The Nine Titans, or the nine titan shifters as they are also known, are the most powerful beings in the world of Attack on Titan. These nine titans were originally created thousands of years ago by a mysterious entity called the Source of All Living Matter, also referred to as “God” by some characters. The powers of the nine titans were eventually split between the Eldian people through the use of serum injections and passed down through families over generations.
The Founding Titan
The Founding Titan, also known as the Progenitor Titan, is the first of the Nine Titans created by the Source of All Living Matter. It has the ability to control and command regular titans through screaming. The Founding Titan also has the power to modify the memories and physiology of the Subjects of Ymir. Some of its other abilities include:
- Titan creation – The Founding Titan can transform Subjects of Ymir into titans.
- Coordinate – Allows the Founding Titan to command titans.
- Memory manipulation – Can alter memories of Subjects of Ymir.
- Body modification – Can alter the physiology of Subjects of Ymir.
The Founding Titan has been held by the Reiss royal family within the Walls for generations. It was passed down from generation to generation in secret. The last Reiss family member to hold the Founding Titan was Frieda Reiss.
How Frieda Reiss obtained the Founding Titan
Frieda Reiss obtained the Founding Titan powers at the age of 15 when her uncle Uri Reiss passed it down to her before his 13-year tenure was up. As part of the Reiss family, Frieda was able to fully wield the immense powers of the Founding Titan.
How Eren Yeager obtained the Founding Titan
Eren Yeager obtained the Founding Titan powers after eating his father Grisha who had killed Frieda Reiss and taken her powers. However, Eren initially could not use the Founding Titan’s powers fully due to not being of royal blood.
The Attack Titan
The Attack Titan is known for loving freedom and notoriously opposing oppression. It has the ability to see the future memories of its successors. Some key abilities include:
- Future memory inheritance – Can see future memories of successors.
- Strong combat skills – Excellent at fighting and tackling enemies.
- High stamina – Can keep fighting for long durations.
The Attack Titan has been held by the Eldian resistance group against the Marley government. It was passed down this way:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Eren Kruger | Unknown |
| Grisha Yeager | Eren Kruger |
| Eren Yeager | Grisha Yeager |
How Eren Kruger obtained the Attack Titan
It is unknown exactly how Eren Kruger, the notorious Attack Titan who battled Marley as the Eldian resistance known as the Owl, first obtained the Attack Titan powers.
How Grisha Yeager obtained the Attack Titan
Grisha Yeager was given the Attack Titan powers by Eren Kruger in the year 832. This occurred when Kruger was at the end of his 13-year tenure and selected Grisha to carry on the mission to retake the Founding Titan.
The Colossus Titan
The Colossus Titan is infamous for its massive size of 60 meters and incredible destructive power. It is able to release hot steam from its body and has immense physical strength. Some key traits:
- 60m height – Enormous size.
- Steam emission – Can release hot steam as a defensive mechanism.
- High power – Immense strength and destructive capabilities.
The Colossus Titan was in the possession of Eldians living in Marley. It was passed down in this order:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Bertolt Hoover | Unknown |
| Armin Arlert | Bertolt Hoover |
How Bertolt Hoover obtained the Colossus Titan
Details are unknown about how Bertolt Hoover first received the Colossus Titan powers. As an Eldian living in Marley, he was selected and trained from a young age as a Warrior candidate.
How Armin Arlert obtained the Colossus Titan
Armin Arlert obtained the Colossus Titan in the year 850 after eating Bertolt Hoover during the Battle of Shiganshina District. Levi chose to inject the serum into Armin over Erwin Smith to save his life.
The Female Titan
The Female Titan is known for its incredible speed, agility and endurance. It can harden its skin and summon regular titans with a scream. Key powers include:
- Speed – Excellent running speed and agility.
- Endurance – High levels of stamina and endurance.
- Skin hardening – Can harden skin for added defense.
- Titan summoning – Scream can attract mindless titans.
The Female Titan was held solely by Annie Leonhart in recent years. She obtained it through the Warrior program in Marley.
| Owner |
|---|
| Annie Leonhart |
How Annie Leonhart obtained the Female Titan
Annie Leonhart was chosen at a young age to inherit the Female Titan through Marley’s Warrior program. She was rigorously trained and selected based on her skills and aptitude.
The Armored Titan
The Armored Titan is encased in hardened armored plating, giving it tremendous defensive abilities. It can smash through Walls and hardened structures. Key traits:
- Armor plating – Provides excellent defense.
- Strength – Immense strength and power.
- Endurance – Very durable and can take a lot of damage.
