Ian Dietrich

Ian Dietrich (イアン・ディートリッヒ) was a member of the Garrison in Trost District. He led Trost's recapture mission.

Appearance
Ian had long blonde hair and a tan, and was only ever seen wearing his Garrison uniform.

Personality
Ian was usually strict and brief, but when in less-tense situations, would engage in conversation with the soldiers he worked with. He also had good faith in his allies and was obedient of his superiors, and usually would strategize plans with his comrades in a candor manner. This however didn't stop him from barking orders to soldiers in desperate situations.

Battle of Trost District arc
Ian first appears after Trost District is breached by the Colossal Titan. He orders Mikasa Ackerman to support the rear guard but she protests that she will only slow them down. Ian retorts that he didn't ask for her opinion and says she should just obey. He later compliments Mikasa for killing a Titan that was running towards a group of evacuating civilians.

Ian next appears when Kitts Woerman is questioning Eren about the nature of his Titan transformation. He vouches for Mikasa's skill and explains that losing her would be a great loss to human forces. When the plan for Eren to use his Titan powers to seal the breach with a boulder was formed, Dot Pixis places Ian in charge of the elite squad assigned to protect Eren on his mission.

Once Eren lost control of his Titan form, Rico Brzenska advises Ian to abort the mission and retreat. However, Ian orders his soldiers to continue to defend Eren down to the last man, as Eren is their only hope against the Titans.

Eren regains his senses due to Armin Arlert's intervention, and Ian, seeing the chance, orders his soldiers to protect him until he reaches the breach, even if it costs them their own lives. Ian uses himself as bait to lure Titans away from Eren, and sacrifices his life in order to ensure the success of the mission. He dies after pulling a squad member out of a Titan's mouth, in a manner similar to how Eren saved Armin, but is eaten when it pushes him into his mouth in such a way that his head is bitten off by it.

The Female Titan arc
After Ian's death, Armin remembers him and Pixis for having the resolve enough to sacrifice something to ensure success.

Abilities
He was a highly capable soldier, and his leadership skills were trusted enough to earn him command of the Trost mission.

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Ian Dietrich