Darius Zackley

> I wish to make certain of something, Mr. Jaeger. As a soldier, can you continue to serve humanity by controlling your Titan ability?
>
> Darius to Eren Jaeger,

**Darius Zackley** was the premier of the three regiments of the military, and as such oversaw the Survey Corps, the Garrison, and the Military Police Brigade.

## Appearance

Zackley had the typical appearance of an old man. His eyes were sunken and tired-looking, he wore glasses, he had noticeable wrinkles on his face, and his hair was receded and gray. He also had a gray scruffy looking full beard and mustache. In addition, he was rather short which gave him a presence uncommon for a man of his rank. Zackley's casual attire consisted of a plain white shirt with normal dark colored pants. In a more formal setting he added a bolo tie, much like the three commanders under him, Nile Dok, Erwin Smith, and Dot Pyxis. Over this he wore a brown trench coat that had a black shield emblem with a white boarder and cross.

## Personality

When he was first introduced, Zackley was said to be a strict military leader who was only concerned with the best interests of humanity. As the head of the entire military, his priorities were said to lie within what is best for all of humanity. Only after being logically convinced of Eren's usefulness did he pardon him. At this time he appeared to take most things lightly, as if he had experienced them previously. During the trial of Eren he wore simple clothes and conducted the trial without any drama or passion. Similarly, he overthrew the monarchy with an incredibly casual demeanor. This indicated that Zackley had no time for drama and was solely focused on carrying out his judgments. He remained ever serious but at the same time appeared tired as if his age was catching up to him.

However, after Zackley assisted in the revolution against the monarchy he showed a completely different personality. He noted to Erwin that his only interest in participating was due to an intense and long-standing hatred of those in charge. He took great delight in seeing their fear when they fell from power. In direct contrast to the idea that he acted in the best interest of humanity, he told Erwin that he did not care if the revolution helped humanity or not. Ultimately, he was willing to admit that he valued his own life more than humanity.

Zackley showed a demented, sociopathic side to his personality when he had set up a torture machine and subjected an official to inhumane torture, laughing while forcing him to drink his own urine and calling that torture machine the finest work of art. In the end, his only interest was his own desire to humiliate the monarchy.

## Story

### A Choice with No Regrets: Part Two

When Levi admits to Erwin he came in the Survey Corps to kill him and steal a document for Nicholas Lovof, Erwin reveals that the document is already in Zackley's possession.

### Eve of the Counterattack arc

Zackley first appears when he arrives at the court place when Eren Jaeger is put on trial. At the courtroom, he confirms who Eren is and then announces that the sole right of judgment rests with himself. Eren will either survive and go with the Survey Corps, or he will go the Military Police Brigade and be killed.

Zackley calms Pastor Nick down after he called for Eren's immediate destruction and then offers Erwin the chance to speak. The latter expresses his plan to use Eren's powers to retake the Wall Maria. A merchant and Levi then argue about the sealing of the gates. Nick interrupts again and begins arguing with the merchant, prompting another call for order from Zackley.

Zackley asks if Eren can use his powers for good, Eren replies yes and Zackley counters that Eren reportedly attacked Mikasa Ackerman, another soldier. She reluctantly admits that he did attack her but also requests that it be taken into consideration that Eren saved her life twice before that.

Nile disagrees with this by citing an incident from Eren's past where he stabbed two robbers. Eren begins to get angry and is pointed guns at by the Military Police but Levi arrives and begins to beat him. Erwin then offers a proposition to Zackley: the Survey Corps will take Eren and assess his usefulness to humanity and if anything goes wrong, Levi will kill him. Zackley agrees with this deal and announces that Eren will join the Survey Corps and return to trial after his ability has been assessed.

### Royal Government arc

Zackley takes part in Erwin Smith and Dot Pyxis's plan to overthrow the government. After the government officials, believing that the Walls have been breached, demand that no refugees be allowed into Sina, Zackley barges in and reveals that the breach of Wall Rose was a ruse. Erwin is released and the officials are then taken into custody for valuing their wealth over the lives of the people.

After announcing to the people that the old regime has fallen and the royal capitals administrative district have been conquered, Zackley and Erwin board a carriage. Erwin voices his doubts that their decision to overthrow the government was best for humanity, and Zackley comments that with the current state of things, death may have been a preferable option.

