Historia

Biodata

Appearance

• Blond hair and blue eyes: Olivia inherits Historia’s coloring and facial features, closely resembling her mother as a child 115 141.
• Angelic smile: Her sweet smile is compared to that of an angel when she meets Arthur and Mikasa 22.
• Royal attire: Her coronation requires elaborate clothing and extensive preparation by Mikasa, Ymir, and palace attendants; Historia complains about the outfit’s complexity 115.

Personality

Historia initially presents herself as timid, apologetic, and eager to care for others. During training, she saves bread for Sasha despite the recruits’ limited meals, prompting Ymir to insist that she eat enough herself. She later feels guilty about concealing her name even though the deception protects her life 24 69.

Her childhood leaves her longing for affection and fearing that she is unwanted. Arthur’s protection and Ymir’s encouragement help her begin valuing her own life. When Rod attempts to force the Founding Titan upon her, she rejects the demand and chooses the peaceful life she wants rather than the duty he assigns her 69 111.

Her acceptance of the throne is nevertheless a deliberate sacrifice: she agrees after considering the civilian deaths another succession struggle could cause. She also insists on proving herself in battle rather than expecting people to trust her royal title alone 113 114.

In private, Historia is affectionate and mischievous. She teases Mikasa, playfully attacks Arthur when he mocks her coronation preparations, and punches Levi after becoming queen 115 117.

Abilities & Skills

Omni-Directional Mobility and Titan Combat

Historia develops from a physically weak recruit who needs help enduring conditioning into a soldier capable of killing Titans 26 99.

• Uses Aerial Waltz of Annihilation to kill two Titans during the attempt to recover Arthur and Eren 99.
• Uses grappling hooks, gas propulsion, and blades to intercept and cut the Rod Reiss Titan’s airborne nape after Arthur identifies it 114.
• Loses her balance after delivering the killing blow to Rod and must be caught by Arthur 114.

Hand-to-Hand Combat

• Learns a shoulder throw from Arthur and uses it against Rod when he grabs her after she rejects the inheritance ritual 111.

Royal Blood and Memory Contact

Historia’s royal lineage makes her central to the struggle over the Founding Titan 107 111.

• Touching Eren’s back alongside Rod triggers memories for all three, restoring Historia’s recollections of Frieda 110.
• Eren experiences future visions when he kisses Historia’s hand during the medal ceremony; the visions are experienced by Eren, not Historia 129.
• Rod intends for her to become a Titan and eat Eren, but she destroys the syringe and refuses to inherit the Founding Titan 111.
• The Corps later explains that a royal-blooded inheritor of the Founding Titan would be constrained by the First King’s Vow Renouncing War 113.

Leadership and Public Speaking

• Personally addresses civilians to reassure them after revelations about the outside world threaten public order 129.
• Convenes Parliament to discuss the basement discoveries and decides that the truth should be disclosed 128.
• Publicly credits Arthur’s policy work when announcing their marriage, helping secure support for the union 136.
• Calls on Paradis Island’s people to prepare for a possible war with Marley 141.

Background / History

Childhood and the Christa Identity

Historia is born on a small ranch inside Wall Rose, on Reiss family land. Her father is Lord Rod Reiss, while her mother is a maid. As an illegitimate child, she grows up isolated and begins farmwork at an early age 69.

Her mother offers little affection. When Historia embraces her in an attempt to experience the maternal love described in books, her mother pushes her away and says she wishes she had the courage to kill her. Historia nevertheless treasures the encounter because it is the first time her mother has reacted to her 69.

Around the fall of Wall Maria, Rod arrives with Historia’s mother and attempts to take Historia away. Armed pursuers kill her mother and nearly kill Historia, but Rod intervenes and orders her to live under the name Christa 69.

Frieda, Rod’s eldest daughter, had also visited Historia during childhood and taught her to read. Historia does not recover these memories until her captivity beneath the Reiss chapel 110.

Training and Confession

Historia meets Arthur and Mikasa while registering for the 104th Training Corps. During the first six months of conditioning and mobility training, she is among the weaker recruits who require assistance from stronger classmates 22 26.

She later joins the Survey Corps partly to avoid the Interior and the people who might come looking for her. She credits Arthur’s protection, including his actions during a snowy mountain exercise, with giving her life new meaning 69.

In a secluded grove, she reveals her true name and childhood to Arthur and Mikasa. Arthur promises to protect both women, and they agree to continue calling her Christa in public and Historia in private. Before the 57th Expedition, the other cadets learn that she and Arthur have begun a romantic relationship 69 72.

Expeditions and the Utgard Crisis

During the Female Titan expedition, Historia accompanies Arthur and Mikasa as they bring spare horses to Armin, Jean, and Reiner. Arthur later asks her and Mikasa to remain behind and help hold off approaching Titans 76 78.

Ahead of Annie’s capture operation, Historia is temporarily detained with other members of the 104th because the Corps suspects additional infiltrators among them. Arthur and Mikasa warn her beforehand, making her aware of the reason for their confinement 82 87.

