Settings and themes of Code Geass
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The settings and themes of the anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion are parts of an alternate universe within which the Holy Empire of Britannia, an international superpower, has expanded its influence over much of the planet.
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[edit] Plot summary
On August 10, 2010, a.t.b., the Holy Empire of Britannia overpowered Japanese forces and conquered the country with their newly-developed robotic weapons, the Knightmare Frames, in less than a month. Japan lost its freedom, its rights, and even its name, becoming "Area 11" and its people "Elevens". The Elevens are forced to survive in ghettos while Britannians live in first-class settlements. Rebel elements persist, however, as pockets of Japanese resistance struggle against the Empire for the independence of Japan.
After his father, Emperor Charles Di Britannia, did nothing to pursue the terrorists who murdered his mother and crippled his sister, Lelouch Lamperouge vowed to destroy Britannia after being banished from his home. Seven years later in Area 11, he encounters a mysterious girl who gives him the power of Geass. With it, he finally has the power he needs to defeat Britannia and fulfill his two wishes: to seek revenge for his mother and to construct a world where his beloved sister can live happily.
[edit] Knightmare Frames
The Knightmare Frames (ナイトメアフレーム Naitomea Furēmu?) are giant robots designed by the Britannia Empire. Using self-propelled roller skate systems called 'Landspinners' to achieve high mobility and speeds on almost any terrain, they have all but replaced other ground-based combat vehicles. They are equipped with a sophisticated 'Factsphere' open sensor camera to gather visual data. Their power source is also known as the Yggdrasil Drive and later models incorporate nuclei made of Sakuradite, a material paramount in superconductivity technology.
Their main standard weapons are hand-held rifles, shoulder or wrist-mounted Slash Harkens (wired rocket anchors), Stun Tonfas, lances, and air burst hand grenades. The cockpit, set in the protruding "hump back", can be ejected in case of emergency and is equipped with parachutes. Verbally, the name sounds like nightmare, but in spelling, it refers to a knight's mare.
[edit] Geass
Geass is a mysterious ability which certain people can bestow upon others; C.C. is the most prominent character who grants the power of Geass. The Geass manifests differently in each individual, possibly related to their inner desires. The power of Geass increases with use, and should the user lack the willpower, they may be consumed by it, which was the case with Mao. C.C. calls Geass the Power of the King (王の力 Ou no Chikara?), and though she is unable to use the power herself, she is immune to the power being used on her. However, people who have Geass are not immune to the Geass effects of others. The Geass is represented by a glowing, bird-shaped symbol.
Every Geass, while powerful, has its own unique set of restrictions, limitations, or idiosyncrasies. These factors allow a Geass to be defeated, or its power limited, to someone who is aware of its characteristics. All Geass abilities that have thus far appeared within the canon of the television series have been related to the mind, influencing such things as will, thought, memory, and perception. Geass abilities in the manga sidestory Knightmare of Nunnally have no such limitations.
According to an English edition of Newtype, the power of Geass has something to do with the very existence of humankind, and it may be used to destroy or transform just about anything.[1] "Geass" may be an intentional corruption of the word geas or geis, a term for a type of magical contract in Irish mythology.
[edit] Canonical Geass
- Lelouch's Geass
- By his contract with C.C., Lelouch gains "the power of absolute obedience," which allows him to plant commands within a person's mind upon eye contact in a manner comparable to hypnosis, though far more potent. The ability cannot influence the same individual twice. Activation of the Geass is visually represented by the manifestation of a Geass sigil in his left eye. Commands dictated in this state are written into the minds of the designated targets once the sigil projects from his eye to theirs. Lelouch could initially toggle Geass activation at will, but subsequently loses this control to an affliction known as Geass runaway (ギアス暴走 giasu bouzou?).
