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gilly-bj · 4 years

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Levi to Mikasa - Rivamika though the seasons in Mikasa’s POV

This post is completely focused on Mikasa’s character. Some details will be ignored because they aren’t related to her.

When we say that Rivamika has the biggest relationship development, we’re not wrong. They both changed their opinions about each other during the story, especially Mikasa. Today, we’ll see how she went from hating Levi to asking for his help, with the all phases between.

| First stage: “I hate you” | Season 1 |

Probably you guys already know how their relationship started: exactly, not in a good way. They first meet in the trial when Eren was on trial; after our Titan Boy started to shout at everyone there, Levi beated him really well poor Eren. Obviously Mikasa wasn’t happy of her brother getting clobbered by a shorty and she was ready to intervene. Fortunately, Armin was there to stop her, so she just settled for staring him angrily.

Notice that: EMA met Levi before the trial two times: When Levi saved them from the titan who was about to eat them, and in Levi’s introducing chapter, where he did his first apparition as “Humanity’s strongest soldier”. There is a panel which shows EMA admiring Levi from afar, and their expressions are completely amazed. The man Mikasa considered an hero, beated roughly her brother. She must have felt really disappointed, and maybe also betrayed: the man who saved her friends and her from death, showed himself to be an asshole (sorry for my language ) This gave another meaning to Mikasa’s grudge against him, which is closer to her as a character than the one everybody knows (since it’s related to Eren)

This stage of hate continue until the Battle against the Female Titan (chap. 30), where Mikasa and Levi team up to rescue Eren from Annie. Mikasa loses her mind but fortunately, Levi is ready to intervene. Mikasa isn’t really friendly, instead she blames Levi for what happened to her brother. He recognizes her and address her as “Eren’s friend” lol. Now, take a look to this panel.

Mikasa’s face, it seems like she felt uncomfortable after Levi’s stare, or maybe, she’s wondering what Levi’s glare means. Honestly, I’m still wondering the meaning of the zoom in Mikasa’s eyes. Personally, this is the best among their interactions; their faces, their reactions on what the other says, hits hard, really hard. It makes me sad to know that many ignored this moment. This fandom really lacks attention with details.

Anyway, Levi gives Mikasa instructions on how to proceed, and in the beginning she seems to agree, but then she decides to do things her own way so she attacks Annie. Unfortunately, her reckless move makes her risk her own life. Here Levi saves her for the first time, and he end up breaking his ankle. When they recover Eren, Levi makes her understand that her actions have consequences, and they aren’t pleasing. This is the first time Mikasa develops thanks to Levi: she understands how much selfish she was and she acknowledged her error.

| Second stage: “I respect you” | Season 2 |

Their next, and only, interaction in season 2 is when Levi tells her to protect Eren and to not be reckless. This is the first time Mikasa addresses him as “captain”, showing that she respects him as a superior.

Another thing here very important for Mikasa’s character development is when she accepted that it was her fault for Levi’s injury and she takes responsibility for her reckless actions. She understood that what she did was wrong, indipendentally from her grudge against Levi.

Plus Levi’s cute and jealous scene.

| Third stage: “We’re a team” | Season 3 |

Season 3 is Rivamika season: from the introduction of the Ackerman Clan, to their interactions, to everything. In the first part, we see them team up and fight to rescue Eren again and Historia. They work perfectly together; there’s a lot of chemistry between them and they seem to be connected with thier body and thoughts, so much that Mikasa becomes Levi’s right hand; she’s always next to him, here to help him. One of our precious interactions is when Mikasa says sorry to him in her own way, asking him “How’s your leg?”. It’s a big development in their relationship; Mikasa doesn’t feels resentment against Levi anymore, she feels guilty for his injury, and it’s the first time that she says sorry to someone ;) I think

Notice that: Mikasa changes when she’s with Levi: she’s more independent, freer than how she’s with Eren. That’s why I think that Levi is perfect for her, because with him we see the real Mikasa. What Eren tells to her in 138, to be free, is what Mikasa was in S3 with Levi.

When they talked under the moonlight my romantic heart about the Ackerman Clan, after they discovered Kenny’s surname, Mikasa shared her past with Levi, telling him how their parents felt in love and got married (WOWE PARTICULAR SHE SAID IT TO LEVI, REALLY STRANGE AND QUESTIONABLE-), but they had to hide in the mountains because of the Ackerman persecutions. In Rivamika relationship, Ackertalk is the symbol of their deep trust, Mikasa spontaneously shared her past with Levi, and similarity, when they acknowledge that they share an important moment in their life, the awakening of their Ackerpower.

I think that Levi has already understood how many things they share. Probably Mikasa not, but it’s not too late ;) I think that now that she has the possibility to spend more time with Levi, she’ll understand their similarities.

Now, the fire of their relationship: Ackerbowl. Many says that it has destroyed their relationship development, but I don’t think so. Levi had to choose between his best friend, Erwin, someone very important to him, and Armin, someone very important to Mikasa and Eren. If Levi would have won, saving Erwin, Mikasa would have lost. They both didn’t enjoy to fight against each other, but there’s a moment in your life when you have to define your priorities. Mikasa asked to Levi to give her the serum “politely”, she said “Please give it to me”, which means that hurting Levi wasn’t part of her plans. She respected and trusted that shorty, and things haven’t changed.

| Fourth stage: ??? | Season 4 |

I don’t know if it’s due the lack of interactions or everything, but I really can’t define what they are right now. They seem to have passed the 3th stage, but they haven’t reached the 4th stage yet. Hmm... what I can say about this season is that Mikasa seems to feel comfortable with Levi to start a physical contact (Never happened), and to ask for his help. There were a lot of foreshadows during the chapter 138 so let’s hope the best for the next one.

I hope you guys like this post, it took me a bit of time but I’m happy of the results. Now I’ll start to answer to all the asks I got during these few days.

#gilly bj #rivamika #rivamika though the seasons #in Mikasa’s POV

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lady-purpleblue · 2 years

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Facts and Curiosities about RivaMika - Part 2

All credits go to Mundo RivaMika (Facebook) page. I just translated and am reposting with permission

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1) Mikasa in the manga calls Levi by his full title "Levi heishichou". The word "Heichou" is not wrong, it's just a diminutive. It shows the respect he has for him.

2) In a livestream promoting the first part of the third season. Hiroshi (Levi's seiyuu) and Yui (Mikasa's seiyuu) were the presenters. They even had a fun "Rol game". Here is the translation:

Yui (Mikasa): So... Looks like Levi heichou has to leave for an expedition now? right?

Hiroshi(Levi): Well, well...I'll do some entertainment in the dressing room.

Mikasa: Ehhh?! Really?! It's not for an expedition? Not for cleaning either?

Levi: Yeah, I guess. Maybe like that. I have things to do one by one. I've got to go.

Mikasa: You're leaving now? Is it okay if Mikasa doesn't go with you?

Levi: ... I'm sorry you have to speak for yourself.

Mikasa: That's too bad.

Levi: Yeah, you still have your mission, right?

Mikasa: Yes I do. This streaming still has 40 minutes to go.

*Burst out laughing*

3) Her tag on the Fanfiction platform has more than 630 stories and on the Ao3 platform she has approximately +820.

4) In the first cover of the magazine where the monthly manga where they both appear is published, Armin was included. However, in the end he did not appear.

Left = Published cover.

Right: Sketch.

5) Isayama has redrawn two scenes of them. The first is the look they both give each other at the trial and the second is Levi shirtless. The top part of the image is the one published in the monthly magazine, the second one in the official volumes.

6) There is a funny CD Drama where they have a cleaning battle.

7) In the Livestream prior to the first part of the third season, they drew a picture of the seiyuus with their respective characters. Yui=Mikasa, Hiroshi=Levi

8) Kanae Hazuki, the mangaka of the famous shoujo manga "Sukitte ii na yo", made a drawing of the two in the special edition of the magazine where the manga was published. If you ever wondered how the Rivamika shoujo version would look like, here is the answer ♡

9) It was selected as one of the best ships of 2018 due to the insurrection arc according to wikia. It was a moment of happiness for the fans of the ship, due to the fact that, at that time it didn't have the same popularity as today.

