Mikasa Ackerman is one of the main characters in the popular anime and manga series Attack on Titan. As an incredibly skilled fighter and adoptive sister to Eren Jaeger, Mikasa plays a pivotal role in the story. However, her romantic relationships and who she kisses remains somewhat ambiguous throughout the series.
Mikasa’s Feelings for Eren
It is abundantly clear throughout Attack on Titan that Mikasa harbors strong romantic feelings for Eren Jaeger. Having lived with him since childhood after her parents were murdered, Mikasa is extremely protective of Eren and deeply devoted to him. She blushes and gets flustered around him at times, making her feelings evident.
However, Eren does not seem to reciprocate Mikasa’s obvious affection for most of the series. He cares for her as a sister but appears largely oblivious to her romantic interest in him. Their complex relationship leads Mikasa to pine for Eren without her feelings being reciprocated for quite some time.
Mikasa Kisses Eren’s Forehead
The main instance where Mikasa directly kisses Eren occurs early in the series after Eren appears to have been killed in action against the Female Titan. Distraught after watching Eren get seemingly eaten alive, Mikasa is overwhelmed with relief and emotion when it’s discovered he is alive. In Chapter 50 of the manga, she runs to Eren, cradles him and impulsively kisses him on the forehead.
This moment is a rare instance of Mikasa openly displaying intimate affection for Eren through a kiss. However, it is not a full romantic kiss on the lips and Eren is essentially unconscious when it happens after emerging alive from a Titan. He does not reciprocate or react to the kiss in the moment.
Eren’s Eventual Feelings for Mikasa
For most of Attack on Titan, Eren does not outwardly return Mikasa’s strong romantic feelings. But there are some hints later in the manga that he harbors some hidden emotions for her underneath the surface.
In Chapter 123, Eren blushes after Mikasa says she has always hated him. This suggests he may react strongly to her because he cares in return. In Chapter 138, Eren admits to Armin in Paths that he does not want Mikasa to move on from him to another man, hinting at possible jealousy and buried romantic feelings.
The Cabin Dream Sequence
The strongest evidence that Eren eventually reciprocates Mikasa’s feelings to some degree occurs in the extended dream sequence shown in Chapter 138 and the anime. In this vision of an alternate reality, Eren spends time with Mikasa in a remote cabin and confronts her about her lingering attachment to him.
In this scene, Eren and Mikasa share a tender kiss on the lips. Mikasa initially pulls away shyly but then embraces him. This implies that in different circumstances, Eren could have reciprocated Mikasa’s love.
Lack of Romantic Resolution
However, the tragic events and battle against Eren as the rogue Founding Titan mean this romantic potential between him and Mikasa is never fully realized. Their one canon kiss remains the tender moment of Mikasa kissing an unconscious Eren’s forehead.
With Eren committed to his quest for freedom through the Rumbling and Mikasa equally devoted to stopping him, their story ends without definitive romantic closure. The cabin kiss scene represents a path not taken rather than events that actually unfold between them.
Jean’s Unrequited Interest in Mikasa
Another character who shows clear interest in Mikasa without it being reciprocated is Jean Kirstein. One of Eren’s rivals, Jean openly crushes on Mikasa through much of the series and tries repeatedly to get her attention.
Jean frequently compliments Mikasa’s skills as a soldier along with her appearance, visibly blushes around her, and gets defensive if anyone else tries to flirt with her. However, Mikasa’s fixation on Eren means she never returns Jean’s interest in a romantic sense.
Key Moments of Jean’s Interest in Mikasa
| Chapter | Interaction |
|---|---|
| Chapter 3 | Jean first sees Mikasa and is instantly smitten, fawning over her hair and calling her a “goddess”. |
| Chapter 7 | Jean loudly speculates that Mikasa’s muscles are just for show to get attention. |
| Chapter 14 | Jean clumsily tries to compliment Mikasa’s hair, embarrassing himself. |
| Chapter 21 | Jean is jealous when Reiner flirts with Mikasa and shoves him away. |
| Chapter 70 | Jean fantasizes about marrying Mikasa after the war is over. |
Despite his clear interest, Jean eventually accepts by the end of the series that Mikasa only has feelings for Eren. He remains an admirer from afar but does not pursue her actively or share any kisses with her.
Mikasa Has No Other Love Interests
With her deep devotion to Eren, Mikasa does not reciprocate Jean’s admiration or show romantic interest in any other characters throughout the course of Attack on Titan.
Her sole focus is on fighting Titans, protecting Eren and defending humanity. Romance and relationships take a back seat to her commitment to these causes. Other than the forehead kiss for an unconscious Eren, Mikasa shares no kisses with anyone else.
Conclusion
In summary, the only canonical kiss Mikasa shares in Attack on Titan is when she kisses Eren on the forehead when she thinks he has died. This displays her immense affection for him.
The cabin scene represents a dream vision of what could have been between them rather than reality. Jean frequently shows interest in Mikasa but she does not reciprocate it. With her attention consumed by the fight for survival, Mikasa has no substantial romantic relationships or kisses apart from her unrealized love for Eren.
Their bittersweet bond defined by loyalty, sacrifice and missed connections makes Eren the only person Mikasa directly kisses within the canon story. But the tragic nature of their relationship prevents them from achieving the idyllic cabin kiss and life depicted in the vision of a path not taken.
Mikasa remains focused on Eren until the very end, devoted to him above all else. Her love for him ultimately transcends any physical expression to take on a profound meaning of unwavering commitment in the face of impossible odds. That singular kiss of relief and affection summarizes the depth and tragedy of Mikasa’s bond with Eren throughout Attack on Titan.