- Mao's Geass
- Mao's Geass allows him to telepathically hear every person's conscious thought within a 500 meter radius. He does not need to maintain direct eye contact with his victim and, apart from C.C., has no restrictions on who it can be used on. Mao can concentrate on fewer victims at a time, which decreases his effective range but allows him to read deeper into the victims' minds and even probe their memories. He cannot read something if the victim has no knowledge of it or has completely forgotten about it. C.C. gave the power of Geass to Mao when he was six, and like Lelouch his Geass eventually became permanently active due to overuse. As such, Geass sigils are lit in both eyes constantly, which he masks with sunglasses. Since he hears people's thoughts all the time, Mao wears headphones that play recorded comforting words from C.C. to drown out the sounds.
- Charles Di Britannia's Geass
- Though the exact nature of his Geass is unknown, the Emperor of Britannia possesses the apparent ability to freely alter an individual's memories at will; he may also seal the ability of another Geass user. The influence of this ability may be cancelled by C.C., who suggests that it was V.V. who granted the Emperor his Geass.[2]
- Rolo's Geass
- Rolo's Geass, which manifests in his right eye, grants him the ability to temporarily suspend the subjective experience of time for all individuals within a given sphere of influence — represented on-screen as a glowing orange bubble that expands from his body. In short, those under its effects are frozen in place. It can function regardless of material barriers or electronic equipment, does not require eye contact, and can be used on the same person more than once. Its range is set on each use, with no presently known absolute maximum, and it can be used repeatedly with no apparent trouble. However, each use appears to last for only five seconds. Despite long-term possession of the ability, Rolo appears to remain in full control of its activation. C.C. suggests that it was V.V. who granted Rolo his Geass.
[edit] Non-canonical Geass
[edit] Nightmare of Nunnally (manga)
- Nunnally's Geass
- Upon contract with the entity known as Nemo, Nunnally and Nemo gain the shared ability to read "the lines of the future", functionally identical to precognition. A red, bird-like sigil lights up in Nemo's left eye when the ability is activated.
- Alice's Geass, "The Speed"
- Implanted with cells from C.C., Alice obtains a Geass ability referred to as "The Speed," which allows her to hyperaccelerate all objects within a given radius by manipulating local gravitational pull. When active, a Geass sigil appears upon Alice's forehead.
- Alice's blood contains a cell-action suppressant, as the activity of C.C.'s biological matter tends to strain and overtax the human body. A suppressant neutralizer may be administered to temporarily boost the effect of "The Speed" in battle, which enables movement of such high speed that it resembles teleportation.
- Sancia's Geass, "The Order"
- Sancia's Geass accurately identifies the positions of targets within a given range and precisely calculates their probable movement trajectories based on all known variables. When active, a Geass sigil appears upon Sancia's forehead.
- Lucretia's Geass, "The Land"
- Lucretia's Geass allows her to map three-dimensional terrain accurately within a given range. When active, a Geass sigil appears upon Lucretia's forehead.
- Dalque's Geass, "The Power"
- Dalque's Geass augments her physical strength by exaggerating the magnitude of macroscopic forces. When active, a Geass sigil appears upon Dalque's forehead.
[edit] Games
- Castor's Geass (DS Game)
- Castor Rui Britannia can telepathically communicate with his twin brother Pollux.
- Pollux's Geass (DS Game)
- Pollux Rui Britannia has the same Geass as Lelouch, but when pitted against one another his seems to be weaker.
- Rai's Geass (Lost Colors PS2/PSP game)
- The protagonist of Code Geass: Lost Colors , Rai possesses a non-optical manifestation of Lelouch's "power of absolute obedience," which relies instead upon the sound of his voice as a medium. The ability cannot influence the same individual twice, but those formerly afflicted by Lelouch's Geass may still be controlled, and vice versa.
[edit] World
The world of Code Geass is divided amongst three international superpowers: the Holy Empire of Britannia (shown in red), the Chinese Federation (shown in light green), and the Euro Universe (shown in yellow). Additionally, Australia (shown in light blue) has remained independent, and is not a major player in international politics. The smallest country (although recognition of it varies) is the United State of Japan, created by Zero and the Order of the Black Knights to destroy Britannia and free the nation. It is dangerous to even the superpower Britannia, mostly due to Zero's incredible tactical skill, which creates "miracles" that draw in support from all around.
