This article is about Historia Reiss. For the manga chapter titled with her name, see Historia (Chapter). For more pages referred to by this name, see Krista Lenz (Disambiguation).
Monarchs | ||
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◄ Preceded by | Historia Reiss (850-Current) |
Followed by ► |
Rod Reiss (845-850) |
None |
I am Historia Reiss, the true ruler of these Walls. | ||
— Historia in Orvud District as she proclaims herself as the true queen[13] |
Historia Reiss (ヒストリア・レイス Hisutoria Reisu?) is the current Queen of the Walls. She is also the illegitimate child of the nobleman Rod Reiss and is the last remaining member of the Reiss royal family. She was raised in isolation on one of the Reiss family estates until the fall of Wall Maria.
Shortly after, her mother was murdered in front of her, and Historia was coerced into renouncing her name and claim to the Reiss heritage, taking on the new identity of Krista Lenz (クリスタ・レンズ Kurisuta Renzu?), and entering military service, which was expected to result in her death.
Largely thanks to Ymir's influence, she graduated as the 10th best soldier within the 104th Training Corps and joined the Survey Corps. She eventually reclaimed her true name, becoming an important asset to the Corps and ascending to the throne after the success of the revolution against the government.
Appearance
Historia is a petite young woman and the smallest soldier from the 104th Training Corps, from which the central cast originates. She has long blonde hair, large blue eyes, and a heart-shaped face; originally, she usually wore the standard Survey Corps uniform. Historia is noted for being very cute; this, coupled with her kindness, sometimes caused her classmates to refer to her as an angel or a goddess. It is hinted that many of the boys in her class adore her. While on expeditions, she wore her hair in a low ponytail and donned the traditional Survey Corps green cloak.
Subsequent to her coronation as queen, Historia alters her everyday attire presumably to conform with court meetings. She has her hair in a tidy pleat updo, parted down the middle in the front. Her attire consists of a pale-colored coat as well as a jacket matched with kindred-colored pants. Underneath her jacket, she wears a white long-sleeved shirt and dark boots. On special occasions such as ceremonies, Historia sports a pale, off-shoulder dress covered by a flowing cloak, wearing sandals and her essential crown.
Personality
In her Krista persona, Historia is usually very shy, kind, and uncertain on how to interact with others (likely due to her isolation as a child). However, Ymir notes that Historia's urge to show kindness to others stems not only from a desire to gain their esteem, but also that of the people around her: to be seen as a good person. This likely stems from her having been denied the esteem of others as a child and being raised to believe that she was an unfortunate mistake.
The strongest manifestation of this tendency is Historia's repeated and severe suicidal inclinations; she expresses the desire to die in a manner so that others will not hate her for having existed at all and will speak of her and remember her favorably. A prime example is Historia's attempt to drag a wounded Daz to safety through a blizzard. Had Ymir not decided to help without prompting, Historia and Daz would have both froze to death. This was due to her upbringing, believing herself to be a mistake and hoping that by dying, nobody would hate her.
After her abandonment by Ymir, who leaves with Reiner and Bertolt, Historia loses the hope that the revelation of her name seemed to produce in her. She regresses into a vapid disinterest in anything going on around her, unsure of how to act. She states that while the persona Krista Lenz was a kind and deeply caring person, the real Historia is vacant inside. Although Eren Yeager tells her that she seems more genuine and "less creepy" now, she continues to regard herself as lacking any true nature or identity.
However, during the coup d'état, Historia begins to slowly believe in herself and develop strength, such as defying her father and later killing him and going on Dimo Reeves's idea to punch humanity's strongest soldier. Like her 'Krista' personality, she develops kindness by freeing Eren and opening the orphanage, developing her own personality.
