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.

Personality
He was an acknowledged leader with a tactical mind. He was a loyal member of the Survey Corps, and 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 Mike could only weep and scream in horror of his fate.

He had the 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 long before the fall of Wall Maria.

Mike first appears 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 was caught in their trap, Mike, alongside Captain Levi, mankind's strongest fighter, attempted to carve her out. While they were unsuccessful, Mike's inclusion in this part of the plan illustrated the amount of faith and respect Erwin had in him.

Later on, Mike is tasked with watching over a number of Survey Corps members who are under suspicion of being accomplice to Annie Leonhart 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 being defeated by the Ape Titan, which steals his Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear for inspection before telling the 4 remaining Titans they can do what they want with him. Immobilized and deprived of maneuverability, he was all too easily devoured.

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.

Trivia

 * is a possible allusion to Anatoli from The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), a minor character who also possesses the ability to "smell" trouble. There is also similarity in their appearances, particularly the hairstyle, though different hair colors and physical builds; Mike Zakarius appearing to be a slimmed down version of Anatoli.
 * Mike is the tallest character in the series.

Navigation
Mike Zakarius