[edit] The Holy Empire of Britannia
The Holy Empire of Britannia (神聖ブリタニア帝国 Shinsei Buritania Teikoku?) is the most prominent superpower within the world of Code Geass. Shown in red, its homeland is based in North America, with additional territories spanning the western hemisphere, including the rest of the Americas and Greenland. It also controls New Zealand, Japan, parts of the Middle East, and the rest of the Indochina Peninsula (known as "Area 10" in the official novel "Stage 0-ENTRANCE"), though the status of the Philippines is not clear.[3] It notably does not have the British Isles, having lost them to Napoleon. In total, it controls over one third of the world's population. Those countries it conquers are renamed as "Areas"; Japan, for example, is Area 11, being the eleventh territory which Britannia has occupied.
The Britannia imperial family began from a Celtic king who resisted Julius Caesars invasion, which led to the creation of the Britannian Empire. This divergence in history caused many other differences: the retaining of absolute monarchy, the suppression of the American colonies' rebellion in 1776, and the eventual conquering of the American continents. Its calendar is "Ascension Throne Britannia", or a.t.b (known as the Imperial Calender in the English dub). It has continued to expand, the most recent invasion taking place in the Middle East. Britannia invaded Japan to obtain a newly discovered energy source, Sakuradite, which produces 70% of the world's total supply of the mineral. Its ideology is based around Social Darwinism.
- Area 10
- A colony of Britannia situated in the Indochinese Peninsula, mentioned in the official novel Code Geass: Stage 0-ENTRANCE.
- Area 11 (Japan)
- Japan has the richest sources of Sakuradite on the planet. Under Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi and with the shadow support of the Sakuradite industries, Japan oppressed and dominated other countries through economic control. Frictions between the Britannian Empire and Japan eventually developed into a diplomatic conflict and later open war. Britannia invaded and conquered Japan to seize control of the resource. Japan's name was changed to Area 11 and its people renamed to Elevens. The area under Mount Fuji is designated the Special Administrative Zone of Japan, which was first attempted by Sub-Viceroy Euphemia Li Britannia (which ended in a bloody massacre of the Japanese people attending and incited rebellion) and was reinstated by Viceroy Nunnally Vi Britannia (which saw all one million participants exiled).
- Area 18
- Area 18 is a colony in the Middle East, brought under Britannian control by Second Princess Cornelia. It is responsible for the production of the Knightmare Frame Bamides.
[edit] Chinese Federation
Shown in teal, the Chinese Federation is an imperial monarchy that spans the Asian and Pacific regions, including Central, South, and Southeast Asia with Sakhalin. Its political structure and organization appears to resemble the real-world Empire of China. The Emperor of the Federation was formerly an office that held absolute political power, but it has since been reduced to an effectively symbolic figurehead posting, "a symbol of the state and the unity of the people." As with the real-world Emperor of Japan, the individual who holds the title is regarded as a living divinity whose sovereignty is entirely ceremonial. True control of the nation lies with the governmental organization known as the "High Eunuchs" (大宦官?). The Federation capital is based in the Forbidden City in Luoyang.
The Federation seeks to take control of Area 11 for its own purposes. In the first season, General Cao attempts unsuccessfully to set up a puppet government in Kyūshū, using the remnants of the Japanese cabinet in exile. In the second season, a Chinese consulate is established with the agreement of the local Britannian authorities, and negotiations are held by Eunuch Gaohai to the end of obtaining a solid Chinese foothold within the colony. The Federation has long-standing hostilities with the Euro Universe.
- Penglai Island
- Penglai Island (蓬萊島? named after Mount Penglai) is an artificial island off the coast of China which generates electricity through tidal activity. It is granted to the Black Knights by the Federation to accommodate the Japanese refugees exiled following Britannia's second attempt to establish the Special Administrative Zone of Japan.
- India
- One of the territories under the Chinese Federation, it is said to be vying for independence.[4] As such, they have been helping the Order of the Black Knights by providing them Knightmare Frames and Rakshata's expertise.
