no chance to survive beyond the wall if you don't have a horse." said to Armin