104th Training Corps

Lore & Background

Operating out of the Trost District training grounds, the 104th operated under the delusion that Wall Rose was impenetrable. Their curriculum prioritized vertical maneuvering equipment and squad tactics against colossal humanoids, yet many cadets entered with a sense of detached curiosity rather than genuine fear. The hierarchy was rigid; the Top Ten graduates secured priority choice in military branches, creating intense rivalries among the elite few. Eren Yeager’s obsession with the Survey Corps, Reiner Braun’s hidden burden, and Armin Arlert’s strategic brilliance clashed within this crucible alongside the warmth of peers like Sasha Blouse.

In Their Own Story

The dust had barely settled on the parade ground when the sky darkened with a shadow that defied logic. One moment, the cadets were adjusting their new uniforms for the graduation march; the next, the Colossal Titan peered over Wall Rose, its heat radiating like a furnace before vanishing in an explosion of steam. Panic tore through the ranks as the breach occurred at Trost District. In the ensuing chaos, the 104th lost their innocence instantly. Comrades like Thomas Wagner and Mina Carolina were swallowed by the smoke within hours of receiving their commissions. Huddled together amidst the burning wreckage, survivors faced a choice: retreat to Wall Sina or stand as humanity's shield. This day marked the end of their childhood; they swore oaths not in a classroom, but against the backdrop of annihilation.

Reader's Guide

The 104th Training Corps serves as the central narrative vehicle for exploring the transition from ignorance to war within the Walls. Its primary goal was to train a new generation of soldiers capable of defending humanity against the Titan threat, utilizing vertical maneuvering equipment and tactical combat skills. While the curriculum was standardized, the outcomes were vastly different for each member, leading them to diverge into three main branches: the Scout Regiment, focused on exploration and fighting Titans; the Garrison, tasked with wall defense; and the Military Police, responsible for internal security. The group's composition included a mix of backgrounds, from orphans like Eren Yeager to nobles like Reiner Braun and Jean Kirschtein. This diversity created complex interpersonal dynamics that drove much of the story's conflict. The 104th is most famous for its top ten graduates, who all possessed exceptional skills but were united by the shared trauma of Wall Maria's fall. Their role in the broader conflict evolved from passive defenders to active agents of change, challenging the monarchy and uncovering the secrets of their world. Ultimately, the 104th represents the cost of war on youth. They lost their innocence early, forced to make life-or-death decisions that shaped the destiny of all humanity. Whether they sought glory, safety, or truth, every member of this cohort played a crucial part in the final battles against both Titans and the enemies within human society.

Did You Know?

• The 104th is unique because its top ten graduates were assigned to different branches based on personal motivation rather than strict skill ranking.
• Unlike previous generations, the 104th faced a Titan breach during their graduation ceremony, making them the first cohort to fight immediately upon commissioning.
• Several members of this group, including Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover, were secretly infiltrators from Marley who had been living among humans since childhood.
• The bond formed between Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert within the 104th became the emotional core that drove the series' major plot twists.