Summary
Bad Boy spin-off manga reveals Levi Ackerman's tragic past and how he awakened his powers, unraveling the great mystery of Attack on Titan. Levi's love for tea stems from memories of his mother, explaining his unique way of holding a cup in a heartbreaking revelation. This short film provides further insight into the character of Levi and the power of the Ackerman family, tied to their struggle for survival.
Warning: SPOILERS for Attack on Titan: Bad BoyAttack the giantThe author's Bad Boy spin-off was included in the series' 200-page official color artbook, Attack on Titan Artbook: Fly, and is a new manga series about Levi Ackerman's past. The artbook is set to release in Japan on April 30, 2024, and unfortunately no official English version is scheduled any time soon. Bad Boy is an 18-page one-shot that presents a new perspective on the background of one of the strongest characters in the show. Attack Titan and finally solve the great mystery of Levi Ackerman.
Levi Ackerman's upbringing was glimpsed in the Attack on Titan manga, showing him growing up in the Underground and being raised by Kenny Ackerman. Additionally, the spin-off Attack on Titan: No Regrets tells the story of Levi's criminal past before he was drafted into the Survey Corps by Erwin Smith.
However, Bad Boy reveals something that hasn't been shown in Isayama's previous works and explains one of Attack on Titan's biggest mysteries: How Levi Ackerman awakened his powers, why he loves tea so much, and why he has that special way of holding his cup.
The reason why Levi awakened his power
Levi's tragic past activated the true power of the Ackerman Family
Bad Boy shows Levi Ackerman as a child being beaten by a gang of Underground criminals from whom he tried to steal something, as he recalls having tea with his mother, Kuchel Ackerman, before she passed away. Levi asked the criminals to return his mother's belongings. When being brutally beaten, Levi thought he just wanted to rebel and “spit on this rotten world”. This awakens Levi's powers and he kills criminals according to his instincts. This confirms an Ackermans family secret: they awaken their power as they fight for their lives.
In the main story of Attack on Titan, Eren lies to Mikasa that she awakened her powers because Ackermans were born slaves. But what truly awakens Mikasa's power is her desire to save Eren and herself. She realizes that the world is cruel and you have to fight to survive. Both Mikasa and Levi realized the injustice of this world, abandoned all inhibitions, and began to act solely on instinct. They also try to protect something that is valuable to them. Mikasa tries to save Eren and Levi tries to save the last memory he has of his mother.
Levi Ackerman likes drinking tea because it reminds him of his mother
Levi's special way of holding his cup has a sad reason.
Levi remembers his mother fondly. He thought the subway was dirty and the atmosphere was corrupt, but he thought his mother was elegant. Levi fights criminals to get his mother's tea set backBecause after Kenny disappeared, the only thing he had left were memories of his mother. Levi returned home and prepared tea and just as he was about to drink it, the handle of the cup broke and the cup fell to the floor. That's why he vowed never to hold a cup again.
The Bad Boy oneshot reveals more about Levi's childhood and his relationship with his mother. The manga also provides more backstory about the Survey Corps Captain's tragic past, confirms how the Ackermans awakened their powers, and finally explains a great mystery about Levi something that Attack on Titan fans always thought was just a character trait, showing how a small detail can have huge significance in a wonderfully crafted story.