The mangaka of Attack on Titan has released a new special chapter called “Bad Boy”. In volume 35, there is more information about the backstory of Levi Ackermann. In the manga volume, we also learn where Levi got one of his strangest habits from.
What habit is it? Levi Ackermann has a strange way of drinking tea. He holds the cup by the rim instead of the handle. In the manga and anime, it is never explained why the Titan Slayer drinks his tea this way. Since the mangaka is currently working on other projects, it is all the more delightful that he clarifies this peculiarity with what seems to be a final special volume.
The reason for this lies in his past, which we now learn more about in the new manga volume. He used to enjoy drinking tea with his mother. In all the poverty, she was his only support. Unfortunately, his mother passed away when Levi was still young.
What happens next can be seen in the tweet from NightmareUz2:
Throughout volume 35, he prepares tea for himself after the death of his mother Kuchel Ackermann. A cup falls to the floor because it breaks right at the handle. This is particularly sad because it is the tea set of his deceased mother. Levi then swears never to touch a cup by the handle again.
Here you can see the beginnings of Attack on Titan in the trailer:
Levi Ackermann had a sad childhood
What new things do we learn about Levi Ackermann? It is no wonder that the mangaka Hajime Isayama chose Levi’s backstory. After all, he is the most popular character in Japan (according to a survey translated in the reddit forum) and we learn very little about him.
The manga provides us with a bit more information:
- Levi Ackermann grew up underground and was raised by Kenny Ackermann. Before joining the Titan Hunters, he was a criminal.
- Every Ackermann awakens their powers when they are close to death and want to protect something important. This is also true for Levi: When he tries to reclaim his mother’s tea set from criminals, he is beaten so severely that his powers awaken and he kills the thieves.
- Kenny Ackermann then leaves the boy. Levi fights his way through the underground until he joins the Survey Corps.
In the special volume, Levi Ackermann tells the story of his colleague Gabi Braun, as we know from the fourth season of the anime. Gabi had mocked how Levi holds his teacup. But when she hears his backstory, she swears to hold her cup the same way from now on.
Unfortunately, no English version has been announced yet. The special chapter consists of a total of 18 pages. Whether there will be another special volume like this in the future has not been revealed by the mangaka. The current volume was released three years after the official end of Attack on Titan.
The author has revealed another secret: In Attack on Titan, there is an abnormal Titan that speaks – the author explains what is behind it
