Gunther Schultz

Gunther Schultz (グンタ・シュルツ) was one of the Survey Corps soldiers hand-picked by Levi to join the Special Operations Squad.

Appearance
Gunther was a man of average height with slightly darker skin. He sported short black hair kempt to a point on the back of his head's top. As most of the soldiers, his attire consisted of a short light brown leather jacket with the badge of the Survey Corps on both shoulders, on the front left pocket and on the center of the back, a light-colored shirt, a dark brown sash around the waist covering the hips, white pants and dark brown knee-high leather boots. Additionally, he was often seen wearing a green cape that the soldiers usually use for travelling, with the symbol of the Survey Corps on his back.

Personality
Being a soldier of the Survey Corps who survived multiple encounters with Titans significantly affected Gunther's personality. According to Levi, Gunther was chosen to be the part of the Special Operations Squad not only for this strength, but also due to the fact that he didn't completely trust Eren. Even though Gunther and others were able to live through because of their ability to always expect the worst in any situation, they didn't turn into heartless beasts as it wasn't easy for them to point their blades at Eren.

In the Special Operations Squad, Gunther seemed to be the most reasonable one. After Eren's unintentional transformation into a Titan, he was the only one to ask Eren for proof that he is not hostile. In contrast, Oluo threatened to kill him and Petra thought of Eren as dangerous while worrying about Levi's life. However, he was shown to be irritated when his comrades and Eren were jokingly mocking each other about having wet their pants, implying he also possesses a stern side and does not take kindly if a soldier does not focus on the task at hand.

Battle of Trost District arc
Gunther appears for the first time as a member of the Survey Corps in year 850. During the expedition in the Titan territory, he and Eld are the reinforcements gathered by Petra to aid Levi and the wounded soldier. These three soldiers are then shown to be surprised when Levi heads off to take care of two Titans on his own. The expedition is then soon cancelled as Erwin Smith notices the Titans moving towards the city, signalizing a possible breach.

The Female Titan arc
After the post-Trost District battle trial to decide Eren's fate concludes with Eren joining the Survey Corps, Gunther is chosen by Levi to be the member of the Special Operations Squad, a group of elite soldiers whose job is to look after Eren. Gunther, along with the rest of the squad, then accompanies Eren to the former HQ of Survey Corps, which will now serve as a hideout for Eren. After their arrival, Gunther and Eld notice that the HQ hasn't been properly maintained due to being unused. Due to that, Levi orders everyone to begin cleaning. Later that day, the squad discusses the upcoming expedition, with Gunther noting that it's happening too suddenly. When Hanji arrives and Eren asks her to explain her experiments with Titans, Gunther and the rest quickly leave the room, already knowing a thing about Hanji's speeches.

The next day, Gunther, along with the rest of the soldiers, arrives to the crime scene after being notified about the murder of Sawney and Bean. After hearing that the culprit disappeared using their 3D Maneuver Gear, Gunther wonders if it was plan prepared by two or more people. After the investigation is done and the culprit isn't found, Eld and Gunther discuss the upcoming induction ceremony, asking Eren whether any of his classmates will join, but Eren is unable to answer with certainty. Gunther is then present at the said ceremony, listening Erwin's speech.

One month later, Gunther is part of the expedition that heads into the Titan territory. Eren recalls Gunther explaining the plan of the expedition to him. When Eren questions the meaning of his power, Gunther asks him if Eren understood Erwin's question after the murder of Sawney and Bean, revealing that each of them was asked the same. Gunther concludes that there must be a hidden objective of this expedition.

As the time progresses, the news of a mysterious Titan killing the soldiers reaches the Levi Squad just as Gunther and others witness the black smoke signal, knowing that an Abnormal Titan is near their position. Eventually, they enter the Forest of Giant Trees. Eren questions this, but then notices Gunther and others also don't know what's going on. At that moment, the mysterious Female Titan reaches their location. As they are being chased, in panic, Gunther yells out that they cannot escape inside the forest. He and the other squad soldiers beg Levi for orders, proposing to take the Titan down as it slaughters the reinforcements from behind. Levi, however, just shoots a sound grenade to calm them down, reminding them of their job. Eren finds himself to be unable to comply with the orders as he watches more soldiers to be killed. His intentions are made clear when he is about to bite his hand. Levi tells him to choose whether he believes in himself or the squad and Eren recalls the time spent with the squad before the start of the expedition.

At that time, Gunther and the rest of the squad watch as Levi tells Eren that he found a way to stop him in his Titan form without killing him. Thanks to that, Hanji is able to experiment, however, it is revealed that Eren is unable to transform for some reason. Much to Eren's surprise, Gunther and others don't seem to be worried about him losing his ability, however, when he accidentally tranforms in an attempt to pick a teaspoon, Eren faces the anger of Gunther and others as he finds them ready to kill him. Later, Hanji reveals to everyone the secret behind Eren's transformation. Realizing their mistake, Gunther and others bite their hands as a form of punishment, showing that they can trust each other. Back in the forest, Eren decides to go with the squad. Gunther then notices that the Female Titan is accelerating and as it is about to catch up with them, they reach the location of Erwin and other soldiers who manage to trap the Female Titan, much to the surprise of Gunther and the squad. They then brag to Eren, claiming that it's thanks to the power of the Survey Corps that they managed to capture their foe.

Afterwards, Gunther and others discuss Erwin's decision not to tell the soldiers about the plan. Eren wonders why is it that not even the elite soldiers were told about it and Gunther watches as this remark angers Oluo and Petra. However, Eld agrees with Eren, stating that Erwin must have had a reason. They realize that if they answered Erwin's mysterious question back then, they would probably be trusted enough to be let in the operation.

Later, the squad hears the screams of a Female Titan, a signal for others Titans to enter the forest. Unbeknownst to them, the Female Titan uses these Titans to escape and when Gunther notices the signal flares ordering a retreat, the squad believes that they will get to see the person inside the Female Titan. On their way to rejoin with Levi, Eld teases Petra and Oluo for peeing their pants on the first expedition, but Gunther scolds them for carelessly chatting in the middle of the Titan territory. They notice another signal flare and thinking it's shot by Levi, they fire their own one. However, the mysterious soldier approaches them and Gunther realizes too late that it's not Levi, allowing the soldier to attack him in his vulnerability and shock. The mysterious attacker then cuts his wire, smacks him full speed into a tree, and snaps his neck. A shocked Eren then witnesses Gunther's corpse hung on the tree. It is later revealed that he was murdered by the Female Titan, Annie Leonhart, in human form. She had disguised herself as one of the Survey Corp members and imposed as Levi to attract the attention of Levi's surbodinates, of the Special Corps Team.

His corpse is later retrieved along with several of the others killed in action, and transported back to the Walls on one of the supply carts. A montage of loved ones waiting for the soldiers to return reveals his mother and grandfather, waiting at home for him to return safely. Unfortunately, the caravan is attacked by a swarm of Titans as they return to the Walls. When the fully-loaded carts are almost caught, Levi orders them to abandon the bodies.

Abilities
Although never shown in direct combat, as an elite soldier chosen for the Special Operations Squad under the command of Levi, Gunther is presumed to be quite strong. He is a skilled warrior with a high Titan kill, having a record of 47, of which 40 were obtained in teams and 7 in solo. He was shown to be quite proficient in the usage of 3D Maneuver Gear and displayed a certain degree of intelligence, being able to deduce that Erwin didn't reveal the true objective of the expedition.

Quotes
Gunther to his teammates: "Guys, what are you, on a picnic or something?! It's the outer lands for crying out loud!"

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