Reiss family (Anime)

The Reiss family (レイス家) is the true royal family of humanity, disguised as a noble family living in the interior. They are descended from the first king, who built the Walls using the Founding Titan's power. The Reiss family then passed the Founding Titan down for many generations in the Underground Chapel.

Following the fall of Wall Maria, Grisha Jaeger attacked and slaughtered most of the family, taking the Founding Titan with him. After Rod Reiss's death, the only living member of the family is his illegitimate daughter, Historia, who is the current Queen of the Walls.

History
A century ago, the First Reiss King used the Founding Titan's power build the Walls and erased the memories of humanity inside. Some people were unaffected by this. Two bloodlines who were immune, the Ackermann family and the Oriental clan turned their backs on the king. Fearing his inability to control them, the king ordered their prosecution and both bloodlines were hunted to near extinction. The king also built the Underground Chapel for his family to pass down the Founding Titan.

Sometime before the fall of Wall Maria, Historia Reiss was illegitimately born through an affair between the head of the Reiss family and a mistress. It was debated whether or not Historia should be killed to alleviate the issue of illegitimate inheritance, but by the time Wall Maria fell it was decided that the child could live a humble life under the alias "Christa Lenz." This issue was discussed among the Order of the Walls and Ymir overheard the conversation while stealing in the interior.

A few years later, Ymir joined the 104th Cadet Corps after hearing that Christa had joined as well and eventually she found Christa among the cadets. One day during snowstorm training Ymir revealed to Historia that she was aware of her true identity and backstory, realizing that her nearly suicidal choices were out of a desire to die to escape her past. Ymir then used the power of her Titan to save a fellow cadet from death by descending a cliff when Historia was unaware. She later asked Ymir about how the feat was possible and Ymir chose to reveal her powers to Historia under the condition that when her powers became known, she would go back to living under her true name.

The Fall of Shiganshina arc
On the day of Wall Maria's fall, the entire Reiss family, save for Rod Reiss is slaughtered by Grisha Jaeger. He transforms into a Titan and devours Frieda's Titan, obtaining the Founding Titan from her.

After losing his entire legitimate family, Rod seeks his illegitimate daughter Historia, who is living on a farm owned by the Reiss family. He tells Historia she is coming to live with him, but Alma accidentally admits Historia is hers, and thus an illegitimate child born from an affair. Kenny Ackermann reminds Rod of the consequences of this, leading Rod to abandon his daughter. To spare her life, Rod sends Historia away with a new name—Christa Lenz—to live a quiet life.

Clash of the Titans arc
Years later, during the Wall Rose invasion, Ymir's Titan powers are used to save her fellow Scout Regiment recruits from Titans at Utgard Castle. Staying true to her promise, Historia reveals her true name to Ymir and the others. Later, after Historia speaks with Section Commander Hange Zoë for Ymir's sake, Hange briefly questions Historia about her family and their nobility, which Historia confirms to be her true lineage.

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Familie Reiss (Anime)