Keith Shadis

Keith is stern, loud, and deliberately intimidating as an instructor. His treatment of new recruits is calculated to test their composure and force them to shed habits unsuitable for military life.

Behind that persona is a man burdened by insecurity. Keith once believed himself destined to achieve something extraordinary and struggled with the possibility that effort alone could not make him exceptional.

His relationship with Grisha intensifies this insecurity. Grisha's admiration initially reinforces Keith's belief that he is special, but repeated failures as Survey Corps commander gradually destroy that confidence.

Keith eventually comes to describe himself as a mere bystander in the lives of people he considers genuinely special. Even so, his later actions show that abandoning the desire for personal greatness does not eliminate his capacity for courage or sacrifice.

Keith is a veteran soldier with extensive Survey Corps experience. Before becoming an instructor, he participated in numerous expeditions beyond the Walls and eventually rose to commander.

He is knowledgeable about ODM gear, Titan combat, military discipline, physical conditioning, and the training methods necessary to prepare recruits for active service.

His years of combat and command also give him considerable endurance and practical judgment, even though his tenure as Survey Corps commander produced disappointing strategic results.

As an instructor, Keith becomes responsible for producing a generation that includes many of the most important soldiers in the later conflict, demonstrating considerable effectiveness as a trainer despite his negative view of his own achievements.

Keith first appears during the 104th Cadet Corps training sequence, where his harsh introduction establishes the military culture into which Eren and the other recruits have entered.

His deeper history is revealed much later. Keith was the Survey Corps commander before Erwin Smith and encountered Grisha outside the Walls shortly after Grisha arrived in Paradis territory.

Keith becomes close to Grisha and develops feelings for Carla, but watches Grisha build the family life Keith himself wanted. After years of unsuccessful expeditions and mounting casualties, Keith resigns command in favor of Erwin.

He later admits that he sabotaged Eren's ODM training equipment in an attempt to prevent Carla's son from entering the dangerous life of a soldier. Eren succeeds anyway, convincing Keith that he cannot determine the boy's path.

During the Yeagerist takeover, Keith secretly encourages his former trainees to comply rather than sacrifice themselves pointlessly. He later helps the alliance escape and joins Theo Magath in destroying a pursuing Marleyan cruiser, with both men dying in the explosion.

Grisha Yeager is one of the defining figures in Keith's life. Keith discovers him outside the Walls and introduces him to society within them.

Carla Yeager becomes the woman Keith loves, although she ultimately marries Grisha.

Eren Yeager is Grisha and Carla's son and later one of Keith's trainees. Keith secretly interferes with Eren's training equipment in an unsuccessful effort to keep him from military service.

Erwin Smith succeeds Keith as commander of the Survey Corps after developing a more effective long-range scouting formation.

Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Jean Kirstein, Reiner Braun, and the other members of the 104th train under Keith.

Theo Magath becomes Keith's final ally. The two older commanders remain behind together to destroy a Marleyan cruiser and prevent pursuit of the alliance.