10) In one of the magazines that promoted the third season, yui ishikawa (Mikasa's Seiyuu) was interviewed. Here is the translation.

Interviewer: Levi asking Mikasa to help him convey a message, seems to show that he treats Mikasa differently from the rest.

Mikasa differently from the rest. In other words, it feels as if there is a sense of recognition towards her.

Ishikawa: Something like that. The thing is, Mikasa feels a burden of regret towards Levi because his past mistake caused his injury. Although she respects him, she still can't trust him 100% (chuckle). At the same time, perhaps due to the worries that still remain within her, she also believes that Eren's current situation is actually because of Levi. Because of her worried words, "How's your leg?", I received this instruction (during recording), "Because [Mikasa] feels uncomfortable there, please use a 'harder style of expression for the dialogue." As a result, [the production team] allowed me to pause even longer during that line. Even though Mikasa wants to thank Levi, she still possesses some of the animosity from before, so she can't be as direct, at least in one part.

11) The first fanart published of this ship in The Pixiv Platform was in February 2013. This is the one you see here.

12) Both promoted couple watches under the name of "the strongest couple of mankind". If you look closely at the image, you can see them on their wrists.

13) Both represent the "Joker" in SNK's official card collection.

14) They had a little over 25 moments omitted in the anime between the first 3 seasons. With the insurrection arc being the most cut.

15) They have more than 3,700 works (illustrations, doujinshis, novels, etc) on the Pixiv platform.

16) One of the most popular headcanons in the fandom, is one where Mikasa rescues Levi just as he did with her. This was only seen in the video games until chapter 135 was released.

End ♡. I hope you enjoyed it. I will bring part 3

#levimika #rivamika #リヴァミカ

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ficphobia · 3 years

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So, i watched Ep 83 today. to be honest, i haven’t read manga fully yet (except some chapters of course, which includes rivamika hehe) So when i saw how Mikasa behaved toward Louise i was shocked. i’d be lying if i say that i wasn’t excepting Mikasa to be kinda cold or mean (especially in this season) but that was too much. i was suddenly so disappointed. She was so indifferent (at least that how i saw it) about the girl’s death, who admired her a lot, since she was saved by Mikasa. (Reminds me of how Eren saved Mikasa)

she just took her damned scarf and leave the girl without letting her finish her last words. What can i say? she really acted like an asshole. i understand she had it though and i even read some theories, she might have seen herself in that girl and she hated it (that unhealthy attachment to someone) But Louse was just a teenager who didn’t deserved to be treated like this. at least not when she was dying.

i always thought Mikasa was more gentle than Levi, but i was terribly mistaken. Levi is also cold but he knows his limits. that scene how he comforted and hold hand with dying soldier was breathtaking, that made me love him more.

Levi: You have done a great deal and you will continue to do so. the resolve you leave behind will give me strength…

Mikasa: Give my scarf back.

I adore Mikasa a lot but this isn’t something to be proud of. “She took her scarf as she should” says some dumbhead people. that’s just no uhh stop. and after all of this how can you say it’s a true, healthy love of her toward Eren and taking the scarf back means her loyalty to him? that’s just…bullshit.

If she did give up on her scarf and didn’t treat Louse like that it would be her biggest character development after all. But of course Isyama missed that chance. he ruined it more.

i hope if not her then Levi would burn that shitty scarf himself and free her from it. i think he would be the one who would actually dare to do it lol.

#rivamika #mikasa ackerman #levi ackerman #aot #attack on titan #someonehidethatscarffromher #imma cry lol

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ackermanshoe · 3 years

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Just a few things to talk about here: lengthy 😩

Levi being a 2 in teamwork meaning he never had chemistry while fighting alongside others, like ever. But then mikasa happened. As if isayama spelled it out for us that Levi and mikasa’s connection is so special, particularly to Levi, from the beginning. So now you realise that Levi has experiences with mikasa that he has NEVER had before with anyone, ever.

So you have seen this picture before but I’d like to take the time to dig deep into this. It’s from erens point of view and it most likely shows how he remembers these characters to be most of the time. Connie and admin being playful with each other, Sasha laughing at them, floch and marlo talking and hitch (?) just existing there because eren prolly never interacted with her.

Hanji in the background smiling at the group and Erwin giving them a soft smile. However there’s something particular about both Levi and jean isn’t it? Yeah you guessed it, both of them are looking at mikasa’s direction. ( I saw a post where they were trying so hard to refuse the FACT that Levi was looking at mikasa, even though they acknowledged that Jean was. 🤥🤥)

And lastly mikasa softly smiling at eren. You can clearly see Jean being glaring at that and the fact that isayama drew ALL of their eyes so crystal clear EXCEPT both Levi and Jean,,,, gets me. So you’re going to draw faces of people being themselves but what purpose does it serve you to draw both Levi’s and Jean’s( Jean who is a known mikasa simp) face looking at mikasa’s direction but not draw their eyes ( pupils ) clear? Was it forshadowing their mutual feelings towards her? Since “eyes are the window to the soul” and the drawing does not allow for us to get a clear view of their eyes was isayama implying that both Levi and Jean had hid their feelings for her?

Of course jeans face has a certain darkness to it because everybody is aware of his unrequited love and isayama does little to hide that. But notice how both Levi and his faces are tilted in a way. And the most obvious connection to both Jean and Levi are the way Levi is positioned almost in a line behind Jean, which creates a vector line from their eyes leading straight to mikasa.

Let's talk about this shall we? See how by placing the dark haired people on the front and centre has created a salient within this frame? Yeah the rest of the people in there are either blonde or light haired, Isayam placed each character there with a purpose. Now I'm not saying the 4 heads makes it look like a heart shape but that's excatly what I'm SEEING. maybe, just maybe this was a forshadowing of mikasa's choice, since she was placed in the middle of both Levi and Eren. Eren, whose face is not placed on the same level as Mikasa and Levi could possibly represent "dream" or a reality which would be hard for Mikasa to reach, therefore giving a hint of chapter 138 and mikasa's headache AU.

Whereas Levi, despite his height, face is on the same level as mikasa's. A form of equality, sameness, familiarity and most importantly symbolising reality.

Since he isn't hard to reach from where is Mikasa is placed. And lastly Gabi, we have all seen rivamika parental mode kicking in the recent chapters and here Gabi being in between Levi and her could possibly hint their parenthood, an option that will only be available if Mikasa choose reality: Levi. Therefore Gabi representing quiet simply Levi and mikasa's possible kid. Ackerbaby 👶

This panel, I'm dying to talk about this.most important question: is it Levi's tears that's falling?

I have stared at this for houRS, and I still don't have an unbiased answer. Although most would discard this as spit or sweat Levi probably has from yelling, I'm not fully convinced by it. Maybe it's my desparate rivamika mind that's refusing to let it go but how would spit or sweat end up where his bandage is?

On the too right corner we see multiple drops but why would anything but a tear be where you can see that single droplet of water on his bandages? It's literally so suspicious which is why isayama makes me mad, he teases so much and so subtly. He doesn't show Levi's eyes there, he could have, to emphasize on Levi's level of worry which could have been more effective when reading his expression and yet isayama chose to show his widened mouth to showcase Levi's anxiety.

I'm still debating on this however there's no mistaking it that Levi cares for Mikasa more than anyone.

Which brings me to this:

The similarities that I can not call parallels just yet, between erehisu and rivamika is really comforting as cruel it maybe to mikasa and historia. Levi is willing to have historia eat the beast titan without remorse, without thinking. Where as eren as we all know will do anything but sacrifice historia. Yes, anything. Even if it means putting mikasa ( and admin) on the boat as everyone else and letting them do whatever they want. In a way both of them are treating both mikasa and historia the same way.

