Hannes

Hannes (ハンネス) was a Captain (隊長) of the Garrison who protected Wall Rose. He was also a lifelong friend to the Yeager family and was responsible for saving Mikasa and Eren from the Smiling Titan.

Personality
Hannes was a very caring man, although somewhat cowardly, and always drunk irresponsiblely. However, it was shown that he was determined to die if it meant freeing Eren from his captors. He held great regret for his lack of courage five years ago, having waited to re-encounter the Titan that killed Eren's mother in order to slay it and to make up for his past mistakes.

He cared deeply for Eren and Mikasa and looked out for them after their mother was eaten, ultimately giving his life to protect them.

Fall of Shiganshina arc
Hannes is first introduced being near-drunk (while on duty) in Shiganshina District when Wall Maria falls. He saves Mikasa and Eren from certain death, even though he does not have the courage to fight the Titan who devours Karula.

104th Trainees Squad arc
Eren meets Hannes again five years later in Trost District and is surprised to learn that Hannes has been promoted to the rank of Captain. Hannes reveals that he owes a debt to Grisha Yeager for saving his wife and many others who were ill with a disease by bringing in an antibody, and he regrets that he was never able to repay the favor.

Clash of the Titans arc
Hannes appears once more apparently giving a report to Dot Pixis when a Garrison member bursts in and informs them that Wall Rose has been breached. He is the commander of the Wall Rose counter squad and heads out to find the breach. Hannes is surprised to find no sign of a breach and in fact no Titans near the Wall itself. After relaying this information to Hange Zoe, who is equally surprised, he begins to leave.

Hannes is unable to leave because he becomes involved in the battle with the revealed Armored Titan and Colossal Titan, and expresses shock once he witnesses Eren in his Titan form for the first time. He tries to warn Eren about the falling Colossal Titan but Eren reacts too late. In the aftermath, he is one of the few commanding officers left unharmed and helps to reassure the distressed Armin and Mikasa. Together, the three remember their formerly peaceful lives in Shiganshina and Hannes states his desire to return to such peaceful times. Along with Erwin and a commander from the Military Police, he helps lead the joint mission by the three military branches to rescue Eren.

When they arrive at the Forest of Giant Trees, Hannes commands his forces and joins those heading into the forest in search of the traitors. Their arrival is too late, and he quickly takes to horseback in pursuit of the fleeing Armored Titan. He swears that he will rescue Eren, even if it costs him his life.

As the confrontation becomes more chaotic, he ends up separated from Armin and Mikasa. He later arrives at the feet of the Armored Titan, and shouts a warning to the former members of the 104th that Erwin has set up a trap. Along with them, he retreats from the oncoming Titan horde and watches in horror as they attack the traitors. After Eren is retrieved successfully, he is among the soldiers who attempt to flee to safety when the Armored Titan begins to hurl other Titans at them. He comes to the rescue of Eren and Mikasa, when the same Titan that killed their mother 5 years prior attacks them once more. He proclaims that he has dreamed of this day, and promises to kill it. However, his efforts are ultimately in vain and the two children he once rescued are forced to watch as he is bitten in half and devoured by the Titan.

In the aftermath of the battle, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin grieve his death while they recall their childhood spent with him.

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