Mike Zacharias

Mike Zakariasu (ミケ・ザカリアス) was a trusted member of the Survey Corps and was considered the second strongest fighter after Levi.

Appearance
Mike was a tall and well-built man. The bangs of his blond hair were parted down the middle, and he sported a mustache and beard. Mike was almost always seen wearing a serious, calm face like his commander. He was typically seen dressed in standard military garb, but also wore the Survey Corps' signature cape when on missions.

Personality
He was an acknowledged leader with a tactical mind. He became a loyal member of the Survey Corps, and was an adamant vanguard for mankind's freedom, believing humans can only lose when they stop fighting. He also seemed to care a great deal for his squad, as he sacrificed himself to allow them to escape.

Despite his courage, Mike proved, in the end, to be human. Faced with certain death, even he could only weep and scream in horror of his fate.

He had a bizarre habit of "sniffing" people out when he met them.

Story
Mike is a veteran member of the Survey Corps, having served at Erwin's side before the fall of Wall Maria. Having little introduction at first, he is more formerly introduced when he escorts Eren to court for his trial.

Mike later participates in the Survey Corps' first attempt at apprehending Annie Leonhart in her Titan form during their 57th expedition outside the wall. Once Annie is caught in their trap, Mike, alongside Levi, attempts to carve her out but are unsuccessful due to her ability to harden parts of her body. Mike's inclusion in this part of the plan illustrates the amount of faith and respect Erwin has in him.

After they return, Mike is tasked with watching over a number of Survey Corps members who are under suspicion of being her accomplices when Titans unexpectedly appear within Wall Rose. After ordering the others to escape and warn the surrounding towns, Mike takes on nine Titans by himself in order to buy them time to get away. He manages to kill five of them before he encounters a Deviant Type Titan that worries him due to the mass amount of fur on its body, a trait never before heard of in Titans. To Mike's horror, the Titan grabs his horse and hurls it towards him, which forces him to jump off the building. Caught in a surrounding Titan's mouth, it attempts to swallow him whole, but the Deviant Type Titan tells the Titan to halt, as it wishes to question Mike. The Titan ignores it, and the Deviant Type squishes its head with its hands. It then questions Mike about the weapon around his waist, referencing his 3D Maneuver Gear. Confused and swiftly disappointed, the Titan makes clear that it suspected they spoke the same language, although he also notes that Mike could be so paralysed with fear that he is unable to speak. It promptly orders the surrounding Titans to do what they please, and Mike, immobilized and deprived of maneuverability, screams as he is devoured. The Deviant Type Titan is amused to know that they do indeed speak the same language.

Abilities
His combat prowess was considered to be only second to Levi and the fact that he easily disposed of 5 Titans emphasizes that statement.

His olfaction (sense of smell) was extremely acute, to the point that he could detect approaching Titans before other members of the Survey Corps, such as Levi and Erwin.

Relationships
Erwin Smith - Mike and Erwin shared a deep trust due to their lengthy time in service together, as well as a mutual respect for one another's skills as soldiers. For much of the story, he was by Erwin's side serving as his right hand man.

Levi - Mike and Levi did not have much association with each other, but when they were together, they were shown to compliment each other's outstanding fighting skills, creating a fairly formidable team.

Hange Zoë - Mike and Hanji were shown to have a mutual respect for each other, and were typically seen together serving directly under Erwin.

Trivia

 * Mike had a habit of sniffing people he's just met and then smirking.
 * Mike seemed to have smelt the titans coming when the female titan was captured.

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Mike Zakarius