Note Levi’s eyes while talking about historia almost looks psychotic which is unlike Levi and his eyes while looking at mikasa.

Eren who is pressed down to one single choice which might risk mikasa’s life but he won’t sacrifices historia. Protecting her.

Levi who decides to help mikasa has made a choice without any regret, relying on her.

And as for their respective person, both eren and Levi’s gesture and behaviour changes when they are around them. As eren said historia is the girl who saved him and the same way mikasa is the who may bring meaning into Levi’s life. I feel like these two couple has always developed together, take s3 aka rivamika season 🥵

The same way rivamika found trust and a way to bond, so did eren and historia. In their own way they. It’s funny because both of their development are so weirdly ignored by the aot general fandom, gee I wonder why 😒 anyway through these similarities or whatever you may call it you can really see who they each really care for and value over the other.

Lastly

LMAO idk how much people considers pieck and Porco canon as potential lovers but this shot of porco really reminded me of Levi’s jealous look. Not to mention pieck resembled mikasa with that ponytail

Although I support jeanpiku I always had this feeling that porco and pieck might have been shipped together and they are, in this scene ( I haven’t watched the ep) I ASSUME porco is looking at her this way because of these men around looking at her and blushing, well it does resemble another grumpy old man. Anyway I’ll never shut up about that scene with both historia and Levi looking at their partners, jealous and shit 💆‍♀️💅💅💅

Okay I’m done talking for now, thank you again for reading as always idk what this post was tbh I didn’t have it planned at all I just really wanted to talk about these that’s been on mind to spark new conversations about them.

I just wanna say I wish i was part of this fandom sooner, not only does this fandom has the best theorists but also such amazing people. I hope our shitposting and analysis of rivamika will not end with chapter 139. Rivamika will always make me happy and this place will always feel like home, thank you for creating this community 😭💜💜💜💜

#rivamika #levimika #rivamikacanon #rivamika analysis #isayama please #ackerbaby

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randomposterofstuff · 3 years

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What if RivaMika becomes canon through the official character guidebook/encyclopedia?

Okay. So, before I delve into this, I’d just like to address the news regarding the Eren and Mikasa love comedy segment that will be released in a magazine on June 5.

On the EreMika love comedy thing, I think it will be meant as something humorous and light-hearted. I don't think that it's going to be meant as something serious. After all, Eren is already dead. And Mikasa's grief was greatly emphasized. So, it's probably going to be some AU/non-canon skit. I did see an illustration featuring cabin-dream Eren and Mikasa, though. (But I’m not sure if it’s a preview from the Da Vinci magazine, the caption was not really clear on that.) So, these love comedy moments may be meant to take place in the "dream world" that was shown in Chapter 138. But even if that were the case, the fact remains that Eren is dead, and Mikasa now lives her life without him.

I also did a little digging and learned that it will be published by a Japanese magazine called Da Vinci.

And as far as I know, all past official character guidebooks and encyclopedias have been published by Kodansha. So, I'm not sure about the "canon-ness" of the Da Vinci contents. I also tried to look for information that says that Isayama-sensei himself is the source, but I can't find any. So... yeah.

I also checked and learned that Da Vinci is published by Kadokawa Future Publishing and not by Kodansha. My digging also confirmed that the two are completely separate and different publishing companies. So... you know... Hahaha.

In any case, I think that the Da Vinci magazine contents are separate and distinct from the final character guidebook which will be released alongside the reprint with the additional pages. Also, regarding the character guide that Da Vinci will include, I don't think that it will be as complete and as comprehensive as the OFFICIAL guidebook which will be released.

(So, there's still a chance for RivaMika to become canon in the OFFICIAL guidebook. Hihi.)

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Okay. So, moving forward…

I read that a final character book will be published on June 9 - which is the same day that the reprint with the additional pages will be released.

Regarding this character book, I can't help but think that even if RivaMika becoming canon won't be explicitly shown in the additional pages, it could be officially confirmed as canon through the contents of the character book.

Since the series has already ended, we're probably going to get post-war statistics and information about the characters.

Concerning this, my RM-shipping mind couldn't help but think about what Levi and Mikasa's statistics and info would look like. (Hehehe.) I imagine that it would be something like this:

Mikasa Ackerman

Status: Alive

Known Family:

Mother

Father

Eren Yeager (Adoptive Brother)

Grisha Yeager (Adoptive Father)

Carla Yeager (Adoptive Mother)

Levi Ackerman (Husband)

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Many years after the war, Mikasa and Levi reconnected and deepened their bond!

When Levi visited Paradis Island three (3) years after the war, he and Mikasa met again. During their reunion, the pair recalled their past missions and talked about how they've been coping since the war ended. From that day onwards, Levi and Mikasa began to keep in touch more frequently. A stronger and deeper bond grew which eventually led to marriage!

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Learned more about her Ackerman heritage with the help of the Paradis Island Royal Archives and Marleyan Historical Records.

During the time they became closer, Levi and Mikasa decided to dig deeper into their Ackerman heritage. Research had revealed that she and Levi hail from one common ancestor who lived even before the Walls on the Island were built.

Attempts to create an accurately detailed family tree proved difficult due to their respective family lines being separated from each other by several generations of ascendants from several family branches.

Mikasa: I knew that we weren't closely related, but I never thought that our clan was this large.

Levi: Tch. With how distant our relation is, we might as well not be related.

Mikasa: But we're related by marriage, captain.

Levi: I know that, brat. And stop calling me 'captain'. I'm your husband now.

Mikasa: Only if you stop calling me 'brat'. I'm your wife now.

Hahaha. Please forgive me. I couldn't help but indulge my RivaMika dreams and fantasies.

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Anyway, in the article I read, there was also a mention of a new character.

If there really will be a new character, who could it be? Maybe... the child of a certain couple of post-Rumbling survivors? Perhaps this character had already made a brief cameo in the anime?

Image taken from the end credits of Episode 22 of Part 2 of Season 3 of the "Attack on Titan" anime.

Maybe it's a possible Ackerbaby attending a private school in Marley or Paradis? 👀 Hahaha.

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Final Note: This is just a very fanciful hope of mine. I admit that I'm new to the fandom, but I became invested rather quickly. Haha. In any case, I think that this is certainly a possibility. The probability of it is another matter entirely. But it's still possible, though. Hahaha.

On a more serious note, I'm glad that I joined the RM fandom. The community is really fun and open-minded!

#rivamika #levimika #levi ackerman #mikasa ackerman #attack on titan #aot #shingeki no kyojin #snk

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helena-thessaloniki · 3 years

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Hi Helena! Big fan of your writing here🥺♥️ Your rivamika fics are my safe space 😭 (if you have time to answer) i’d love to know when you first started shipping them, why, and what made you continue to love this ship (or anything else to do with your journey as an RM shipper)? i love your characterisation of both levi and mikasa individually, but even more so, your portrayal of their dynamic as a couple, which is why i wanted to ask so badly ☺️ x

Hey anon! Oh woah, first of all, thank you so much. Second of all, oh god, you probably shouldn't have handed me the mic. heh 😅

I’m afraid to look at the word count of this response, I’m sure it’s much more than you bargained for, but I appreciate the question and enjoyed thinking through my response (: Most importantly, I’m so glad you find my stories as a safe space. It’s really an honor. Thank you for sharing with me 🖤🖤

TL; DR As a longtime reader, writer and lover of stories and story-telling, by being someone who pays attention to how stories are crafted and deliberately developed from beginning to end, I sincerely thought Isayama was setting up rivamika as an endgame relationship. So, I read into and interpreted meaning out of ALL their interactions and became deeply invested.

I don’t necessarily ship them cause of the parallels, age gap, enemies to lover trope, height difference, or some of those common reasons and/or kinks. I’m more basic and boring than that. I love the concept of them coming together as though it’s inevitable.

