Leonhart family (Anime)

The Leonhart family (レオンハート家) is an Eldian family living under the rule of Marley in Liberio.

History
Leonhart was relocated from another country to Marley after his Eldian heritage was discovered. Years later, he adopted Annie as a baby after she was abandoned for similar reasons. Annie was trained by her father from a young age so that she would be chosen to host one of the Nine Titans, which would improve his social status. Eventually Annie inherited of the Female Titan and the time came for her to partake in an attack on the Walls on behalf of Marley. Before she set out, her father apologized to her and assured her that regardless of what the world thought of her, she would always have her father on her side. He remained in Marley awaiting his daughter's return.

Struggle for Trost arc
After the Warriors' attack on Shiganshina District, Annie Leonhart joins the 104th Cadet Corps under secret orders. When the time comes for graduation, she participates in the Struggle for Trost. After graduating from her Cadet Corps, she joins the Military Police Regiment while her Warrior comrades Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover join with the Scout Regiment.

The 57th Exterior Scouting Mission arc
Annie infiltrates the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, devastating the mission as the Female Titan.

Assault on Stohess arc
While Annie is trying to escape from Stohess District transformed in her Titan form, she has memories about her father. They are in front of a cabin, surrounded by trees, and several punching bags can be seen. Her father apologizes to her, saying that it is too late to ask for forgiveness. However, Leonhart tells her something: even if the whole world hates her and treats her like an enemy, he will always be by her side. He then tells her one last thing: to promise him that she will come back.

This memory triggers her hardening ability, encasing her into a crystal cocoon and allowing her to avoid interrogation, although she is captured and placed underground.

Return to Shiganshina arc
Shortly before the Battle of Shiganshina District, Bertholdt remembers back to the Struggle for Trost, where Reiner had pressured Annie to take off Marco Bodt's Omni-directional mobility gear, to prove that she and her father were different from the "evil race" within the Walls.

Marley arc
Before the curtain's rise at Willy Tybur's production in Liberio, Leonhart speaks with Karina Braun, the latter praising Annie for having devoted her life to Marley. Leonhart refuses this, adamantly stating that she is alive, because she had promised to come home.

War for Paradis arc
Annie confides in Hitch and tells her about her family background and her father's wish to have her back. In the meantime, Leonhart fruitlessly tries to warn the Liberio gatekeepers that the rumbling started, and it is the thought of his daughter that gives him the strength to fight back.

Trivia

 * Leonhart is derived from the Spanish word león and the Dutch word hart. These words combined literally translate to Lionheart. Lionheart is a nickname that is given to someone who is a great warrior.