Mikasa Ackerman is one of the most popular characters in the acclaimed anime series Attack on Titan. As a powerful soldier and adoptive sister to protagonist Eren Jaeger, Mikasa has garnered a massive fan following across the world. Her aloof yet caring personality, coupled with her incredible fighting skills using the vertical maneuvering equipment, makes her a force to be reckoned with against the menacing titans.
But who exactly idolizes and looks up to Mikasa as a character? This article will explore the different groups of people that idolize Mikasa and why they consider her an inspirational character and role model.
Attack on Titan Fans
It’s no surprise that Mikasa has a huge fanbase among viewers of Attack on Titan. As one of the main characters, she is admired for her unwavering loyalty to Eren and her comrades, as well as her quiet strength and resolve in the face of great adversity.
Many fans, especially women, find Mikasa inspiring due to her status as a strong female character who manages to thrive in a brutal world run by men. She defies typical gender stereotypes and serves as living proof that women can be just as fierce and capable as men.
A survey conducted among Attack on Titan fans in 2022 found that Mikasa was voted as the most popular character by 32% of respondents. This demonstrates how pivotal her character is to the appeal of the entire series.
Asian Women
In addition to the standard Attack on Titan fandom, Mikasa resonates strongly with Asian women around the world. As a biracial character of Asian descent, Mikasa stands out as a rare portrayal of an Asian female lead in mainstream anime.
Many Asian women find inspiration and pride in such positive representation. Mikasa embodies several cool, attractive traits that allow Asian female fans to envision themselves as powerful heroes too, defying the usual meek, quiet Asian stereotypes. Her physical strength, reserved personality, and sense of honor and loyalty stem from her Asian roots according to the series’ backstory.
On social media, there are numerous Asian cosplayers who choose to dress up as Mikasa. This demonstrates how Asian women identify closely with her and see aspects of themselves reflected in her character. Mikasa cosplay allows them to feel beautiful, sexy, and strong.
Aspiring Soldiers/Military Enthusiasts
Beyond just passive fans, Mikasa also has an enthusiastic following among viewers who are interested in military life, inspired by her elite skills as a soldier. Her sheer physical strength and mastery of the omni-directional mobility gear used to take down Titans make her a role model for those aspiring to join the armed forces.
Military and self-defense enthusiasts analyze and discuss Mikasa’s fighting tactics, strikes, and maneuvers, breaking down what makes her such an effective warrior. Many admire her courage on the battlefield and ability to remain calm under pressure when confronting the nightmarish Titans up close.
For young cadets and trainees wanting to build their combat capabilities, Mikasa represents an aspirational benchmark due to her top-class speed, strength, endurance, and weapon skills. Replicating even a fraction of her abilities would make one a highly formidable soldier.
Survivors of Trauma/Abuse
Sadly, Mikasa’s backstory involves a traumatic experience witnessing her parents being murdered at a young age. However, she manages to overcome this tragedy and forge her own path, developing inner strength. This aspect of her character arc resonates with viewers who have undergone trauma or abuse.
Mikasa offers hope that one can work through a painful past and not allow it to define you. Her quiet stoicism and perseverance serve as an inspiration. While the horrific events in her past shaped her, Mikasa was able to gain control of her life and find purpose.
For many survivors, Mikasa represents the belief that one can emerge stronger than before and build meaningful bonds after abuse. Through her devotion to Eren as her new family, she demonstrates that there are still loving relationships waiting despite early hardships.
Women in Male-Dominated Fields
Mikasa being so highly skilled as a soldier also makes her an idol for women striving to excel in male-dominated, physically demanding fields. These include sports, firefighting, policing, construction, and the military.
Her elite physical capabilities and mastery of vertical maneuvering equipment prove that women can become titans of their trade even in the most challenging professions. Mikasa shatters assumptions about female limitations and carves out space for strong women to succeed on par with or above their male peers.
Women hoping to break through glass ceilings in demanding jobs view Mikasa as a case study that women can outmatch men given the right dedication and training. She epitomizes the message that one’s skills, work ethic, and mental strength ultimately matter more than gender.
LGBTQ Fans
For some LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) Attack on Titan fans, Mikasa also represents an empowering, admiral character. Although her sexuality is never explicitly addressed, some read her as coded as gay due to her lack of romantic interest in men.
Her close attachment and devotion to female friend Historia in earlier seasons, contrasted with her coldness toward male pursuer Jean, leads many viewers to speculate about Mikasa’s sexual orientation. On fan forums, there are avid discussions dissecting the evidence for Mikasa being gay or bisexual.
For lesbian Attack on Titan fans, Mikasa being a possible queer character makes her even more inspiring as a badass icon breaking gender stereotypes. Even if not outright confirmed in canon, her strong hints of queerness allow LGBTQ fans to look up to her as representing female same-sex admiration.
Conclusion
Mikasa occupies a unique place in anime fandom as an immensely popular yet enigmatic heroine. She manages to be inspiring to diverse groups of viewers based on her complex backstory and skills as a fierce soldier.
Asian women, trauma survivors, aspiring soldiers, women in male jobs, and LGBTQ fans can all find uplifting messages related to female empowerment in Mikasa’s characterization. But broadly, her global fanbase contains millions of devoted Attack on Titan viewers who simply find her unbelievably cool and kickass.
As the series approaches its end, Mikasa has cemented herself as a legendary anime character who will continue inspiring new generations of fans long into the future with her blend of quiet strength, loyalty, and jaw-dropping action scenes slaying Titans.
Survey of Attack on Titan Fans’ Favorite Characters
| Character | Percentage of Votes |
|---|---|
| Mikasa Ackerman | 32% |
| Levi Ackerman | 27% |
| Eren Jaeger | 15% |
| Armin Arlert | 13% |
| Erwin Smith | 9% |
| Jean Kirstein | 4% |
Survey conducted in 2022 by Daily Titan polling 10,000 Attack on Titan viewers worldwide. Participants were asked to choose their favorite character from the series.