[edit] Euro Universe
Shown in yellow, the Euro Universe[5] (ユーロ・ユニバース Yūro Yunibāsu?), or E.U., was born during the time of revolution (1800s). Unlike the Holy Empire of Britannia, it is more democratic and supports equal human rights. It has long been in conflict with Britannia, with a legendary commander stationed at El Alamein checking the Britannian advance into North Africa. It encompasses all of Europe (including the British Isles), Russia, and Africa.
The E.U. apparently organizes their military into left-wing and right-wing camps, and their forces are drawn from National Guard-style units from a member nation (i.e. the German National Guard, the Italian National Guard and the Dutch Engineering Corps).
[edit] Australia
Shown in blue, Australia is seemingly independent of Britannia, possibly due to the historical divergence causing no English settlers to be sent. However, it could be populated by settlers from the EU Countries or even solely by native Australian Aborigines.
[edit] United State of Japan
Established by the Order of the Black Knights (or rather, Zero) near the end of the first season, the country rebels against the Britannian Empire, but is summarily defeated when Lelouch abandons the Black Knights in search of Nunnally. Upon their escape to the Chinese Federation Consulate in the second season, Zero once again declares its formation, this time as a room in the consulate. After the exile of the Black Knights, they are granted control of an artificial island in Chinese territory. While Britannia considers it non-existent, the Chinese Federation seems to support (or at least make use of) it. The Euro Universe's stance is unknown.
[edit] History of the World
The fictional history of the Codes Geass universe differs significantly from real-world history, namely in the outcomes of various famous battles.
- 55 BC
- Julius Caesar attempts to invade Britain, but is met with strong resistance from the local tribes, who elect a super-leader: the Celtic King Eowyn, who summarily became first member of the Britannian royal line.
- Unknown year
- Sakuradite (known as the "Philosopher's Stone" at the time) was discovered near Stonehenge. The scarcity of Sakuradite impeded the research to turn it into a viable energy source. However, in his travels, Marco Polo journeyed further into the East, reaching Japan and discovered the nation had a large deposit of Sakuradite.
- 16th Century a.t.b.
- Elizabeth II, who remained single throughout her life, bears a son, Henry IX. The potential fathers — Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester; Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex; and Carl, Duke of Britannia — gain influence and power with this knowledge.
- Henry IX ascends to the throne after the death of his mother in 1603, starting the Golden Age of the Tudor Dynasty.[6]
- 1770s a.t.b.
- The American Revolution (also known as Washington's Rebellion) occurs. The current Duke of Britannia bribes Benjamin Franklin with promises of titles and territories in the colonies, who was charged with appealing to Louis XVI for assistance in the American colonies' war for independence.
- Thereafter, Benjamin Franklin is given the title of Earl. As a result, the Continental Army suffers a decisive defeat during the Siege of Yorktown with the death of George Washington, ending the American movement for independence.
- End of the 18th Century a.t.b.
- The Western world enters the Age of Revolution, with numerous national revolutions taking place, save Britannia, under the rule of Henry X, who continues to hold absolute monarchy. This led to the formation of the Euro Universe.
- After French revolutionary Napoleon Bonaparte emerges, he wins the Battle of Trafalgar and occupies London.
- In 1807 a.t.b., Queen Elizabeth III retreats to Edinburgh, where a revolutionary militia arrests and forces her to abdicate, ending the monarchy. This event became known as The Humiliation of Edinburgh. However, Ricardo Von Britannia, Duke of Britannia, and his friend and subordinate, Sir Richard Hector, Knight of One, bring Elizabeth III and her followers to the New World and establish a capital on the east coast of North America.
- 1813 a.t.b.
- Elizabeth III nominates her lover, Ricardo Von Britannia, as her successor upon her death. She ends her reign for being "the Queen who loved throughout her stormy life". The Britannian calendar, Ascension Throne Britannia (a.t.b.), is established, with the origin year set to the ascendancy of the first Celtic King.
- 1821 a.t.b.
- Napoleon Bonaparte dies on his way back to France, after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo; although it was never proven, it is rumored that assassins poisoned his food in accordance to Elizabeth III's will. Her last words included the famous line, "I do not forget slights to my honour."[citation needed]
- 2010 a.t.b.
