Hizuru

Lore & Background

Long before the rise of the Walls on Paradis Island, Hizuru was a thriving maritime power with a rich history and advanced engineering capabilities. Unlike the stagnant society within the Walls, Hizuru embraced technological progress but suffered greatly after being conquered by foreign nations seeking its resources. The Azumabito family, the country's noble lineage, managed to preserve fragments of their heritage and knowledge even under occupation. The nation's fate shifted dramatically when Kiyomi Azumabito traveled to Paradis Island to meet with Eren Yeager and the Survey Corps. Recognizing that Marley would eventually return to destroy them all, she proposed a grand alliance: Hizuru would provide the industrial might and naval support necessary for Paradis to project power globally, while the Founding Titan would be used to protect their shared future. This pact marked a turning point in the series, introducing the world outside the Walls as a complex web of nations rather than just a binary conflict between Eldians and Marleyans.

In Their Own Story

The salt spray stung Kiyomi's face as she stood on the deck of the ship approaching Paradis. The distant silhouette of the three walls rose from the mist like ancient guardians, silent sentinels to a history she had only heard in whispers. Beside her, the young commander adjusted his cloak, his eyes fixed on the horizon with a mixture of hope and dread. "We are not just saving our own people," Kiyomi said softly, breaking the silence that had stretched between them for days. "We are lighting a fire that will warm the entire world, or burn it to ash." The captain nodded, gripping the wheel as the vessel cut through the choppy waves. In this grim anime world of giant humanoids and wall-cities, the fate of two nations now hung on the fragile thread of an alliance forged in desperation.

Reader's Guide

Hizuru represents the bridge between the isolated, feudal society of Paradis Island and the modern, industrialized world beyond the seas. Its introduction is crucial to the plot as it provides the Survey Corps with the necessary technology—specifically steam engines and naval vessels—to launch a global expedition against Marley. The nation's role in the story evolves from a distant ally into a central stage for the final act of the conflict. Without Hizuru's resources, the Eldians would remain trapped on their island, vulnerable to future attacks by the international coalition led by Marley. The alliance highlights the theme that survival often requires compromise and the merging of disparate cultures. Furthermore, Hizuru serves as a narrative device to expand the world-building beyond the walls. It introduces readers to new political dynamics, showing how other nations view Eldians not just as monsters, but as complex entities with potential for both destruction and diplomacy. The Azumabito family's journey mirrors the broader struggle of finding identity in a changing world.

Did You Know?

• Hizuru is one of the few nations explicitly shown to have cherry blossoms, symbolizing its distinct cultural identity separate from Marley and Paradis.
• The Azumabito family was once the ruling class of Hizuru before their country lost its independence to foreign invaders.
• Kiyomi Azumabito is the only character known to have traveled between Hizuru and Paradis Island prior to the main events of the series.
• Hizuru's technology, particularly their steam engines, was far more advanced than anything available on Paradis before the alliance.