History
Historia was born as the illegitimate and unrecognized daughter of Rod Reiss, head of the Reiss family and the true monarchs of the Walls.[14] Her mother, Alma, was a servant in his household who later became his mistress and confidant.[15][16] After her mother became pregnant, she returned to a farm where her family worked in northern Wall Sheena, where Historia was born.[17]
Historia was then raised on the farm which was owned and administered by the Reiss family. Her mother was deliberately distant from her, spending much of her time reading or leaving the estate at night via carriages. She never participated in work around the estate and appeared to have some other source of income. Though Historia's maternal grandparents spoke with her to teach her how to work, her mother did not interact with her.[18]
Adding to her isolation, the other children outside the estate would throw rocks at her,[5] and she was not allowed to leave.[19]
However, her half-sister Frieda Reiss who would often visit her in secret. Historia was unaware that Frieda was her legitimate half-sister, but remembers her as being her big sister. She taught Historia how to read, and further encouraged her personal development in the hopes of becoming a kind girl that everyone would love.[20] She would chide Historia for not being more lady-like, but would become distressed when the girl spoke of her as an ideal role model of a proper Lady. After every meeting, Frieda would modify Historia's memories using the power of the Founding Titan she possessed, and Historia would forget many of these interactions and her existence, save for when the memories were subconsciously accessed during dreams. However, Historia would forget about these dreams when she awoke.[21]
Growing up, she began to read every book she could get her hands on, including ones that depicted the typical relationship between a mother and her child, causing Historia to question her own relationship with her mother, and desiring to understand what it was like to have meaningful physical contact with her mother. This led to an attempt to hug her mother resulting in her being violently slapped away and causing her mother to openly lament that she did not have the bravery to kill Historia when she had been born. Though bruised and bloody, Historia felt happiness because it was the first time she had ever been spoken to by her mother.[22]
After this incident, she would not see nor interact with her mother again for several years. During this interlude, she came to understand her position in the Reiss household, particularly that she was regarded by those around her as a curse and grave burden to her family; though she did not understand the reason for her treatment and rejection. The only consolation in her life on the estate were the animals being husbanded, providing her with a means of companionship.[22]
Story
Prologue arc
Days after the fall of Wall Maria, Rod Reiss comes to the estate with her mother to see Historia and to take her into the Reiss household properly; it is assumed that Historia would thus be recognized as a child and heir to the Reiss family. As they attempt to evacuate they are surrounded by unmarked soldiers of the First Interior Squad of the Military Police Brigade, who are looking to remove the blots on the Reiss family name. They confront Rod over the identity of Historia and her mother. Rod, in turn, denies any relation to them. One of the soldiers, Kenny Ackerman, restrains Alma and kills her as she desperately attempts to deny being Historia's mother and her existence thereof. Her last testament before having her throat cut is to look at her daughter and coldly state that she wishes she had never given birth to her.[23] The soldiers then prepare to kill Historia as well, but Rod intercepts their efforts by offering an alternative arrangement: that if she were to disappear from the Reiss household, assume a new name and identity before enlisting as a soldier, that would mean they would not need to kill her. The soldiers agree with this, and Rod gives her the new name of "Krista Lenz."[24]
Due to the influence of Frieda Reiss, Historia is able to use a persona that she had created for herself that was to be in all things selfless and kind to those around her. It is this persona that she uses when entering the military; in her innermost self, however, she is a melancholy, empty shell of a girl, uncertain of her true nature and personality and of her purpose and meaning in the world.[25]
104th Training Corps arc
After the cataclysm of the Colossus Titan breaching Wall Maria, Historia lives in a refugee camp before reaching the minimum age requirement to enable her to enlist as a trainee.[26]
Her first night as a trainee, Historia sneaks out after eating dinner to bring a loaf of bread and some water to Sasha Blouse as she is finishing her punishment for eating food during the trainees' initiation. Another trainee, Ymir approaches the two, wanting to know why Historia is helping Sasha, and Historia claims that she just wants to be helpful to her fellow soldiers. Ymir helps Historia return Sasha to her bunk, but makes it clear that she will use the event to take advantage of Sasha.[27]
At a later time during their training, Historia is spending time with Ymir and Sasha when Ymir confronts Sasha about speaking in an overly polite tone, rather than her home's dialect. When Ymir begins to criticize her for it, Historia scolds her and claims that Sasha should speak however she wants to.[28]
At some point during training, the trainees of the 104th Training Corps complete a snowstorm training exercise, arriving at a base at the foot of a mountain. After her fellow trainee Daz loses consciousness during the exercise, Historia elects to try to pull his body along on a cot, despite Ymir's protests. Ymir argues that they will only survive if they abandon Daz and head for base together, but Historia insists that they could all survive if Ymir goes ahead of her. Noticing that Historia has not asked for help during their entire course, Ymir deduces Historia has no intention of saving Daz nor herself, and that she is using their situation as an excuse to search for her own heroic end.[29]
Ymir reveals that she is aware of Historia's true past, having heard officials from the Church of the Walls discussing her existence. Historia asks if Ymir joined the Training Corps in order to find her, and Ymir proposes that it may be due to her own past being similar. Historia asks if Ymir originally wanted to befriend her, but Ymir said that they are nothing alike, as Ymir kept her old name after starting a new life, because abandoning her name would be to admit defeat. By living for herself, she robbed her enemies of their power. Ymir scolds Historia for looking for death rather than directing her feelings towards her enemies, and Historia says that there is no longer any way for all three of them to survive their mission.[30]
Ymir leads Historia to a cliff overlooking the base at the foot of the mountain and proposes tossing Daz over the edge so that she and Historia can make it to the base alive while Daz could be searched for later. When Historia objects, Ymir takes matters into her own hands and throws her aside into a snowbank. When Historia escapes from the snow and returns to the cliff, Ymir and Daz are nowhere to be found.[31]
When Historia arrives at base, she spots Ymir outside the base. She asks about Daz, and Ymir shows her that Daz was safe indoors. Upon looking at the cliff from the ground, Historia sees that such a descent would be impossible without a rope. Ymir decides to reveal to Historia how she saved Daz, but only if she promises to live by her true name when her secret eventually becomes known to everyone.[32]
Upon her subsequent training and graduation she is ranked as 10th of the 104th; a rank below Sasha Blouse (this is later asserted by Historia to have been given the tenth position by Ymir).[33]
Battle of Trost District arc
During the Battle of Trost District, Historia's squad discovers Armin in a catatonic state, following the deaths of his squad mates. When Connie and Ymir get into a fight over whether or not to leave him, Historia breaks them up, saying that the deaths of their comrades have upset them. When Armin suddenly leaves, Historia's squad continues to move forward through Trost.[34]
Later, while awaiting further orders with her fellow trainees, Historia listens as Connie gives an account of how he and the other trainees managed to resupply in the military headquarters.[35]
The Female Titan arc
As ordered, in the aftermath of the battle of Trost District, she reports her vertical maneuvering equipment to the Military Police Brigade for inspection as a part of the investigation over the deaths of the two captured Titans, presumed to have been killed by a soldier using vertical maneuvering equipment.[36]
Despite her fears in facing the Titans in combat again, she volunteers to become a member of the Survey Corps, something she later says is a decision made by her innermost self and that she herself does not understand the reasons behind it.[37]
During her first expedition out of the Walls Historia is given control of an extra horse, in addition to her own. She comes across Jean Kirstein's horse and leads it back to him after observing his emergency smoke signal. Upon returning Jean's horse, she accompanies him, Reiner Braun, and Armin Arlert to a nearby Titan Forest, telling them that she is relieved to see that they are still alive.[38]
She is seen to be holding her position on the tree line with her fellow soldiers, baiting the Titans and preventing them from entering the forest while the Survey Corps attempts to capture the Female Titan.[39]
Clash of the Titans arc
Historia is among the Survey Corps recruits that are investigated by Mike Zacharias under suspicion of being one of Annie's accomplices.
