Eren Kruger

Overview

Eren Kruger is a crucial supporting character in Attack on Titan. Publicly serving as an officer within the Marleyan Public Security authorities, he secretly operates as The Owl, the elusive mastermind behind the Eldian Restorationist movement. He is also the holder of the Attack Titan, one of the Nine Titans. While forced to maintain his military cover by overseeing the brutal punishment of his fellow Eldians, Kruger works relentlessly to secure the future of his people, eventually passing his titan power and mission to Grisha Yeager.

Appearance

Eren Kruger is a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes. He wears the standard uniform of the Marleyan Public Security officers, complete with a military hat and necktie, and is frequently seen smoking cigarettes. Fifteen years after his first meeting with Grisha Yeager, visible nasolabial folds mark his face, giving him an aged and weary look. In his titan form, he becomes a massive, muscular giant capable of overpowering armed forces.

Personality

On the surface, Kruger maintains a stern, indifferent demeanor as a loyal Marleyan officer, even resorting to violence against young Eldians to preserve his disguise. Privately, however, he harbors a fiery conviction for Eldian liberation. Cruelly forced to condemn countless compatriots to maintain his cover, he carries immense guilt and remorse. Beneath his somber exterior lies a resolute leader who shows tough encouragement to Grisha Yeager, demanding that he press forward despite despair.

Abilities

Kruger possesses the power of the Attack Titan, enabling him to transform into a massive giant after drawing blood. In this state, he exhibits immense physical strength, capable of easily destroying military vessels and defeating multiple armed soldiers single-handedly. Through medical fraud arranged by an allied doctor, he bypassed blood testing to infiltrate the military. Additionally, his titan ability connects him to the memories of future inheritors across time.

Background

As a child, Kruger hid in a closet and witnessed his revolutionary parents being burned alive by Marleyan security officers. Rescued by his parents' comrades, he later passed military blood screenings with the help of a secret Eldian doctor. Infiltrating the Marleyan authorities, he established the Eldian Restorationists under the codename The Owl, guiding them while forced to send caught Eldians to Paradis to protect his cover. As his thirteen-year titan lifespan drew to a close, the Restorationists were exposed by Zeke Yeager. Escorting them to the Paradis seawall, Kruger betrayed his commander Gross, revealed his true identity to Grisha Yeager, and allowed Grisha to inherit the Attack Titan to carry on the mission.

Relationships

Kruger's primary relationship is with Grisha Yeager, whom he observes from childhood and eventually selects as his successor, passing on both his mission and the Attack Titan. He works alongside Sergeant Major Gross, disguising his contempt until he executes Gross by pushing him off the wall. He also silently observed the tragic aftermath of Grisha's sister, Faye Yeager. Before his death, he strangely utters the names of Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, referencing individuals who have not yet been born.

Trivia

Grisha Yeager named his son, Eren Yeager, after Eren Kruger in honor of his legacy. Furthermore, Eren Yeager later used the pseudonym Kruger during his covert infiltration of Marley. During the climactic Battle of Heaven and Earth, Kruger's spirit manifested among former Titan shifters on the Founding Titan's ribcage to assist the alliance.