Ereri (エレリ) is a slash ship between Eren Jaeger (also spelled as Eren Yeager in
the FUNimation dub of the anime) and Levi Ackerman (often incorrectly romanized
as Rivaille) from the Attack on Titan series. Levi consistently dominates fan
popularity polls in both Japan and the West, and Eren is the series' main
protagonist.[1]
Because of this, it has become the most popular slash pairing of the franchise and
is also widely considered to be one of the most popular yaoi ships in Japan
(particularly when it comes to doujinshi sales). The two are also represented in more
official art and merchandise than any other Attack on Titan pairing because of the
relative popularity of the characters.[2]
Canon
Although no romantic undertones are evident in either the manga or anime, and their
relationship skirts around the term 'friendship', there is a firm sense of mutual respect
between Eren and Levi built up over the course of the manga and the two clearly
care for each other's wellbeing.
Eren's first glimpse of 'humanity's strongest soldier'
On Eren's side, Captain Levi of the Survey Corps represents everything he's come
to admire and respect: freedom from the claustrophobic outer walls, hatred of titans
and a desire to avoid the fate set out for him (when Eren enquires about Levi's past,
Petra informs him that he was previously a thug in the underground city).
The start of their relationship in canon is thus dominated by Eren's hero-worship,
and Levi's belief that Eren is little more than a monster with the potential to become
an asset to humanity's cause.
After being taken into custody, Levi shortly asks Eren "what is it
you want to do?" Levi describes Eren's fierce response, that he wants to "join the survey
corps and slaughter some titans", as "not bad". Eren's attitude towards titans interests Levi
enough that he decides to take responsibility for him, vowing that if he "betrays us or goes
beserk, I'll kill him on the spot."
Levi wants to make clear that his vicious actions in the courtroom weren't a reflection of his opinion
When Eren's situation goes south at the trial and it becomes clear that he will be
sentenced to execution, Levi makes a show of kicking and degrading him in front of
the courtroom in order to demonstrate to the judge that he is capable of keeping him
under control. Erwin considers Eren's abilities to be a vital asset, and it is his words
along with Levi's brutal display that ultimately seal Eren's fate as a member of the
survey corps.
Unlike Eren, who is expressive and hot-headed, Levi is closed-off and abrasive. His neutral
expression often makes it difficult to ascertain what he's thinking. Both characters prefer
speaking through body language rather than using words.
A young Eren doesn't hesistate to brutally murder traffickers who had attacked and threatened to sell his childhood friend
Mikasa
In the Japanese Visual Novel Burning Bright in the Forest of the Night that was released as
an official bonus DVD feature, Levi's attitude towards Eren from their first meeting to the
deaths of his squad is described in his own words.
Even before their first meeting, Levi and Erwin had researched Eren's background,
so knew that the level of violence needed to avoid Eren's execution and get him into
the custody of the survey corps was nothing the boy couldn't handle.
Levi is strict if he knows that it will wield a result, and it takes a while for Eren to get used to this behaviour from the captain
"He is a headstrong youth. 'In his childhood, in his trainee days, he got into
numerous fights and gained an unaccountable number of injuries. 'He had
even nearly gotten killed by traffickers. 'He had even gotten swallowed by a
titan...Yet, that violence and any other form of pain will never break the boy’s
spirit." - Levi in Burning Bright
Levi's past as a criminal living in the underground city and the parallels between his
own upbringing and Eren's (both without mothers, both having to resort to violence
to reach their goals) foster a sort of guardian/ward relationship between the two.
In moments of uncertainty or doubt, Eren is therefore able to open up to Levi without
being judged, because Levi recognises a similar rage within himself.
Their relationship can be confusing and does not fit neatly into the category of
straightforward mentor/mentee because Levi does not hold back in his criticisms of
Eren.
Unlike Mikasa and Armin, Levi is unafraid to label Eren a 'monster' in their early
relationship and consistently labels him 'brat' in casual conversation. Levi is an
antagonist to Eren's doubts when required, but at the same time is also adept at
soothing them.
Levi tells a shit joke (literally)
In his early days living with the survey corps Eren is ordered by Levi to get his titan
shifting ability under control for the sake of humanity. However, when Eren is
confronted by the rest of the squad and labelled a monster after he accidentally
shifts, Levi places himself in front of Eren and takes his side, asking him if he is
alright and later explaining to Eren why his squad reacted that way.
After their untimely deaths, Levi is the one to console Eren in his own way, stressing
that there was nothing Eren could have done, and telling a wry joke in an attempt to
lighten the mood.
