Code Geass or Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is an original shounen anime series from the Sunrise animation studio. It was written by Ichiro Okouchi and directed by Gorō Taniguchi. The story begins in an alternate timeline on Earth where the Holy Britannian Empire has taken over the world. The anime series gained popularity for its unique concept. Lelouch Vi Britannia, our protagonist, gains the supernatural power of ‘absolute obedience’ from a mysterious woman, and with this power, he leads a rebellion against the holy empire. In this fight against the Holy Empire, will Lelouch die?
It had a sequel series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, which was broadcast on MBS and TBS from April to September 2008. There were also many mangas and light novel adaptations of the anime series. Initiation, Transgression, and Glorification, a compilation remake film trilogy recapping the events of both anime series’ seasons—while also altering storylines for various characters and establishing an alternate universe was released between 2017 and 2018.
A new original film titled Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection, which took place after the Zero Requiem of the film trilogy’s alternate universe got released in theatres in February 2019. Code Geass: Z of the Recapture, an anime series set in the same alternate universe, was announced in December 2020 as part of a 10-year plan.
Who is Lelouch Vi Britannia?
Lelouch Vi Britannia is the exiled prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. He is the son of Emperor Charles Zi Britannia and his royal consort Marianne Vi Britannia. Lelouch also has a sister named Nunnally Vi Britannia. His mother was brutally murdered inside of their palace, and his sister witnessed the incident with her own eyes. But Nunnally was traumatized because of it, and she lost both her sight and ability to walk due to the trauma.
Lelouch gets furious with his father as he believes his father failed his mother and sister by turning a blind eye to the murder. He also failed to pursue their mother’s killer. Lelouch and Nunally are sent to Japan or Area 11 as political pawns to null the Japanese government into a false sense of security. But soon after they arrive, Japan is attacked and defeated by Britannia.
Lelouch makes a very dear friend in Japan, Suzaku Kururugi. After Japan is destroyed, Lelouch is given the power of absolute obedience by a mysterious woman named C.C. He promises Suzaku that he will obliterate the Britannian empire and take revenge against his father for all his wrong deeds.
Also Read: Top 10 Anime Characters Who Can Beat Lelouch
Appearance
Lelouch Vi Britannia has a youthful physique and face with violet eyes and black hair, which he inherited from his mother. He is quite thin and tall. He is taller than Kallen and Suzaku. Lelouch always wears the Ashford Academy uniform or the zero uniform. When he’s not at the academy, he wears a casual red jacket with a black shirt underneath and grey trousers. As the emperor, he wears a white robe with gold accents and a matching hat along with it. His power of absolute obedience or Geass turns his eyes red.
Also Read: What Anime is Lelouch From? The Iconic Anti-Hero Character
Personality
Lelouch is a very calm, sophisticated, and intelligent individual. While at school, he acts sociable and generally agreeable towards everyone but this is to mask his true intentions. He sees his schoolwork as trivial and unnecessary. Lelouch loves seeking out new challenges, playing chess against the nobility. He strongly dislikes nobles, calling them ‘tepid’ and ‘overprivileged parasites’. Most of the time, he looks at his daily activities with general disinterest.
Lelouch is very cool-headed and tactical during battle. He will do anything to achieve his goals, even sacrifice civilians and soldiers alike. For example, during the Battle of Narita, he created a landslide to wipe out the enemy forces and as a result, wiped out several civilians. He had a very casual outlook about it. Lelouch just called this a simple ‘Mathematical overestimation’ in his case.
After learning that Shirley’s father was one of the casualties, he had second thoughts. But he accepted that there will always be consequences for his actions in one way or the other. In Lelouch’s mind, he had no other choice. He had to resort to the landslide technique to squash the threat of the enemy forces. He also saw no problem with collapsing a large portion of Tokyo. This again caused countless military and civilian casualties.
Lelouch can act very selfish at times. He will do anything to remake the world into what he deems is suitable for his traumatized sister to live in. In time he realizes that this goal is not just for revenge but for the entire world.
He can be compassionate and lovable towards his friends and family despite his selfishness towards others. For his sister Nunnally, he is a loving elder brother. To Suzaku Kururugi, he is a loyal friend, when in fact, they are enemies in the anime. Although Lelouch can come off as uncaring for his subordinates, he does care. He does see them as valuable allies. However, he shows preference to Kallen, especially on various occasions.
Will Lelouch Die?
Yes, unfortunately, Lelouch will die in the last episode of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. In this episode, Lelouch uses his Geass to force Nunnally to give him the key of the Damocles. After taking the fortress under his control, He unites the world under his tyrannical rule. He makes himself look like the source of all evil upon this world. Two months later, Lelouch plans to oversee the public execution of the leaders of the UFN and the Black Knights.
Suzaku, disguised as Zero, kills Lelouch during the event in full public view. The two had already planned for this to happen. Lelouch wanted the world to unite in hatred of him. Thus this begins a new era of peace with his sister Nunnally as the Empress of Britannia.
Lelouch will come back in code Geass: Lelouch of the resurrection even though he died at the end of Code Geass R2.
Also Read: 30 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Facts That You Should Know
Discussion about this post