The investigation is halted when Nanaba reports that Wall Rose has been breached, and the soldiers are ordered to go on horseback and evacuate local citizens nearby.[40] Historia and Ymir and placed under Nanaba's command for the mission. Both the recruits are devoid of their vertical equipment and Ymir initially voices her aversion to the idea of entering Titan territory unarmed, though Historia is willing to help out.
Their team eventually meets up with Gelgar's team, and are shocked to learn that neither team has been able to find a breach. Unable to double back and search again due to nightfall, the two teams take refuge inside of a nearby castle to rest for the night.
In the middle of the night, the castle comes under attack from Titans. As the four soldiers that are equipped for battle engage the Titans outside, the recruits try to barricade the entrance to the castle so that none of the smaller Titans can get in, but find that the castle has already been infiltrated. Reiner is attacked, and Historia, Ymir and Connie roll a nearby cannon into it, knocking it away from Reiner.[41]
Another Titan enters the tower, which Reiner manages to push out of a window, getting himself hurt in the process. The recruits flee farther up into the castle's tower, and Historia uses a strip of her skirt to bandage Reiner's wound.[42]
The recruits retreat to the top of the tower, where they watch as the four Scout soldiers are systematically killed by the attacking Titans. Historia tries throwing rocks at the Titans to stop them, declaring that she is willing to fight to the death against them, but Ymir calls her out for trying to use her superiors' deaths as a reason to die. Taking a knife from Connie, Ymir reminds her of the promise they made on the night they got stranded in the woods with Daz and advises her to live her life with pride. Before Historia can stop her, Ymir jumps off of the tower and uses the knife to transform herself into a Titan.[43]
As Historia and the rest of the trainees watch Ymir fighting against the group of Titans nearly falling off the tower when Ymir transformed, Reiner questioned her if she knew about it. When the Trainees question whose side Ymir is on, Historia remembers some events of her and along with the other watching Ymir's attempt to fight the other Titans and came to the conclusion that she is fighting to protect everyone.[44] She begins to cheer for Ymir telling her not to die and to break down the tower and celebrates when Ymir does so. She, along with the others, ride on her back and land on the ground safely. As Ymir starts getting eaten by Titans, Historia tries to make her way to Ymir, but is stopped by a Titan, which is swiftly killed by a newly arrived Mikasa. As everyone watches in disbelief at Ymir's wounds and the truth, Historia reveals her true name to Ymir.[45]
Back on top of Wall Rose, Historia pleads with Hange Zoë to go easy on Ymir. While she knew what her friend did was wrong in hiding information that could have been useful to the Survey Corps, she understood she did it to protect her comrades. Hange agrees with Historia, stating that any information Ymir has will be important for humanity.[46] After Reiner and Bertolt reveal themselves to be Titans, Historia watches in horror as Reiner, in his Armored Titan form, grabs Eren while Bertolt snatches Ymir in his Colossus Titan form.[47]
During the battle, she is assigned to provide care for the wounded. She insists that Ymir is still alive, and begs the other soldiers to rescue her.[48] Later, she joins the rescue mission against Armin's advice. The team eventually manages to catch up with Reiner and Bertolt, but are unaware that Ymir has been convinced to ally with them in exchange for Historia's safety. When Ymir appears in her Titan form, Historia rushes to greet her and is swiftly ensnared in Ymir's mouth, so the Warriors can kidnap her.[49]
As the Titans flee from the military, Ymir finally spits her out and partially emerges from her Titan form so they can speak. Historia initially believes that Ymir is being forced to cooperate with the traitors, and begs to be released so that they can escape. However, Bertolt points out that Ymir is not being forced to work with them. At this point, Ymir apparently breaks down, telling her that she intends to use Historia's status as the heir of the Reiss family and hopes to save herself from the traitors she served, begging Historia to cooperate. In response, Historia smiles and states she will always be on Ymir's side.[50]
When Mikasa arrives and attacks Ymir, Historia quickly steps forward to stop the fight. She pleads with her to spare Ymir, and refuses to back down even when Mikasa threatens her. it is only when Mikasa makes it clear she will not spare anyone who gets in her way, that Historia relents and talks Ymir out of fighting any further.[51]
Before the conflict is resolved, Erwin Smith charges at the Armored Titan with a horde of Titans behind him.[52] Historia is nearly grabbed by a Titan until Ymir rescues her.[53] Historia kills a Titan in the conflict, the first on her record, and Connie attempts to rescue her while the military retreats. Historia rejects his help, saying that she must stay with Ymir if Ymir is to survive.[54] Historia returns to Ymir, letting her know that her presence gives her the courage to fight. When Eren unleashes the Coordinate in the midst of the battle, drawing all mindless Titans to his will, Ymir chooses to leave with Reiner and Bertolt. Historia retreats with the military, reaching out to Ymir as they part ways indefinitely.[55]
Royal Government arc
Upon the military's return to Wall Rose, Historia nearly faints from exhaustion as she is looked after by Rico Brzenska.[56] She struggles to her feet and tells Eren that they should hurry to the other side of the Wall to rescue Ymir. When reminded that Ymir left with Reiner and Bertolt of her own free will, Historia is distraught that Ymir chose them over her. Jean notes that "Krista" is not behaving like herself and Historia says she is done being her. Krista was a role she was given to stay alive.[57]
