Summary
Levi Ackerman is one of the best characters inAttack on Titan. He seems pretty apathetic and unlikeable at first before viewers realize the events that made this character who he is. Regardless of the first impression he makes, it doesn’t take long for him to becomeone of the best parts of the entire show. Watching him slice and dice Titans with utmost finesse always makes for some of the best moments of the entire series.
It helps that this character also utters some of the most memorable lines in the entire series. It’s a combination of his amazing skills, surprising intellect, and unique charisma of his own that makes Levi a highlight ofAttack on Titan. Some of themost memorable quotes fromAttack on Titan’s Leviare truly brilliant and showcase the strengths of this series for everyone to see.
Updated on July 01, 2025, by Mati Kent-Nye:It’s easy to see why Levi Ackerman is such a fan favorite. Whether he’s hacking up titans with superhuman agility or offering up memorable quotes, every scene that features him is sure to be a pleasure to watch. From the first series up until the last, he remained steadfast in his devotion to the scouts and his desire to preserve humanity. At face value, he’s cold and callous, but underneath that protective shell lies a man who truly cares for his comrades.With this much-loved series having concluded, now is a great time to look back at Levi’s most iconic quotes.
20"You Either Will, Or You Won’t."
A Straightforward Summary Of A Complex Situation
Never one for shying away from saying it like it is, Levi is used to being straightforward and candid, especially when it comes to getting through to Eren. When Eren was hesitant to answer whether he believed he would be able to plug Wall Rose using his hardening ability, Levi had these choice words for him.
Levi was quick to rationalize the situation, making it clear that there was nothing to decide. Countless lives were being spent in the fight against the titans, and everything depended on Eren being able to do what needed to be done.
19"Thanks Guys, I Needed That."
A Rare Moment Of Humor From Levi
After being punched bythe newly crowned Queen Historia, Levi responded with one of his most surprising quotes in the entire series. Instead of retaliating with anger and flipping out at Historia, he found humor in the situation and actually thanked his squad mates, an unexpected reaction that shocked the former scout, who was expecting a much worse reaction.
Throughout the third series, much was learned of Levi’s backstory, including how he was raised by the ruthless Kenny the Ripper, a man who was as distant as he was violent. Despite there being no love lost between Levi and Kenny, as well as being on opposing sides of the war, the death of Kenny clearly took a toll on Levi, especially after only just finding out that Kenny was his uncle. Historia punching Levi made him realize that he wasn’t alone and that he still had friends around him.
18"We’ve Made Great Strides Today, Soldier. And Tomorrow, Because Of You."
A Demonstration That Levi Is An Empathetic Leader
As much as Levi appears to be heartless and stone-cold, he has a deep care for the men and women under his command. This was shown relatively early in the first series whenLevi comforts a dying scout. When the scout asks if he was helpful and if his death would have meaning, Levi delivers a heartwarming monologue.
Despite the scout dying during Levi’s speech, the smile on his face lets Levi know that his words got through to him in the end, and he was able to give his dying squad mate some peace in his last moments. This was the viewers' first time seeing Levi as an empathetic leader.
17"We Can’t Always Carry Our Fallen Comrades Home, But We Carry Their Memory."
Explains How Levi Honors The Dead
Levi has seen his fair share of deathduring his time as a member of the Survey Corps. It’s obviously not been an easy thing to deal with, and most people wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he lost his own nearest and dearest friends while attacking the Titans during an excursion as a member of the Survey Corps.
So, with the amount of death that surrounds Levi, all he can do is honor their memory and sacrifice by trying to take down as many of these gigantic monstrosities as possible. He may look like he doesn’t have any emotions and is pretty coldhearted, but Levi knows loss and pain very well, and he has matured over time to fight and honor the legacy of his fellow brethren instead of mourning them in the heat of combat.
16"Stay Alive. That’s An Order."
Every Soldier Is Valuable In This War
Season 4 ofAttack on Titanwasa dramatic shift for the series, After focusing on the threat of Titans, the new revelations brought to light completely changed the focus of the series. The residents of Paradis Island learned about the true nature of their existence, with Eren joining the dark side and giving Marley a taste of their own medicine.
When the Survey Corps aids Eren during his declaration of war, Levi implores his troops to stay alive. The losses in the fight against the Beast, Armored, and Colossal Titan a few years ago were high, and it took a while for the Survey Corps to regain their manpower. Better than anyone, Levi knows just how valuable every person’s life is.
15"But I Think… It’s Time To Let Him Rest."
A Moment Of Mourning And Grief
Erwin is one of Levi’s closest friends, and the two of them depend on each other to help the Survey Corps thrive. Levi owes everything to Erwin for helping him escape the state of poverty he was stuck in, becoming a loyal soldier and confidant to the commander who always gave everything in the heat of battle.
Their final conversation is a chilling exchange of words where Erwin happily accepts his death and marches along with the scouts in a suicidal attempt to take out the Beast Titan. This distraction allows Levi to sneak up on Zeke and incapacitate him, attaining victory at a massive cost.
14"The Difference In Judgment Between You And Me Originates From Different Rules Derived From Past Experience."
A Clash Of Differing Viewpoints
Levi doesn’t shy away from putting people in his place if required. After all, the experience he has on the battlefield lets him make informed judgments on a particular situation.
It’s this experience that might make him seem cold and distant at first glance. The truth, however, is that Levi has seen so much death and loss on the battlefield that he’s become used to not letting people know what’s going on in his mind.
13"So, Just Do The Best You Can And Choose Whichever You’ll Regret The Least."
Levi Knows No Choice Is Perfect
Choices inAttack on Titanare rarely black or white. Any decision can potentially lead to victory, innumerable casualties, or both.
This is something Levi is intimately familiar with, especially since his decisions have led to the cost of other people (including his close friends) losing their lives. So, instead of dwelling on the perfect decision, Levi uses this line to recommend just making the one that will lead to the least regrets further down the line.
12"Some Scouts’ Lives Are More Valuable Than Others. Only Those Dumb Enough To Acknowledge That Join Us."
Levi Tells Eren A Harsh Truth
Eren is the living example of a soldier who isinfinitely more valuable to humanity than anyone else. This is why so many members of the Survey Corps lose their lives to try and protect their greatest asset.
Levi states this line coldly and outright declares that only people who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect the more valuable soldiers around them have the guts to join the Survey Corps. He might be calling them dumb, but, in a way, he is also acknowledging their bravery.
11"No Casualties. Don’t You Dare Die."
The Emotions Beneath It All
Even though Levi might seem coldhearted, the truth is that he cares for each and every one of his comrades. This just doesn’t show on his face, mainly because Levi has been conditioned after witnessing multiple friends and soldiers die in front of his very eyes.
His steely resolve to prevent the unnecessary death of comrades causes him toput his body on the line over and over again. Levi doesn’t use words to show how much he loves his comrades — his actions show the same instead.
