Hannes

Hannes (ハンネス) was a Captain (隊長) of the Garrison who protected Wall Rose.

Personality
Hannes was a very caring man, although somewhat cowardly and irresponsible. However, it was shown he was determined to die if it meant freeing Eren from his captors. He had 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.

Story
Hannes is first introduced being near-drunk (while on duty) in Shiganshina District when Wall Maria fell. He saved Mikasa and Eren from certain death, even though he did not have the courage to fight the Titan who ate Karula.

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 an antibody, and he regrets that he was never able to repay the favor.

Hannes appears once more as the commander of the Wall Rose counter squad. After Titans mysteriously appear within Wall Rose, it is suspected that there is a breach in the Wall; however, Hannes is surprised to find no sign of a breach and in fact no Titans near the Wall itself.

He becomes involved in the battle with the revealed Armored Titan and Colossal Titan, expressing shock at witnessing Eren in his Titan form for the first time. In the aftermath, he is one of the few commanding officers left unharmed and helps to reassure a 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 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 he will rescue Eren, even if it costs him his life.

As the chaos and confrontation becomes more chaotic, he becomes separated from Armin and Mikasa. He later arrives at the feet of the Armored Titan, shouting 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 attempting to flee to safety when the Armored Titan begins to hurl 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 swears to kill it this time. 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 recalling their childhood spent with him.

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Hanneth Hannes