Nanaba

Nanaba (ナナバ) was a veteran member of the Survey Corps in Squad Mike.

Appearance
Nanaba had short blonde hair with an undercut and short bangs. It was parted down the middle and gave her a somewhat androgynous appearance. When out for combat, her blue eyes were typically muted and calm. Nanaba dressed in standard military uniform but donned the Survey Corps' green cape when on expeditions.

Personality
Nanaba was a calm person, often being quiet and rarely speaking unless spoken to. When faced with the prospect of Wall Rose being broken, she initially fell into despair, but quickly regained her composure and determination. Nanaba was shown to be very loyal and protective of her allies, risking her life to protect the trainees under her watch and her fellow squad mates without a second thought. Ultimately it was protecting her team mates that caused her death.

The Female Titan arc
Nanaba first appears during the 57th Expedition as the Squad Leader of Krista Lenz's unit. Krista is initially worked up about the Titans that have started climbing the trees at the edge of the Titan Forest, to which Nanaba calmly replies that if they use their equipment to climb further up, it will all be fine, and assures the worried Krista that they only have to hold out a little longer, most likely referring to the capturing of the Female Titan.

Clash of the Titans arc
She is also one of the several soldiers (the others being Gelgar, Henning, Thomas, and Lynne) brought by Mike Zacharias to oversee a group of potentially untrustworthy Survey Corps members. The group is assembled close outside of Wall Sheena, and disarmed of their weapons due to the suspicion that one of their number might be an accomplice to Annie Leonhart.

Before an investigation can begin, Titans appear within Wall Rose. Nanaba briefly gives in to the shock, fearing that mankind is doomed. However, Mike reminds her that humanity has not lost until they cease fighting and these words restore her resolve to continue on. Afterwards, Mike orders the group to split into four squads to warn the nearby villages. Nanaba's squad searches Wall Rose for a breach, but runs into Gelgar's squad coming from the opposite direction without finding anything. As night falls, the two groups take refuge in Utgard Castle. Utgard Castle soon comes under attack from numerous Titans capable of moving during the night. Since the soldiers who would been under suspicion do not have vertical maneuvering equipment, the only ones able to directly engage the Titans are Nanaba, Gelgar, Henning, and Lynne. However, Henning and Lynne are soon killed by a projectile thrown by the Beast Titan, who summons another horde of Titans to attack the castle. Nanaba angrily notes how it seems as though it has only been toying with them the entire time. With no other options, Nanaba continues to fight with Gelgar until their supply of blades and gas is completely exhausted. Injured, Gelgar falls from the tower and is caught by a Titan. Nanaba rushes to save him, and kills the Titan holding him, but runs out of gas and is left at the mercy of the Titans. Both are then ripped apart by several Titans, while their inferiors can only watch in horror.

Return to Shiganshina arc
As Erwin Smith contemplates his role as Commander of the Survey Corps and the lies he has told his comrades, he envisions himself standing atop a mountain of corpses of the soldiers he sent to their deaths. In his mind, Nanaba lies with Mike and Gelgar at the top of the corpse mountain, staring back at him. Later in the Battle of Shiganshina, as Erwin Smith begins to lament the dwindling hopes of his dream, Nanaba stands among the many fallen Survey Corps comrades in Erwin's mind, wanting to know if their deaths had meaning.

Abilities
Nanaba had not been seen in action much, however it is safe to assume that she was an elite soldier among the Survey Corps. Her skills were praised by Gelgar as "Superb as always" and he also complimented Nanaba's skill of very deep cuts.

Her skill in a team was demonstrated later when she and her comrades killed 8 Titans with relative ease, impressing Ymir. The fact that she survived the events from 5 years ago, as well as surviving for more than 5 years in the Survey Corps also implied a highly experienced and powerful soldier.

Trivia

 * According to Eld Jinn, she was one of the few survivors from "5 years ago", alongside Hange, Levi, Mike and Erwin. Her survival also was said to be the reason why she was among the few who knew about the truth regarding the 57th Expedition and most likely is the reason why alongside Mike, she was watching over the graduates. At any rate, she was one of the few that Erwin seems to have trusted.
 * Nanaba was tied with Ymir and Traute Carven as the tallest female character in the series.
 * Isayama has stated that of all of the people Mike Zacharias sniffed, Nanaba smelled the best, possessing a "fruity smell".

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