Hange Zoë

Character
Name:	Hange Zoe, Hanji Zoe
Occupation:	14th Commander of the Survey Corps
Relationships:	Levi Ackerman/Hange Zoe, Erwin Smith/Hange Zoe , Moblit Burner/Hange Zoe, Petra Ral/Hange Zoe
Fandom:	Attack on Titan
Other:
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Hange Zoe is a supporting character in the manga and anime Attack on Titan.

Fandom

Hange Zoe's gender is the subject of some debate. According to the Daily Dot, the Japanese language does not frequently use gendered pronouns when addressing people due to their speakers' usage of honorifics, which means that in the original Japanese translations of the Attack on Titan manga, characters are rarely referred to as "she" or "he" and instead are referred to by their title. However, this difference in language comes into play when the manga is translated into English where the reverse is true: honorifics are rarely used while the use of "he," "she," and other uses of gendered pronouns are common. When the Attack on Titan manga was first published in English, Hange was misgendered female, and according to Behind the Voice Actors, when the manga was adapted into the anime, the directors hired a female voice actress for both the original Japanese version (Romi Park) and the English translation (Jessica Calvello). Because of this, many people believed that Hange was a female character. Then, the author of the Attack on Titan manga, Hajime Isayama, rescinded the English print that included Hange's female pronouns, and all new printed copies of the manga from volume one to the final volume now refer to Hange with gender neutral pronouns.

According to Daily Dot, in 2011, a fan directly asked Isayama about Hange's gender on the author's blog. Isayama said, "After receiving this question I think it's better if I don't say either way." The original and full Q&A blog session can be found here. It is in Japanese.

In 2014, Kodansha, the Japanese publishing company for Attack on Titan, received an anonymous question on their Tumblr account about Hange's gender. Kodansha responded, "Isayama has confirmed that. . . we're not allowed to confirm Hange's gender. He has instructured us to avoid gendered pronouns when referring to Hange, or at least to use he AND she with equal frequency." The original Tumblr post can be found here.

Pairings

The pairing between Hange Zoe and former warrior Pieck Finger, known as "Pikuhan", is the only Hange considered "semi-canon," as it's confirmed to be one-sided from Hange's side.

Although the plot is not explicitly explored, the relationship between the two characters suggests that Hange is in love with Pieck, although this is never reciprocated romantically.

In chapter 132 of the manga, Captain Levi Ackerman mocks Hange by saying that they have an unrequited love for Pieck/Titans. Hange defends themselves by saying that they'll "charm her (Pieck) yet.[2]

The official dialogue in english language is the following:

- Hange: Pieck, in that case, I'll gladly ride on the Cart Titan's back and feel the HEAT OF ITS BODY AS WE—

- Pieck: Stop! Why are you being so gross all of a sudden?

- Levi: I guess your titan love will always go unrequited, eh, four eyes.

- Hange: I'll charm her yet. You watch.

Another very popular ship involving Hange is with Moblit Berner, who was Hange's assistant and almost always seen by their side. As Hange's assistant, Moblit continually expresses fear and genuine concern for their safety when they get involved in dangerous activities, particularly those involving Hange's Titan research. Ultimately, Moblit gives his life to protect Hange during the mission to retake Wall Maria, during which Moblit pushes Hange into a well and out of the blast range of the Colossal Titan's transformation, dying himself in the process of protect them. According to the official Attack on Titan Character Encyclopedia, Volume1, page 30,, Moblit Berner is officially described as "Hange's strange partner in crime" "always fretting over Hange's recklessness. He ultimately sacrifices himself in order to save Hange from the Colossal Titan."[3] The official Attack on Titan Guidebook: INSIDE & OUTSIDE, page 93 described Moblit Berner as the "Babysitter for the out-of-control Squad Leader Hange"[4], "constantly working with Hange as a loyal aide"[5], "always worried for the Titan-Mad Hange" [6] and "worked hard to keep Hange safe during the wild action that ensued".[7]

The most popular ship involving Hange has been with Levi, their ship name being LeviHan.

The anime and manga show Hange being the overly excited and enthusiastic friend, while Levi balances it out with his bluntness, sarcasm, and teasing. Although there's not a developed in-story between Levi and Hange, fans of the *LeviHan* ship believe that their playful interactions and constant banter suggest deeper feelings between them. However, in a Q&A for the 15th anniversary of the publication of Attack on Titan which later was published in an official magazine in 2024,*Shingeki no Kyojin* creator Hajime Isayama denied this theory by stating that the two characters would never settle down or live together, as many fans of the pairing had speculated. [8]

In April 2016 Bessatsu Shonen Magazine published on March 9th, 2016, creator Hajime Isayama was asked "Who gets along best with Hanji among the Survey Corps members?" His response was "Levi, or well, that’s what Hanji thinks.", implying the friendship is mostly one sided from Hange's part.[9]

Example Fanworks

Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples.