Theo Magath (Anime)

below is a profile of Theo Magath, the General of the Marleyan military and a highly respected commander who played a crucial role in both Marley’s campaigns and the war against the Titans.

Theo Magath

Theo Magath was the general of the Marleyan military, serving as the successor to Calvi with the support of Willy Tybur.

Formerly a commander of the Eldian Unit, he led the Warrior Unit in the Marley Mid-East War, playing a key role in Marley's victory.

Appearance

Magath was an older man with gray eyes, a thin beard and mustache, and short black hair kept in a buzz cut. Despite his visible wrinkles from age, he maintained an overall healthy build. Like other Marleyan soldiers, he wore the standard Marleyan military uniform: a light jacket and pants, supply packs, suspender straps, a hard hat with a black stripe, and tall combat boots. During the assault on the port with the Warriors and the Scouts, he notably discarded his coat and wore a Scout Regiment jacket.

Personality

Magath was extremely dutiful, basing most of his actions on his responsibility as a Marleyan soldier. Although he shared the prejudice of Marleyans against Eldians, he sometimes allowed the Eldians under his command—such as Colt Grice and Zeke Yeager—to speak if he thought their input was valuable.

He often treated Eldians as expendable pawns, such as when he sacrificed 800 Eldian soldiers to destroy anti-Titan artillery, while protecting Titan holders and Warrior candidates. However, this decision stemmed from his belief that Marley’s true military strength relied on the Titans.

Unlike many of his peers, Magath was critical of Marley’s arrogance and over-reliance on Titans, recognizing that other nations were advancing technologically. He opposed the Paradis Island operation being entrusted to child soldiers and pushed for conscription of ethnic Marleyans to share the burden of war.

Over time, he secretly grew attached to the Warrior candidates, especially Gabi Braun, desiring a better future for them. However, he still saw the Eldians of Paradis as an existential threat, supporting their extermination. After the Rumbling began, he finally realized his mistakes and even apologized to Eldians from Paradis who allied with him against Eren Yeager.

History

Magath had been the chief overseer of the Warrior Unit since its early days, personally evaluating candidates and selecting future Titan inheritors. By the early 840s, he was already a commander.

He helped choose Annie Leonhart, Bertholdt Hoover, Marcel Galliard, Pieck Finger, and Reiner Braun to inherit the Titans. In 843, he witnessed their first battle as trained Warriors, acknowledging their effectiveness but also voicing doubts about sending children to Paradis Island.