They both are unbelievably strong, selfless, and have suffered so much loss— so, no one else could truly understand them as well as they can understand each other. They both probably would have always settled for a stable, simple life, and been alone and lonely even without realizing it— instead, they find each other, and realize what it means to actually no longer be alone, to do more than just survive. It’s this understated bond, as opposed to a dramatic and passionate romance, that I envision in them and that I love so much.

Then, the passion, heat, the romantic "spark"— I think that’s an added bonus, the cherry on top, the perfect final puzzle piece. They’re both so physically capable, can speak through their actions, and don’t show much need or capacity for emotional/ verbal communication, so the ability to connect with each other through physical intimacy and mind-blowing sex seems like another given.

Still, at the end of the day, for me it comes back to their ability to fully depend on each other, to the inevitability. Not like some soulmate trope where they 'have no choice' in it, but like the stars aligned to prove it's right. How each of them have only one other person on the whole planet who could see and understand them, to be on par with them, to make them realize there’s more to life than settling and surviving, and they happen to find it in each other.

You asked, I rambled 😅 Here’s a breakdown of my thought process in my rivamika journey. For those who make it to the end or want to skip to the end, I'll finish with the excerpt of the very first rivamika scene I felt compelled to to write.

I've tried before to re-watch and remember the exact scenes, exact moments, that initially captured my full attention, but I guess it was all of them, the gradual and cumulative compilation of their earliest interactions.

Mikasa always appearing cool and indifferent, and paying no attention whatsoever to others fawning over, like Jean initially falling for her, but then her strongly reacting over Levi in the courtroom showed how uniquely capable he was at getting under her skin.

Of course, the scene in the forest chasing the Female Titan was a critical one. I think of that as the first time both Levi and Mikasa were truly able to see the other's strength, mental and physical. And for them, orphans and trauma survivors who have suffered extensive loss, I think that seeing strength in another person made them feel less alone. Less alone in a deep, quiet but cataclysm, life-altering sort of way, even if not a romantic one. Like they didn't know it was something they didn't have, something they didn't expect to get from life, but then found it with each other.

(Even when we found out Levi was an Ackerman, I was disappointed if it meant they were immediate relatives, but willing to accept it wouldn't be a romantic end to loneliness, it would be a familial end to loneliness. But... the author never explored that. Not once.)

In that forest scene, manga and anime, the way that Levi pauses to really look and see Mikasa and think about who she is, what she’s gone through, and how strong and dedicated she is now— that was a defining moment. It was also a visual demonstration of Levi breaking character, from aloof and ruthless, to considering and curious. I thought Yams was showing both of them do that on purpose.

Then, Levi getting hurt because of Mikasa in that scene felt like another clue. Sure, it was while saving Eren, and sure, it could have been meant to humanize super-soldier Levi, or sure, it could have been another aspect of how Mikasa rushing into things over Eren ends up hurting other people that later changes in her character development, but it felt like a very pointed statement about Mikasa being a vulnerability for Levi. And that's swoon-worthy, right? Most of us have been exposed to and conditioned by stories about how special and romantic it is to be the one and only girl who can make an otherwise disinterested or unattainable guy actually pay attention to her, and so admittedly I fall right for it.

I’m sure I’m forgetting plenty, but the opening of season 3 felt like confirmation. When Levi figures out Kenny's behind things and entrusts Mikasa with instructions to share with the others, instructions about fighting people instead of titans that ultimately everyone else besides her struggles with, and when Mikasa lets Levi hold her back from chasing after Eren, her most important way of trusting and having faith in Levi, I honestly took that as cues from the author that rivamika was endgame. I let myself get truly invested from then on. That’s that understated bond I was referring to. To me, that unspoken but undeniable trust is the most important dynamic.

Seeing them fight together or fight similarly has always been fun and powerful and fulfilling.

I'm newer to the snk club. I was originally an anime-only fan and started watching in fall 2019, I think. I wasn't on tumblr, twitter, or anything else to see fandom discourse. So, I didn't know that the rooftop scene of Mikasa fighting Levi over the serum was such a staple for our ship until much later. I love the scene just like many do for all the reasons we do, but I don't think the actual scene was pivotal for me, so much as it's aftermath. I thought it represented two things.

One, it was an important marker in Levi's characterization. Hands-down one of the most striking scenes to me is the one where Levi is in the alley, somber and alone, listening in on Eren, Armin, and Mikasa talking together. It artfully shows his longing for hope and connection. So, when Levi chose Armin for the serum, that represented Levi choosing hope. And when Mikasa ultimately gave up fighting Levi and didn't choose Armin, which Armin finds out about later on, I see that as an important marker in Mikasa's development. It puts a wedge between her and Armin/Eren [Armin, because he knows she would have let him die, and Eren, because Armin is too special to him and he couldn't look at her the same way after realizing she would have let him die]. That distance between her and her childhood friends is one I don't think could ever be healed completely, one of those painful lessons in growing up. By doing that, it then also puts a distance in Mikasa's own childhood self to her current self. I thought that matured her and separated her out in a way that was another clue toward eventual rivamika developments.

That's a whole other conversation on Mikasa, but I’ll stay on track. Her love for Armin was absolutely authentic and fierce, but at the end of the day, at the core of her being, she chose survival over hope. Meanwhile, Levi chose hope over survival. To me, that was soft, fertile ground for the reasons why eventually, if/when Mikasa found hope and chose hope, that could directly tie together with her inevitably in coming together with Levi. Again, less butterflies and fireworks, but more natural and in a way that was just a given.

I wrote Beyond the Walls before reading the manga from the Marley Arc and on, so that's why most of that story is her journey into embracing that hope. *manga spoilers* There's a lot of meta, criticism and talk about Mikasa's silent, off-screen and subtle style of character development in the Marley Arc and afterward. I won't go down that road, I'm still processing the end of the manga to be honest, but I think it's fair to say she does eventually end up choosing hope over survival when she lets go of Eren and saves humanity instead. I love the “Stay with Me” line and think it’s perfect; a simple but profound display of trust and their deep-rooted bond in a really understated way. *end manga spoilers*

Here's something I always wanted to talk about in full but haven't. It honestly reads to me like Yams was building toward rivamika, and didn’t do anything to stop that until too late. There are tools authors can use to ensure we stop shipping a pair or start shipping a new one; love triangles are commonly used in every artistic medium and we’ve all been persuaded by these tools. But Yams didn’t use these tools to make sure readers didn’t feel convinced by rivamika. For all the reasons I listed above, more I'm forgetting, and for the following:

If he wanted us to think they were family and it would be incest, he should have added in a conversation between them realizing they were (close) family and that they weren't the only ones left in their biological family like they thought. But he didn't.

If he wanted us to think it was completely inappropriate between a child-and-adult and student-and-teacher, then he could have done something to ensure Mikasa looked childish or Levi looked older, but no. They barely look ten years apart. I do think it's unacceptable and that there's a power imbalance between a child-and-adult relationship regardless of that, and that there can't be true consent when one is a superior and another a subordinate, so I personally age-up Mikasa in my head and try to handle his position of power responsibly in my writings... but the point being, by the end of canon, there's no inappropriate or non-consensual romance between them, yet there's a lot of history and chemistry that could naturally lead to an age-appropriate and consensual relationship. If Yams didn't want us to think so, he could have made it more clear that there were reasons it wouldn't happen.

