First making their debut in the Attack On Titan side story Captain Levi, Levi Ackerman has become one of the most popular characters in the Attack On Titan cast and one of modern anime’s most iconic characters. However, when designing Levi, the manga’s creator Hajime Isayama took inspiration from a surprising and very Western source.
Levi is a crucial character in Attack On Titan, growing roughly up on the streets of the Underground before joining the Survey Corps when he comes of age. Levi quickly proves that he is a strong and resilient fighter and earns the trust of those around him, leading to him becoming part of the elite Special Operations Squad. After Eren Yeager learns of his ability to transform into a Titan, he is put in the Special Operations Squad, with Levi overseeing him and his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert.
Who Is the Inspiration Behind Levi Ackerman?
Levi’s leadership is crucial to Eren’s development, as he helps him and his friends survive the horrors of the world, frequently putting his life on the line to help them out and help them grow. However, as the story progresses, Levi’s history comes back to haunt him, throwing him into several difficult situations.
Surprisingly, according to series creator Hajime Isayama, Levi was inspired by Rorschach from Alan Moore’s legendary 1986 comic Watchmen. Isayama revealed this fact in a 2014 interview with men’s pop-culture magazine Brutus. In the interview, he explains that:
“Levi is a character I accidentally created while idly doodling, and I, of course, knew I had something. Then I saw Watchmen, and the character Rorschach really stuck with me, and I decided I wanted to try doing a similar character, so I combined him with that doodle.”
Levi and Rorschach Are Surprisingly Similar
Once you learn of this connection, it’s pretty easy to see how Rorschach influenced Levi, as both characters share similar designs and character traits. One of the most instantly noticeable similarities between the two characters is their appearances. Both have smaller-than-average statures, with official data saying Levi is a surprisingly tiny 5’3″. Plus, both men wear white neckwear, with Rorschach wearing a scarf and Levi frequently wearing a white cravat, that while fitting with the general style of the Survey Corps uniform, is something exclusive to him, making it a clear nod towards the character’s inspiration.
Also, Levi and Walter Kovacs (Rorschach’s name before taking on the mantle) had troubled childhoods, being born into poverty and lacking a father figure. Though Walter’s mother didn’t pass away, he was taken from her, being placed in the Lillian Charlton Home for Problem Children. These upbringings left a lasting mark on both men, shaping who they were well into adulthood, as seen by their values and actions later in their stories.
Plus, both characters show deep loyalty to their chosen friends, sticking with them even when faced with seemingly impossible odds. This is especially notable with Levi, as while Rorschach does track down someone murdering costumed heroes to protect his colleagues, Levi frequently puts himself in harm’s way when fighting Titans, often taking them on single-handedly despite the risk. But, both men accompany this loyalty with the ability to do horribly violent things without remorse. If they believe something is for the greater good, Rorschach and Levi will do anything to achieve it, shown perfectly by the fact both men resort to brutal torture to extract information from people.
Though they do have some notable differences. For instance, Rorschach is messy, living in squalor and not caring about his appearance or personal hygiene, especially in the later acts. Levi is the polar opposite, loving clean things and working to keep his dwelling and equipment in a spotless state, though Isayama has said that this was a deliberate decision to make Levi contrast with Rorschach.
While at first, the idea that Rorschach was the main inspiration for Levi may seem strange. But the more you look at both characters and their arcs, the more noticeable the connection becomes. Both characters share major character traits and experience similar emotional beats during their stories. This inspiration shows the power of a good story and how a well-told tale, like the one found in Watchmen, can ripple out and affect many people.
Leave a Reply