Shortly afterward, Historia is relocated with the new Special Operations Squad to an undisclosed location.[58] On her first day with the new squad, Historia reveals her past to her comrades.[59]
The Special Operations Squad leaves from their hideout on Erwin's orders to rendezvous in Trost District, but rather than going into town, Historia hides with Eren in an undisclosed location while Armin and Jean act as their respective doubles.[60] While waiting, Historia dreams of her time with Frieda, forgetting her memories as she wakes up. She discusses the nature of their situation Eren, noting that while Krista was an altruistic, kind-hearted girl, the real Historia is empty. Eren admits that he prefers the true Historia, a normal girl who is absurdly honest.[61]
Levi and Hange discover that the Reiss family is the true royal family and Erwin plans to place Historia on the throne.[62] She is reluctant to take on the new role, considering herself to be unfit for the task at hand, which causes Levi to snap and lay out how dire their situation is, pressuring her to agree.[63]
Historia and Eren are placed in the care of Dimo Reeves, the Survey Corps' new accomplice against the Royal Government, so that they can be captured by the First Interior Squad and taken to Rod Reiss, Historia's father and the true king of the Walls.[14] However, Kenny Ackerman arrives to take them and suspecting a betrayal, he kills Reeves. His squad removes the blades on Historia and Eren that would have freed them.[64]
The Interior Squad brings Historia and Eren through Stohess District in coffins on their way to their destination,[65] where Historia reunites with Rod Reiss, who apologizes for everything.[66]
In the underground caverns beneath a chapel built by her family, Historia tells a chained Eren that everything will be all right, explaining that Rod has always been an ally of humanity and had no choice but to deal with Minister Nick, the Reeves Company, and the Survey Corps. Rod has himself and Historia place their hands on Eren to trigger Grisha Yeager's memories, so Eren will remember his father's sin.[67]
As a result of touching Eren, Historia recovers the erased memories of her beloved half-sister, Frieda. She wants to thank her for being there for her, but Rod explains that Frieda was killed by Eren's father along with the rest of Rod's family because Grisha wanted the Titan power that resided inside her.[68] Rod brings out a satchel, revealing a needle and serum, and tells Historia that Frieda is not really dead since her memories live on. She can still meet her sister.[69]
Rod explains how a special Titan erected the three Walls and altered humanity's memories. Only Frieda knew the truth about how this world came to be, having devoured her uncle Uri and gained his memories along with his power of the Titans. Frieda could have revealed the truth of the world, but did not, which was proof that she had inherited the philosophy of the first ruler of the Walls. Rod tells Historia that if Frieda had lived, she could have prevented their current situation; the breached Walls, the civil war, all the human lives that have been lost. This would not end as long as Eren holds her stolen power, because it can only be truly used by a member of the Reiss family.[70]
Kenny interrupts the conversation[71] to express his disappointment in the bloodline requirement by grabbing Rod and shoving his gun into his face. Historia pushes Kenny's weapon out of the way and demands that he release her father. Kenny spells it out for her that Rod intends to turn her into a Titan so she can eat Eren.[72]
Defiant, Historia asks what is so sad about becoming a Titan and saving humanity. She will eat Eren, inherit the history of the world, and then exterminate the Titans. Kenny reminds her that she was an unwanted child. Rod only saved her because he needs her blood, not because he cares about her. She watches, visibly upset, as Kenny jams a knife in Rod's mouth while telling her that Rod only cares about himself.[73]
Rod tries to explain and pleads with Historia not to trust anyone else. Disgusted, Kenny finally leaves him alone and walks over to Eren. He cuts Eren's forehead to injure him and tells Historia that they can both fight to the death as Titans. Panicked, Rod gives Historia a syringe so she can change into a Titan before Eren has a chance to escape his restraints. She takes the syringe, but notices that Eren is not transforming. When she asks why, he expresses regret for all the deaths that happened because of him and his father and asks Historia to eat him and save humanity. He says he did not need to happen, causing Historia to remember her unwanted childhood and the day that Eren called her normal.[74]
As Historia pushes the needle into her arm, she recalls her time with Frieda and with Ymir. She asks her father why her sister did not fight. No one in the Reiss family ever got rid of the Titans or freed humanity, even though they had the power. She remembers how Frieda would sometimes act possessed and call everyone sinners. Historia asks if that is because Frieda inherited the first king’s ideology and Rod confirms it, saying that the first king believed that having the Titans rule humanity was the true path to peace.[75]
Historia considers her father's words, knowing that humanity does not have a future if the king's power remains inside Eren, but she recalls Ymir's words to her about living her life with pride. Historia smashes the syringe on the floor, rejecting her father's wishes. She throws him over her shoulder and takes his satchel before running over to Eren.[76]
She uses the keys to start freeing Eren and tells him that they are going to escape. He protests, asking to be eaten, but Historia cracks him on the head and tells him to shut up. In her opinion, humanity is the problem. The Titans can have them. She pulls away one of the chains around Eren and says she will let him get away before she destroys everything.[77]