The only thing that makes sense to me is the author planned on rivamika endgame but was shamed/pressured out of it (either internally or due to others) OR that the author somehow accidentally created such vibrant chemistry and an incredible dynamic between them. Like, he didn't put enough convincing substance of eremika in, didn't make Levi look old enough, didn’t have one of them do something unforgivable in the other’s eyes, etc. Those are some of those tools he could have used. Romance was never a key component in snk. And since we now know Yams planned or needed eremika endgame for sake of plot and the conclusion of the manga, I personally think he didn't know what to do with the riveting rivamika substance and chemistry being much more convincing to readers. Once he had them so well built-up, maybe the only option he felt he had was to just stop putting the characters together. We get little-to-no rivamika interaction, platonic or practical, after season 3 all the way up until the very end. But there was so much of it beforehand ?? So, it simply doesn't make sense. I think the author just straight-up cut any and all interactions out between them because it was too convincing and moving, more convincing and substantial than eremika. But, as the end of canon shows, we needed to have some eremika buy-in. It's messy writing and unskilled in the romance department, but considering for how long and how complicated snk has been in a creative process and how lackluster the eremika romance (the main and apparently pivotal romance) is developed, I think it’s plausible to say the author effed up.

As far as writing fanfiction goes, there's just so much room to explore them. In canon, we aren't given enough insight into their individual perspectives, let alone their dynamic together, so it feels like a blank canvas to work from. I think that's part of why I love to write them, and also why I don't necessarily read much of them. When I first started shipping them while watching the anime, I read a few of the classics that were canon-verse, but I haven’t really read much since. For me, exploring and discovering them as a writer is the most fun. (It's one of the reasons Naruto and Harry Potter have such large fanfiction collections. There's so much world-building and so many characters, but there's also so much left to the imagination.)

In general, I'm drawn to strong characters, especially women, who are multidimensional enough to be real, vulnerable and soft. Mikasa is the pinnacle of that. I don’t necessarily like to write about her love or infatuation with Eren, but I do respect and admire and consider it integral to her character and her amazing capacity to love. We can have strong, kickass women who falter when it comes to love but are still considered strong for it. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive and Mikasa is a beautiful example of that.

And Levi is strong, but real and vulnerable too; he’s honestly a fantastically developed character, from Petra explaining to Eren in the beginning how he’s not the amazing hero he’s painted to be to the public, to how Levi genuinely cares for Erwin and others and chooses hope despite all he’s suffered.

The end of the manga wrecked me a bit. Kind of like Games of Thrones. You have something that was so epic and well-done for so long, a rushed ending that isn't immediately sensical and isn't fulfilling is hard to stomach. Eventually, I'll move on from the denial of that and process what I think and feel about it. The whole reason we have fanfiction is to expand on canon, but it's made me put rivamika on the back burner until I figure it out. So I'm a little less hyper-fixated on the pairing right now even though interacting with you all and asks like this remind me what brought me here in the first place. 😊

To conclude, I’ll share that the very first rivamika content I wrote was a compilation of moments I thought could be inserted into season 3. These are still moments I plan to edit and publish one day. For anyone that actually read this far, I’ll put a rough and unedited excerpt of the first scene I ever wrote about them.

Thank you again anon 🖤😊

BEGIN EXCERPT [after the rooftop fight for the serum, immediately following the ceremony where Eren touched Historia by kissing her hand]:

Part of her was embarrassed at such a flagrant act of disobedience to a superior, especially to one who saved her and countless others' lives in the past. But mostly, she was anguished by the situation Captain Levi put her in once he revoked the serum meant to save Armin and planned to use it on Commander Erwin instead. Her current ostracization and self-loathing was not entirely her own fault. Anger she felt toward herself was just as easy to wield against him.

It must have shown in the grit of her teeth or defiant tone, because he turned to look at her, more aloof than curious.

Like a flint struck to steel, it ignited the fury she felt toward him.

“I shouldn’t have hesitated. I should have just killed you,” she answered him at last, piercing him with eyes darker than the night.

He wasn’t concerned. “You’re good, but not that good.”

Her hands fell to her side, fists clenched as she stood with a single, fluid movement. Before she could let loose a threat, he sighed.

“What’s the problem, Ackerman?” He was dismissive, his shoulders relaxed and posture loose.

The fire too furious to contain, she went sailing for him with the same speed from the battlefield. Her fingers already curled, she tightened her grasp as she swung her fist into his gods-damned apathetic face.

Levi wasn’t unprepared. He easily side-stepped her, then snatched her wrist to steal her momentum. Though he tried to toss her aside, she was no less fast; Mikasa dug her heel in and spun, her other arm shoving hard into his chest.

Too graceful to stumble, Levi used the chance to hook her second arm too. He caged both her wrists in a grip so strong, she was sure it bruised her bones. Still, he only looked at her warily, almost bored.

“Shouldn’t you be grateful? I chose Armin.” If his reminder was meant to ease her anger, it had the opposite effect.

Fury and desperation gifted her additional strength. She shoved into his chest hard. Levi shifted backward, nearly forced into loosening his grip; within that split second of an opening, Mikasa slammed her elbow into his chin, rocking his head backward.

“You did,” she seethed, but as fast as the fire inside her exploded, it was doused. Her next words came out broken and damp. “But I didn’t.”

Levi remained stern and otherwise unmoving as he attempted to flex his jaw through the spasm of pain. As the momentum of the fight died down, he loosened his hold on her wrists and evaluated her distraught frame.

Mikasa immediately released her own hands and turned away from him, eyes stinging from tears she refused to shed as she focused on the stars ahead. Admitting the harsh words aloud hurt her far more than any injury she could inflict onto him.

Not only was Armin one of the only friends she had, but he’d been a steadfast one throughout almost all she could remember of her life. After the trauma of her childhood, it was Eren and Armin who embraced her, whom she learned to love. Now, though, there was a wedge between her and Armin she was not sure could ever be removed. What was worse, as deplorable and selfish as she knew it proved her to be, was the painful wedge it now put between her and Eren too.

Once again, she found Levi standing at the peripheral of her sight, close enough to see but far enough to be a blur at the edge of her watery vision.

“You almost killed me.” Levi repeated his earlier words, but he said them with an odd bite, torn between frustration and patience. “You would have killed me to save him.”

Too late, Mikasa realized he hadn’t meant these words as an accusation, but an odd form of validation. She bit her bottom lip, teeth puncturing too hard; the tang of metal was sharp on her tongue when she swallowed blood.

“You thought about letting your closest friend die,” Levi said quietly, tiredly. “But I did let mine die. I left him for dead, when I could have saved him.”

Mikasa was startled from her selfish reverie, for the first time acknowledging the sacrifice he made on that fateful afternoon. She’d been too absorbed in her own relief, and then, her own regrets to consider what the decision had done to him.

For a brief moment, she considered turning to face him, but the stark reality of the matter made her refrain. How could she feel pity for his loss, when his loss enabled her gain? An uncomfortable knot tightened in her stomach.

“Tch,” Levi sighed. He was only one notch less taciturn, but for him, that was soft. “You’ll live with your guilt, and I’ll live with mine.”

His words granted Mikasa’s tears the permission to spill. She buried her face further into her scarf, both hands trembling at the worn threads. As quietly as he arrived onto the roof, Levi disappeared from it.

It was rare for him to indulge in alcohol or celebrations, but Erwin’s absence felt more tangible than his presence ever did. Levi distracted himself with the chaos of the few remaining Scouts that Erwin had died entrusting his legacy to, and attempted to drown the pain with whatever drink Connie Springer shoved into his hands.

He found Hanji with their ale long-forgotten about on the table as they half-stood from their seat, frantic while explaining some morbid experiment in great, vivid detail to an unsuspecting and slightly horrified MP officer.

Though Levi wordlessly took the seat beside them, Hanji paused their rant to slap him hard on the back, an enthusiastic greeting flying from their drunken lips. The MP took this chance to excuse himself, a pathetic attempt at politeness, but Hanji either didn’t care or didn’t notice.

“Ah, Levi,” they smiled at his drink, though it didn’t entirely reach their one eye. “Where you been?”

Levi didn’t answer. “You know, shitty-glasses, you’re even more unbearable about your experiments when you’re drunk.”

Hanji waved dismissively and reached for their ale. Years spent in battle and command together had gifted both of them with an eased familiarity, and sometimes, genuine friendship. In the same manner he ignored their question, Hanji ignored his lack of response and went on with their original inquiry.

