Omni-directional Mobility Gear

Lore & Background

To combat Titans, the military employs ODM gear alongside swords made of ultrahard steel. Later in the conflict, commander Hange Zoë developed rocket launcher-like weapons known as Thunder Spears to supplement these traditional arms. The system relies on gas-powered propulsion and grappling hooks to navigate the environment, allowing soldiers to strike at the nape of a Titan—the only known weak point. As the story progresses, specific users like Eren Yeager utilize this gear during critical moments, such as when he helps defend Trost after discovering his ability to turn into the Attack Titan. The equipment is essential for the Survey Corps' expeditions, including the mission to reclaim Wall Maria and reach the Yeagers' basement in Shiganshina.

In Their Own Story

During the breach of Wall Rose, Eren used this gear to defend the city after transforming into a sentient Attack Titan. He later joined the Special Operations Squad under Levi Ackerman and Hange Zoë, utilizing the equipment during an expedition into the forest between the walls where they encountered the Female Titan. In the ensuing battles against Reiner Braun and Bertholt Hoover, Eren used his gear to fight alongside friends while attempting to protect Historia Reiss. The gear proved vital when Survey Corps members fought the Beast, Colossal, Armored, and Cart Titans during the operation to recapture Shiganshina, a battle that saw massive casualties including the death of Erwin Smith in a suicide run against the Beast Titan.

Reader's Guide

The gear functions as a set of waist-mounted grappling hooks powered by gas propulsion. It is used in conjunction with ultrahard steel swords and later, Thunder Spears developed by Hange Zoë. Users fire anchors to traverse three-dimensional spaces, allowing them to attack Titans from unpredictable angles. The system is standard issue for the military, employed by the Survey Corps, Garrison, and Military Police to fight Pure Titans and Abnormal Titans. Training requires mastering movement in three dimensions while wielding blades capable of slicing through Titan flesh. Without this equipment, soldiers would be unable to reach the nape of a Titan or survive encounters with the Nine Titans.

Did You Know?

• The gear is also referred to as Vertical Maneuvering Equipment (VME).
• Commander Hange Zoë developed rocket launcher-like weapons known as Thunder Spears to be used in conjunction with the standard gear.
• Swords made of ultrahard steel are required to effectively use the gear against Titans.
• The equipment allows soldiers to move in three dimensions, a necessity for fighting giants that dwarf them.