Bertholdt Hoover
Bertholdt Hoover is the holder of the Colossal Titan — the Titan that broke through Wall Maria and set the series in motion. As a cadet of the 104th Cadet Corps he was quiet, shy and forever in Reiner’s shadow. His true identity as the Colossal Titan was the greatest secret of the first two seasons.
Bertholdt is at heart a tragic figure: he holds no strong convictions of his own and has no clear ambition. He follows Reiner — his best friend — and carries out the mission handed to him as a child. When the two of them reveal themselves in season 2, Bertholdt is visibly broken by the confession.
His last battle at Shiganshina in season 3 is his most memorable moment. He transforms into the Colossal Titan above the city and devastates the Survey Corps with an explosive transformation. Armin sacrifices himself to stop him — and succeeds. Bertholdt is devoured by Armin, who takes over the power of the Colossal Titan.
Bertholdt stands for the tragedy of ordinary people pressed into extraordinary conflicts. He is not angry and he is not ideological — he is frightened, and loyal to the person he loves. That does not make his actions any less devastating, but it does make them easier to understand.
Trivia
- Bertholdt is the quietest of the three Warriors and, at the same time, the one who literally causes the most destruction.
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