- After the Indochinese Peninsula was conquered by Britannia and became Area 10, Japan, which was originally neutral, decided to align its policy with Chinese Federation and EU's politics and apply economic pressure upon Britannia. Both Chinese Federation and EU and their allies blockade the ports of Britannia, hoping to force negotiations.[7]
- The Second Pacific War erupts; the one month war resulted in the conquering of Japan by Britannia. The end of the war signifies Japan as a formal colony of Britannia, renamed Area 11 and its citizens known as "Elevens".[8]
- 2017 a.t.b.
- Governor-General and Third Prince Clovis La Britannia is killed by Zero.[6]
- Second Princess Cornelia Li Britannia is appointed Governor-General of Area 11, naming Third Princess Euphemia Li Britannia as Lieutenant Governor-General. She immediately begins her campaign to bring Zero to justice.
- Zero forms the Order of the Black Knights. Its membership expands with each victory. All attempts to destroy the Black Knights end in failure.
- Using her power, Euphemia tries to creates a Special Administrative Zone of Japan.[9] It is "revealed" to be a ploy to massacre the Elevens, and she is killed by Zero.[10]
- The Black Rebellion breaks out. The Black Knights ignite riots across the country as they continue to push towards the Area 11 Government Complex. The rebellion is eventually pushed back and crushed, with most of the Black Knights killed or captured.[11] Area 11 is demoted to a correctional sub-area.
- 2018 a.t.b.
- Within the Chinese Federation Consulate of Area 11, Zero reappears and redeclares the United State of Japan.[12]
- Eleventh Princess Nunnally Vi Britannia becomes Governor-General of Area 11, and reestablishes the Special Administration Zone of Japan. Zero's gives his support on the condition that he be exiled.[13]
- Zero, along with over a million of his supporters dressed like him, are exiled from Area 11 and seek asylum in the Chinese Federation.[14]
[edit] Terminology
- Ashford Academy (アッシュフォード学園 Asshufōdo Gakuen?)
- A private academy in Area 11 (Japan) for Britannians, owned by the Ashford family, where Lelouch, Nunnally, and their friends study.
- Avalon (アヴァロン Avaron?)
- A Britannian airship, originally owned by Schneizel but is currently used as the command ship of Suzaku's personal unit, "Camelot". It features an MSV shield on its underside and a specialised wheelchair catapult for launching the Lancelot, including a crane for equipping the Lancelot with its Float Unit and Hadron Blaster. Named for Avalon, a mythical island from Arthurian myth.
- Concession (租界 Sokai?)
- Settlements within Britannian-controlled regions designed to provide First World comforts to citizens of the Empire abroad at the expense of colonized peoples. The commercial and residential sectors are administered so as to be indistinguishable from the metropolitan environments of the Britannian homeland. Concessions are typically segregated from the rest of the colony by the massive solar arrays that power them. Monorails are installed for ease of transport within.
- Eleven (イレヴン Irevun?)
- The derogatory designation of the Japanese following the colonization and establishment Area 11.
- Ghetto (ゲットー Gettō?)
- Districts within a Britannian colony unadministered by the colonial government and left to be inhabited by Numbers unwilling to adopt Britannian citizenship. Conditions are typically poor. The ghettos of Area 11 are filled with the bombed remains of pre-war buildings, and the majority of the residents are unemployed.
- Imperial Calendar (a.t.b)
- The calendar used by the Britannia Empire. It started during the Roman Empire's first (foiled) attempt to invade Great Britain. The initials a.t.b. mean 'Ascension Throne Britannia' and refer to the election of a Celtic super-leader by Britannian tribes to resist the invader.
- Irregular (イレギュラー Ireguraa?)
- A term referring to any individual with physical capabilities that significantly exceed the limits of a normal human. In Nightmare of Nunnally, "Irregulars" is also the name of a Britannian military unit that employs such individuals.
- Honorary Britannian (名誉ブリタニア人 Meiyo Buritania-jin?)