The subsequent Titan emergency leaves the recruits trapped at Utgard Castle. Arthur arrives ahead of the main force, and Ymir later transforms to rescue Historia and the others from the collapsing tower. Historia tries to rush after Ymir when she risks herself against the surrounding Titans, but Arthur stops her 90 92.

During the pursuit of Reiner and Bertolt, Historia and Ymir follow the rescue charge for Arthur and Eren. Historia kills two Titans, and the pair later rescue Arthur and Mikasa after Reiner knocks them from their horse 99 100.

Capture and Rejection of Rod Reiss

Kenny’s forces capture Historia and Eren during an ambush. Kenny threatens to shoot Historia to prevent Arthur from stopping their escape. The Corps’ investigation subsequently reveals that the Reiss family—not the publicly recognized monarch—is the true royal family 106 107.

Beneath the Reiss chapel, Rod has Historia touch Eren to recover memories. After she remembers Frieda, Rod tells her that Grisha killed her sister and urges her to eat Eren to regain Frieda’s memories and the Founding Titan 110 111.

Kenny exposes Rod’s refusal to assume the burden himself. Remembering Arthur’s request that she live for herself and Ymir’s encouragement to live proudly, Historia knocks away the syringe, throws Rod to the ground, and goes to free Eren 111.

She refuses Eren’s pleas to be eaten and works to unlock his restraints. Rod then licks the spilled Titan spinal fluid and transforms, forcing Arthur, Mikasa, and the others to complete the rescue. After escaping, Historia tells Eren that he need not keep apologizing for Grisha’s actions 112.

Accession to the Throne

Levi informs Historia that the coup’s leaders want her to take the throne to legitimize the new government. Although she initially refuses and her friends object, she accepts to prevent another power struggle and further civilian deaths. Her condition is that she be allowed to personally end the threat posed by Rod’s Titan 113.

At Orvud District, she refuses Erwin’s suggestion that she remain out of combat, arguing that a queen must offer more than a title. After Arthur and Eren shatter Rod’s upper body, she destroys his nape in view of the civilians. Standing on a wagon afterward, she declares herself the true ruler within the Walls 114.

Zackly formally crowns her queen at a church ceremony. Afterward, encouraged by Arthur and Mikasa, she punches Levi in the arm and jokingly dares him to retaliate; Levi responds with a smile and thanks 115.

Reign and Reforms

Historia begins her reign with little political experience or independent support. She studies political books supplied by Arthur and relies heavily on his administrative assistance 115 116.

Marriage, Motherhood, and Arthur’s Departure

Historia tells Arthur that a doctor has confirmed she is one month pregnant. Concerned that they are not yet married, she asks what they should do, and Arthur promises to announce their wedding after Hizuru’s visit 134.

She publicly announces the marriage and reveals Arthur’s contribution to the policies enacted under her reign. Arthur, Mikasa, and Historia subsequently exchange vows and rings together at a crowded cathedral 136.

Historia safely gives birth to a daughter, whom Arthur names Olivia Arthur, meaning “hope.” Olivia is recognized as a future heir to the throne. Mikasa gives birth to Messiah Arthur six months later 141.

Two years after Olivia’s birth, Arthur disappears during the night. His farewell letter explains that he has left to protect his family from the coming war. Historia is devastated and cries over the letter; she and Mikasa later go to the palace to discuss their response 141 144.

Relationships

• Arthur Ackerman — Husband and principal political supporter. His early protection helps her feel valued, and his encouragement contributes to her rejection of Rod’s demands. They marry and have a daughter, Olivia 69 111 116 136 141.
• Mikasa Ackerman — Close confidante and fellow wife of Arthur. Mikasa supports her confession, helps rescue her, assists with her coronation preparations, and shares her grief after Arthur leaves 69 112 115 136 144.
• Ymir — Protective friend who enlists to get close to Historia after learning of her circumstances. She urges Historia to live proudly, rescues her at Utgard, and entrusts her to Arthur at their wedding 92 94 111 136.
• Rod Reiss — Father. He preserves her life by assigning her a false identity, but later attempts to make her inherit the Founding Titan. Historia rejects him and ultimately kills his Titan form 69 111 114.
• Frieda Reiss — Older half-sister who secretly cared for her and taught her to read. Recovering those memories leaves Historia eager to thank her, before she learns of Frieda’s death 110.
• Eren Yeager — Fellow cadet and comrade. Historia refuses to sacrifice him for Rod’s plan and rejects the idea that he must atone for his father’s actions 111 112.
• Levi Ackerman — Military superior who presents the demand that she become queen and accepts her condition to confront Rod herself 113.
• Olivia Arthur — Daughter and royal heir, whose appearance closely resembles Historia’s childhood looks 141.
• Messiah Arthur — Arthur and Mikasa’s son and Olivia’s younger half-brother, raised alongside her in the family household 141.

Notable Quotes

“Why? Why should this burden be forced on me? All I want is a warm, peaceful life. I don't want to inherit the Founding Titan's power!” 111

“I don't think the people will be naive enough to believe in a queen who has nothing but a title. I'll prove myself in battle.” 114

“My name is Historia Reiss, and I am the true ruler within these walls!!” 114