He goes on to reveal that he himself has long since despised the government, and has waited his entire life for this day. He appears rather amused as he recalls the hysteria that the arrested officials displayed, remarking that he has been contriving various methods of humiliating them. He claims that he does not care whether or not the revolution benefits humanity, acknowledging that this puts his morality into question, though he believes Erwin is no different from him.

Soon after, he is seen torturing Aurille by hanging him upside down and forcing him to drink his own urine. As Zackley describes the different ways he plans to torture the official, he praises the torture device as the greatest work of art ever conceived. The official taunts him, saying that he has slave's blood and the official's royal blood will enable him to erase Zackley's memories to the point where he could not remember how to defecate, but Zackley silences him by plugging the device's tube into the official's mouth as he lets out a burst of laughter.

After the attack on Orvud District, Zackley and the commanders of the various military branches crown the true heir to the throne, Historia Reiss, as the new queen of the Walls. The officials then kneel in front of Historia, and she bows to them before turning to the crowd and offering her heart in a salute as they cheer.

Zackley oversees a meeting with the military's other commanders to decide what to do with the Titan injection that Kenny Ackerman gave to Levi. With no way to properly analyze the contents of the bottle, the brass decides to entrust it to Levi.

On the morning of the mission to retake Wall Maria, Zackley stands among the other military leaders, saluting the Survey Corps farewell before their expedition to Shiganshina District.

### Return to Shiganshina arc

As Armin Arlelt explains his plan for victory against the Colossal Titan to Eren, Zackley sits with the other military leaders drinking tea and worrying if the operation to retake Wall Maria and humanity's land will be successful.

As the military leaders wait for the Scouts' return, Nile tells them about a theory of Erwin's that he had laughed at when they were youths, and Zackley encourages him to apologize to Erwin once he has returned. Shortly afterward, they are informed by Anka that the Scouts have returned.

After the Scouts' return, Zackley is one of three military commanders, including Historia, to preside over a meeting to debrief them on the military's plans moving forward.

### Marley arc

In the year 851, Zackley attends another military meeting to discuss Zeke Jaeger's proposition and terms of an alliance. Many officials outcry about the ridiculousness of making a deal with the man who had nearly annihilated the Scouts. Zackley admits, however, that the proposal is consistent with his previous goal to retake the Founding Titan, and only represents a change of tactics after his defeat in battle.

### War for Paradis arc

Zackley welcomes Kiyomi Azumabito who has arrived to Paradis. As she congratulates Eldia on their recent victory on Marley, he gives credits to the bonds between their two countries and thanks her for coming in such a dangerous place, apologizing that he cannot give her a real welcome party. Kiyomi then tells him about what Hizuru gave to the island, a flying boat which uses iceburst stone as fuel.

Zackley returns to the military's headquarters, where he has a meeting with Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlelt. Apologizing for his tardiness, Zackley tells the two that they will not be able to visit Eren. He explains that due to the recent revelations that Eren had been meeting secretly with Yelena, and his refusal to answer the military's questions, it has been deemed likely that he is being controlled by Zeke, and is too dangerous for anyone to interact with him. Armin tries to convince Zackley to change his mind, but Zackley makes it clear that they will not be seeing Eren any time soon.

Zackley sees that Armin and Mikasa have noticed his custom-made chair in the corner of his office and waves it off, explaining that there was nowhere else to put it. Zackley stands by his decision and ends the meeting, sending Armin and Mikasa away as three members of the Military Police Brigade arrive to see him. During the meeting a bomb in his chair goes off, killing him and destroying his office. His dismembered corpse lands outside the building in full view of the protesters.

According to Dot Pyxis, Zackley would have been satisfied knowing he died because of a revolution.

## Abilities

As commander-in-chief, he was the highest authority within the military structure. The three military divisions, the Garrison, the Military Police, and the Survey Corps were all officially under his command, despite having their own leaders. In matters of military law, he was the sole decision maker that could not be argued against. Within the context of a Military Court, he had the power to condemn the defendant to death if he chose to.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 14
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 42
3. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 43
4. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: OVA 5
5. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 47
6. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 49
7. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 54
8. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 56
9. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 58
10. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 68
11. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 70
12. ↑ *Attack on Titan* anime: Episode 71