“Careful, Captain,” Hanji warned lightly. “Now that there’s far fewer Scouts, you having a favorite might cause some division.”

Even though Hanji meant the words, there was a glint of mischief that twinkled in their remaining eye.

“It’s not favoritism,” Levi countered bluntly, turning his vision toward the young man on the far side of the room. “Eren is simply the best chance that we have in this war.”

Hanji laughed as if he’d made a joke and Levi looked back to stare at them, unable to be surprised at their quirks or oddities any longer, but still a touch curious about what spurned this current demonstration.

“I wasn’t talking about Eren,” Hanji said at last, a pointed nod toward his injured chin.

Levi blinked. He didn’t realize he was nursing his injury with the hand not on his drink. As though it were too hot to touch, Levi dropped his hand.

Hanji was not judgmental, nor inquisitive. In a war-torn life of losing too many cadets entrusted to him, the fact that Levi found a soldier with the strength and skill to remain safe was not only rare, but worth special attention. Still, it made him too lenient.

“Sometimes I think you’d let her get away with murder,” Hanji chided halfheartedly.

When he thought of Erwin dead in his grasp, sometimes he wasn’t sure if he already had.

#my asks #my thoughts #rivamika #rivamika fanfic #lena writes

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tundrainafrica · 4 years

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why do you think levihan is so underrated? like it is an adorable ship and has so many more canon evidence compared to other ships. like it just saddens me - levihan deserves so much love.

Thank you for the ask anon!

I agree! Levihan is incredibly underrated and sometimes even the community which gets picked on the most apparently.

I don’t know the actual environment in twitter since I tend to keep to myself there and my knowledge is limited to like the 10 Levihan blogs I follow but I hear a lot of antis deny what happened in 126 and 132 saying Levi and Hange were just being friendly there or smthg but if it were Levi and their dream pairing doing the same thing as Hange and Levi were there, they’d be screaming ‘CANON’ but yeah, it was Levi and Hange and apparently they don’t have any chemistry or something like that.

In the Japanese fandom though, Levihan is not as underrated actually. It is one of the top pairings that actually pushed 126 and 132 to the top of the polls for the Bessatsu polls for colored chapters. They have Levihan events and loads of Levihan dojins and content. (but Ereri still beats it fsrrrr)

I have A LOT of friends who watch AoT but surprise surprise, I’m the only Levihan shipper. I have friends who ship Jeankasa, Eremika and even RivaMika but NO ONE SHIPS LEVIHAN. And I asked about it and here are some reasons I get:

1. Their height difference is just too big. It looks weird.

2. They’re too weird for each other.

3. They’re more like siblings.

4. Levi always looks irritated when they see each other. Are you sure he doesn’t hate her?

5. (for anime onlies) I have not seen them do anything romantic. At least Jean showed like some obvious romantic infatuation for Mikasa.

Make what you want of those comments up there but that’s the general reasoning I have seen among my friends which really just makes me roll my eyes *internally* because really Levihan was the closest ship to canon next to Yumihisu fight me.

But why isn’t it as big as let’s say... Ereri?

Okay I think to answer this type of question, we have to understand the fundamental fact that people ship what they ship for their own personal reasons. There is no universal reason to ship a pairing.

Personally, I would ship a pairing or a relationship I would want for myself. Like the hanky panky part of the relationship is just a bonus. I like celebrating relationships that can teach us about healthy development, conflict resolution and mutual trust and I think Levihan does a great job in showing a healthy developed relationship between two parties. I have made a list of what exactly I find so delectable about their pairing and you can check it out here.

I have trouble seeing that same healthy development in Ereri all the way to Season 4 (but if you do see it, do point it out. )

I mean apparently people actually see BDSM fuel in the court room scene in Season 1 and the soon to be animated kick from Levi in Seaosn 4 and those apparently are what launched this AOT ship into fame.

From Ereri’s origins we could surmise that people generally ship it because it’s an attractive ship to ship more than it being what embodies their dream relationship or a healthy ship.

This is an okay way to go about shipping anyway. What I find problematic is when ship wars start all because people wanna force their own preferences on others which is apparently incredibly common in twitter.

Hange and Levi’s relationship is really good fuel for hot porn as well (and I’ve read some good dojins) but they’re a het pairing too and I think it has been a norm for a while that yaoi pairings tend to be more popular among fans, We do have a lot of ‘fujoshis’ who enjoy these things. I’ve been into sports anime for an incredibly long time and it’s also apparent there that homosexual pairings tend to fly more than het pairings and this might also apply to this fandom. (It applies to most fandoms I think.)

And Hange’s kinda underrated.

Hange doesn’t score high as a popular character among Western audiences (although she scores high among Japanese audiences) so there’s also the question of “Why ship Levi would a character who isn’t even popular?” and for a lot of audiences, Hange has been reduced to the mad scientist.

And to appreciate the relationship between Levi and Hange, we have to have a more in depth appreciation for both Hange and Levi which tend to be glossed over by a lot of watchers. Erwin and Eren generally score higher or are more popular characters next to Levi and I think that’s one reason why people to opt to pair Hange with Erwin and Hange with Eren.

Like, you might notice a commonality among most if not all Levihan fans but we are all huge fans of Hange. Like I think being a huge fan of Hange comes with being a Levihan stan.

Hopefully though animating 126 and 132 will make it a little more mainstream ship? Who knows.

Thank you for the ask anon and I hope this answers your question.

#levihan #levi x hange #levi x hanji #meta

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alienheartattack · 3 years

Note

Hiii!! Quick question, what is ur otp and brotp for snk? It’s probably rm, but what r ur thoughts on other Mikasa and Levi ships? (Rivetra, levihan, eruri, ereri, rivahisu, rivannie, rivasasha, eremika, arumika, jeankasa, mikahisu, mikahan, Mikannie, erumika, mikasasha) thx so much love u so much :D

Thanks for your message! 💖💖💖

Otp is absolutely Rivamika. No one even comes close. (Although I've def enjoyed some NSFW works of Eruri, Erejean, and the holy grail of gay SNK, Erurimike.)

I have a few brotps. The veteran trio is pretty great as well as the individual relationships therein (Eruri/Eruhan/Levihan), and I like the potential of EMA even though it was squandered in the end. I also loved Sasha and Connie's friendship, and Sasha and Mikasa's friendship even though we didn't get to see it as much.

Gonna rate these ships behind a read more so this post doesn't take up your entire dash.

Rivetra - Don't like it. I headcanon this as one-sided love on Petra's part. (I liked her and Oluo better.) I feel like Rivetra has pretty much disappeared from the SNK fandom landscape, I used to see it a lot more in the dark times between seasons 1 and 2.

Levihan - S-tier friendship, hate it as a romantic pairing. I've seen a lot of otherwise very good Levihan art that makes Hanji more feminine, which I don't like. Plus I feel like even if the two of them got wasted and fell into bed together, Levi would be incredibly turned off by Hanji's bad personal hygiene and nothing would happen.

Eruri - I don't think they ever got sexual in canon, but I do think they genuinely loved and respected each other. Eren and Mikasa take note: THIS is how you do an Ackerbond.

Ereri - Meh. Not a fan.

Rivahisu - Hate it. It feels weirdly gross to me, for some reason? Even though, fun fact, one of my first fic ideas was Hisu domming the shit out of Levi after he roughed her up and yelled at her about becoming queen. Idk, they're both so small. Their babies would be like hamsters.

Rivannie - I can't even imagine this lmao. What a weird pairing.

Rivasasha - Another one that doesn't make sense to me.

Eremika - The worst and most toxic pairing in the series. I hate everything about their dynamic. Eren is cruel to Mikasa and she just accepts his treatment without wavering in her obsessive love. She infantilizes him even though he clearly hates it, although she's right that he usually needs someone to clean up his messes. I hate that Eren claims he loves her even though he had, like, 2 moments in the entire series where he wasn't openly contemptuous of her. I don't see them as a tragic couple, unless the tragedy is that they had great potential as characters but Yams decided to hamper all the development they could have had as individuals in favor of smashing them together at the last minute with no buildup. I don't even think Eren likes Mikasa as a person very much. I'm not against childhood friends to lovers as a trope, but I think Yams did a really bad job of depicting any kind of mutually positive relationship between them.