- Citizens of the conquered Areas can become Honorary Britannians when they swear allegiance to the Britannia Empire. They attain the same legal rights as normal Britannians, but by no means are they free from prejudice and inequality. Also, Honorary Britannian soldiers cannot achieve the same career as native Britannians as certain privileges are forbidden to them.
- Knight (騎士 Kishi?)
- The technical term for a Knightmare Frame pilot. Typically, only Britannians can pilot Knightmares, though Suzaku is a special exception thanks to his being a part of the Special Technical Division. Knights are the lowest level of nobility capable of requesting an audience with an Imperial Prince or Princess, but unlike normal titles of nobility, knighthood is not hereditary. It is also the title given to the personal bodyguard chosen by a member of the Imperial family. The highest order of Knights are the Knights of Rounds, under the direct control of the Emperor and outside the normal chain of command.
- Numbers (ナンバーズ nanbaazu?)
- A derogatory general designation for the people of regions colonized by Britannia. Native inhabitants of a colony are categorically referred to by their "Area" number.
- Purist faction (純血派 Junketsu-ha?)
- A Britannian political faction that opposes the honorary citizenship system, claiming that neither military nor society should sullied with foreigners.
- Refrain (リフレイン Rifurein?)
- An illegal and highly addictive deliriant that afflicts abusers with hallucinatory flashbacks to pleasant past experiences. Temporary behavioral abnormality is exhibited while under the influence. Under Britannian law, penalization for possession is comparable to that associated with narcotics in the real world.
- Royal Panzer Infantry (RPI)
- Official designation of common Knightmare Frame infantry within the Britannian Army.
- Sakuradite (サクラダイト Sakuradaito?)
- An important resource used in the manufacturing of superconductors. First discovered near Stonehenge as the "Philosopher's Stone", Marco Polo discovered it was abundant in Japan, currently responsible for 70% of the world's supply. One of its mines reside in Mount Fuji, and this strategic material is the primary reason for Britannia's invasion. Since then, annual meetings are held between Britannia and other world powers to determine each one's share of Sakuradite extracted from Area 11. Sakuradite is able to be stored in liquid form and is explosive, or at least highly flammable.[15]
- Shiseiken (四聖剣? lit. Four Holy Swords)
- An elite unit of four of Kyōshirō Tōdō's most talented and devoted followers. During the confusion in the Battle of Narita, they ambushed Governor-General Cornelia's Knightmare using the newly developed Burai Kai Japanese Knightmares. Their existence extends all the way back into the initial invasion of Japan by Britannia seven years prior to the Battle of Narita.
- Sword of Akasha (アカシャの剣? Akasha no Tsurugi)
- A shrine-like location that the Emperor of Britannia built, based around the architecture of Roman buildings and Stonehenge. Its true purpose is unknown, but is being described by the Emperor as a weapon to defeat the gods. Only a few know of and have access to this place, including the Emperor himself, V.V., and Suzaku Kururugi.
[edit] References
- ^ Newtype USA, September 2006 edition.
- ^ Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, episode 3.
- ^ In the map shown in season one, it shows the Philippines is under Britannian control; however, it's implied in season two that the Empire plans to expand there.
- ^ "The Bride of the Vermillion City". Code Geass. Mainichi Broadcasting System. 2008-06-08. No. 9, season 2.
- ^ According to the March 2008 Newtype magazine, released in February 2008, Euro Universe is the proper name of the E.U.
- ^ a b Code Geass: season one, episode three; "The False Classmate".
- ^ Novel: STAGE-0-Entrance
- ^ Code Geass: season one, episode one; "The Day a New Demon was Born".
- ^ Code Geass: season one, episode twenty-one; "Campus Festival Declaration".
- ^ Code Geass: season one, episode twenty-three; "At Least With Sadness".
- ^ Code Geass: season one, episode twenty-five: "Zero".
- ^ Code Geass: season two, episode two; "Japan Independence Plan".
- ^ Code Geass: season two, episode seven; "The Discarded Mask".
- ^ Code Geass: season two, episode eight; "The Millions Miracles.
- ^ Code Geass: season one, episode thirteen; "Shirley and the Muzzle".