Even when Rod transforms into a Titan after licking the contents of the broken syringe, Historia refuses to leave Eren. She tells him that even if she is humanity's enemy, she is Eren's friend, and when she sees someone crying because no one needs them, she wants to tell them that it is not true. She opens another shackle before being blown back from the winds generated by Rod's transformation, but Mikasa catches her. The rest of Squad Levi appears to take over Eren's rescue. However, the group is trapped in the collapsing cavern. Eren apologizes for being useless, but Historia asks him if he really wants to wait here until they get burned or crushed to death simply because the two of them are enemies of humanity.[78]
Eren gets up and grabs a bottle labeled "Armor" that had fallen out of Rod's satchel and breaks it between his teeth as he transforms into a Titan.[79] This allows him to harden his Titan body and create pillar-like structures that support the collapsing cavern without disappearing even after he is extracted.[80]
Historia climbs out through the open ceiling along with the rest of the squad, and they follow Rod Reiss' Titan on wagon and horseback. Eren suggests allowing himself to be eaten again since Rod Reiss has the right bloodline, but Historia argues against it. The Reiss family has tried to undo the First King's brainwashing for decades and as soon as Rod gets the power he can erase everyone's memories again. She tells Eren that this may actually be humanity's best hope, because the Progenitor Titan has been taken away from the people who have such a terrible idea about what makes peace.[81]
Hange agrees with Historia and asks if she is certain of her choice. They cannot restrain a Titan of Rod's size so they will have to kill her father. Historia thinks about reuniting with Rod and apologizes to Eren because she really was going to kill him back in the cavern, not for humanity's sake, but because she did not want her father to hate her. Now she realizes it is time to say goodbye.[82]
The group reunites with Erwin and falls back to Orvud District to prepare for the Titan's arrival. As dawn arrives, Historia walks out on top of the Wall wearing her vertical maneuvering equipment and insists on participating in the battle. Levi tries ordering her away, but she throws his own words back at him about choosing whether to run or fight.[83]
Rod approaches the Wall, cutting off any further argument,[84] and the Garrison begins a cannon barrage to stop him. Historia helps Hange and the other soldiers put together a web of rope around several stacks of gunpowder barrels. Erwin reminds her that she will be queen if they survive this, so it is a problem for her to be on the front lines. Historia asks him if the people are so naive that they would obey a ruler in name only. She has given herself own mission to carry out, and that is why she is here.[85] Historia tells Erwin that once the Titan is dead he should say that she was the one who finished it off. That way the situation inside the Walls should stabilize and the people will come together behind her.[86]
When Rod reaches the Wall, Eren transforms into a Titan and hurls the web of barrels into the open mouth of Rod's Titan. The gunpowder in the barrels ignite, blowing off large chunks of the Titan's head and torso. The Survey Corps uses vertical maneuvering equipment to attack the flying pieces in hopes of cutting the nape before the Titan can regenerate.[87] Historia cuts through a piece of the Titan and sees memories of a young Rod jailed while he demands explanations from his father for not killing the Titans, Rod trying to find solace in Alma, and of Uri and Frieda expressing their belief that inheriting their Titan would not change them.[88]
Rod's Titan explodes and Historia lands on a padded cart. As she regains consciousness, she finds herself surrounded by surprised citizens, who ask if she is the one who finished off the Titan. They cannot identify her military posting, since she is not wearing her uniform. She is initially uncertain if this is truly her own decision, but she stands up and tells them that she is Historia Reiss, the true ruler of the Walls.[89]
Historia is crowned as the new queen before a large and enthusiastic crowd. People remember seeing her protect them from the Titan and admire her for stopping her father. After the ceremony, she and her friends find Levi so she can punch him in retaliation for his bullying, like Dimo Reeves suggested. She socks Levi, and to her surprise, he smiles and thanks everyone.[90]
Two months later, Historia has started running a farm where she can bring orphans and other people in need, using her family's budget and assets seized from politicians. The monarchy is largely for show, but despite that the people think well of her. She ropes her friends from Squad Levi into helping her with the chores, much to their dismay.[91]
While they are there, she talks to Eren about his hardening experiments in preparation for recovering Wall Maria and he admits they need to hurry if they are to do so before Reiner and Bertolt return. She asks if Eren wants to kill them, and Eren says that he has to. She looks at the farm and tells Eren that she cannot regret turning down the First King's power. Historia believes what they are doing here is right. Eren expresses his admiration for her, considering that she was ready to doom humanity when they were back in the cave, and she sputters that she just got carried away. Before they can talk any further, Mikasa interrupts them and takes away the load Eren is carrying, ending the conversation.[92]
Return to Shiganshina arc
As Armin explains his plan for victory against the Colossus Titan to Eren, Historia stands among the fields of her orphanage with two Military Police soldiers guarding her, worrying for the Survey Corps and wondering if the operation to retake Wall Maria and humanity's land will be successful.[93]
After the operation, she is given Ymir's letter. She reads it and learns about Ymir's past. After she finishes reading the letter, she calls Ymir an idiot and begins to cry. At that moment, she is visited by Eren, Mikasa and Armin. She remarks to them that she is glad the three of them have barely changed despite all that has happened to them.[94]