Arumika - Cute! I have a headcanon that they've fooled around as sort of an exploratory thing out of mutual platonic love rather than being sexually attracted to each other. They have a great friendship and although I don't think they have endgame romantic potential, I could see them trying out dating but deciding that they're better off as friends.

Jeankasa - I go back and forth on this one. It's not bad, but it's no Rivamika. I did ship it initially but then Levi showed up and my interest in JK went out the window entirely. I think Jean would be a good husband to Mikasa, but after the ending of the series I question her love for him. I think she'd agree to marriage more out of the idea that they have a mutual goal of love and family and the knowledge that he'll take good care of her, and then over time maybe she would fall in love with him. I feel bad for Jeanbo because he's Mikasa's second choice both in canon and in my headcanon!

Mikahisu - I haven't really considered them as a pair before; I got the vibe that Mikasa kinda hated Historia for capturing Eren's attention before she was shoved off the page to get pregnant and... whatever she ended up doing. Fascism, I guess. I could see them getting off to a rough start but Hisu wins Mikasa over with her charm and determination.

Mikahan - Another one I haven't really considered. I think Hanji's overzealousness would turn Mikasa off, although they could have a friendship like a less playfully antagonistic Levihan.

Mikannie - I want them to be friends so badly! They could be gym buddies who kiss sometimes. With the right AU you could make this pairing like lesbian Rivamika because those girls do not like each other.

Erumika - I'm into it in theory, but when I think about the pairing I don't really feel anything about it.

Mikasasha - I wish we'd gotten to see more of their friendship. One of you (I forget who lol) also reblogs a lot of romantic Mikasasha and it turns out I'm into that as well. I think Sasha would be a good influence on Mikasa, getting her to loosen up a little, but I guess asking for well-fleshed female friendships in shonen manga is probably a bit much.

#headcanon

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canon-rivamika · 4 years

Note

Hiiii, may I ask an update for RM's popularity in japan? I saw your post related to that, but it was way back 2016 before season 2 and 3.

Hi nonnies! I honestly can’t give you a proper response. While the snk fandom has seen a resurgence in popularity due to it ending soon and the excellent anime season from Mappa, it’s difficult to measure current fandom activity from, for example, fanworks alone. The statistics will always include activity from since like 2013, and tastes and ship popularity have changed a lot since then. Lots of ships have sunk (even though that means almost nothing to a true shipper) and Isayama has even blessed us with new ships this close to the manga’s end. I can only say the Rivamika fandom is extremely blessed to have both Levi and Mikasa still alive and kicking so we can enjoy some late-manga Rivamika crumbs like last chapter’s!

#rivamika #snk predictions #snk meta #snk #snk spoilers #replies

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bryhaven · 2 years

Text

RivaMika Month Q&A

1. When did you start shipping?

I'm not sure which year but I started shipping them since the female titan arc. Exactly at this moment:

2. When did you officially become part of the rivamika fandom?

I joined the fandom on May this year on Twitter and the following month on Tumblr 🥰

3. Favorite moment of the two?

I love every moment they are together bahaha. Okay that's my RivaMika goggles on but. If I really had to pick a favorite moment.. including the GIF above. Aaah it's hard but these:

"I'm with you. But fall back for now."

Being communicative and cooperative with each other 🥰

Ackertalk

Everytime Levi calms Mikasa down

Fighting alongside each other (of course) 🥰

"Stay with me."

4. A curiosity about LM that you like?

I'm curious as to why Isayama emphasized their heritage and connections, but also made sure to stress that Levi and Mikasa aren't closely related.

And in the anime, I'm also curious why the part saying that the Ackerman clan were byproducts of titan science was left out. Maybe to lessen the emphasis on their heritage so it wouldn't sound too familial and incestuous?

Even though they weren't delved into that much, I like it because we shippers have the backing to support our theories and content for the ship.

5. If you were to create a phrase defining the couple, what would it be?

"The grumpy shorty and the gloomy brat" 😂

"There is another me, it is the existence which is you." - from Pretty Cure OST

6. A word that defines the two?

Resilient

7. What gesture of love do you think RivaMika represents?

The RivaMika gesture or language of love is Touch. Both aren't the most communicative or expressive. And when they do, they are often misunderstood. But touch is something that doesn't need words for one to understand. They will grab, hold, caress, and touch to get their points across if words fail them. Take this GIF below as an example. It's not a lovey-dovey moment, but just to explain the context. Mikasa doesn't listen here, so Levi grabbed and physically stopped her. And he also grabbed her by the shoulder when they were still discussing going to Rod Reiss' estate. After that, Levi explained himself to her while calming her down. I like to think of it as their way of getting through to each other.

8. Who would show more gestures of love and affection in the relationship?

They will both equally try to show affection and love. But in their own and different ways. I can see Mikasa being more direct and expressive, and maybe even saying the words "I love you" at times. I can also see her being the touchy-feely type. While Levi is more of showing it through actions like making her tea in the morning, pulling the blanket over her when it slips off, and things like that. He isn't technically romantic but at times, he will try to be in an effort to be more like the man he thinks a woman would want. It will usually end up awkward for him but she will find it endearing. She will reassure him that she doesn't need to be too extravagant or so about it, but she will love whatever he offers her 💖

9. Where do you think they would go on their first date?

Somewhere around nature. Like a lakeside, garden, or flower field. Picnic-type dates. 🥰

10. How do you think their first kiss would be?

It will be slow and gentle at the beginning, then gradually escalate into a more rough and needy kiss 😏

11. Who would make the first move?

Mikasa, in the sense that, I can see her being the bolder one. She is the type to openly do anything for the people she cares for. Levi may be blunt and direct, but he is also self-deprecative and wouldn't want his demons to affect others. He'd rather keep things to himself, so he would need someone like Mikasa who is able to stand up to him regardless of whatever façade he puts on.

12. And last but not least: a personal theory about rivamika!

For the story, I believe that Isayama somehow wanted to pursue RM, especially after the events of season 3. He established their development there beautifully and always made sure to stress that they are from the same clan, and not the same family.

For the ship, I believe that Levi and Mikasa had always felt a connection with each other, in canon, whether they are aware of it or not. And it has manifested in different ways within the story. They see their likeness in each other. Because how else would they be able to understand each other if they don't see it themselves? Below are just two examples.

In the Junior High manga, Levi was the only who noticed that Mikasa was hurt. This alludes to Levi tending to keep things to himself.

In the Uprising Arc, Mikasa states that the best bet for survival is to follow Levi's orders. She doesn't question him here or anything (and we all know she is quick to disobey him), but she understands.

Another thing I just want to add which involves the multiverse theories. I saw this somewhere and I like the theory so I'm sharing it here, and also adding some of my thoughts to it. Mikasa is the one who gets headaches. It was suggested by Eren in the story that it was an effect of the Ackermans fighting against their blood instinct of protecting their host. But then Levi isn't shown to be experiencing the same thing.

I believe that this is the way that Paths Eren is trying to communicate with Mikasa. But in the RivaMika context, I agree with the theory that this is connected to Mikasa being able to transfer timelines. The multiverse was created due to Mikasa's desire to save Eren from death. But in all the timelines, Levi is the one who saves Mikasa, the one who always observes her. And in the final battle, he is the one who brings Mikasa out of the cabin dream to get her back to reality - the manga or main timeline.

