Zeke Yeager was the former War Chief of Marley's Warriors and the inheritor of the Beast Titan. He was the son of Grisha Yeager and Dina Fritz, making him the half-brother of Eren Yeager and a member of the royal Fritz bloodline through his mother. Regarded as Marley’s strongest Warrior, Zeke was highly intelligent, manipulative, and played both sides of the conflict between Marley and Eldia to pursue his own agenda: the euthanasia plan to sterilize all Subjects of Ymir, which he believed was true “salvation.” 

In his human form, Zeke was a tall, broad man with blue eyes, shaggy blond hair, and a distinctive mustache and beard. He often wore circular glasses, loose pants, and boots, giving him a scholarly yet rugged look. After returning to Marley, he adopted a cleaner, short-haired appearance, with a trimmed beard, contrasting his earlier wild style.

In his Beast Titan form (17 meters), Zeke was highly unusual, resembling an ape-like Titan covered in dark fur, with long arms, functional thumbs, and pointed ears. Despite its size, this Titan was known for its devastating throwing accuracy, turning ordinary objects into deadly projectiles. His Titan eyes featured a dark sclera with red irises, adding to its menacing appearance.

Zeke was one of the most intelligent and calculating figures in the series. He displayed curiosity and analytical thinking, often studying enemies and technology, such as ODM gear. Despite his intelligence, he was also cold, ruthless, and pragmatic, killing without hesitation and prioritizing objectives over sentiment.

He was a natural leader, commanding authority over the Warriors and punishing disobedience harshly, even threatening or abandoning his own comrades like Reiner and Bertholdt. His tactical skills and ability to remain calm under pressure made him invaluable to Marley’s military.

However, beneath this cold exterior, Zeke carried deep trauma and cynicism. He believed Eldians were doomed to suffer and embraced nihilistic ideals, seeking their extinction through his euthanasia plan. Yet, he also showed moments of compassion, such as pity for the people of Paradis trapped within the Walls. His relationship with his mentor Tom Ksaver shaped his worldview, and his complicated bond with Eren Yeager revealed his hidden need for understanding and validation.

Childhood: Zeke was born to Grisha Yeager and Dina Fritz, Eldian Restorationists who wanted to overthrow Marley. However, his parents neglected him, pushing their ideals instead of showing affection. Struggling as a Warrior candidate, Zeke grew distant until he bonded with Tom Ksaver, a Marleyan Titan researcher who became his mentor and father figure.

Betrayal of Parents: When Marley began to suspect the Restorationists, Tom Ksaver convinced Zeke to turn in his own parents to protect himself and his grandparents. This decision secured Zeke’s loyalty in Marley’s eyes but left him scarred. Grisha and Dina were exiled to Paradis and transformed into Titans.

Inheriting the Beast Titan: At age 17, Zeke inherited the Beast Titan from Tom Ksaver. He kept Xaver’s glasses as a memento and developed unique abilities due to his royal bloodline, including the power to transform Eldians into Titans by using his spinal fluid and controlling them with a scream.

Service in Marley: Over two decades, Zeke became Marley’s most feared Warrior, leading campaigns that crushed nations and earning a reputation for efficiency and brutality. In battle, his Titan throwing ability devastated enemy forces, often likened to artillery bombardment.

Paradis Operation: Zeke led operations against Paradis Island, clashing with Levi Ackermann and the Survey Corps. Despite his military successes, he was secretly pursuing his own agenda—the Eldian euthanasia plan he developed with Xaver.

Alliance with Eren: Later, Zeke sought to unite with his half-brother Eren Yeager, believing they shared the same goal of saving Eldians through extinction. While he genuinely cared for Eren, he was ultimately betrayed, as Eren used him to unlock the Founding Titan’s true power.

Final Moments: In the Paths, Zeke’s outlook softened. He reflected on life, humanity, and his bond with Tom Ksaver and Eren. Ultimately, Zeke was killed by Levi Ackermann, ending the legacy of the Beast Titan and his long, tragic pursuit of salvation.