Historia sits at the head of the military meeting where it would be decided how to proceed after the events at Shiganshina. Despite being Queen, Historia merely oversees the meeting until its conclusion, when she decides that the military will reveal the truth to the populace.[95]
Later on, Historia attends a ceremony in honor of the Survey Corps. As the queen, she awards Hange with a bolo tie and the surviving soldiers with medals. While giving a medal to Eren, her royal blood triggers a memory within him. After realizing something was wrong, she asks about him concernedly.[96]
Marley arc
Historia attends a military meeting discussing whether the Walls should cooperate with the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers. During the meeting, Eren admits that he is capable of using the full powers of the Founding Titan if he touches a royal blooded Titan. Historia seems surprised when Eren states that he did not speak of this sooner out of concern that she may have been turned into a Titan.[97]
When the first Hizuru ambassadors arrive on Paradis, Historia listens to Kiyomi Azumabito go over the three processes that must be in place to secure the island's safety. The first of them requires Historia to inherit the Beast Titan from Zeke Yeager, who has less than a year left to live. The second involves Hizuru boosting the level of technology on Paradis. The third is that Historia must have as many children as possible during the thirteen years she has the Beast Titan, so that there will be more royal-blooded children to inherit a Titan and protect the island for the fifty years it will take for Paradis to catch up with the rest of the world. Historia agrees to the plan for as long as it continues to be necessary.[98]
Sometime later, Eren meets Historia privately at her farm to warn her that the Military Police are planning to feed Zeke to her once he arrives on Paradis. Despite Eren's suggestion that she either flee or resist, Historia tells him that she will accept whatever plan is deemed necessary to preserve Paradis. To Historia's distress, Eren reveals that he will use the Founding Titan to wipe out the outside world. She tries to remind him that there are many innocents beyond the Walls but Eren is resolute in his decision. Historia tells him that she will not be able to live with herself if she does not do everything in her power to stop him. Eren then offers to manipulate her memories using the Founding Titan's power to which Historia replies by asking him about the possibility of her having a child.[99]
War for Paradis arc
Several months later, she is pregnant and spending her time in an undisclosed residence known only by a select few in military.[100][101] One MP believes that this development was influenced by Yelena while speculating that Historia's out of wedlock pregnancy with a local who bullied her as a child was to delay her from inheriting the Beast Titan from Zeke Yeager after he reached Paradis.[102]
After a rebellious faction emerges, Commander Pixis orders the military to secure Historia since she is a potential target.[103]
During the onslaught of the Rumbling, Historia goes into labor.[104]
Eren is eventually killed and the Rumbling stopped by the combined efforts of the Survey Corps and the Warriors. Although the Paradis population still supports Eren, Historia uses her power to protect the families of the soldiers who helped stop Eren. Over the next three years Historia gets married to her child's father and begins entering peace talks with the outside world.
In the year 857 the outside world dispatches a group of ambassadors to Paradis to begin peace talks. She sends a letter to the ambassadors explaining that the Yeagerists on the island have raised an army in the three years since Eren's death to prepare for any attacks from the outside world.[105]
Abilities
Historia is a strong soldier who graduated tenth in her class, although Ymir slacked off to improve Historia's ranking. She has mastered the vertical maneuvering equipment and she can kill Titans effectively.[106]
She is also proficient in hand to hand combat, able to throw Rod Reiss, who is heavier and taller than her.[107]
Historia Reiss's statistics as of year 850[108]:
Relationships
- Ymir - Their relationship was complex, but they were very close, and Ymir had been stated to be in love with her.[109][110] Historia stated that Ymir had "the worst personality ever," but that she was willing to abandon humanity if doing so would help Ymir. She stated her intention to be at Ymir's side and that she trusted her above all others. While Ymir challenged her unhealthy behaviors, Historia likewise challenged Ymir on her worst aspects. When Historia was pressured by Rod to inject herself with the Titan serum and eat Eren, the memory of Ymir encouraging her to live her life with pride gave Historia the courage to reject her father's plan and rescue Eren.[111] After reading Ymir's letter, she cries mournfully.[112]
- Rod Reiss - Rod was Historia's biological father as well as the source of much of the anguish in her life. Historia met him when she was a child and was going to live with him. However, when Rod denied any relation to her when confronted by the Interior Squad and her mother was killed, Historia was given the new name Krista Lenz. Historia had since held Rod in contempt for her mother's death as well as abandoning her. Years later, Rod attempted to reclaim Historia when her true identity was revealed. While Historia was not thrilled to see him again, when Rod opened up to her and told her about his plans Historia, upon being treated with kindness from him initially accepted her part. Historia listened and nearly believed everything Rod said even when interference from Captain Ackerman revealed an ulterior motive. However, upon hearing on what became of Frieda after she received the power and the state of humanity, Historia finally rejected Rod upon realizing that he was only using her to reclaim the Reiss family's power.[113] Historia then killed Rod when he became a Titan, indirectly avenging her mother's death and her past pain caused by him.