The Armored Titan has been held by two successors as part of the Marley Warrior program:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Reiner Braun | Unknown |
| Falco Grice | Reiner Braun |
How Reiner Braun obtained the Armored Titan
Reiner Braun inherited the Armored Titan as a young Warrior candidate chosen by Marley for his skills and loyalty to Marley.
How Falco Grice obtained the Armored Titan
Falco Grice gained the Armored Titan powers after consuming Reiner Braun during the battle at Fort Salta in the year 854.
The Beast Titan
The Beast Titan has a unique beastly appearance and can transform Subjects of Ymir into titans. Some of its powers include:
- Beast form – Has an ape-like or beastly physique.
- Titan creation – Can transform Subjects of Ymir into Pure Titans.
- Power pitching – Can hurl objects long distances with great accuracy.
The Beast Titan was held by Zeke Yeager for many years until his demise. It was then passed down:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Zeke Yeager | Unknown |
| Unknown | Zeke Yeager |
How Zeke Yeager obtained the Beast Titan
Zeke Yeager was chosen to inherit the Beast Titan as part of the Marley Warrior program. He likely consumed the previous Beast Titan holder when he was selected.
Future successor
It is unknown who will inherit the Beast Titan power after Zeke Yeager’s death. A Subject of Ymir will be chosen to consume Zeke’s spinal fluid to obtain his abilities.
The Cart Titan
The Cart Titan has incredible endurance and primarily played a cargo carrying role for Marley. Some key traits:
- High endurance – Can keep moving and working for long periods.
- Cargo carrying – Designed for transporting heavy cargo due to its stamina.
- Quadrupedal – Moves on four limbs for stability.
The Cart Titan was held by two successors from Marley:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Pieck Finger | Unknown |
| Unknown | Pieck Finger |
How Pieck Finger obtained the Cart Titan
Pieck Finger was chosen from among the Warrior candidates and trained rigorously to master the Cart Titan abilities for Marley’s benefit.
Future successor
It is not yet known who will inherit the Cart Titan power after Pieck reaches the end of her tenure. A new Cart Titan will consume Pieck to gain her abilities.
The Jaw Titan
The Jaw Titan has an incredible bite force and agility in its jaw and legs. Some key attributes include:
- Jaw strength – Has tremendous bite force.
- Speed – Very quick and agile.
- Light body – Smaller and more nimble frame.
The Jaw Titan has passed between these two successors from Marley:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Porco Galliard | Unknown |
| Falco Grice | Porco Galliard |
How Porco Galliard obtained the Jaw Titan
As part of the Marley Warrior program, Porco Galliard was rigorously trained and then chosen to inherit the Jaw Titan.
How Falco Grice obtained the Jaw Titan
Falco Grice gained the Jaw Titan powers after eating Porco Galliard during the battle at Fort Salta in the year 854.
The War Hammer Titan
The War Hammer Titan has the unique ability to create structures and weapons out of hardened titan flesh. Key abilities:
- Weapon creation – Can fashion weapons and structures from hardened titan flesh.
- Remote operation – The user can control the Titan remotely via a cable.
- Crystal encasement – User surrounds themselves in a crystal for protection.
The War Hammer Titan was held by the Tybur family who resided in Marley. It passed between these successors:
| Owner | Predecessor |
|---|---|
| Willy Tybur | Unknown |
| Eren Yeager | Willy Tybur |
How Willy Tybur obtained the War Hammer Titan
As part of the noble Tybur family in Marley, Willy Tybur likely inherited the War Hammer Titan directly from the previous holder in his family line.
How Eren Yeager obtained the War Hammer Titan
Eren Yeager obtained the War Hammer Titan in the year 854 after ambushing and consuming Willy Tybur during Willy’s declaration of war against Paradis Island.
Conclusion
The Nine Titans were mystical powers created by the Source of All Living Matter and then split into nine successors by the Eldian people. They were passed down through important Eldian families for generations, both within the Walls and in Marley. The Founding Titan remained with the Reiss family, while the other eight powers were held by two main groups:
- The Marley Warrior program – This group trained Eldian successors to inherit the Titans in service of Marley. This included the Female Titan, Colossus Titan, Armored Titan, Beast Titan, Cart Titan, and Jaw Titan.
- The Eldian resistance – Eren Kruger and Grisha Yeager of the Eldian resistance passed down the Attack Titan in opposition to Marley’s rule.
Eventually, almost all of the Nine Titans were brought together when Eren Yeager gained the Founding Titan, Attack Titan and later the War Hammer Titan. This concentration of power in one person led to dramatic changes in the world of Attack on Titan.