Mikasa is like the female lead of a story (a princess) who searches for love (or chases after a dream) in all the timelines when Levi (her prince) has always been there all along. Until she realizes in the AOE timeline that Levi is the one for her 😁😏💙

Not sure if I was able to articulate that, but basically RivaMika in every timeline ahaha 😍💖

#rivamika #levimika #levimikasa #levi x mikasa #mikasa x levi #rivamika month #rivamikamonth #rivamikamonth2022 #haventhoughts

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onigiri-dorkk · 2 years

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Still thinking a lot about Mikasa - what's new?

I've noticed a lot of EM's stance is:

"To Mikasa, Eren is most precious to her. Why would you want him to separate from her? That is selfish and unempathetic of you to want her to be away from who she truly loves and force her to live life away from him."

Here's my issue with this train of thought.

Women will often stay in love with the wrong people. Especially women who are caring, protecting, nurturing. And especially women who feel indebted to their partner.

Is it wrong of Mikasa to love Eren? Of course not. He did something so important to her when they were young; in her eyes, he saved her life.

She loves him deeply for something he did for her, and that makes him a savior.

What other reason does Mikasa love Eren, though? Are there personality traits she loves? Does she love who she is when she is with him? Does he love her well? Is he kind? Shared life values? Etc? It sounds a lot like she loves him for an action he did, and not for who he is.

Mikasa and Eren have nothing in common; no shared affection, no shared passions. After SO many years. Nothing.

I'm gonna be real and say that just because you love someone, does not mean they are the best person for you and vice versa. Just because you love someone does not mean they will make you happy. Just because you love someone does not mean that love is healthy.

That is exactly where Mikasa is. That's where she has emotionally been since Chapter 1. Her love for Eren has not developed past "he saved me." And can I remind y'all that the words of Eren that Mikasa dearly holds onto aren't words of love, or words that give her life and inspiration. It's the good ol "If you win, we live. If you lose, we die. If you don't fight, we can't win."

Like?

If I looked at my husband and the words that characterize him/our love are circled around fighting and killing people... lmfao you get what I'm saying?

I'm not saying those words weren't important for that time/season. But, Mikasa, holy crap it has been how many years? Surely there has to be more that you love about Eren other than the fact that he saved you, he helped you to fight.

It's exactly why I feel like Eren was meant to be the first love -- the one whose very existence teaches you how to love and how to open your heart, even if they weren't the best for you. And it's ALSO exactly why I feel like, even from a storytelling point of view, presenting Mikasa with a new love that is healthy would have been so much better.

Obvi I think that should have been Levi. And tbh it always felt like Isayama was trying to set that up from the beginning until he realized Western/non-asian fans wouldn't understand the whole clan lineage lmfao. But it should've just been SOMEONE.

Often times I'm like, hey, if female lead is independent she doesn't need a man, then! Which is always true! But Mikasa is someone who loves -- and who loves deeply -- and she wants love, she wants to be loved. So she should have developed a healing, redemptive love with someone new who wasn't Eren.

So to answer those EM's who tell us that we're unempathetic for wanting Mikasa to step away from her love for Eren...

It is the most empathetic perspective to desire for her to find new love that is healthier than what Eren could've given her. The unempathetic ones are the ones who desire for her to stay in that sad depressing love with Eren. Why get mad at people who desired more development for her?

(Implied husband at the end doesn't count, either. Mikasa and us as readers needed to see her grow out of that unhealthy love during the actual series. NOT a "She was forced to move on because Eren died/if he didn't die she would've still been hung up on him" trope that we got. It needed to have been a "While Eren is alive, Mikasa lets go of her love for him and experiences healthy love that erases her painful first love")

I'm gonna scream

ok that is all, love you rivamika fandom

#rivamika #mikasa ackerman #onigirianalyzes

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gilly-bj · 3 years

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Many in our fandom have already noticed the parallels between Rivamika and Violet and Gilbert from Violet Evergarden (Beautiful anime, watch it if you haven’t already); on Instagram, RM fanpages have talked about this, but I’ve noticed that unfortunately, here on Tumblr, this interesting topic is getting quite ignored. In this post, we’re talking about all the similarities between Gilbert x Violet and Levi x Mikasa.

(Please don’t spoil anything about Violet Evergarden in the comments; let’s respect who hasn’t watch it yet)

Before getting into the parallels related to their relationships, let’s analyze the ones related to the physical appearance/personality (and more) between the couples and their respective members.

Mikasa and Violet share the same Japanese voice actor, that is Yui Ishikawa (She’s also the voice actor of 2B from NieR Automata and Tsukasa Taira from Devils line. Speaking of Devils Line, the main character, Yuuki Anzai, looks like a potential Rivamika son; in fact, he has seems a cold man, like Mikasa and Levi, but he’s really caring, especially towards his loved one (Tsukasa) It’s a great anime, watch it if you haven’t already), and they seem heartless and emotionless on first impression. Levi and Gilbert have both lost their right eye and they have prominent scars on their face. They are reserved men that don’t usually show their emotions and they are both (respectively), Mikasa and Violet’s superiors. Gilbert met Violet for the first time when she was a child, and the age difference between the two is about 15 years (Gilbert is 29; Violet is 14), the same as Rivamika’s.

Violet was always seen by everyone as a weapon, the only one who saw her as a human was Gilbert, that slowly fell in love with her and tried to protect her. The first parallel we find with Rivamika is that both Gilbert and Levi saw something else in the girls. I doubt that many in the scouts were interested in Mikasa’s personality, probably for everyone she was just an heartless and cold girl. She doesn’t seem friendly and many feared her, so she was ignored by the soldiers (that’s why she hasn’t got many friends). Her soldier abilities were recognized by everyone though, so logically, Mikasa was probably immediately liked with her strength and not with her personality. Levi has always understood Mikasa since their first meeting; I think he knows that they are similar and that she isn’t just a strong soldier; she is a human with her qualities, flaws and weak spots, like Levi. In a few words, since she’s similar to him he understands her personality so he doesn’t see her just as the girl worth 100 soldiers. Another parallel: Levi has always protected Mikasa, he has always cared about her well-being, physical and mental.

Notice that: Eren’s words “Fight!” again are referred to Mikasa’s strength. To me, Mikasa is just a girl who was forced to be a strong soldier; we know she wants her family and in the past Isayama stated that she will return the happy girl she was in her childhood (yeah I see). I don’t think she likes violence. Eren has become a very violent person (killing 80% of the population yeyy), and instead our baby Levi probably has understood that violence is never the right choice.

Anyway, Gilbert confessed to Violet his feelings on the verge of death; the girl didn’t know what “I love you” means, so she gave her best to understand the meaning behind those three words. I personally think that Mikasa doesn’t really know how it feels to be loved by a real man; surely, what “Eren” felt for her wasn’t real love and even if it was, which is ridiculous, he didn’t put that much effort in showing those “feelings”, since the way he treats her is not how I treat my boyfriend/crush. Even if she’s 23, Mikasa has no experience with relationships, at all; she’s single and she never had a boyfriend. She needs a real man; someone that loves her and can make her happy, not a fucking bird. The bird can’t give her what she wants never thought I would have said these words lmao. She needs someone that she can love and can make her feel loved, and I know who perfectly fits these standards. Levi

But Gilbert wanted Violet to be free and independent, and that’s exactly what Levi wants for Mikasa; only with Levi, in 4 seasons, Mikasa was free do to things her own way. He trusts her, that’s why he doesn’t ask her the reason behind her decisions, he respects what she decides to do. Probably, Levi wouldn’t like to see Mikasa sitting next to Eren’s grave, crying and hoping to see the clown again (remember “I hate weaks). He knows what’s the best for her, and most importantly, he cares for her, he really does, and that’s why he will help Mikasa if she gives him the possibility to do that. Levi is coming back to her, and he won’t leave Paradise without her.

Ahh, this analysis was difficult. Logic plays a big part in RM, especially because things with this ship are never obvious. Anyway, I hope you liked my analysis. I apologize since I haven’t been active during this month, sorry. It has been a busy month and I haven’t had much free time, I hope that i will be able to post more on May 💜💜💜

#gilly bj #rivamika

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