- Frieda Reiss - Frieda was Historia's older half-sister but she did not know at the time. Frieda treated Historia with kindness and respect that no one else did but forgot about her whenever Frieda suppressed her memories. Upon reclaiming her memories Historia consumed with grief nearly turned her back on Eren since his father killed her and nearly went along with Rod's claim to 'bring her back'. However, recalling how Frieda was consumed by Karl Fritz's ideology when she wanted to see her, Historia rejected Rod's plan as it had destroyed Frieda's humanity.
- Sasha Blouse - Sasha initially regarded Historia as a goddess when she brought her food and water after she had spent several hours running. The two seem to have remained close during their training days. Historia also showed support to Sasha when Ymir teased her.[114]
- 104th Training Corps - Historia is admired by the rest of the trainees, and the most popular girl among them. Many of her male classmates have a crush on her due to her beauty and kindness, as demonstrated when she rescued Reiner Braun, Armin Arlert, and Jean Kirstein.[115]
- Mikasa Ackerman - Mikasa's reactions to Historia have always been mixed. During the Wall Rose invasion, she makes it clear to her that she would not spare anyone who got in her way.[116] However, when she and the rest of Levi's squad arrived in the innermost cavern of the Reiss underground chapel, she went to Historia's aid first, not Eren's (though this is likely because Historia was in more immediate danger, as well as having the key to free Eren on her).[117] Though neither girl is likely aware of it, they are alike in that each has a person who is important to her, and each is willing to go to any length to ensure the safety and well-being of that person.
- Connie Springer - Although they have only been shown interacting a handful of times, Historia and Connie clearly appear to be good friends. During the rescue of Eren, they were seen working together to slaughter Titans.[9] Connie is also the one to make her aware of the truth behind Ymir's actions, and she trusts him enough to take his word at face value.
- Eren Yeager - Historia had always envied Eren for always knowing his goals and being able to work toward them. Eren had initially disliked her Krista persona, seeing it as phony. Since the revelation of her true identity, Eren has come to respect her as a "stupidly honest and regular person." His statement that he likes her better as Historia meant a lot to her, and it motivated her in great part to stand up to her father and try to save Eren's life, rather than consume him.[118][119]
- Alma - Alma was the mistress of Rod, Historia's father, although when Alma got pregnant, Rod was forced to send Alma away to a Reiss estate. Historia wanted the relationship that any other child has with their parent. But Alma resented her existence, wishing she had the courage to kill her.[120] Alma was incredibly distant towards her daughter and avoided any and all interaction with Historia, preferring to read or go out into the city while Historia and her parents dealt with the farm work. When Historia learned to read, she saw the typical relationship between a mother and daughter and wanted this relationship with Alma. One day, while Alma was reading, Historia tried to hug her, but Alma violently slapped her off, horrified. Crying, Alma wished she was not born. Even though she was bruised and bloody, she was happy that for the first time in her life, her mother spoke to her. This caused Alma to leave the farm. Years later, on the day of her death, Alma turned to Historia and screamed that she wished Historia was never born, as Kenny slit her throat. Despite this, Historia remembers her mother in a somewhat forgiving light, as she called her beautiful when telling her life story to the Levi Squad.[121]
Trivia
- Historia ranked fifth in the First Character Popularity Poll.
- Historia ranked fourteenth in the Second Character Popularity Poll.
- Historia ranked thirteenth in the Third Character Popularity Poll.
- Historia tied with Gabi Braun and Porco Galliard for nineteenth in the Fourth Character Popularity Poll.
- In a 2017 interview, Hajime Isayama stated that Historia is unique among the 104th cast in that she is the only character he designed before outlining what her role in the story would be. Believing readers would want a "moe" character in the main cast, he designed Krista Lenz as a character whose only qualities were that she was cute and perfect. Because he did not design her with any thing other than surface-level qualities, he felt that she was a hollow character and was not satisfied with her until he made her emptiness a core aspect of her character growth in the Royal Government arc.[122]
- It is due to this growth from being a character who only "fulfills what is required of her" in the Royal Government arc that Isayama also considers her to be one of his favorite characters.
- The official site reveals that the majority of her male classmates had a crush on her, referring to her as the "Goddess" of the 104th.
