Elite Squad (Anime)

The Elite Squad (精鋭班) was the team of Garrison Regiment soldiers assigned to defend Eren Jaeger in the last stage of the struggle for Trost, composed of the best available personnel handpicked by Commander Dot Pyxis.

The Struggle for Trost arc
After trainee Armin Arlelt proposes a plan for sealing the hole in Trost District's wall, the members of the Elite Squad are handpicked by Commander Pyxis in the latter stage of the Struggle for Trost. Chosen are the Garrison's finest soldiers readily available: Rico Brzenska, Mitabi Jarnach, and Ian Dietrich - assigned as the leader of the operation by Pyxis. They and their respective squads are ordered to defend Eren Jaeger from Titans, in the hope that he will be able to seal the breach in Trost District's gate. Further details, and the right to cancel the operation, are left to Ian's discretion.

The squad take the shortest route to the boulder near the gate. Upon transforming, Eren loses control of his Titan, attacks Mikasa Ackermann, and summarily knocks himself out. Believing the mission to have failed, Rico fires off a red Signal flare, signifying a serious problem. Spotting this, Anka Rheinberger asks Pyxis whether to collect the Elite Squad but is denied. Rico and Mitabi tell Ian that they should leave Eren and scale the Wall. Mikasa and Ian reject this plan of action, Ian instead giving the order that they and their squads handle the approaching Titans. This begins an argument, with Ian arguing that Eren is irreplaceable, and Rico believing that it is pointless to risk their lives for a "failure of a human weapon". Eventually, Ian convinces the two that Eren represents a precious opportunity for mankind, and the Elite Squad continue as planned.

The Elite Squad face heavy pressure as an increasing number of Titans enter the gate. Armin Arlelt joins with the squad, managing to awaken Eren's Titan and bring it to its senses. Squad Mitabi and Rico suffer heavy losses against the pervasive Titans, but the sight of Eren carrying the boulder spreads hope of impending victory. Ian orders all remaining personnel to defend Eren to the death, made more difficult task by the entry of a group of five Titans. Squad Mitabi draw a group of Titans away, but are killed in the process. Ian is also killed in the latter stage of the operation, dying while saving a comrade from within the mouth of a Titan. Despite a multitude of deaths, Eren manages to successfully seal the gate with the boulder. Thankful that everybody's deaths had meaning, Rico fires off a yellow signal flare to signify the operation's success. Pyxis orders the Elite Squad be rescued, made possible by the Scout Regiment and Levi Ackermann's arrival, who kills two Titans closing in on the group.