Jean Kirstein

Jean Kirstein (ジャン・キルシュタイン) is a secondary character from the manga and anime Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama.
== Canon ==
Jean has an extroverted personality, is sincere, and speaks out when he thinks something is not right. In the beginning of the story (15 years old), Jean often bragged about his abilities and admits his intention of joining the Military Police for money and a comfortable life. He also liked to start fights with Eren Jeager which were often related to the increasing rivalry between them, and Jean admitted his jealousy regarding Eren's closeness to Mikasa Ackerman. However, as the story progresses, Jean starts developing more mature traits, often self-reflecting about his role in the Survey Corps, which he decided to join after expressing feelings of helplessness regarding the death of comrades and friends. By the second half of the story, Jean (19 years old) has evidently matured compared to his younger self, often sharing insightful opinions regarding important topics and shows empathy and constant intentions of understanding Eren and his actions. As Jean's character develops, he progressively displays leadership traits.
== Fanon ==
=== Shipping ===
==== Jean Kirstein/Mikasa Ackerman ====
Jean and Mikasa met during their cadet years, in their early teens. Jean is evidently smitten after catching sight of Mikasa, immediately complementing her hair. Although their relationship as comrades is evident from the start of the story, Jean and Mikasa don't talk lots to each other. Nonetheless, he admitted his admiration towards her and her abilities and throughout their cadet years and then as part of the Survey Corps, Jean and Mikasa save each other's lives at some point. Despite not showing obvious signs of closeness during the first part of the story, they show respect for each other and share mutual friends. As the story progresses to its second half, Jean admits his willingness to inherit the Attack Titan in Mikasa's place, arguing it was risky if she inherited it and how having the titan would interfere with her future as an Azumabito descent, also mentioning other reasons he didn't detail. Throughout the story, Jean is attentive about Mikasa's feelings, noticing her affection towards Eren yet keeping his distance from her. He also notices her constant worry about Eren's well-being, to which he admitted being jealous. After Marley's invasion and the Survey Corps return to Paradis, Jean notices Mikasa was in a sour mood, thus assuming it was a result from her and Armin's reunion with Eren, immediately demanding to know how the latter had hurt her. Furthermore, Jean's romantic feelings for Mikasa are reaffirmed right before the start of the Rumbling, as he dreams about having a family with her in a peaceful future (Ch. 127). Right before the Rumbling, it's noted that Mikasa knows about Jean's intentions of abandoning the Jaegerists and joining the Alliance, significantly showing signs of closeness, which are more evident during the Rumbling as they fight side by side. After the Rumbling, the former members of the Alliance minus Mikasa are on their way to return to Paradis and Jean is seen combing his hair, which is noted as an unusual act on his part. Despite saying he was taking care of his hair in order to look good for the girls who were going to read history books, it's probable that he was taking care of his appearance as the prospect of meeting Mikasa again prompted up. On the extra pages part of the manga's last volume, a time skip shows a man similar looking to Jean who visits Eren's grave while holding Mikasa, who has a baby on her arms. Despite the similar appearance of Mikasa's family while compared to Jean's dream, the canon nature of Jean and Mikasa as a couple has been debated in fandom.
==== Jean Kirstein/Eren Jeager ====
==== Jean Kirstein/Armin Arlert ====
==== Jean Kirstein/Marco Bott ====
==External Links==
* Jean Kirstein tag at Archive of Our Own
Category:Attack on Titan Characters