- A recurring gag in the series is that people actually refer to her as "goddess" or by terms related to God in several circumstances. First it was Sasha in Episode 3/Chapter 15 when Historia gave her a bread after Sasha fell tired from being forced to run for 5 hours; second time by Jean and Armin in Episode 18/Chapter 24 when she came to their rescue after they were attacked by the Female Titan; and finally in Chapter 64 when Rod was trying to convince her to regain the Coordinate and become "God."
- In a Volume 11 sideart, Isayama portrayed Historia shifting into a Titan which depicted her as an angel.
- Historia strongly resembles the female lead character of "Heartbreak One", a one-shot Isayama had written before Attack on Titan.[123]
- Her birthday, January 15, was celebrated in Japan as Coming of Age Day between 1948 and 2000. It is now held on the second Monday of the month but continues to celebrate the entry into adulthood by those turning 20.
- Her alias surname "Lenz" means "spring" in old German.
- She is the only character in the series to have two chapters in the manga named after her.
- Historia's childhood resembles the situation of Paradis Island. The farm she lived in was surrounded by fences and there were bullies outside who threw rocks at her, which made her never want to leave the farm.[5] This mirrors the humans inside the Walls who feared going outside because of the Titans outside. Frieda Reiss used to come over to take care of Historia, erased her memories, and told her to never go over the fence;[126][127] this echoes the first king's will.
References
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 70 (p. 4)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 69 (p. 42)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 70 (p. 2)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Attack on Titan Guidebook (p. 251)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 34)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 2 (p. 37)
- ↑ Attack on Titan Guidebook (p. 51)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 49 (p. 39)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 50 (p. 25)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 34-37) — Historia is able to kill Rod Reiss after Eren Yeager blows up his Titan form's head with gunpowder barrels, allowing access to Rod's human body.
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 44) — Historia confirms that she was 12 when she joined the 104th Training Corps in year 847, which means she was born in 835.
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 91 (p. 24 & 25) — Four years have passed since the Battle of Shiganshina District.
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 45)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 56 (p. 27)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 42)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 42)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 32)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 32-34)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 2-3)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 63 (p. 1 - 6)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 54 (p. 1 - 7)
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 33 - 37)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 38 - 43)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 44)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 51 (p. 20)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 15 (p. 30 - 33)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 36 (p. 27 - 29)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 40 (p. 18 - 23)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 40 (p. 24 - 27)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 40 (p. 28 & 29)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 40 (p. 30 - 32)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 37 (p. 35)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 5 (p. 9 & 10)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 11 (p. 5)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 21 (p. 2)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 21 (p. 29-32)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 24 (p. 8-10)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 25 (p. 6)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 35 (p. 2-10)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 39 (p. 16-27)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 39 (p. 28-35)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 40 (p. 32-41)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 41 (p. 1-19)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 41 (p. 20-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 42 (p. 3-5)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 42 (p. 38 & 39)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 43 (p. 26 & 27)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 47 (p. 34 & 35)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 48 (p. 6-19)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 48 (p. 25-32)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 48 (p. 43-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 49 (p. 9-11)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 49 (p. 38-40)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 50 (p. 41-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 51 (p. 1-2)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 51 (p. 15-20)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 51 (p. 40 - 45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 29 - 45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 53 (p. 31 - 43)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 54 (p. 1 - 13)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 55 (p. 44)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 56 (p. 14-25)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 56 (p. 32-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 57 (p. 34-35)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 58 (p. 42-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 62 (p. 26-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 63 (p. 1-22)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 63 (p. 38-44)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 64 (p. 34-44)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 64 (p. 45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 65 (p. 10-16)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 65 (p. 17-20)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 65 (p. 21-40)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 1-9)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 9-22)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 23-25)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 26-40)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 42-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 67 (p. 1-7)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 67 (p. 11-18)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 67 (p. 21-25)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 67 (p. 28-43)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 67 (p. 43)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 3-14)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 69 (p. 43)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 22-40)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 40-42)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 68 (p. 43-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 69 (p. 40-45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 70 (p. 1-4)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 70 (p. 4-7)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 82 (p. 1)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 89 (p. 6-20)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 90 (p. 2-3)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 90 (p. 23-31)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 106 (p. 19 - 24)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 107 (p. 20-25)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 130 (p. 9 - 16)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 107 (p. 44 - 45)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 111 (p. 5)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 108 (p. 3 - 6)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 111 (p. 6 & 10)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 134 (p. 1 - 2)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 139
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 49 (p. 36)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 16-17)
- ↑ Attack on Titan Guidebook (p. 50)
- ↑ "Characters". Attack on Titan official manga site.
- ↑ "Ymir". Attack on Titan official anime site.
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 14-21)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 89 (p. 18)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 16-18)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 36 (p. 27-29)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 24 (p. 9)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 48 (p. 30-32)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 31)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 54 (p. 12 & 13)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 28-30)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 37)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 52 (p. 33)
- ↑ "SnK News: Isayama Hajime Interview in Weekly Shonen Magazine 2017 Issue No. 41". fuku-shuu. Retrieved on December 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Heartbreak one".
- ↑ "History". Wikipedia.
- ↑ "Christ, Etymology and origins". Wikipedia.
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 54 (p. 1 - 6)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 66 (p. 2 - 3)